First off, let’s get real. We’re talkin’ fakes here. Reps. Call ’em what you want, but they ain’t the real deal Holyfield. But, BUT, some of these things are CRAZY good these days. I mean, back in the day, you could spot a fake from, like, across the room. Now? You need a freakin’ microscope and maybe a PhD in horology.
So, where do you even *start*? Well, based on what I’ve been readin’ (I mean, I’m no expert, just sayin’), Clean Factory and VSF seem to be the, like, undisputed kings of the Submariner rep game. I saw one dude (on RWI, I think?) who actually bought *both* the Clean and VSF versions of the 124060 and did a full-on comparison. Dedication, right? I’m kinda jealous.
Thing is, even within Clean or VSF, there are different versions and updates. You gotta keep up! It’s like trying to understand the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One minute you’re thinkin’ you’re all caught up, and BAM! Multiverse of Madness. Same with these reps. They’re constantly tweaking things, making them better and more accurate.
And then there’s the whole “Swiss movement” thing. Some claim to have 1:1 Swiss movements, but, honestly, I’m skeptical. Like, *really* skeptical. If you’re paying a grand for a rep, maybe. But even then…I’d be doin’ some serious research. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is. A good quality Asian movement is usually pretty damn good and reliable. No need to spend a fortune for marginal gains, in my opinion.
Now, about the “best” Submariner to rep… This is where it gets even messier. Do you want the classic 16610? The newer ceramic bezel 116610? The latest 124060? They all have their own, like, cult following. Personally, I’m partial to the vintage stuff. A good ref. 5512 Rolex rep? Oh man, that’s just pure class. But then you gotta worry about the details, the tiny little things that only vintage Rolex collectors obsess over. It’s a whole ‘nother level of crazy.
And, where do you even *buy* these things? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? RWI (RepGeek is alright too) is a good place to start, specifically their M2M (member-to-member) section. At least you know you’re dealing with people who are (mostly) trustworthy. But be careful out there, folks! There are scammers abound. Do your research, read the reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.