Cool Black Submariner watch....now how to get a link?

[richnota]

Rather than spend the $5000 on a "blacked out" Rolex submariner, I picked up a replica from a funky japanese designer. The "Bapex" watch is from "A Bathing Ape" and i got it direct from a shop in Japan. I couldnt stand the idea of a counterfeit watch but the obvious fake including a Gorilla head and silly small print works.

Seems the designer makes limited numbers of items and when they sell out, that's it. Cant say I really go for their hip hop style but that's another story.

The watch looks and feels great but the bracelet is a tiny bit too small. I've always shortened my watch bands...can a watch maker piece in a link from another black band?

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Must have a really tiny periscope.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by richnota

The watch looks and feels great but the bracelet is a tiny bit too small. I've always shortened my watch bands...can a watch maker piece in a link from another black band?

Nice! Support the clone market

Yes, you can't have a link made for about 3X the cost of the knockoff watch

[Bard2dbone]

I'd totally rock that in stead of the incredibly expensive one. But if anyone is going to have too big of a wrist for something, I'm that guy.

[FL Knifemaker]

Do you guys support offshore knockoffs of expensive basses as well??? ........ Or is there some sort of justification for doing it with watches???

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I want to see where the dive planes fold out.

But I don't want to see it blow septic.

[richnota]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Nice! Support the clone market

Yes, you can't have a link made for about 3X the cost of the knockoff watch

Ouch! didn't think I was playing in "knock off space". the watch is obviously badged as its own brand. Does it help that I own real ones? Darn! I knew I should've spent the 5 grand but I really wanted that Rob Allen.

Kidding aside, I hear your point.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by richnota

Ouch! didn't think I was playing in "knock off space". the watch is obviously badged as its own brand. Does it help that I own real ones? Darn! I knew I should've spent the 5 grand but I really wanted that Rob Allen.

Kidding aside, I hear your point.

Sorry, I just go berserk over the knockoff market I'll shut up now

[SoComSurfing]

While I generally agree with you, Neil, I personally don't mind this one. The maker is not trying to pass it off as the real-deal. I actually like the look. It reminds me slightly of what Oris has done with some of their recent F1 series.

[Happynoj]

Bathing Ape are well gangsta.

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Celebrities known to wear BAPE include James Lavelle, Dillinja, DJ Shadow, Ian Brown, Ian Astbury, Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco , Bartholomew, T.I., MC Jin, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Fabolous, Caio Von Menezes, Teriyaki Boyz, Mark Hoppus, Kanye West, Soulja Boy, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Omarion, Muter, Clipse, Adrian Orange, Ad-Rock, De Lux, Big Bang, Kid Cudi, Maurice Edu Mitchel Musso, Club Dogo, Yukmouth, Wale, and many others.

Soulja Boy name-dropped them in that Crank song.

[jady]

Those go for about $500 right?

How is the build quality? the movement?

I've never seen one in person to check out.

[Chebass88]

I am awaiting the day when I will buy a Rolex Submariner.

[richnota]

Originally Posted by jady

Those go for about $500 right?

How is the build quality? the movement?

I've never seen one in person to check out.

I'd say I ended up paying a premium for the "BAPEX" fashion brand.

The watch has a nice finish and a solid feel, but the band feels a little insubstantial. Compared to my Rolex Submariner, it is a bit lighter and doesn't have the crisp face graphics. Haven't opened it to check the movement (my hunch is its the same inexpensive but accurate Swiss movement that shows up in affordable automatics). In its favor the black finish is very good.

The watch doesn't offer much more than a $100 Invicta "submariner-style" except for the cool gorilla and excellent black finish.

Inevitably I'm going to break down and buy a real PVD Submariner. Best bet: pick up a used Tudor or Rolex and have IWW (industrial watch works) clean it up and do the black ceramic finish.

[PaulNYC]

why not get a DLC coating instead?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Do you guys support offshore knockoffs of expensive basses as well??? ........ Or is there some sort of justification for doing it with watches???

You must hate Sadowsky etc etc?

I must admit, I wouldn't buy a knock off watch, it's just a waste of money. I've only got one knock off right now, that's a Breitling clone that an ex-gf gave me. About a fortnight after she gave me the watch, the hands broke . It didn't hold time well at all either (was generally 30+ seconds fast, each hour, had to turn it back almost 15 minutes each day!).

There are plenty of "low end" watches out there that will hold time well, are well built and many that in the same vein of aesthetics as a rolex and whatnot. Seiko, Citizen, Casio, Timex etc etc.

On topic, don't know where you'd get a similar link if the original manufacturer doesn't have any.

[KeithBMI]

I don't understand the appeal of expensive watches.

Then again.. I'm not a cranky, old man.

[richnota]

Originally Posted by PaulNYC

why not get a DLC coating instead?

i may have my acronyms mixed up. Courtesy of google and the rolex forum....can't vouch for accuracy. To quote:

"PVD = Physical Vapor Deposition (the process of applying a vaporized coating to something)

DLC= Diamond Like Coating (a vaporized coating)

PVD is a process. DLC is a type of coating. DLC coating is applied using the PVD process.

It's like "brush" and "paint"

Paint is applied using a brush.

DLC is applied using PVD.



So I want to get a DLC coating. Not a PVD. isnt the web cool

[geeza]

What's with the "R" at the 6 o'clock position?