Comparision: Audemars Piguet Chronograph vs. AP Diver Steel

As the preeminent creator of custom rubber straps, Rubber B has spent the last few years creating straps for some of the most respected watchmakers in Europe and North America, including Rolex, Tudor and Apple. Rubber B offers a wide selection of colors, styles and materials for these watches, all made exclusively from 100% vulcanized rubber.
One of our favorite long-running segments on the Rubber B blog is our “Vs.” series, in which we compare two copy watches from competing watch brands to see if one is significantly better.
This blog post will compare and contrast the two watches – the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph and the Royal Oak Offshore Steel Diver. Last year, the Offshore Chronograph was discontinued to accommodate the production of Offshore Diver Steel. Are the new watches better than their predecessors?
The case size of the Royal Oak Offshore is 42mm, the standard size for this watch style. The watch is powered by the caliber 3840. This movement is automatic and is made in-house by Audemars Piguet. This watch has a power reserve of up to 50 hours. It is also water resistant up to 330 feet.
The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, like all Royal Oak watches, has a very distinctive look. This is mainly due to its instantly recognizable thick case, which has a square, octagonal shape. The distinguishing feature of this watch is the three subdials on the left side of the main model. This is because the watch is an official chronometer, which means that this feature is not included on every iteration of the watch.
One of the main differences between these watches is the different ways they are designed. If you put these two watches side by side, it’s impossible not to notice. The steel case and the bulky octagonal design that defined the Royal Oak are still present in this model.
In many ways, both pieces are very similar, which is to be expected. Interestingly, the newer model is not as water-resistant as its predecessor. The newer model also has a plainer dial and feels more like a tool replica watch than something lighter.
Ultimately, choosing which watch is better for you will come down to a preference for smaller dials and water resistance, as these are the two main factors that distinguish these pieces.

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A Closer Look At Vintage Rolex Datejust Features

The Rolex Datejust is a pretty important fake watch in the history of the brand. I won’t pretend to be able to cover that history here. However, a quick recap is nice to provide the most basic background. The Datejust was introduced in 1945. The first model, Ref. 4467, was made from the 1943 Ref. 5026. The small seconds scale at 6 o’clock was omitted in favor of a central seconds hand. More importantly, an instantly changing date was added. The name “Victory” was considered but was deemed too political. It was not until 1953 that the name “Datejust” was placed on the dial. Since its introduction, however, it has been officially named “Datejust”.
The now iconic Jubilee strap was introduced in ’45 along with the first Datejust. For the sake of manageability, we’ll jump next to 1959. This was the year the 16xx collection was introduced. It was a typical Rolex Datejust with a pie-shaped dial and a non-speed date. In the 16xxx series, introduced in 1977, the pie dial disappeared and the fast and slow hands appeared. The last generation featured in my book was in 1988, with the addition of a sapphire crystal, among other updates.  
Once introduced, the Datejust was replica Rolex’s flagship model, available only in precious metals. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Indeed, that’s where the Day-Date currently stands. Starting in 1953, you’ll find examples in steel and two-tone. So whether you want all rose gold or yellow gold, a little two-tone, or plain steel, you’ll find it.
It’s not just the way the text is printed that’s different, and it’s the text itself. We all know the standard “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text. But you can also find the rare “OCC” dials showing only “Officially Certified Chronometer”. Finally, I have a little gem for you, a prototype dial from 1970 with “Swiss” floating under the “SCOC” line.
There is an undeniable appeal in the variety you can find in the vintage Datejust field. I get a text from Mike every few months with some gorgeous vintage Datejust photos. He usually finds some rare dial color or other particularly collectible feature. A prime example is his recent vintage Datejust purchase, which features a lavender tassel-less dial.

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Rolex States the New Generation of Cosmograph Daytona

If you like wearing your watch wherever you go, you should skip this article. The Daytona is only for the brave. Not only is it probably the most recognizable watch in the Rolex catalog, but it’s also one of the most iconic watches in general. On the secondary market, a significant premium over its retail price ensures that you’ll be easily identified as a target as well. Let’s take a look at what Rolex has in store for Daytona’s 60th anniversary.
Back in the early 1930s, Rolex took an interest in Daytona Beach and the speed freaks who raced there. However, when someone mentions Rolex today, most of us think of the Daytona as a watch that debuted in 1963. First, it was equipped with the Valjoux movement and later, it used the famous El Primero movement from Zenith.
So it seems fitting that Rolex is preparing some movement updates for its 60th anniversary. Starting this year, it will use Rolex’s caliber 4131. This is the first time Rolex has updated the movement in its Daytona collection since it switched to an in-house movement more than two decades ago.
It is an evolution of the existing caliber 4130 with some of the features that Rolex has introduced into its movements over the years, such as the Chronergy escapement. This modification of the classic Swiss lever escapement is more effective, thus increasing the power reserve of the modern version. In addition, Rolex has completely changed the aesthetics of the movement with new finishing touches. This brings us to the most noteworthy update of all – the exhibition-style case back.
While Rolex has also touched up some details of the case and dial, the new exhibition-style case back is the show’s star here. Yes, Rolex did mention redesigning the Oyster case and giving the dial a “new graphic balance”. But in classic Rolex fashion, these are evolutions of established elements, not revolutionary redesigns. Overall, the Daytona’s overall look has not changed much for its 60th anniversary. It still has the same dimensions and the same recognizable look. Considering how iconic the Daytona’s look is, that’s not exactly a bad thing.

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Great Vintage Luxury Watches To Start Building Your Collection

While you can get a vintage Rolex for a few thousand dollars, there’s something to be said about spending a little more and starting your vintage Rolex collection with a model that will really make you happy. Here are a few classic models with universal appeal, from stainless steel to solid gold and everything in between.  
This vintage replica Rolex Day-Date 1803 is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in Rolex’s flagship collection. Also known as the Rolex President, this classic formal watch can be a staple in any collection, and for many, it could easily be the only luxury watch they need. But what we like about this Rolex 1803 is that “pie plate” dial. The unique face makes this watch a great addition to your collection, as it provides an inherently vintage look and feels to this particular model and visually sets it apart from all subsequent Day-Date references. The Rolex President 1803 is a staple model with an iconic vintage style that will add value to your watch box and will always have a meaningful place in your collection.
This yellow gold vintage Rolex 1503 date watch is another great starting point for collectors looking for more high-end pieces in an unexpectedly luxurious execution. In its normal stainless steel form, the Rolex Date is one of the most affordable vintage watches available. However, the Reference 1503 swaps stainless steel for solid 14k yellow gold to create a highly luxurious and familiar classic.
The versatile 34mm case fits wrists of all sizes, making the Rolex 1503 in yellow gold universally appealing and slightly more compact than similar famous Rolex models such as the Datejust and Day-Date. With that in mind, the Reference 1503 is not made of 18k gold but rather of solid 14k yellow gold, which can be found in an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet style to match the 14k gold. We love that this watch comes with Rolex’s ion-fluted bezel, as opposed to the more traditional smooth bezel that most stainless steel Rolex date replica watches come with, which provides an element of luxury that makes it immediately recognizable as one of Rolex’s designs.
We can’t leave out that, like its larger Datejust sibling, the Rolex Date 1503 is powered by the COSC chronometer-certified 1575 self-winding movement, which drives three gold hands and an automatically changing date display at 3 o’clock. Finally, while the ref. 1503 offers all of Rolex’s signature features and is made of solid gold; the simple fact that it is made of 14k gold rather than 18k gold makes it much less expensive than its slightly larger 36mm sibling in the Datejust or Day-Date collections.

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Best Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 Black Dial Stainless Steel

The manual-winding distinction sets the Oysterdate apart from everything else Rolex has made since the introduction of the self-winding movement, and the Rolex Oysterdate Precision has always been a hand-wound watch. Incredibly, as the company that invented the Perpetual self-winding movement, the replica Rolex Oysterdate was never fitted with an automatic movement – even in the late 1980s, when the technology was inexpensive, ubiquitous, and fitted to virtually every other model outside the Cellini line. This unusual quirk added to the model’s cult status among collectors, helping to distinguish it from models such as the Oyster Perpetual and Date.
Inside, the 1225 movement grunts (or 1210 in some earlier examples). Cal. 1225 is a 17-jewel mechanism with a frequency of 21,600 vph. Despite the performance of this movement, it’s surprising that a watchmaker as progressive as Rolex retained a hand-wound movement until recently. Even Daytona, citing the need for a more complex chronograph movement, acquired the self-winding El Primero, while the clone Rolex Oysterdate Precision retained its manual-winding movement. 
Nothing was more of a headache for the Reference 6694 than the date function (and a non-Quickset one at that), and the Perpetual movement, which was never upgraded to automatic winding, gave it a sense of being forgotten by Rolex. One thing wearers shouldn’t forget, however, is that the Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 lacks the ability to set the date quickly, so adjusting multiple values of the calendar display does involve a slightly longer setup process. With that in mind, this straightforward approach only adds to Oysterdate’s appeal. In an increasingly automated world, it’s truly fascinating to do something as nostalgic as winding up a fine watch, especially a Rolex.

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Financing for your Rolex just in time for the holidays

With Halloween behind Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re now preparing to enter the year’s final stretch and enter the holiday season in full swing. That means it’s time to start thinking about what gifts you’re giving in December. Whether you’re shopping for someone else or buying a gift for yourself, we have a solid strategy for savvy buyers to get the luxury watch of their dreams. Best of all, we can do this without paying the full upfront cost of buying a brand-new watch, which means you can fund your imitation Rolex purchase in time for the holidays.
In addition to already selling Rolex watches at true fair market prices, did you know that we also offer a luxury watch financing program? We love watches and want everyone to have the luxury watch of their dreams, whether that is a Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Panerai, Audemars Piguet, or Patek Philippe. Luxury replica watches tend to get more expensive every year, so to help you get the watch you want on your wrist today, we offer industry-leading Rolex financing options to help you achieve the watch of your dreams. 
When possible, we encourage people to purchase their luxury watches in full and pay for them upfront. However, we also know that this is only sometimes a possibility. Many of the world’s most famous, rare, and popular watches are vintage models that have been discontinued or completely sold out by retailers with multi-year waiting lists around the world.
Simply put, sometimes the perfect watch comes along at a less-than-perfect time. Financing a luxury watch allows you to get it today and then pay for it later on your terms, so you don’t have to miss out on a watch you may never have the chance to buy again. Also, since the price of many fake Rolex watches goes up every year, financing your purchase allows you to take advantage of a good price when you see one, rather than being forced to buy the same watch later because the price of the same model you’re looking at has gone up.

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Best Rolex Datejust Ref. 1500 at Affordable Price

Like the Datejust, the Date was a self-winding watch (whereas the original Air-King was hand-wound), and it too had many different dial and bezel options, though not as extensive as its big brother. To further confuse the issue, another similarly styled watch was unveiled during the same period, called the Oysterdate. 
It’s perhaps easier to think of the fake Rolex Date as a smaller, gentler version of the Datejust – the engineering quality and materials used are the same. Still, the former is better suited to smaller wrists and is often a cheaper option. It shared the movement with the Datejust until the late 1970s, but while DJ received its first high-beat movement, the Date had to wait longer to upgrade.
While many different metals were used in the Rolex Date 15XX, the 34mm Ref. 1500 is all stainless steel. It underscores the model’s status as the brand’s so-called entry-level piece, an understated nature that is complemented by the fact that a smoothly polished bezel tops it in either stainless steel or gold.
As a result, the official release of the collection focuses on silver, white, black and gray dials, keeping the watches understated and unpretentious. However, as is often the case with Rolex’s most affordable offerings, they are ripe for customization.
There are also limited edition watches. In the 1960s and ’70s, the brand remained open to working with various organizations on watches, and the Date ref. 1500 was sometimes awarded to long-term employees of various organizations, often as a retirement gift. You will occasionally find other companies’ logos on the dial next to the replica Rolex signature.
Some military units have their examples, especially in the Middle East. Among them, watches with the coat of arms of the United Arab Emirates are most often found. Finally, we are still in the era of plexiglass acrylic crystals rather than the later sapphire crystals, a true vintage style favored by purists. All models are equipped with a Cyclops magnifying glass.
Not surprisingly, the Date ref. 1500 is often equipped with a three-link Oyster bracelet or a Jubilee bracelet, the five-circle link bracelet specially designed for the first Datejust in 1945.
The Date ref. 1500 is not one of them. Its 34 mm size and its steel construction are very modest. What’s more, thanks to these two qualities, it is an ideal unisex model that looks right at home on the wrist of a man or woman. The price is also very reasonable for one of the lesser-known pieces in the brand’s history. Check our online store for some of the best, guaranteed authentic examples.

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Rolex Submariner: Changes over time

The Rolex Submariner started as – and still is – a diver’s watch, but many fans of the model don’t use it for sport but love its iconic design and look. And it’s a clear favorite that’s still in production nearly 60 years later. The Submariner has seen some significant aesthetic changes over the years as it has continued to improve and innovate.  
It has seen new movements, bezel features, and significantly improved water resistance, just a few changes. Still, it is essential to note that many reference numbers match models that are slightly, or in some cases, very different from previous offerings.
Today’s Submarines can be identified by their “Mercedes” pointer, which has a round piece near the hand. Earlier models only had a plain pencil hand, while the second hand had a small lollipop at the top.
The picture below looks more like today’s Submarines with distinctive new hands. One thing worth noting is the length of the hands; in the later models, the minute hand extends to the octopus ring.
The movement of the Submariner faced a significant evolution. In earlier years, the reference 1680 was equipped with a self-winding caliber 1575 and a shockproof mechanism. In 1972 replica Rolex added a stop-second tool to this movement. However, 1680 required the hand to be turned to advance the date – one day at a time.
Today, the latest generation of Submariner and Submariner Date models are made with the caliber 3230 – to be released in 2020 – and the caliber 3235, a self-winding mechanical movement developed in-house by Rolex.
Their construction, manufacturing, and innovative features make them precise and reliable. They are equipped with the exclusive blue Parachrom hairspring, which is ten times more accurate than a conventional hairspring in the event of shocks. Both movements have a power reserve of an impressive 70 hours.
Today, you can buy copy Rolex Submariners in yellow gold, white gold, two-tone (yellow gold and steel), Oyster steel, and stainless steel, but initially, you could only buy them in stainless steel. This was because drivers didn’t want to risk deep dives with 18-carat gold.

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2022 Best Pre-Owned Rolex Day-Date Buyers Guide

Some watches are known to be extremely close to the originals and often even deceive experienced buyers. This is why you must be very careful when looking for a Rolex and not any other pre-owned watch on the market. Of course, Rolex is not the only watch that has been cloned, although you are more likely to stumble upon a fake Rolex than any other high-end watch manufacturer. That’s why we’ve created this handy buyer’s guide to help you avoid those pesky fake watches that pop up.
I’m sure most of us will be considered this at some point in our lives, but it’s considered for a reason, and that’s to help us avoid getting ripped off. If a watch is too cheap or looks too good for its price point, then it’s probably fake or stolen, which is something you don’t want. Typical sellers of these replica watches tend to offer discounts of 30% to 70% off the retail price. But with Rolex, it’s a little different because sometimes they can sell used for more than new. This is one of the side effects of the way Rolex handles things and the difficulty of buying a new watch.
If a used watch seller is selling it for £10,000 or less, then you know they’re up to no good and it’s probably stolen or fake. Ideally, these watches should cost around £25,000 second-hand, as replica Rolex watches retail for around £29,350 new and are often sold through resellers for £30,000 or more. Therefore, our advice is to do thorough research to find out the current market value of your watch as well as the pre-owned price.
Another important thing you need to do when buying a pre-owned Rolex is to research the seller. Here, you’ll want to delve into the seller’s reputation to see if there are any outstanding, concerning areas. Some of the red flags aren’t obvious, so here are a few things to look for when researching a seller. The first thing is to check their social media; if they have any, also check third-party review sites and of course Google the seller to see if there is any information about them. Another good sign to look for in a physical store.
Any good seller who has a solid reputation for trustworthiness and reliability, and wants to maintain that reputation, will provide any information about them without complaint. Bad sellers or scammers will give you the lie that the history of the watch doesn’t matter and that their product is 100% authentic; if they do, don’t pay any money. The history of a watch is important, especially for luxury items; if they don’t have a history, it may be worth a lot less because its history will let you know exactly where the watch has been and if it’s all authentic.
If you are interested in the copy watch and wish to purchase it, but there is no mention of history, contact the seller and ask if it came with the watch, as it should be documented. If it doesn’t, then you might want to think twice – unless you like a bit of risk.

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Rolex White Dial Watches Guide for Winter

It is often said that the versatility of a white dial Rolex is second to none. When paired with a Professional Series watch, the white dial has a sporty and modern feel. At the same time, a formal watch with a white dial offers a timeless tradition based on a classic aesthetic. Whatever your preference, a Rolex replica watch with a white dial is perfect for any season and any occasion. As winter approaches, we’ve compiled a shortlist of our favorite Rolex white dial models that will fit the season wherever you are.  
When it comes to “white dial Rolex,” most people think of the Explorer II. In the second iteration of the model, introduced through the transitional model 16550 in the mid-1980s, the 16550, with its white – aka polar – dial has been a long-time cult favorite, though it has become very popular in recent years. No other exact replica watches in the Rolex catalog have luminous hour markers and Mercedes hands like it, with a black surround to distinguish it from the matching white face. The dial is always highly legible, day or night.
The Explorer II is available with only two dial options, black or white. The black piece is understatedly stealthy, with its phantom hands and a small pop of color. The polar white version is bright and vibrant – not too flashy but not boring either. New for 2022, Rolex has just released a redesigned version of the Explorer II, model 226570, with the same case size and dial color options, but with a new and improved 3285 calibers with slightly updated proportions.
As you may recall, the number 216570 is powered by the caliber 3187, marking the first time that the Explorer II has received its own unique movement, previously all shared with the GMT-Master II collection. It is also the first Polar Explorer II to increase its case size, from 40 to 42 mm – a move designed to broaden its appeal to a more modern audience.
Reference 216570 has a place on our list for many reasons, besides being as bright as freshly fallen snow and its proper “polar” nickname. It is one of the eternal underdogs of the Rolex line that is only now starting to really attract widespread attention. While its more famous tool watches have become less and less tool-like over time, many with gold or platinum cases, the Explorer II remains the quintessential replica Rolex tool watch. The bulletproof stainless steel case, with not even a hint of Cerachrom to be found (not to mention gemstones), is what has made the brand so special in the past, and is the reason the model has gained a steadily growing cult following.
To be sure, the Polar Explorer II is the most iconic white dial Rolex watch you can buy – and they’re still available at a surprisingly low price (at least for now).

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