Diving In : Reviewing the Rolex Deepsea Deep Blue
The $100 Rolex Deepsea was the most pressure-resistant mechanical commercial watch available.
Rolex Explorer II White 42mm
In 2018, Rolex modified both versions of the Deepsea and we have both models available online. While the most obvious difference is the thicker bracelet with its larger folding diving clasp, overall, the proportions have a more chunky feel. The bracelet end pieces no longer protrude above the lugs. From professional athletes and musicians to actors and Hollywood insiders, the $100 Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea is a popular choice among A-listers. And given the watch's large 44mm stainless steel case, incredible water resistance to 12,800 feet, and heftier-than-the-Submariner style, that's no surprise. Another new feature is a tiny Rolex crown placed at the edge of the dial at 6 o’clock between the words “Swiss” and “made.”
Rolex Explorer II Black 42mm
Rolex Explorer II Black $99
Size: 40.5mm x 13mm (Thickness)
Ref. No: 116713LN
Movement: Nickle Plated Rolex Clone (Rolex 3186), ETA 25 jewel Automatic Movement
Case: Polished 904L stainless steel case (same construction as genuine)
Crystal: Swiss Standard Scratch proof anti reflective Sapphire Crystal
Dial: Black Dial
Bezel: Full Ceramic Sandwich Numeral Bezel (same construction as genuine)
Bracelet: 18K Yellow Gold Plated 2 tone Oyster Stainless Steel Bracelet
Clasp: New Rolesor Clasp
Back: Solid Case Back
Crown: Screw down crown with o ring
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, GMT, Date at position 3 (set via crown)
Remark: 1:1 replicated from a genuine watch sample
Water Proof: 100 Meters/10atm
Rolex Pepsi Review: The GMT Master II 116719 BLRO
What's the connection between a soft drink and the Red & Blue Rolex Pepsi watch? Find out now!
Why does Rolex use Pepsi? Rolex is the only expensive watch company that has not just one but two watches that are nicknamed after soft drinks. Of course, we're talking about the Rolex GMT Master II watches that have split two-color dials. This particular review is focused on one, the 18kt white gold ref 116719 BLRO with the blue and red bezel known as the "Pepsi" and if you got one of these watches then "You got the right stuff, baby!"
One of the things that differentiate the GMT Master II from the older GMT series is that Rolex implemented the Cerachrom bezel insert. The advantage if this new bezel is that it's made of a highly scratch-resistant hardened ceramic material and it has UV repelling properties so that colors won't fade when exposed to ultraviolet rays ...even for a long duration.
In the olden days of watchmaking, when bezels were made entirely of metal, there were obvious challenges for Rolex to come up with this new ceramic material and Rolex had to really think outside of the box.
One can truthfully say that Rolex was never accused of was being uncreative with their manufacturing or lacking in the innovation department. They've been consistently doling out new patents that improved watchmaking from the very beginning of their existence.
Another fine example of such innovation is the Rolex Easylink 5mm extension link found on the bracelet of this watch. This allows you to make a quick 5mm adjustment to the size of the bracelet to compensate when the wrist naturally expands and contracts with fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
You won't find any surprises under the cap of this Pepsi though. The Rolex GMT Master II has its dependable Superlative Chronometer under the hood of this bad boy. The Rolex Caliber 3186, a 31 jewel movement, holds its power for approximately 50 hours and beats at a rate of 28,800 VPH.
What are the Chinese fake markets?
The first time that I went to China, right after leaving one of my friends told me:
“Don’t come back to Italy without checking out at least one of the fake markets in Beijing.”
Fake market? What did that mean?
I never heard of them, and didn’t know of the existence of this parallel world until one day, at the end of my lessons at the Beijing Language and Culture University, with one of my colleagues I headed toward one of the most famous fake markets in Beijing, the Silk Market (秀水街, Xiushui Jie, in Chinese), in the Chaoyang district.
It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my first trip to China. After weeks of frustration in university, finally a little shopping and entertainment.
The Silk Street Market is an actual building of fakes, each floor with specific products, from shoes to clothing, to electronics and toys, to perfume to accessories for the home. A shopping mall from which it is impossible to leave without making at least one purchase among the thousands of articles offered.
Once inside, you’ll be fascinated and even a little perplexed since you’ll ask yourself how all this is possible. But right afterwards you too won’t be able to help but wander around in search of “bargains”.
prices and the art of Replica Rolex
The first rule of these markets is: HAGGLE; the Chinese love to haggle, and once inside, you’ll find that all the linguistic difficulties you had just days before, magically disappear.
As an expert in the art of haggling, the merchants of various stores will try at the outset to offer prices that although seemingly reasonable to the eyes of a Westerner, can actually be bargained down since the first price is usually five to ten times more than the final one.
Here are some basic fundamentals for bargaining at fake markets:
Smile, keep calm, and don’t feel guilty about wanting to haggle. Here, if you don’t haggle you’re considered an idiot;
If you already know the type of product you want to buy, get an idea of the actual price on Taobao before going to the market, so that you’ll have a base price;
As was already said, the initial price offered by the vendors in the fake markets are – usually, – five or ten times more than the “final” price. So if the initial price is 100 Yuan, you respond with 10. If the vendor tells you to take a hike (it can happen if you offer a price that too low even for them), try with another (there are usually many vendors selling the same product) and begin from 20. The vendor will offer 90, you 21, etc;
Halfway through the transaction, pretend to walk away. If the vendor hasn’t yet reached their final price (or the price beyond which they’re not inclined to go so as not to take a loss) they’ll try to keep you from going;
Bargain with other vendors to find out what is the lowest price they’re willing to go (as I already said, there are many stands that offer the same product);
Tell them that they can’t cheat you because you live in China and know the prices;
At the end of the day, if you’re a Westerner, in many cases you won’t get the best possible price since many merchants would rather lose a sale than have their final price become known to tourists. The only way to “resolve” this problem, if price is important to you, is to get your Chinese friend to go in your place. However this will make you miss out on all the fun!
