Jack 0 Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) Hello Friends, Like a few others, I received my TW Sub yesterday from BK. I'd like to offer my thoughts and pictures for your consideration. First of all the subject... the Rolex 16610 Submariner, lovingly hand assembled and modded by BK. BK sourced this item after the demise of WM9, I suspect with a lot of prodding and poking around the rep industry. In an email with me he says he found this watch by "asking every supplier/wholesaler" he knew. He went on to say that the "thing is the wholesalers are connected to one another. You just have to tell them what you want and get them to believe in you whatever you get will sell." Seems like a whole lot of work and time, and BK is to be commended for his efforts to bring a watch like this to the rep community. At first glance, the first thing I am struck with is just the sheer attention to detail. I have a hard time believing that the WM9 watch was really any better than this one. Sure a few details are different or incorrect from the gen, but this is essentially identical to a $6K genuine watch! BK agrees and says "wm9 is not any better if the watch has the wm9 dial and hands." The dial print is simply amazing. I actually wonder if the cost for BK to produce this watch isn't actually higher than what it takes Rolex to produce one, just that we don't have the watch equivalent of DeBeers in the middle. The finish is impeccable... and totally gen in quality. BK seems especially proud of the crystal saying, "It's the best rep crystal I have seen. It looks practically identical to get in terms of the top edge rounding. Also the cyclop mag. Pretty damn dead on I'd say." I personally have not seen one finer on any sub rep. Even the lovely Clark's isn't as good. The mag is truly spot-on and very well highlights BK's own custom date overlay. The often debated rehaut on this watch is absolutely identical to the gen watch. Even the print is perfect, looking essentially identical, and lining up exactly with 'R's on the left and 'X's on the right hitting the 5 minute marks exactly. BK massages the crown guards on this one. I have to tell you I think they look great. The crown is pretty wonderful too, and I wonder what all the fuss is about the position of it. It just seems perfect. I couldn't see how it can get any higher in the watch. The bracelet, while not technically accurate as it doesn't have hollow links is perfectly brushed and adds a great deal to the overall feel and weight of the watch. Possibly it adds a bit too much as this piece is kind of weighty for a 40mm watch. Nobody is going to say this one 'just doesn't feel heavy enough to be real.' The oft maligned SELs fit perfectly here. I tried another bracelet with hollow links, but the fit just was too disappointing to leave it on. Removing the braclet exposes exactly what you would expect to see for markings and construction. Like everything else with this one, it seems spot on. The clasp is amazingly accurate. See along the bottom of the coronet where it isn't stamped as deeply? Well I have not seen that detail on ANY other Rolex rep, it exists in the gen, and here only on BK's sub. I'm not really a fan of the pearl, although BK's epoxy helps a lot. It looks better in person than this lousy photo, but I still think watchmaterial is in my future, with their sapphire lensed dot. The rest of the bezel is spot on, and the numbers and markings are accurate and beautiful, as is it's position in the ring. Speaking of bezel, this one is constructed like the gen, complete with the click wire and ring. It also turns exactly like the gen, although BK says "I'm most frustrated with the bezel assembly. Like wm9, I still have to spend a lot of time tuning the fit of the bezel assembly e.g. adjust the click wire, clean up debris on the bezel click gears and mill the inner part of the back of the insert. Man, you guys just don't know how hard and how much work goes into properly assembling this (and also wm9) watch." Image credit to BK. I certainly appreciate his efforts, as this thing (after 100 turns or so) feels solid and tight, exactly like the gen LV sub I owned previously. The best thing about buying a rep from BK is the simple fact that they are flawlessly assembled. His attention to detail is superb and this watch is no exception. With every rep purchase, I end up tweaking, tuning and essentially rebuilding until I am happy enough with it to wear. Not this one, it keeps essentially perfect time out of the box, has no apparent defects. It simply just works, although I did have to remove this ugly sticker... I'd like to give a special thanks to BK for some of the quotes in this review and wish him the best of luck in his new offering. Thanks for reading! Jack Edited February 9, 2011 by Jack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted February 9, 2011 Great review, Jack, thanks!!! How about lume shot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scope 3 Posted February 9, 2011 Wow, first post....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aren 27 Posted February 9, 2011 A truly amazing first post with fabulous photos. Really a great review. This watch looks stunning, even with the shots so magnified. Yeh, we always ask for more... a lume shot would be excellent! Great purchase. Congratulations! No doubt you are going to be happy with this beauty. All the Best, Arenaria Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted February 10, 2011 Excellent review Jack. Thanks. BK's tough to beat. An all around nice guy who really takes pride in his workmanship. Congrats on the new watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack 0 Posted February 10, 2011 A truly amazing first post with fabulous photos. Really a great review. This watch looks stunning, even with the shots so magnified. Yeh, we always ask for more... a lume shot would be excellent! Great purchase. Congratulations! No doubt you are going to be happy with this beauty. All the Best, Arenaria I'll see what i can do about the lume, it is pretty good! Jack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,459 Posted February 10, 2011 Well done Jack - great review for a great watch . Enjoy it often, and welcome to the forum . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pentax 0 Posted February 10, 2011 Well done! How long did it take you to get the watch after order? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pollux1 3 Posted February 10, 2011 Top class review Jack, makes me want to buy one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted February 10, 2011 Best first post ever amd a review as good as any. Well done! BK does an amazing job and TWB are a legend in rep circles, the first (along with MBK) folk to bring "super reps" to the market. Still going strong after all these years, good to see! Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulder 0 Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) Gee for a first post you have outdone yourself. Excellent work! Edited February 10, 2011 by mulder Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted February 10, 2011 I like it, that looks good Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GC 4,487 Posted February 10, 2011 not only a great first post & great review but also a great looking watch! Enjoy it often Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
