Rolex Military Watch - What is this?

[Watchmutt]

I saw this interesting watch on ebay - it looks too new to be a 1940s watch, but then again, I'm not exactly a vintage Rolex expert. Does anyone know anything about this watch? When I do a search on the web, the links point back to this seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-COLLECT...item53ef18d593

[Paul]

The Ukraine fellas have been churning out brand new 'vintage' Rolex watches for years now. Clever artisans it seems as they certainly produce some good looking watches but their offerings usually have little or no Rolex content .

The Ukraine 'Rolex' watches are often powered by Cortebert (or similar) movements with one or 2 Rolex branded wheels swapped in for effect. Although there was a loose Cortebert / Rolex association at one time, the eBay watches cvertainly didn't originate from the Rolex factory.

Ukraine based sellers also offer a never-ending selection of 'vintage' Omega watches. Once again, they are powered by a range of period movements and once again, they usually have little or no genuine Omega content.

Keep your money in your pocket mate

[onkyo]

Counterfeit Rolex. Everyone should click the 'report item' tab in the bottom right to notify eBay of this pos.

[Kiwinz]

Good info, Paul.

Is outrages really, these fellas should be banned from e.bay for telling such things with such fakes.

[Ditch]

The seller himself says, "This watch was converted from pocket watch". On its own that'd be enough reason to avoid.

How does the seller have 3206 100% positive feedback?!

[Paul]

I now see this seller does state that his watch has a new custom made dial and case.

Previously no such disclaimers were issued on his auctions so perhaps eBay has already had a chat to him.

3000 happy buyers though he must be be meeting his market anyway.

The old movements all look kinda the same to my untrained eye so someone else may like to pass comment on what he has behind that display caseback.

[Fredrik]

But a "new custom made dial" that says Rolex is a counterfeit dial! Why isn't it removed?

[mrarchiegoodwin]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

But a "new custom made dial" that says Rolex is a counterfeit dial! Why isn't it removed?

I was willing to accept the seller's "interpretation" based on the ad's caveats and was considering how such rejoinders may suffice to warn buyers, but I missed the main point that Fredrik has pointed out. The ad should be removed and the seller disciplined.

[katana]

Watch the FETA crown dial .....so wide also thick it is. Never have I seen those.

[motoikkyu]

In Europe this isn't such a big deal: Eastern Bloc fantasy watches in brand-new custom stainless cases. I can vouch for this seller, I have not dealt personally, but colleagues have. When these watches are sold openly in Europe, everyone knows they are pocket-watch movements in new cases with new fantasy dials. You can get bent out of shape about "counterfeit" but it's not very different from the old SNL sketch in which Danny DeVito has his "Stradivarius" violin appraised and is told by the appraiser it is really a plastic toy guitar with "stradivarius" written on it in ballpoint ink. Only someone with profound deficits would buy this as anything other than what it is. The very first Rolex I ever owned was a battery-operated fake. I was 12. I wasn't able to afford the real thing until I was 26. I have several genuine examples now, have never bought another fake, but have never bought a brand-spanking-new piece from a retailer. This means, I have never personally supported Rolex Geneve, no matter how many thousands of dollars I have "invested" in their products. Yes, fakes and counterfeits are wrong, but a paper-sack with "LV" stenciled on the side probably isn't hurting the high-end luggage manufacturer. And any of you vintage collectors need to come to grips that the money you spend in the secondary market is not benefiting the manufacturer in any way.