I got my hands on a Rolex No-Date Black Submariner recently. It wasn’t just any Submariner, though. This was a high imitation, an “original order” piece, as they say. I’d heard about these high-quality replicas and was curious to see what the fuss was all about.
Getting Started
First off, I ordered the watch. It wasn’t through your typical online store, obviously. It took some digging around on forums and niche communities.
- Spent days reading reviews.
- Compared different sources.
- Finally found a seller with good feedback.
After sending payment, the waiting game began. It felt like forever, but about two weeks later, a package arrived.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Opening the box was exciting. The watch was well-packaged, nestled in a foam cutout. I picked it up, and wow, it felt substantial. The weight was just right, not too heavy, not too light. It felt like a real, quality timepiece.
- Checked the bezel—clicked nicely.
- Wound the crown—smooth action.
- Observed the second hand—swept cleanly.
Diving Deeper into the Details
I spent the next few days wearing the watch and comparing it to pictures of the genuine article. I looked at every little detail.
- Examined the dial—text was crisp.
- Checked the lume—glowed brightly.
- Inspected the bracelet—felt solid.
I even opened the case back. The movement wasn’t a real Rolex movement, of course, but it was a well-made automatic movement. It kept good time, within a few seconds a day.
Living with the Watch
I wore the watch every day for a month. I took it to work, to the gym, even swimming. It held up great. No scratches, no issues with water resistance.
- Received compliments.
- Felt confident wearing it.
- Enjoyed the experience.
Honestly, I started to forget it wasn’t a real Rolex. It just felt like a great watch that I could wear without worrying about damaging a ten-thousand-dollar investment.
Final Thoughts
After a month of solid use, I took the watch off and put it back in its box. It was a fun experiment. I was impressed with the quality of the imitation and understood why some people go this route. Would I buy another one? Maybe. It’s definitely a good option if you want the look and feel of a luxury watch without the hefty price tag.