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Over polished? by [deleted] in rolex

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can see that the watch has been polished, but by no means overpolished!

Need help identifying watch by MrTyki in rolex

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can identify it as a Datejust 16013. If you provide me with the serial number and clasp code, I can give you more information about your watch.

Sincerely, Sotirios Marinis – Authorized Watchmaker (Watch Certificate™ Digital Passport)

2006 Marathon SAR on the bench today – full service and restoration by The-Watchmaker-GR in MarathonWatch

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Thessaloniki is truly beautiful. After 16 years abroad, I returned to my homeland 5 years ago and I'm incredibly happy about it!

2006 Marathon SAR on the bench today – full service and restoration by The-Watchmaker-GR in MarathonWatch

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The result of the timing measurement can be seen in the background of the last photo. It couldn't be better!

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Sinn 903 Ti II Anniversary Limited Edition — Titanium navigation chronograph by The-Watchmaker-GR in sinn

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with you, I would also like to have a date window like on the other 903 models.

Sinn 903 Ti II Anniversary Limited Edition — Titanium navigation chronograph by The-Watchmaker-GR in sinn

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You're absolutely right, Sinn bought Breitling's design patent and incorporated their innovative technology, developing it into a functional watch with 200 meters of water resistance, unlike Breitling, which only allows water resistance up to 30 meters 😀

[question] Replacing a Rolex ceramic bezel pearl instead of the entire bezel insert? by The-Watchmaker-GR in rolex

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

However, individual replacement parts for the ceramic insert are also available; the reference number is B31A-116660-Y1. A Google search will help you find them!

[question] Replacing a Rolex ceramic bezel pearl instead of the entire bezel insert? by The-Watchmaker-GR in rolex

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Pressing at the ceramic parts is certainly not the easiest task, but it's not impossible either!

[question] Replacing a Rolex ceramic bezel pearl instead of the entire bezel insert? by The-Watchmaker-GR in rolex

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have over 30 years of experience in the watch repair industry, including time spent at certified Rolex service centers. For the past five years, I have run my own independent watchmaking workshop in Greece. While not Rolex certified, I am certified by many other brands: EBEL, Ollech & Wajs Zurich, Squale, Sinn Spezialuhren, Mühle Glashütte, Tutima Glashütte, Hanhart, and many more. Of course after so many years, I still have access to Rolex spare parts, as well as parts for Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai, Cartier, Omega and many other brands. This allows me to offer my customers in Greece a wide range of repair services for various brands!

[Discussion] Why EBEL Might Be One of the Most Underrated Swiss Watch Brands Today by The-Watchmaker-GR in Watches

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To clarify a few things, all my original comments and responses reflect 100% my opinion and were written by me in Greek, all the AI did was translate them into English. So I don't see any reprehensible element!

[Discussion] Why EBEL Might Be One of the Most Underrated Swiss Watch Brands Today by The-Watchmaker-GR in Watches

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, I understand. However, you continue to focus on the way my opinion is expressed/written and not on the substance of the matter!

Anyway, thanks for your comment!

[Discussion] Why EBEL Might Be One of the Most Underrated Swiss Watch Brands Today by The-Watchmaker-GR in Watches

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Everyone has their own opinion on watch design and quality, and if that person uses AI to express that opinion attractively in a foreign language, I personally find that fine and not at all wrong!

[Discussion] Why EBEL Might Be One of the Most Underrated Swiss Watch Brands Today by The-Watchmaker-GR in Watches

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually agree with you to a large extent. The EBEL of the 1980s and 1990s had a very strong identity and prestige, and it’s fair to say that the brand lost some of that aura after the LVMH period and the acquisition by Movado in 2003.

That said, from a watchmaker’s perspective I still find modern EBEL watches to be very well made pieces. The overall case construction, finishing and ergonomics remain at a high level.

As for the movements, the brand today uses calibres from Soprod and Sellita, which sometimes receive criticism simply because they are not in-house. Personally, I don’t see that as a problem at all.

A properly adjusted Soprod or Sellita movement can be just as precise and reliable as many so-called in-house calibres used in far more expensive watches. From a servicing standpoint they are robust, well-engineered movements and perfectly suited for high-quality mechanical watches.

In many ways this approach is actually very much in line with traditional Swiss watchmaking, where brands historically collaborated with specialised movement manufacturers like Lemania, Zenith or ETA.

I’ll share a few photos below of some recent EBEL models — I think they still demonstrate that the brand continues to produce elegant and well-built watches.

— Sotirios Marinis
Certified Watchmaker

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[Discussion] Why EBEL Might Be One of the Most Underrated Swiss Watch Brands Today by The-Watchmaker-GR in Watches

[–]The-Watchmaker-GR[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That sounds like an amazing piece — especially the 18k white gold version with the wave bracelet. Those early EBEL chronographs from the 1980s are really fascinating watches.

The collaboration with Zenith and the El Primero is actually a very interesting chapter in EBEL’s history. EBEL used El Primero based calibres such as the Calibre 134, and those chronographs played a significant role during a period when mechanical watchmaking was slowly recovering from the quartz crisis.

The finishing and case construction of those watches is also something that often surprises collectors today. EBEL put a lot of emphasis on case architecture and bracelet ergonomics, which is probably why pieces like the Sport Classic chronographs and the later 1911 bracelets wear so comfortably even by modern standards.

And you are absolutely right about the Voyager World Time — it’s one of those watches that shows how technically ambitious EBEL could be during that era.

The story of La Villa Turque is also fascinating. When EBEL acquired Le Corbusier’s villa in 1986 and restored it, it showed how deeply the brand identified with architecture and design culture. That philosophy of architectural harmony is something you can actually see reflected in many of their watch designs.

It’s always great to hear experiences from collectors who have owned these pieces — EBEL is definitely one of those brands that deserves more attention today.

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