Reply With QuoteNot a crime as you're right, life is short so why not!
But my mind is made up - well, not quite...
I’m pretty much a one watch man these days, happy to wear my Sky-Dweller for most occasions, only swapping to the Breitling Emergency for those tough days weeding the patio (!), but (there’s always a but), the wear does show on a white gold watch and a leather strap isn’t perfect for all occasions.
So, I want something else and have almost bought back my ever favourite watch - the Yacht-Master II - several times, but it sticks in my head that I did let it go and going back is not something I tend to do.
So, I’m going to break out the old ‘grail’ term for a minute. Mine has always been a Rolex 5517 Milsub, but the term grail is probably incorrect, as I do not covet one, as (i) it is far too expensive for one watch and (ii) it will end up in the safe in fear of damage.
So, taking account of the fact I am a Rolex man through and through, love the revised case shape, lust after sword hands and a 60 minute bezel, what is available to satisfy these parameters?
For me, the only option is a modded watch
Yes, they are twice the price of a production model, the warranty is void and no one will ever buy it, but life is too short.
I have appointments next week to view the contenders. The SC02 is the surprising front runner, as I fancy the rubber bezel, but the Bamford offers a more representative dial of the 5517, it has a bracelet option and the letter on the dial can be one of your choice - including the representative ’T’. My issue is all review photo’s show a poor mismatch between markers and hands, so I shall decide only once both have been on my wrist. Either way, I’ll be coming away with one or the other...
The Swimmer Canoeist
The Bamford Heritage MilSub
Not a crime as you're right, life is short so why not!
From your post your 100% going into it with eyes wide open and yes life can be way too short.
When you know what you want and why you want it then go for it! Enjoy :-)
Go for it Steve. You like it and it suits your style IMO as you've had many divers. It's not exactly one of those stupid all-black types with PVD that chips off etc; at least this looks unique but in a stylish manner.
The Bamford was one of the articles printed on Hodinkee last week
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/th...ix-figure-bill
I like it and it's not often I say that about Bamford!
Hmm, I like features from both; the Matt dial of the Bamford but the matt rubber of the SC.
As you say, if the hands match the plots on that Bamford...
I do wonder if you'd be better off getting a Steinhart for a few months just to see if you wear it though. Hardly the same I know, but...
Where it says 'Officially Certified' on the watch... is it referring to you mate? :)
But seriously... life is indeed too short. Do what you like and enjoy the hobby.
Nutjob. :)
That is the article which threw me in respect of the lume mismatch.Originally Posted by christech81
Lewis!
No need, I’ve had (and still have some put away for a rainy day) a few SubC variants and can happily wear on bracelet or Nato, so no need for a ‘practice run’, as the only element Steinhart could offer is sword hands, but everything else about them I just can’t stand.
Hmmmm... B for burnsey or SC for sales corner. Tough choice . My money's on the bumfluff.
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
Go for it, buddy
For a little encouragement
Both look pretty good I will be really interested to hear what you think of them after after seeing them in the flesh.
If the bamford hands matched the lume on the plots it would be no contest though.
You never cease to amaze
Bamford for me out of the two, like you say though the dial and hands need to match better than that photo of yours.
Raj, hows that aspect on your example? Looks pretty good in your photo?
Just to clarify this is as much a Franken as the Bamford.You never cease to amaze
Send it to me, immediately
I was thinking exactly the same about Steinhart. I'm wearing my OVM As in type this, and imho anyone who spends more than £300 on a similar lookalike wants their bumps feeling.
I would say Bamford. Can you spec standard steel rather than their ti coating?
I think they are the best looking Rolex i've ever seen.But my mind is made up - well, not quite...
I’m pretty much a one watch man these days, happy to wear my Sky-Dweller for most occasions, only swapping to the Breitling Emergency for those tough days weeding the patio (!), but (there’s always a but), the wear does show on a white gold watch and a leather strap isn’t perfect for all occasions.
So, I want something else and have almost bought back my ever favourite watch - the Yacht-Master II - several times, but it sticks in my head that I did let it go and going back is not something I tend to do.
So, I’m going to break out the old ‘grail’ term for a minute. Mine has always been a Rolex 5517 Milsub, but the term grail is probably incorrect, as I do not covet one, as (i) it is far too expensive for one watch and (ii) it will end up in the safe in fear of damage.
So, taking account of the fact I am a Rolex man through and through, love the revised case shape, lust after sword hands and a 60 minute bezel, what is available to satisfy these parameters?
For me, the only option is a modded watch
Yes, they are twice the price of a production model, the warranty is void and no one will ever buy it, but life is too short.
I have appointments next week to view the contenders. The SC02 is the surprising front runner, as I fancy the rubber bezel, but the Bamford offers a more representative dial of the 5517, it has a bracelet option and the letter on the dial can be one of your choice - including the representative ’T’. My issue is all review photo’s show a poor mismatch between markers and hands, so I shall decide only once both have been on my wrist. Either way, I’ll be coming away with one or the other...
The Swimmer Canoeist
The Bamford Heritage MilSub
We will form an angry mob of pitchfork-wielding peasants and we will march to this man's house and... WE.WILL.CONFISCATE.HIS.STRAPS!
May he perish in a slow, frustrating and stressful way for he will never be able to wear his coveted watches ever again!
You are right.
Pretty well matched, I would say.
The subunit of the Forum Police in charge of checking uneccessary quoting, recommends a six hour detention for you.
I really like the Bamford heritage but 12.5k is alot. Are the prices negotiable or would you be able to source one second hand?
I like the Bamford , very nice .
Te SC for me, the bezel and date swing it.
^^^ I'm with alphajet.
Sword hands are so much better than Mercedes type, like them both, the sc edges it because of the mismatch hands and plots on the Bamford.
It makes me wonder why Rolex don't do a re-issue. Imagine the money they'd make, especially if they limited the numbers.
Steve, you are incorrigible - no more one week then.......
For what it's worth, the Bamford would be my choice, with matching plots, hands and pip.
Folk will be knocking one out over this thread for weeks,
Whatever you choose burnsey enjoy it (that's from the heart)
Your money,your taste ,your life just go for it and given the s---t going down enjoy as to the watches neither for me but if you dangled my bits in a vice the Bamford
If you're looking for input to influence your decision, I'd point out you've sold more than 12 watches in the last 12 months, so you seem like you're pretty high on the flipper scale, making it quite likely you'll end up taking a bath on this given the big gap between purchase price and resale.
If you've already made your mind up, enjoy it. They both look nice enough.
The Bamford looks good but because it's not a genuine Rolex dial, bezel insert or hands - my cash would go the way of a nice red sub or 1665.
I just read the Hodonkee article on the Bamford earlier this afternoon, and I have to say I like it.
I do like the Bamford 're-models'. Just not sure I'd be comfortable having it on the wrist. But yes, much of their output I find more aesthetically pleasing than Rolex standard issue.
I prefer the sc one. Bamfords shiny bezel plus aged hands doesn't work for me.
Is it a rubber bezel on the sc or a matte finished one?
I'm going to be a dissenting voice here - spending $20k for a faux version of the thing you desire ( even though it may be out of reach) does not seem like a recipe for a happy ending.
There are a lot of watches sub $20k surely there must be something you have not already owned that can fill this role for you and you not take a complete bath if you don't bond. Let's face it not bonding would not be a new experience for you .
Anyway just 2c - regards
A friend had his Sea Dweller Deepsea modified by Bamford. DLC case and customised dial (name of my friend's company) with red text. He liked it but the shade of red for the text was too dark. So he sent it back and they corrected it. Seemed good service. I've seen the watch and it certainly stands apart from the usual Sub/SD crowd. No idea what it cost but if going down that route, perhaps something custom as a genuine one-off, rather than an homage?
If you must as personally, I can't see the difference with bamfort or whatever..
Fas est ab hoste doceri
If you can get matching hands and plots on the Bamford then I think that's where my money would go. The bracelet option would also swing it that way for me. Both are lovely. Brave but lovely.
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I think it looks incredible, and if you can afford it and handle the extra mod cost then you should gonfor it mate, if you really love it! I'd tend to be more on the "keeping things original" but it's only my taste... It really looks awesome though so to me it's worth it.But my mind is made up - well, not quite...
I’m pretty much a one watch man these days, happy to wear my Sky-Dweller for most occasions, only swapping to the Breitling Emergency for those tough days weeding the patio (!), but (there’s always a but), the wear does show on a white gold watch and a leather strap isn’t perfect for all occasions.
So, I want something else and have almost bought back my ever favourite watch - the Yacht-Master II - several times, but it sticks in my head that I did let it go and going back is not something I tend to do.
So, I’m going to break out the old ‘grail’ term for a minute. Mine has always been a Rolex 5517 Milsub, but the term grail is probably incorrect, as I do not covet one, as (i) it is far too expensive for one watch and (ii) it will end up in the safe in fear of damage.
So, taking account of the fact I am a Rolex man through and through, love the revised case shape, lust after sword hands and a 60 minute bezel, what is available to satisfy these parameters?
For me, the only option is a modded watch
Yes, they are twice the price of a production model, the warranty is void and no one will ever buy it, but life is too short.
I have appointments next week to view the contenders. The SC02 is the surprising front runner, as I fancy the rubber bezel, but the Bamford offers a more representative dial of the 5517, it has a bracelet option and the letter on the dial can be one of your choice - including the representative ’T’. My issue is all review photo’s show a poor mismatch between markers and hands, so I shall decide only once both have been on my wrist. Either way, I’ll be coming away with one or the other...
The Swimmer Canoeist
The Bamford Heritage MilSub
If you must as personally, I can't see the difference with bamfort or whatever..
Hahaha actually except the brand and the logo it looks exactly the same... Which makes the bamfort look even more expensive! but it's not a rolex...
I wouldnt pay the prices that the 'Modding' firm charge but if you had a mate who knew people in the trade he might be able to do the job a lot cheaper!!!!!!!
RIAC
We shall see when I'm sat in front of them. I'm not shy of asking for a discount. A used watch doesn't interest me.
Completely agree.
You know me Bob!
Understood and a fair point, but the sales reflected my desire to rid myself of a collection and since the turn of the year, I've been happy with one main watch and a back up.
I stopped worrying about losing money on goods purchased a long time ago.
The usability of a vintage is my reason for not aspiring to the 5517. I've done the whole vintage Rolex thing...
It’s rubber C and I like it. Let’s see what it is like in the flesh...
Good shout! However, I do really fancy using a recognised firm, which makes Bamford the safer choice.
I sent my much fawned after 5513 away for the installation of aftermarket sword hands a few years ago. They didn't fit in the end, but this time I'm after a 'pro-mod' so to speak.
As for all comments bringing Steinhart into the discussion, you've missed the point entirely.
Last edited by burnsey66; 24th July 2016 at 08:14. Reason: Missed a quote
Ah yes, the 5513. A thing of beauty that was!
I'd no idea you'd tried to have it modded Steve; that really would have been a crime!
Personally, I think the SC looks better than the Bamford but probably only because of the mismatched lume.
I've no doubt you'll make the right decision for you regardless of what anyone else thinks. It'll be interesting to see which one you chose and your reasons behind the choice.
I would got for it,that milsub looks superb
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I have to agree with this, the premium Bamford charge for a few minor modifications
over a standard issue would be hard for me to swallow. I'm sure you could get the same result for a few £1000 of parts on top of a 116610 doner watch.
Does anyone know where you stand with regards to servicing a Bamford? No doubt they will insist they are the only option and charge a nice little premium over a standard service.
Off-topic I know but are there any copyright issues with Bamford or do they have an agreement with Rolex? I would've thought a re-printed/modded dial with 'Rolex' still on there would cause raised eyebrows as its not a dial direct from Rolex.
It would have to be the Bamford for me, it looks superb.
That's always been my attitude. I buy what I like, not what I think will be the best investment. I also buy with the intention to keep, so I usually buy new.
In that case, I say go for the SFI SC. I don't like the antiqued lume on the Bamford, nor the "military grade titanium" coating on the case. The SF links for the SFI seem a bit manufactured and walty, but it's not as though that's evident on the watch itself, just on their website.
I thought this would be an easy one to go with Bamford as I like what they have done on the heritage version with the re profiled case and I think there work is pretty well done (a different point to whether you think what they have done is pleasing design wise).
However the SC looks pretty well executed.
So only things for me that really seperate them are;
Bamford
- price
- non matching lume
SC
- 'custom ..... rubber bezel' whatever that is
If Bamofrd can fix the lume point then that is the one I would go for from the two options.
A submariner without a cyclops looks odd to me - should be a sea dweller. The Bamford for me if the lumes all match up ok enough.
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