I've done it again, I have no will power 😩 Ginault Silent Service Diver
Okay I know I said I was reducing my collection and I was doing really well at succeeding my goal of a 6 watch collection, with the help of being isolated after I contracted Covid I was achieving my goal.
Well I've recovered, to a certain degree anyway, but now my will power has dissipated along with the effects of Covid and my collection is steadily growing. My recent acquisition of the Serica was unplanned and then this Ginualt appeared on my radar and I just had to see for myself what all the talk and fuss was about this brand.
I've heard about the shady past of the owner and whether it be true or not is really not for me to make a call, I'll leave that up to the individual to decide. These watches are selling and selling well, so there must be something about the watches that collectors and watch buyers are drawn too.
A Rolex copy this watch is not, a homage perhaps of some of their back catalog, yes, but a replica, not at all, in my eyes anyway. Now I'm no Rolex expert, I've only seen a few in the wild and on other collectors wrist here and there over the years, so from what I've seen and what I'm holding here in my hands, the owner of Ginault has really done his own thing and done it extremely well.
The build quality of the watch is outstanding, as I said I've never owned a Rolex and this will probably be as close as I ever get, Rolex is not my grail watch, that, for me goes to Omega which I will get when I retire.
Everything about this watch oozes quality, the case finishing, the attention to detail on the dial, the hand set and indices are perfect, the bezel looks and feels like, for me what a Rolex bezel would feel like, but I definitely could be wrong there. The movement has been regulated in 6 positions every day over 6 weeks, who does that? no other brand that I know of and so the watch or the one I have here runs well within COSC, not bad for a SW200-1 movement. The lume is BGW9 and it's brilliant and last all night, super bright and legible at any time.
I really can't fault the watch.
What about you, what are you're thoughts? Do you think it's just a homage watch, or is there enough of their own design elements in the watch to say it's not a replica but just another well built diver from a micro brand.
Whether it stays or goes is yet to be seen, but as I'm trying desperately to have just a 6 watch collection it probably won't last long. Not because of poor build quality or because I think it to be a replica, not at all, but I just don't see myself wearing such a pretty watch such as this Ginault for any length of time 😉
Just a family guy who works on the railway and enjoys everything about watch collecting including the people you meet and the friends you make along the way. Plus a little bit of banter to spice thing...
Looks awesome! I do also think it's probably an amalgamation of older more famous references, but it looks very well made all that aside.
Ginault is a heck of a watch, so congratulations. Does the owner have a history? Yep. I would argue it is for the better. If true, we are talking about someone who went all over the world to once make a Sub clone that fooled many. He then takes that knowledge, goes straight, and starts his own brand (again, allegedly). Unless I missed more of the story over the years, I do not fault him for that. My friend has a pre-Sellita movement based Ocean Rover and it is awesome. He has mentioned how great Ginault has been to work with as he has swapped out bezels, etc.
I like what he did with the Silent Service and for the money it is a hard watch to beat.
Ginault is a heck of a watch, so congratulations. Does the owner have a history? Yep. I would argue it is for the better. If true, we are talking about someone who went all over the world to once make a Sub clone that fooled many. He then takes that knowledge, goes straight, and starts his own brand (again, allegedly). Unless I missed more of the story over the years, I do not fault him for that. My friend has a pre-Sellita movement based Ocean Rover and it is awesome. He has mentioned how great Ginault has been to work with as he has swapped out bezels, etc.
I like what he did with the Silent Service and for the money it is a hard watch to beat.
My thoughts also. I can't make assumptions about the owners past, whether or not the allegations are true or not, I can only base my opinions on what I have in my hands and that is a very well made dive watch. Sure it has some Rolex DNA, there's no doubt about that, but it really is it's own watch. If we look at places like Ali Express and the vast amount of replicas, they make no bones about the fact they are clones or homages, so I can't in my own opinion put this watch in the same basket as those.
My thoughts also. I can't make assumptions about the owners past, whether or not the allegations are true or not, I can only base my opinions on what I have in my hands and that is a very well made dive watch. Sure it has some Rolex DNA, there's no doubt about that, but it really is it's own watch. If we look at places like Ali Express and the vast amount of replicas, they make no bones about the fact they are clones or homages, so I can't in my own opinion put this watch in the same basket as those.
The internet, especially the almost 400 page WUS thread, really did a number (allegedly) uncovering the past, but again, I am not sure I care, even if true. Regardless of his background, he has skills along with passion and makes a nice watch, even for a homage.
It's a bit amusing to compare both companies because they share more than similar looking watches, considering that the founder of Rolex was a tax dodger that decided after WWI that his patriotism didn't extent to his wallet, and to this day the companies he founded are owned by one of the most opaque foundation that does its best to try and convince they are a charitable not for profit organization while declining to provide information on what exactly they are spending their revenues. Therefore having a "history" doesn't seem to be that important in the watch business.
That's a great-looking watch, but I'm disappointed in your lack of willpower. I had high hopes.
That's a great-looking watch, but I'm disappointed in your lack of willpower. I had high hopes.
Obviously I have none 😢 but on the upside I scored a great looking watch 🤣
of course, how can you not love that watch. its brilliant, and i dont think its copy of any rolex watch. the detail is different
all I can say is that it’s a sexy watch!
The key to collection reduction is to acquire all of the tempting watches so that you can begin to not collect all of the tempting watches. Brilliant.
(The lume on that thing is something.)
It's a bit amusing to compare both companies because they share more than similar looking watches, considering that the founder of Rolex was a tax dodger that decided after WWI that his patriotism didn't extent to his wallet, and to this day the companies he founded are owned by one of the most opaque foundation that does its best to try and convince they are a charitable not for profit organization while declining to provide information on what exactly they are spending their revenues. Therefore having a "history" doesn't seem to be that important in the watch business.
This is interesting, it actually never ocurred to me that 'cancel culture' could be something in the watch world. Humans are such complex things making other complex things (i.e. watches).
Its basically separating the artist from the art itself in a way though. If we get into the history of every brand we will unfortunately find a lot of skeletons all over the place I'm sure. I feel so long as to a buyer's knowledge their purchase is not presently and actively hurting another person, you cannot blame enthusiasts for being just that, enthusiastic! More importantly were in a hobby thats bringing people together, and these days thats very precious.
I do think that watch is its own thing, not a homage. Also love the rice bead bracelet look!
I used to care more about the provenance of Ginault. As long as they aren't doing replicas anymore, I'm frankly indifferent. Who am I to judge?
The Silent Service is a handsome as hell watch. The hands and markers remind me of one of my favorite (looking) divers, the Omega 2254 though with more of an oyster case.
all I can say is that it’s a sexy watch!
Ohh you tease me ❤
The key to collection reduction is to acquire all of the tempting watches so that you can begin to not collect all of the tempting watches. Brilliant.
(The lume on that thing is something.)
Temptation is my mistress and we flirt often 🤣
Nice pics! I've got mine recently. Agreed, it is indeed a hell of a watch! Definitely 1 or 2 (or more) levels above the other homage watches that I've owned in the past. It reminds you of that famous design but with its own twist added to the mix!
What is the mesh bracelet you've got on there? Staib?
Who cares about their past. If you pay your money and get a damn good watch it’s a good deal.