Les Artisans de Genève is a new company that focuses on recreating classic watches from the past, but updating and personalising them where they see fit. There is no doubt in my mind as to the quality of their work, or the qualifications of their artisans, but this is a novel practice that I imagine will divide the community down the middle. Using a base model from a brand’s current range, elements of the case, movement, and dial are modified or replaced in homage to an old, out-of-production model. Their first piece – Les Artisans de Genève Tribute to Rolex Daytona 6263 series replica watches– takes inspiration from one of Rolex’s most iconic models, but brings it back to life and up-to-date, in their own way.
This is the first watch from Les Artisans de Genève, and it is available with either a black or white dial. These watches, produced in seriously limited runs, start life as a Rolex Daytona 116520 before being transformed into a ticker from antiquity. Before I delve into the specifics of this watch and how these craftspeople have simultaneously changed and stayed true to the Rolex Daytona 6263 in the creation of this homage, I feel it would be beneficial to place this company in the wider context of watchmaking and ask whether we have seen anything like this before.
Getting to the nitty-gritty… The original Rolex Daytona fake watches UK, released in 1967, was powered by a Valjoux 75. That was a manual movement. This version features a modified 4130 base calibre, an automatic movement. Two major customisations have been made by Les Artisans de Genève to put their stamp on the project: a nicely decorated 22 carat gold rotor weight bearing their name has replaced the standard oscillator; additionally, a gold balance bridge has been installed, changing the overall appearance of the calibre.
The Rolex cheap replica stainless steel case watches, takes its “Big Red” nickname from the large, red Daytona that curves around the top of the six o’clock sub-dial, and this was essential for Les Artisans de Genève to get right. Reputedly, the team spent over two years researching its nuances, and the combined efforts of nine craftsman over a 78-hour period were required to assemble the dial. The dial and the updated hands (which are not identical to the original, but a nice evolution) offer exceptional legibility, and are the epitome of a racing chronograph when paired together.