In recent years, the aftermarket-modified Replica Rolex Space Mission watch has seen some unusual developments. A significant change has been the rising prices of used Replica Rolex watches, often exceeding retail costs. This increase is crucial for those interested in modifying a Replica Rolex, as the initial base watch has become considerably more expensive. Additionally, modifying a Replica Rolex tends to drastically reduce its resale value, given current market trends. Replica Rolex is particularly strict about what it deems a “genuine” Rolex, with even minor aftermarket alterations, like gaskets or screws, potentially leading to a piece being deemed “inauthentic” and thus ineligible for service. Owning and modifying an aftermarket Replica Rolex is a venture for the daring. The resulting watches often reflect this adventurous spirit, mirroring the eccentricity of their owners. Today, I’d like to introduce a fascinating art watch that originated as a reference 116500 Replica Rolex Daytona, ultimately transformed into the Designa Individual (“DiW”) Space Mission.
I first mentioned an aftermarket-modified 1:1 Clone Rolex watch from Designa Individual back in 2020. The Space Mission watch takes this to a new level, showcasing the increasingly avant-garde nature of aftermarket Replica Rolex modifications. In response to the more basic aftermarket alterations, Replica Rolex is now producing more vibrant and intriguing models. This shift leaves dedicated aftermarket modifiers to create pieces that serve not merely as fashionable alternatives to factory Replica Rolex watches, but as entirely unique creations. There’s also a practical legal reason for transforming a Replica Rolex to such an extent that it hardly resembles a factory version: to ensure it doesn’t appear like something Replica Rolex would produce.
From a legal perspective, DiW cannot buy a Replica Rolex, modify it, and sell it while retaining the Replica Rolex name. They have successfully argued that modified Replica Rolex watches could harm their brand’s reputation if consumers mistakenly believed Replica Rolex produced them. The workaround for aftermarket modifiers is that clients must provide their own watches for modification. Essentially, clients donate their Replica Rolex watches to DiW, which then reworks them into something entirely different. This allows DiW to assert that it is not infringing on trademarks but rather offering a legitimate service for a watch owned by the client.
To avoid confusion over whether a modified Replica Rolex might be mistaken for a genuine one, the most effective approach is to create something so outlandish that it seems implausible for a real Replica Rolex. While some less discerning consumers may not recognize this as an art piece, most will look at the Space Mission and not think, “Oh, I can see Replica Rolex designing an astronaut hand like that.” The design is so far removed from anything Replica Rolex would create, which actually benefits modifiers like DiW in continuing their high-cost craft.
The “donation cost” is significant because any modified Replica Rolex begins with a loss of its original value. For many, this is manageable, but with the recent surge in Replica Rolex values, it’s likely more challenging to convince someone to part with a watch they know could fetch a decent price. Perhaps if the Replica Rolex is severely damaged, but such instances are rare.
One discomforting aspect of a watch like the Space Mission is the ambiguity regarding where the original Replica Rolex ends and the aftermarket components begin. The movement is primarily an original Replica Rolex caliber 4130 (later updated to the 4131), though it features a unique automatic rotor. I suspect the original Replica Rolex logo and hour markers were sourced from a genuine dial to be repurposed on the aftermarket “moon surface” dial. It’s also likely that some elements, like the crown and chronograph pushers, retain some original features (though they were not originally black). Most of this Designa Individual watch resembles a Replica Rolex Daytona but is made from materials that the brand doesn’t currently utilize, including NTPT layered carbon (popularized by Richard Mille) and other quartz fiber composites. This results in a layered black and white carbon case and a black bezel with unique organic textures beneath the printed tachymeter indexes.
The watch hands are distinctly not standard Replica Rolex Daytona, especially the unusual astronaut minute hand. Interestingly, the same astronaut graphic appears on the automatic rotor, which is cool, but I find it less appealing that the exact graphic is used in two places. I would have preferred a different pose for the astronaut logo on the back of the watch compared to the one on the dial.
Attached to the 40mm case is a textile strap created by DiW, featuring a Velcro-style closure. I found the strap a bit too large for my wrist, and its design limits adjustability for smaller wrists. However, since this is a bespoke piece tailored for individual clients, the strap would fit perfectly if it were made for me. The strap is lightweight and comfortable, though it doesn’t exude luxury, resembling a blend of a Replica Rolex strap and similar Velcro-style straps found on certain Richard Mille watches. Overall, the watch is intriguing, albeit it looks like a generative AI’s answer to “Replica Rolex Daytona + Richard Mille + Moon Astronaut in black, white, and gray with a splash of yellow.”
