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Just wanted to share some pics of my latest acquisition My wife and kids asked me what I wanted for my birthday; apparently, I'm a tough one to shop for (in her words ). I had been eyeing these great timepieces offered by Tourby for some time now and thought this was a great opportunity to get my hands on one; no better excuse to justify a new watch (well, anytime's a good time for a new watch). A quick note to Tourby and I decided that the 42mm Aviator was the one for me. I gave him my wish list of parts I wanted; satin finished case, double round bezel, big diamond crown, decorated Swiss 6498, sterile display caseback and sterile black dial. After a few short days, confirmation of build was received with tracking; a few days following my watch had arrived Classic Pilot looks: This watch offers quite a stark contrast from my only other pilot style watch (my IWC 3717), as the dial is very simple and austere; not a lot of complication with extra subdials, text, etc. It's down to business with this one, and it lends to a completely different look and feel. BIG crown: I was initially a bit worried about the crown's size and having it dig into my hand when extended, but have found it to be a non-issue thus far. The diamond crown was a requisite for me; I love the IWC Big Pilot, but not the Big Pilot size. The 42mm case is a little better suited for my wrist, but the crown helps give the watch a bit of the Big Pilot element Beautifully finished movement with nice cotes de geneve decoration: At times I'll take the watch off just to stare into the caseback. No matter how many times I look at it, the finish of the bridges and plates and the way the light manipulates the grooved lines of the Geneva stripes... Watching the balance wheel oscillate and seeing the escapement and pallet tick-tocking away... It's all just nice to watch, and it's easy to get lost in gazing. Solid horned lugs: Strap selection: The straps are quite nice with interesting details, rivets and a hooped metal keeper. The thought of maybe procurring the bracelet had crossed my mind, and I may just pick it up to have one. However, I do feel that having the watch on a strap is part of what separates the character of this watch from my 3717 (which is on a bracelet). Overall, I think the wife and kids did a great job in getting me a watch I know I'll love See? I'm not difficult to buy for at all... Thanks for looking! //ubi

Maybe some of you have seen this before, maybe not.. While the "story" behind this beast is murky and fantastic to say the least... let's just say that it has been refered to as the Prototype Tudor Submariner that was supposedly developed for the U.S.Marines in the 70's for testing as their new Mil-watch diver of choice.... but it was turned down as the costs involved to produce large quantites were too high.... Apparently there where only a handful of prototypes produced, and Antiquorum was responsible for selling most of them a few years back for a lot a' dough.... Yeah,well...O.K. .... With regards to the development and 'history" of this watch....I think the price wasn't the only thing that was too high... Either way, I hope you enjoy it for what it is... cheers Ed

Off the back of what you've just said Ubi. Surely the real problem is that if the chinese rep makers can make the same quality pieces as these 'refined swiss experts' then we are simply paying too much for Gens, or believing too much in them. What I mean is, the real 'tell' should be the fit, quality of finish and 'feel' of a Gen. It 'should' be unreplicatable to be worthy of its status.. All the gens have huge marketing jargon behind them: "This piece was individually forged by hand in the depths of mount doom, and has taken 10 years to complete", but if the Chinese can make exactly the same watch bar the movement then surely something is wrong here! Really if anything, the rep industry is now basically exposing much of the gen watch market for its overinflated pricing and self important marketing. You know; I've used this example before.. but I'd like someone to really point out the real reason behind owning a gen 16610 over a WM9 without regurgitating Rolex marketing Jargon, talking about resale value, or mentioning the servicing. (Lets overlook the End link fit) ..and thats using a Rolex as an example. A name synonomous with 'perfection' that constantly tells us how much effort and great machinery it takes to create their pieces. At this point, aside from the whole 'zen' of gen ownership which is essentially created by marketing, I cannot begin to think why I would purchase a gen yellow seawolf. What can the gen possibly offer me that the rep does not. What would Breitling say it offers me? The ability to send it in for a

5513 Gilt and Pointy.... Just because Now pointy

I'll vote for the 5513 with the 3,6,9, dial for its simplistic beauty. Here is my budget 5513 made from a standard issue rep from Silix. Nato style bands look great on these. Cheers

Remember though...that switching from 2813's is not straight forward as the hands will not all fit, the dials will have have to have their feet cut off and then taped to the Swiss movement, and new datewheels obtained.

:whistling:font="Verdana"]Ofrei is OK but chances are you will probably deal with "Bob" I had an issue with him several years ago. I had to practicaly beg him to fill an order and ship it out...too weird. If you call and he answers hang up and call back until one of his minions pi[cks up.

Basically-Yes. Be very sure the day/date change has completed its cycle. Some movements have an instant change at 12, others can start to change at around 9 and take until 3 or after to complete the total change. Also always a good idea to advance the hands forwards (clockwise) Cycling backwards can sometimes also do some damage. It is really about knowing the intricacies of each specific movement, and we all are still learning all the time! O/S

So on a day/date watch like something A7750 based, you should: 1. Advance until day & date clicks 2. Set Hour to 9, Minute hand to 12 hour marker 3. Install small seconds hand anywhere

It is clever to pull the hands off with the hour pointing at an hour and the minute on 12, doesn't really matter, but it is how I do it. When re installing set the hour hand anywhere on the pinion. Now advance it until the date clicks over, Now set it to 12. Now advance it a few hours, (I normally run it to 9.) With the hour hand directly on 9 now fit the minute hand @12. Now your hands are all in the correct position and date changes @12. Now fit second hand (doesn't matter where.) To fit hands, I use the sticky section of a post it note, to pick up the hand from the underside with the hole or pin sticking out over the edge. This gives a very stable rest to get them into position. ( This technique is detailed somewhere within the archives here....worth the search as it has pictures etc) That how-to is a few years back now. Hope this helps. O/S

On movements without a date, it doesn't matter.