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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/20/2012 in all areas
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A little off-topic fun.. Post whatever word that comes to mind after reading the last posters word. I'll start it off with... Sticky1 point
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I excitedly rushed to the post office right after work today and picked up my spanking new PC (Josh) 1655! This is the new 1:1 version, but with the Asian movement. I wanted to explore the potential of the PC 1655, so I didn't upgrade to the more elaborate 2836 movement. I know there are already reviews in this forum, but I figured that this review would be coming from a little different point of view. Sssssssoooooo....let the good times roll!!!! I believe that I got the older version, because the markers don't quite touch the rehaut. None the less, the dial printing is crispy, the "II" is just the right size and not overinflated like on some of the NDT, Yuki, or J&W dials. The magnification of the cyclope is a bit weaker as compared to the gen 116 crystal and the faceted edge is finished really well...a good rep of a crystal! The bezel fonts are great, but they are a little thin, maybe slapping more gloss black paint on it would thicken the fonts up. As a few members mentioned already, the sore point of the piece is the hands. The 24 hour hand color is perfect for later 1655, but should be a bit more orange and match the lineage of the "T SWISS T" dial. The crown guards is well finished right out of the box. It may need a little bit of reworking, but otherwise, it could be left alone. As for the twin lock crown, I believe the asians perfected the production of this twinlock crown...most likely from all the various models of Datejusts that are produced!!! Now...on to the spotlight of this piece that everyone is talking about...the bracelet!!! The links are folded over and finished with perfection and speaks highly of the replication process to recreate this classic bracelet. The stamping on the clasp is deep and nice. None of the sloppiness that the old rep clasps had... Finally, the coronet on the clasp is stamped very well with slight distortion at the edges... Engravings between the lugs and in the case back are deep and tidy... Okay...your saying "so what chiman...this is just another f*cking boring review, what's the point? I know I'm going to buy the 1655 already because it is sssooo gggooooddd!!" NOW ON TO THE CHIMAN WATCH SURGERY TABLE...the destruction begins...I proceed to tear everything part... Oh look, no silly plastic retainer ring around the crystal...like on the 1665. The crystal fits tight via the bezel... Nice shot of the mid case and the asian movement... Now onto the goods...when I took the watch apart, I actually did some measurements for the RWG community, because everyone was asking if gen parts would fit "this" or "that". Bezel OD=37.75mm, ID=30.05mm Diameter of crystal seat on case OD=29.08mm Crystal OD=30.07mm Case ID (where the movement sits) = 28.20mm Width of rehaut opening on case=27.00mm Width of PC dial=27.95mm Now... I have a spare NDT 1655 dial handy and it is 27.37mm in diameter. So a gen-like dial will fit, but it would require some accuacy in trying to line up the 0.37mm difference with the rehaut opening. I also have an InGod dial and this measures in at 27.38mm The conclusion? The PC 1655 is a great rep and gen-like parts could fit onto PC 1655, and as a result, a great looking franken could be made cheaply. Now...time to determine the further potential of the 1655 case...1 point
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Unfortunately, I can't open his blog here in China.... Do you mind downloading the picture and posting it? Thanks !!!1 point
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You mean the churchy-type people with the bowl haircuts, normally found in stained glass windows with a speech bubble going "hey, that's getting hot now, quit burning me"?1 point
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Genius idea with the hour hand! Never heard of anyone doing that. The Mercedes hand is correct too but the lollipop is definitely preferred. Nice job. I'm a fan too!1 point
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I believe that everyone who is into "Super frankens" goes through all of those phases. I was really big into reps starting about 2004, on TRC and the first RWG, I slowly sold all my reps and only had gens for a few years. I also got away from Rolex except for a couple of my favorite genuines (16750 and 16610). I was sort of fed up with modding after a couple of bad experiences with guys who were supposed to be rreally good, but weren't (They are long gone so don't worry). At any rate, over time, I started collecting some reps, however they still are only about 20% of my total watches. What I found was I could only wear one watch at a time, and most of mine were spending their entire life in my safe. The ones that weren't getting any wrist time I moved on. Others I kept. Another thing i decided was I would rather have just a few really good reps, well modded and believable, rather than a drawer full of stuff that wasn't anything special. So from my point of view, it's perfectly natural to want to trade up from basic reps to modded reps to Frankens to superfrankens to genuine.And for many of us, the process will reverse ae well. One thing that i will say, and I have said this ad naseum, building superfrankens is OK, but you have to be really careful to make sure you don't end up with a watch that is almost as expensive as the genuine. unfortunately, that is pretty easy to do especially withRolex models like the 1680 and 16610. you start out witha rep case, Silex,MBW, Yuki,phong,etc. and the next thing you know, you have a genuine dial,hands bezel,insert, crown/tube and movement. maybe you picked up the parts over a period of time and you really haven't kept account of the cost, or you just say Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead, ad go out and buy all the parts at once. big problem here is if/when you decide to sell the watch, you realize that you have 3+k in a rep watch. You could have bought the genuine version for 1K more! Now the second problem, try to sell that 3k watch on the rep forums. Even though the watch is 90% genuine, it's still a rep, so all the other sales venues like Ebay, WUS,TZ, etc. are closed to you. What I'm afraid is the hard truth is the interest pool for expensive frankens is really ,really small. You will get plenty of "WOW, beautiful watch, wish I had the funds, and GLWS's" but very few "Hi I just PM'ed you with intent to purchase"1 point
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Hi there guys posted three threads last night each have had between 4-6 replies but I haven't been getting emails as and when people reply even though it seems I have the settings on? Is it just better to use the notification system when you log in?1 point
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Really good read... Enjoy ~ Mike _______________________________ They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street. But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did. But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike. I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice." ____________ _________ _________ _________ To Whomever Gets My Dog: Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. He knew something was different. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after them, so be careful. Don't do it by any roads. Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones ---"sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals, too: He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business. Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He's up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows. Finally, give him some time. It's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you...His name's not Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this ... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is "Tank." Because, that is what I drive. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter ... in the "event" ... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word. Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades. All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth. Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me. Thank you, Paul Mallory ____________ _________ _________ _______ I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer. I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog. "Hey, Tank," I said quietly. The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. "C'mere boy." He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered. His tail swished. I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him. "It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball?" His ears perked again. "Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.1 point
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Hello members at large I just wanted to shout out to all the Americans on the forum to say thanks for your kindness and hospitality. Three years ago I was approached by my boss with the opportunity to gain valuable "growth experience" within my company. However this meant relocating myself and my very supportive family from our cozy abode in Ontario Canada to the new and strange land of Kentucky USA. A daunting adventure but one we embarked upon all the same. Well the time has just flown by and the new and strange land quickly grew to become our home. We have had many great experiences here, including the birth of our wonderful daughter. It is a beautiful area and we love it dearly. The people here are very friendly and welcoming. Overall it has been a fantastic place to live and raise our family. But alas, our time here has come to an end and we must now return to our home land in the great white north. I sit here writing this post amongst the chaos of all our belongings being sorted and packed into boxes and crates. Lots of fun Anyhow, I just wanted to say thanks. You have a great place here. Take care of her See you soon.1 point
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Your watch looks awesome as is. Take the money and get another watch as you've taken this one as far as possible without passing a point of diminishing returns.1 point