docblackrock

Nice U-shaped CG's - they come like that? What about the dial - nice grey/silver or slight champagne tint to it? Heard the latest dials are champagne, hmmmm, not as good Looking at getting one for a present, so all info appreciated.

Or a more understanding mistress Anyway, it's Ms DBR, not Mrs - not into the whole ring-party-legal document scene, she feels the same (so she says ha!) - actually on second thoughts, Antwerp is probably not the best idea, diamond capital of the world, no sense tempting fate

Yeah in your dreams Flew Air France last week, of anyone you'd think they'd hand out free Gitanes mid-flight. Not a chance. And rightly so.

Pffff, what I'm supposed to bring a nebuliser? Your black necrotising lungs Steph, no sympathy my friend Suggest my usual long-haul remedy for 'problem' fliers facing a 12-hour leg.... 2 in-flight Stoli's plus 10mg zaleplon.....*poof*....wake up other end refreshed (short half-life = no drowziness, disorientation) *legal disclaimer - if you have an attack of smoker's apnoea, don't come crying (or suing) to me

Ah you see this guy has his priorities straight. Excellent summary. Prague gets my second-choice vote. Although it is hen-party central these days (groups of 15+ usually very unattractive English girls singing loudly and throwing up in the street - nice!) - not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing though?

Ah you see this is where it gets tough - we've already had people here suggesting based on their own US insularity "NY or SF" - doesn't really factor in the latter is a good 13 hour flight for us Euro folks (lovely town that it is though). As I said before, I've come across this transatlantic issue before, and Reykjavik was the answer. Not cheap though admittedly but a very cool place. I think ultimately we may be running before we can walk here - and that Continental GTGs are the best bet - a Europe one and a US one. Same with the convi....err, our Antipodean brethren, they could do an Asia-Pacific one with the SE Asia folks (now that WOULD be interesting, a tour of Guangzhou's watch markets or even better a reconnoissance mission in Ho Chi Minh City? ) A World GTG poll would be pointless as I think as it's a given that most members would vote accordingly, US or Europe. Much as I'd love to drop by Hawaii, the likelihood of it happening, short of me becoming independently wealthy or being granted 6 months' gardening leave, are slim at least in the next year. And with the dollar in the toilet for the foreseeable future, a European trip would be hard on our colonial cousins. (FWIW, Europe - Prague is a good shout, maybe Geneva (ok I jest ), or Scandinavia - Copenhagen would be perfect, SAS hub that it is. Not buying into the whole 'bring your wives/GFs' either - boys' trip only, otherwise difficult to manage....."you want to see the Tivoli gardens by moonlight? But darling, Ubi was going to give a talk on how he put together his Frankentona...... " Oh that and the opportunities for alcohol and *ahem* 'window shopping' are vastly reduced. Boo hiss...)

But but but....*splutters*.....it's full of Belgians Just kidding Stephane, you know I love your country, well parts of it (little voice in head: keep digging Doc!) Actually, I'd vote Antwerp if we're doing Europe.

He is a 'she'. You'd be better off resending an email rather than posting this to be honest.

Is that the rare German-market E200 Kompressor SLR then? Just kidding, I'll happily sport the Mk I myself ( please rep gods make it happen, same case, movt etc.)

Not convinced on the ETA not fitting into the NDT case - until I see it confirmed at least. The 1655 case, although slightly different in proportions, will take a 2836. But yes, the hassle-free option and je ne c'est quoi qualities of the gen are very appealing. Thanks for the bleach protocol - will give it a shot - tried it once on an aftermarket insert but problem I had was the bleaching was not uniform (like the UV ageing it is supposed to replicate), crept in from the periphery/outside diameter - not a great look.

So do I (at least I think ) Likewise Euno - wonder what happened to the vintage subforum idea? Time to lobby perhaps Ah the 6542 - another of my 'special' projects - bits galore (smal GMT hand, choice of gilt or Pan Am dial, even have the roulette DW) but keeping my eye out for a c.10XX movt. Recall Saabin had all but built one using MY parts on a heavily machined case - the photos looked great, about a year ago now maybe?

Thanks Pete, thought it might be that one. So what's your dial fix? Rep dial to Michael? Nice specs but the dial non-fit is the dealbreaker for me. Damn, I want that NDT case badly - no messing around grinding crystals etc - dial *fits*, T116 *fits* gen insert *snap fits*. But for that amount of money? For a rep case?! Got to pay to play I suppose. But not yet, not yet. Insert-bleaching, what strength? what times are we talking?

The CR version of the rep has an attempt at this engraving - it's actually a security 'seal' to prove authentication - globe superimposed over 'Omega' letter/symbol, but only recently introduced and as above poster says, a lot of gen models don't have it. Not something to obsess over really.

Probably just licensed image as per any normal advertising 'stock shot'. Just OP trying to buy into the yachtie fraternity, as you say the sponsorship, the profile-raising not to mention with sales of their 'Regatta' models in mind

Guess I just have a blind spot Ok I'll clarify a bit......'modern' Carreras leave me cold. There I've said it. Bar the odd reissue, I find them incredibly bland and uninspiring not to mention bearing no relation to the lineage of their predecessors. Jack's decreasing influence in the face of the marketing boys I fear - he was supposed to safeguard the Heritage line, but all we've seen recently is the bastard chimaera Monaco 69, the Monza discontinued, and no new Targa Florio type standalone chronos. Even the venerable Autavia (bar a couple of very limited reissues) has been passed over. There are plenty of modern models I love though, the V4 Monaco (production next year), I was also one of the first to campaign for the new case Aquaracer to be repped, and I have a gen Aquagraph. I'm also praying they rep the Mk I SLR (the Mk II rep looks excellent) as I passed one up to pick up a c.36 Monza instead. But the Carrera I see as the F1 for the older, slightly more affluent generation - volume sellers for the masses first and foremost, marketing-driven not design-led. This latest GC series looks like a pig all dressed up. Gimicky sub dial mechanism, massive dial and case aesthetically awful, tachy bezel yawn, oooh it has double AR - not the first TAG to have that though is it. It's like those ugly kids you see that have attractive parents - the gene lottery dealt them a crappy hand.

Now THIS is what I used to love about this place! Sharing best practice. Glad to see all the usual vintage nuts in one place Pete, intriguing, very intriguing - exactly which case is this from Jay's motley collection? Do you have a ref no.? I looked at his cases a while back but my eye thought the rep dials looked huge in the case and so would not fit my gen redial (right as it turns out). I agree with both you AND Euno - I hope to have the gen I've my eye on by the year end, but I still want the 'fun' of making this franken even with an incorrect fast-beat movt (finding a reasonably-priced good condition c.1575 is very difficult). So I'm still mulling over a stripped-down (no bezel or crystal) NDT case for around $700 - holding off in the faint hope, a new and appropriately-priced source for these becomes available. As an aside, I'd also be interested to know what your exact insert bleaching protocol is? I actually like my gen Pepsi insert minty fresh all dark and clean, but looking to recreate a nice 'grey' on my 1665.

I'm a more avid a Heuer/TAG Heuer fan than most but like the rest of the Carrera series, the Grand Carreras just leave me cold and totally unstimulated in the trouser department.

I used to participate in biannual advisory board meetings between 12 cardiologists based in Europe and the US. For 2 years we took it in turns like the Ryder Cup until we hit upon a perfect solution.....a halfway house if you like Not exactly a beach culture but they like their booze and my god are the women jaw-droppingly stunning (and very friendly too )

I have a 1675 project almost done. It's been "almost done" for over 2 years though All the gen bits, really dug up the graveyard on this one. Just needs the case. NDT is unfortunately the only route. But then you may as well buy a c.1575 to drop in there and by that time you're at the investment level of buying a gen, which ironically I'm in the process of doing anyway.

I concur on all points.

One of the many things I love about your country. For every rule/law, there is a way around it

Ah, apologies realised that after I'd posted. But you know he just wasn't testing your leftie as a control don't you? CT syndrome usually manifests bilaterally, and you should be looking to have the other done around 6 months after the first. An abnormal EMG would confirm the likely prognosis, and since outcomes are improved the earlier the intervention, I'm sure he'd be advising you to have the leftie done as soon as the rightie has healed fully (usually assessed about 3 months post-op) Crap, ulnar nerve too? Jeez. You really are paying for living a life of debauched quilting aren't you. Personally I'd be far more worried about that than your wrists, pain nonwithstanding. Cubital tunnel syndrome is altogether much more complicated and serious, both in terms of symptoms, function, corrective surgical techniques, post-op rehab (cast/splint) plus prognosis. Extremely variable. If your hand starts to 'claw', you're looking at potential nerve damage and muscle atrophy. Not good. To be avoided.

That's the rep he posted pics of. No joke.

M is from Italy.

Tantric? Pffff, life's too short as it is. My social whirlwind diary would suffer. And if truth be told, I'm more the elegant sprinter than laboured long-distance runner (p.s. on a more serious note, if you do opt for CTR surgery, do your homework as it's one of the most surgeon-dependent procedures in terms of outcome - both sensory and motor function - some prefer the endoscopic technique, some prefer the trusty old 'open' method. Former is better for the patient, latter easier for the surgeon. Oh and high dose Vitamin B6 has also shown mild benefits in symptom control, worth a shot)