docblackrock

If you mean size-wise, I have two words for you...form and factor. If you mean feature-wise, that's only a stop-gap, music and calls - most mobiles do that already and then some (such as the Nokia N91). May as well go the whole hog and cram as many goodies in there as possible. The iPhone looks to be a PDA killer for Mac/iPod enthusiasts and also take on the PSP for non-gaming functionality. In that, it will undoubtedly be a massive success.

Taxi for JTB!!!

I bet that will change - don't forget OS X 10.5 Leopard will ship in Q2 with a redeveloped Mail program - if it doesn't well my .Mac sub expires/renews in Sept

Thanks, didn't read that. Explains why it's not in the Store unlike the equally exciting iTV. Strange very unlike Apple to officially launch product with 6-month shipping date

WTF? Europe in Q4?

Couldn't agree more Randy. However, IMO it is also true that whilst innovation for efficiency's sake is commendable (as with Omega's co-axial escapement), there are people out there who are innovating with elegance, beauty and a touch of genius. And we're not talking high-end brands with grande complications like UN, VC etc. Tag Heuer (a brand many here sneer at as "mall jewellery store" watches) is one example - their recent concept movements (Monaco V4, Carrera c.360/L) are truly astonishing in their ingenuity. Personally, and as others have stated, as soon as my vintage Rolex collection is complete (in my mind not the pedantic collector mindset) this year, I'll be done...for good. The direction Rolex have taken recently when recognising the need to innovate in terms of external design, is one that quite frankly is embarrassing and a turn-off to most of us who appreciate elegance and style. Bling for bling's sake seems to be the ethos. Whhhiirrrrrrrrr.........that's the sound of Hans Wilsdorf spinning in his grave, most likely.

More than rumour. Did Admin delete the search button during the upgrade? C'mon it's been posted already.... As to the poster who talked about the rubber, yes indeed that will be interesting - the gen (22mm) rubber strap has a silicone component to it giving it a silky soft feel unlike the rep (20mm) SMP rubber strap. Also watermarks and dust disappear from the gen strap whereas they lingered like the plague on the rep version.

Err, his/your local AD perhaps?

Guys firstly thanks for chipping in but Jay now has pics of undoctored serialed casebacks such as this one...however below #1000 there are no prefix zeros as with PAMs so 0007/5007 does not exist! They start 1/5007....25/5007.....783/5007......2891/5007 etc. Hopefully Jay will make lots of serials like the PAM187 as opposed to the singular serial on most Rollies He's also been sent security symbol and been told about the orange caseback 'seal' paint dot as pictured. As for the rubber strap, buckle side length is exactly 3 inches (excl. buckle itself), other side 5 inches, see pics of my gen...

Already supplied them to Jay Interestingly, talking about the security symbol, it's not just on special editions - also appears on the PO chrono....

Rico's right, double AR is :yucky: Interesting about the ultimate caseback and gen case but not vice versa, hmmmm.....call me a cynic but I wonder how easy it will be to obtain caseback and second hand given the inherent financial disadvantage for Jay to do so As for rubber strap does this mean you'll not be needing my 'master' after all?

Sure, there's an Omega logo there plus a globe, but whatever it looks a mess - not clear in person so don't think we ought to obssess too much about an accurate replication on the caseback - a decent attempt in the right position will do for me. That and the nice black SE version of the red omega box would be the icing on the cake. Some more sexy 'official' photos....

Datefont is easily fixable with standard ETA 7750 datewheel - inexpensive and easy to source.

true Puggy, but infinitely less hassle for the poster, slightly more for the postee - an alternative though especially when imageshack goes down or fails to upload properly (fairly often). Madness I know as I already have ultimate PO on my gen 22mm rubber, but I can see me getting this one also - doubt I'll just be able to get caseback and second hand parts to swap as and when and regardless caseback will probably not fit ultimate case

Having almost succumbed to the gen before Xmas, can't wait - yes it's borderline cheesy but the little extra symmetrical flash of orange does look good. Anyway here's another pic of the symbol on the PO, not hi-res enough but a start... p.s. loving the direct upload feature sayonara imageshack!

Bloody hell, talk about a 50-post wild goose chase Chronomat - now you've changed your underwear, next time ask the question BEFORE you purchase pleeeeease! Can't understand why you were so inclined to panic based on a single opinion. IMO anyone without a detailed and extensive knowledge to the point of anal-retentiveness (e.g. Randy ) has no place dabbling in the vintage Rollie market, never mind doing so on ebay based on a few pics - that's certifiably insane!!! It's getting riskier and riskier out there these days even at European watch fairs, with whole graveyards being dug up and sold as 'original'. You were lucky, be thankful and enjoy wearing (and keeping?) it. Oh and one more question, what happened to your 'no more gens' pledge, supposedly to help pay your way through dental school???

Bernard.... Firstly, welcome to the boards! Secondly, I"m a bit concerned you seem to be talking to yourself and/or answering your own posts! Thirdly, try searching the dealer subforums here for what you desire And last but not least, my photos above are of my GENUINE 22mm rubber PO strap - no rep exists as yet.

I'd be in for a group buy on this baby, 'specially on the rubber As one of the co-instigators (with TonTon) of the new Aquaracer/Graph poll, I'm surprised but happy to see such enthusiasm for this Carrera. Sort of become immune now to the many extremely negative (i.e. uneducated) posts about Tags that many members posted in response to that poll.

Yes, my advice is to leave well alone as the 'ultimate' pearl itself is very good as is - torch + glue + relume + acrylic = recipe for disaster

Ok as promised here's a few pics...apologies for the shoddy camera work

Well you know it's to MY taste Hopefully, this is the year my TF returns home

You have PM

Thanks for the update anyway Archi, [censored] happens, hopefully the error doesn't incur too much damage in financial terms (i.e. entire cost of a new print run) . Speaking for myself, I'd be happy to pay a small additional cost to help reimburse you and Randy for your tireless work. Merry Xmas

More than happy to (just for you Rico ). Now I have some time off work I'll post a review - full spec, embossing, brushed buckle etc. but the one thing that sets the gen strap apart immediately is the material - the rubber has what I assume to be a significant silicone content that gives it a soft almost silky feel, water just evaporates straight off the surface (unlike the rep SM strap) and does NOT attract any dust, fluff etc. (one of the most annoying features of the rep rubber strap IMO).

Mmmm, 22mm of black rubber.....