truzement

last week I started to wear my panerai 187 again after a long time of box time(more than a year).

no problems with winding up or keeping time.

compared to the "today" reps it still holds up nicely in terms of quality and finish.

at least that where my toughts until i looked at it this evening and saw a missing marker (the 2 o clock oval one)

that was a terrible thing to experience. I was so happy with discovering it again last week that it felt like a new watch.

can i fix this?

are there replacements or home made/custom made parts available

I got mine from TTK so it is a non screwed version.

hope you guys have some tips or sollutions for me

You continue to sound disappointed that the whole thing didn't blow up in the OP's face.

You have stated your opinion three times already. How about just congratulating Outlandos on getting his watch and not losing 500 dollars.

I think you are missing my point by hundreds of miles JohnG.

The outlandos did was his choice, and he got away with it.

I am not disapointed dont get me wrong, but congratulating him could inspire others to do the same thing.

Its like like trying to disarm a bomb, it could go two ways.

I'am someone who tries to avoid being damaged and I want to keep others sharp and create awareness when they come in the same situation.

He DID cook up a story and lie to customs. There was no repair performed on the watch. If he had told the truth (watch was an illegal counterfeit) he would not have it in his hand right now. THAT is the bottom line.

If you think that a 500 usd dollar replica watch is worth the trouble it can give you, go ahead.

I think its like double or nothing.

If they had opened the package there it would have been a whole diffrent ballgame A big fine and no watch

The story told to customs would fall apart and you would be in trouble.

Why, because communication goes through letters in the mail.

info about items is given through te phone, but when you claim or make a statement about an item , it can only be done through mail.

My point is, not to get wise when it comes to dealing with customs, its their job to hunt you.

Everyone can do as they think is best, but the stept taken by cutoms in outlandos his topic are not standard procedure on this matter.

IT ALL WORKED OUT WELL!!!

The customs did not check the package...or at least they didnt take the effort to open it!

I will need to pay 13 Euro duty tax, but I am happy to do so!

I guess I have just been very lucky!

Thank you all for the great reply's!

After all, I think it has been Fedex and Fedex only that made a fuzz and that I have been lucky at the customs!

Cheers!

I just dont get where they based the 13 euro's of tax on

I thought you told them you bought the watch from a friend for 700 or 250 euro's

Or is your tax based on the price of the repairs

I think it is important to realise for everyone, that if your watch really got through it was a with a whole lot of luck.

The bottom line of this topic should be not to cook up stories and lie to customs.

It is normal procedure for customs to inspect the item by hand and look up the value of the item in cataloques or verifie through officiall channels.

This value is than used for calculating the tax.

However, you are not fined or prosecuted if it's only one item, since you are allowed to own 3 for your own use.

Thats 100% correct.

Untill you make a false invoice, bill or start telling them lies.

Then it is fraud and you cannot win that game.

Your English looks pretty good to me (why do you need to correct it if you are going to be talking to your own customs people? - am I missing something?)

I just wanted to say that I would have a very clear idea of what repair you might have had done... Relume? Something that you could either not have done or didn't know WHERE to have done in NL would be a good option. Of course if they watch doesn't appear to be that old relume might be unrealistic. Complete service/oiling/etc. You found a watchsmith though a collector's forum who charges low prices AND with the dollar at an all-time low you could save about 200 euros on a service for a watch you only paid 700 for. You can't afford much as you are a student... You might offer documentation of your student status (I think you said you are a student, no?) and perhaps your back account balance. This stuff might not really convince them as much as the fact that you are going out of your way to offer proof. Guilty people probably run the other direction...

I would make up a GOOD story, using the ideas and advice here, all details thought out, then throw yourself on their mercy. Be prepared to cry some too - that won't hurt. (Just kidding) But I would appear really upset that they are going to take your watch - not angry, just upset... Be very very polite and after explaining everything, if they are still not going to give you the watch, say, "Given my situation - what has happened, what can I do to resolve it?" That puts them in the position of being your allies - you are asking them for suggestions on how to resolve your situation... If you are believable and likeable they may try to help you out or just give you the watch and say be more careful...

Good luck.

The problem with cooking up a good story is, that the risk is not worth the reward.

You can make up story, but you can never know what they know.

At the bottom line it remains a rep. Ans it is illigal to sent a rep.

They will not sent it to anybody because is is illigal to sent reps.

Trust me I have been there and gone through multiple letters and phonecalls with the dutch customs.

Evertime you see an opening for a sollution you have to stay in line of your original story because everything is recorded in your file.

Never lie to them, just WALK AWAY!!!!

In short the scenarios are:

1. Since it's only 1 (you're tollerated to own 3), you're off the hook. But I wouldn't be surprised if your name/address would end up in some sort of 'alert'-list, so for the next time you'd better use another address.

Indeed 3 watches are allowed by customs, but not through mail.

I have read numerous times on this forum that ordering 2 fake items from abroad is permitted in the Netherlands. Have any Dutch residents ever received a fine or have there reps confiscated by Dutch customs when ordering less or equal to two reps before?

If it is legal to order a rep or two then this changes the whole situation. I would not hurt to look up in the Dutch customs import regulations if you can find such a regulation in writing.

The rules are as follows:

You are allowed to bring 3 replica items (watches) though customs. But you have to travel in person and then pass customs.

Sending through mail is not allowed under any circumstances.

This information is also stated on douane.nl

I was in the same sort of situation two years ago.

My PAM 187 was stopped by Dutch customs and I received a package without a watch.

The sender marked the package as repaired chronometer or something.

There was a letter attached that It was illigal to import replica watches etc, etc...

Thinking of what to do and also calling this for help on this board, I got another letter te next day from customs.

This was a whole diffrent type of letter. They stated that the watch was exemined by an expert and that it was a real panarai watch.

But through the simple way of packaging it was asumed to be fake.

They gave me a few options, proof that the watch was bought in the netherlands, or pay the tax.

I considered making a false bill or receipt but didnt do it.

I got a lot of advice not to do so.

The best advice I got was "not to get my arm amputated over a splinter".

ordering a fake watch is one thing, making false bills is (tax)fraud and a whole diffrent ballgame!!

My advice forget the watch and bite the bullit.

or in dutch "Vergeet het horloge en bijt door de zure appel heen!"

I have the black dial and must say, after wearing it daily for 6 months now. it is the best rep I have ever owned.

Its solid, waterproof, superbly finished and most of all, its a modest watch.

not too bling bling, flashy or unbelievable expensive as a genuine.

thats also something I agree with.

maybe the lume could be a bit more shiny, but on the other hand, who sees my watch in the dark?

I dont think the U-boat reps look bad at all.

maybe the hands and size are a bit off but in general thet look ok.

I have an original 53mm black faced one and my girlfriend has a 45mm one.

at least these U-boat reps look better than other no name brands with U-boat design

Indeed i live in antwerp, and you will find allot more around schuttershofstraat.

DO you guys remember "het falconplein" from about ten years ago.

there where a lot off small shops from russians.

they had almost every rep watch you could think of. and of good quallity and price.

not to forget they also sold anything you needed, rep clothes, bags, tv's, phones, etc....

today i got it delivered to my door

you are one lucky viking!!

Since I lost a watch from a trade in Dutch customs, I dont have the guts anymore to buy watches from outside the EU.

I had a somewhat simmilar experiance with my genuine tag heuer, so i know how you feel.

i accidently damaged and seriously scratched the clasp of the bracelet.

I also tried to polish it out with a dremel but it got a high gloss finish. (my watch had a mat finish)

I ended with me buying a new clasp and bracelet.

that was the only thing that took away the pain.

i would liko to see a good one of these

WOW the Patek sure looks like a stunning watch, surely something I would wear.

For an old vintage it looks a little bit too crisp, unworn and new.

For the rolex I think the seller should stick with his other items (mainly "vintage" porcelain)

Looks like a IWC

I sold my Kawasaki ZX9R recently.

It was the most smart thing to do. I could just not resist opening up the throttle.

It had 145 HP with 180 kg, so it was really really really too fast.

I do miss the bike, but my newborn son will miss his father more I guess.

I have a 186 from TTK and they are very strongly attached to the bezel.

I dont know if they are glued or screwed, but its very solid.

I have a 187 and not a 186.

Damn all those numbers.

I dont know about the 186 bezel markers so forget my input.

For some sort of reason I always think that Elwopo and TTK are one and the same.

but thats just a feeling I have and could be wrong offcourse.

A lot of what you guys said and not to forget.

Movies

-Seven

-Gothika

-Fallen

-The Bone collector

-Along came a spider

actally there are too many good movies

Series

-Lost

-Prison Break

-Bottom (the Series)

I hope for a good Breitling Chronomat with 7750 matel bracelet and matte finish.

I have a 186 from TTK and they are very strongly attached to the bezel.

I dont know if they are glued or screwed, but its very solid.

its a nice idea but it looks as if it is printed with an inktjet printer

I too had a somewhat "disapointing" rep received.

For me its the same question.

the pearl looks damaged and there is a noticable circular scratch under the bezel markers.

the scratch I can live with (and hopefully will fade through exposure to air) but the pearl looks really bad.

It should be handpicked and "loup examined", well maybe that examination took place on a monday morning.

is there somebody here who nows a source for replacement pearls?

on ofrei i cant find any.