JohnG

Ditto.

Looking forward to seeing the pics! I really want to see your Omega.

I didn't see any names - and as to the pic it has already been taken down.

If you are worried just put it in your pocket when clearing customs. I have travelled internationally for more than 20 years and I have never had a customs official put his paws on me or tell me to empty my pockets.

That right there is the truth. I have been a witness. There is HUGE hostility towards nationals of some countries such as Bulgaria and especially Romania. Germany is no better than any other EU country in this regard and worse than some.

GROUP BUY!!!!!! How about a gen with "Breitling for RWG" on the face!

Once I asked a cop in Barcelona for a light for a joint (on a dare - I was 17 and stupid). He took the joint, lit it up himself, took two long drags off of it, and gave it back to me.

That's the EU VAT tax...

Amazing pictures - amazing machine you are driving. Do they PAY you to fly that? So do you get a special deal on the Breitling through your squadron? I ask because maybe we could do a group-buy at the special price? Please?

Thanks! That is a beautiful watch. I don't know Cartier that well (men's anyway - looked at some for my GF) and I had never seen this one with that magnifier - I like it! Very art deco. What else is on the way?

I think in these discussions it is a good idea if each person speaks for themselves. You don't know all the members here personally and you certainly don't tell me. I don't even wait for people to look at my wrist. I am awed by the quality of the replicas that I have purchased and admire them as works of art just as much counterfeit currency has artistic merit. I tell anyone who will listen all about my replica watch because as a replica it is awesome. As a gen it would be much less interesting (to me) because for 5K OF COURSE you expect to get an amazing watch. I want to point out that the question of whether we are being lied to is not a trivial matter. If there were only one movement for each rep available then it would be of less importance. But to those of us who are paying more money to (we are now being told) get the exact same fake movement that is in the lower priced reps - this would be reason to be angry. I am tired of every dealer transgression being explained away with the blanket "this is an illegal industry" excuse. If what is being said here is true then even EuroTimez is lying outright when he says he is selling genuine ETA movement reps - if that is true I am going to be very disappointed. One last point - I find on Otto Frei ETA 2836-2 movements for $138 retail. 2824-2 $150 retail. Wholesale would be considerably less. I am not convinced (yet) that the math really puts an end to this debate. Finally, I would like to see someone - say The Zigmeister or someone equally respected and knowledgeable - take a sampling of "genuine ETA" reps and tell us once and for all if we are being lied to. If we are I would be very happy to purchase the exact same watches for $100 less.

While I think he adopted the wrong attitude when he came in here, I think it is entirely understandable why it happened. Many of the things that he was being accused of doing apparently he has not done. Not one person has said, "sorry dude, maybe we exaggerated a bit/had incomplete information/misunderstood." He came into a thread where some pretty nasty things were being said, including that he should be banned without so much as hearing his side of the story. He could have diffused the situation by being very humble and apologetic. But his response, while not the one I would have had, is not outside of the realm of normal human reaction given the circumstances. He has apologized yet still we insist on goading him. I am at a loss to understand what this will achieve.

Easy mistake to make... Any updates?

By the way David you have to post pics now that the first watch has arrived. It is the price of admission here. Pics of watch good - pics of pig bad.

You're right but truth is it's a little late for the pig. I have seen this pig posted in at least four separate threads already. There are probably more.

A TOY RADIO PIG!!! More evidence that Josh and Andrew are one in the same - they even hide their watches in the same toys! Or maybe they did a toy radio pig group-buy.

I am getting replies at the Spanish forum. Some people have had problems (though the percentage seems very low) but have just had to pay IVA (VAT) and a faxed copy of their paypal receipt was enough to establish value. No one so far has reported seizures. They report that the Spanish Customs authority is not interested in if the watch is a rep or not. One package came (from Andrew I am guessing) with a PAM Ferrari hidden inside a toy police car - customs broke the toy open and contacted the buyer. He paid the VAT tax on the value from his PayPal receipt and they sent him the watch. I think it is safe to say Spain is pretty relaxed!

Narikaa Precious Time EuroTimez You can find them all here: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showforum=198 Edit: EuroTimez ships from both Asia AND the EU.

I just posted this question on the Spanish board and will let you know when I get some replies.

Every country is different. I have lived in Spain since 2000. I have only ordered three reps so far but I have ordered literally hundreds of things from eBay coming from China, Hong Kong, Russia, South America, and other EU countries outside of the Schengen area. The only item that I ever got hassled on was a laptop I purchased from ubid.com and they wanted to charge me VAT. I refused, was going to have it returned to sender in order to have it resent to my parents in Boston and pick in up later, when it suddenly appeared at my home in Madrid. It is impossible to imagine a country with a more relaxed customs service. I have never been stopped by customs in the airport and I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen others stopped. Usually the Picoletos are smoking butts and chatting while the masses flow past - if they are even there. Nothing quite like the sight of arriving in customs to see NO ONE there - not a single officer. I have seen it more than once. I also belong to a rep board here is Spain and so far I have not seen that this is a issue for the hobbyists there. I will ask and post back to this thread if you want. If your package IS ever seized, let your dealer know and ask for instructions. They will handle it. I once thought about purchasing from the EU dealers - I only know of three. All are more expensive than Ruby (who I have been buying from). One told me the watch was warranted against DOA but nothing more (that is not acceptable to me). That same one did not seem to accept paypal or credit card - I won't use a payment method that doesn't allow me ANY recourse - I don't care how trusted the dealer. Another was out of the EU at the time and the last one was QUITE a bit more expensive and was just launching his business anyway. The major dealers will replace losses from customs seizures. Ruby states this explicitly and others such as Josh and Andrew do it though it is not stated clearly in their policies. Ruby also sends pics of your watch for your approval before shipping and handles the actual watch. Though they say they don't, the consensus seems to be that Josh and Andrew drop-ship which increases the likelihood of having to send a defective watch back. Ruby also charged me $5 the first order for EMS and on my subsequent orders shipped EMS and didn't charge me at all. I didn't ask for this discount - she just offered it. Josh and Andrew charge $45 to Spain. I think this is outrageous. As you can see I am a fan of Ruby. Her only shortcoming is that she is SLOW like a snail with a walker. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about customs but I do think that in general in EU countries FedEx gets more scrutiny than EMS which gets more scrutiny than registered airmail. But if you are with a good dealer the risk is not on you anyway. Greetings from Asturias, JohnG

The answer to your question is yes.

Is there a link for this auction?

That sounds like a good idea to me. Have some idea of what kind of repair was performed in case they ask. I agree with those that say don't make up fake bills/invoices/etc... Trying to pass off fake documents on a government agency is a dangerous business. But telling the story above - they have no way of knowing whether you are telling the truth - it will come down to whether they believe you or not and if they don't they will simply not give you the watch. Also, it would be useful to know if the seller put a correct return address on it. Some people put a fake return address in the mistaken belief that they will get busted if the watch is intercepted by customs on the other end. That I am aware of (and I have researched the question more than once) there has never been a single case of any government trying to extradite a foreign national over the sale of a single replica watch. In any event, if the return address was fake that would be more reason to not abandon the watch... you would be out $500 for sure. I have told lies to customs before - in fact every time that I return to the U.S. I bring a number of items such as dried chorizo sausage, jamon (cured ham), and other items that violate Customs and Dept. of Agriculture regulations. I have lied each time and I have never been caught and if I were the fine would be $300 and my name would be placed on a watch list. There is nothing wrong with taking a calculated risk - as long as you know what the level of risk is and what the penalties are if you are caught.

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.

I also wanted to say, I am far from expert, but to me it looks like Explorer Asian Seamaster Asian DayDate ETA