buckeye

Wow...just plain beautiful....

Kermit: You're asking people to help you decide what you like. Perhaps a better question would be one that asks which reps are closest to gen. level in terms of looks. If you asked me that, then I'd probably tell you you should look at Rolex subs, Omega Planet Oceans, Breitling Steelfish Superoceans, and Panerai 111s (I prefer the 112s)....those four would be the basis for a pretty good start. As for the Bell & Ross...the new ones look pretty good. I think it's always gonna be a "niche" watch and manufacturers will never think they are worth the money to make them great. Still, that begs the question you need to answer for yourself: how good is good enough? There are some recent threads on the "10 second rule" you should read and then there are threads from people who have $1,000 in their rep... Back to the Bell & Ross...ask yourself how many you've seen on people wrists? Personally, I've never seen one...and as I'm sure you've learned by now everyone's wrist gets checked out! So if you like them, buy one they're relatively cheap. Start with the manufacturere home page and study the models, decide 46 or 42? check the various boards and look at the member's sales areas.... dluddy's advice is good though. just keep reading and you'll find you style...ask questions and welcome...

You will be looking for a 1.6 screwdriver...probably a good idea to get it in a kit.... another option while you're buying stuff is some of River's Panerai springbars...they look like Panerai screws and don't need tubes...eventually you're gonna strip a thread so get some for peace of mind...

RKIK: good advise from Kenberg....you'll find what you're looking for and you'll increase your knowledge of this hobby exponentially....question for you: what do you consider a reasonable price? You can find a good asian sub for as little as $100 and you can find really nice modded MBW/MBKs for $500...so, I'm interested in what you think it's gonna cost. Oh and welcome....BTW if you have a wife/girlfriend/significant other who is looking for nice purses, jewelry, etc...kenberg is a great place to start!

Chris: Same for me..the last watch I bought was your Corum Admiral's Cup...which is still going/looking great. I'm going to wait for your review (and maybe any indication that you're getting tired of it!)....BTW, I have a 24/20 black rubber diver's strap I'll lend you if you're interested.... Are you as cold as me? Jeff

I really like the 253 much better.......good luck with your choice!

thanks guys...this is great information...I have and MBW/MBK ROO and have been looking for some options on bands.....Dani, can't wait to see your results!

335xray: welcome to the board from a fellow Ohioan...sitting here typing and winding my TWP modded 112H as we speak. BTW I'm in Cleveland......

the best price I saw was at silix-prime....

also works for me.......

Have you seen TWP's ad for his modded PAMs? You could get and asian 112H with cannon pinion fix and superlume with steel bracelet for $340...then check out Elliott (or the member's ads) for a couple of straps....that's my thought.

the obvious issue(s) on this watch are the usual: recessed cannon pinion and probably the lume. The steel bracelet is generally a $50 to $75 upgrade.....the asian copy movement has proven to be good....

vlydog: The Zigmeister installed the movement that you are referencing into my MBW APROO. AND The Zigmeister supplied the movement! Same movement from the same seller. It has not been serviced, but The Zigmeister made sure it was running and from a visual inspection said it looked fine. As such, I'm pretty sure he'll be good with it. Mine is running like a champ....

I read it at Border's while my wife is shopping at Trader Joe's....she usually finishes first.

Mike: MBW stands for "Maria's Best Watch" who used to supply watches and be a presence several years ago. The jokw was that Maria was like Seinfeld's "soup nazi"...if you asked too many questions..then no watch. Convential wisdom is that the best MBWs are the vintage rollies because they will take genuine parts.....and make the ideal platform for project watches....There is a difference of opinion on the modern rollies as to whether or not they are better or relatively the same as offered by other sellers.... if you use the "search" function on this board, you will find where to get these watches (at least the rollies)...the A/P ROO is a bit more difficult...

Let's see: 1) IWC 3717 2) Breitling Steelfish Superocean 3) Ferrari by Panerai: yellow dial chrono that would keep me busy for a few months.

Trusty (andrew) has the deployant buckle on his site for $30.....

I'm heading to Hong Kong next week then on a cruise that will include Bangkok. I have the information on the store at the MBK Mall (I really don't have my hopes set to high). I'll be there for two days. Assuming I get lucky, how many watches would you think one could comfortably buy without running into a problem while re-entering the United States at Customs? I was thinking about wearing a Timex and just tossing it...but do you think I could add another? thought?

Butterfly: I'm headed for Bankok in a couple of weeks and will surely head for MBK...question: Is the store a watch shop specializing in replicas? Do they have other stock along with the "MBW" stuff? BTW thanks for the post and info....

I tried to PM someone about a watchband and was not able to access PM feature....

I was in a US dealer yesterday looking at the Superocean and they quoted me $75 for the rubber strap.....

Chanel J12 would get my vote.... jeff

drop an e-mail to EL...i think he can help you out.....

I was thinking the Panerai 212...

Mill: I'm going by memory here, but there have been several discussions regarding the silver versus gold ETA 2836. There was an impression that the silver was higher quality....or the silver was actually assembled in Switzerland and the gold one in China...or...or...or. As I remember it, the color of the movement doesn't really reflect quality....so if the Trusty Yachty is the one you think looks best, get that one...don't winge over movement color. Others, please chime in if I've got it wrong. BTW...I have the yachty from Sash (and i don't know what color the movement is), but it's really nice....I think It's the same as Andrews... jeff