fotoman

The good news is, I actually have turned on some elected officials to reps, so, actually opposing might actually help Unless the forum wants to hire my firm to lobby against it:) I do have the cell phone number of the chair of the DNC

Contributions by: georgegrasser; wraithride, FxrAndy How it's made luxury watches How it's made leather watchbands How it's made Panerai Part 1 www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=namj9CES-TE Part 2 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNcf5o9N3WA&feature=youtube_gdata_player The Fake Trade - documentary www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5zcqgcZfOw&feature=youtube_gdata_player This will take you to Basel World videos, it is the huge annual watch show where the crazy watches are unveiled and info about super exclusive watch brands you have never heard of http://www.youtube.c...l1043l0.2.3l5l0 National Geographic Illicit The Dark Trade Part 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG2Zvr2AS0k&feature=youtube_gdata_player Part 2: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9xVPagquTg&feature=youtube_gdata_player Part 3: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJBs14CoYF4&feature=youtube_gdata_player Part 4: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIomhsT3cys&feature=youtube_gdata_player Propper watch making Roger Smith basic watch $100k 2 year waiting list http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltJyKCw8XKE&featureyoutube_gdata_player more here http://www.youtube.c.../rwsmithwatches YouTube also has official videos created by watch brands like Rolex and Zenith about how their products are made or tested or premiered. I was going to make a list, but it's so endless and constantly updating, it would be silly to aggregate. What else do you have? - just a few years ago you had to have a dvr, now You Tube has everything, even the nudie video you took of your GF you took in the 80's and thought you erased. Or the super8 - no not that super 8 the one with no sound and a projector

Those are easy, how about the who are scammers posts - those go on "long time"

You would go to rwi- dark side or rwg1 Now, think about a real missle twister what if the FBI seized perfect clones server. Really makes you want a US based dealer now doesn't it

1. Manual gear making occurs it's small 3 man shops that have 2 year waiting lists for 300,000/ watch. I'm still looking for those videos. I'll have something up by tonight. Even some of those machine the parts. 2. I haven't watched fake trade in a few Years But I thought one of the points was - and I know this is true. China doesn't have the same business ethics and respect for patent law so, the paradoxical thing about saving money by outsourcing to china is, they turn around and pirate your stuff. And, your kidding yourself if you think that if watchmaker A buys a gen and tears it down for a rep (let's assume it's true) that watchmaker B buy's A's watch and makes a copy from a copy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5zcqgcZfOw&feature=youtube_gdata_player this is must watch. more to come

I saw this in June, it's good. There are a few more episodes of how it's made on watches, I'll find the thread and post later. There is also a must see documentary called "the fake trade" we should really compile a list now that you tube has everything ever. Would be a great sticky. When my Internet is more reliable I will work on it.

Way more expensive is a relative concept to your net worth. Re: my bad experience. I'm not going to post specifics because it's totally my bad and the transaction is still going on. I have offered some compensation for his trouble if we can undo it. But basically, there was a watch I had been on the lookout for and when I did research on RWG and RWI (not much info out there) I read there was only 1 version of this model although v1 had issues and v2 was good. Well, I came across one that had the issues talked about for v1 and was a good price considering the cost needed to fix up. We worked out a deal including a trade. Which I gave up the trade piece for less than what I could sell it for, but no additional transaction costs and certainty put into the equation. I was looking for other info and I happened over to RWG 1 and I randomly happened upon a post about a cheap version of this watch that had the wrong movement and no AR and I said oh crap. Listing was accurate. Seller didn't know actually what he had (honest mistake). he didn't realize he had a inferior watch to what is generally on the market. I should have known to double check details, which would have revealed the issue. But my head was focusing on what my trade piece should be valued at. Also, I've had stupid insomnia this week and have not gotten to sleep until 5 am. This is really taking a toll on my critical thinking and focus. So there ya go. Because I made assumptions, I blew $150 - $200 in value. I made the deal and will stand by it. This is totally not my week. 13 yrs in reps and 7 yrs on the boards. 70-80 watches (me and family) and you can still make stupid mistakes if your not paying attention. Let that be a lesson to ya Re: new dude, research is hard. "the best" is often not determinable. You have to take multiple factors into account and some people might think AR is more valuable than strong Lume or a "Swiss" movt vs Asian (they are really all Asian) Figuring this stuff out is a learning process. If your serious about collecting then you will only learn these lessons by trial, error and time. We all had to go through it. If you stay for the long haul, you will end up fine. If you pick up some pieces and move on in life like most, you will almost certainly not bat 1000 your first time up and you may or may not ever realize if you made the right choice for you. My first year here, I wanted 2 rollies, best I can get. I was duped by a former "modder" who is banned here and I think rwi. Not only did he charge me for stupid services I didn't need but he also had the watches delivered to him and there were serious unacceptable flaws. Like a day-date where only 2 days of the week were not obstructed by the day window. He knew this and "serviced" the watches anyway took my money and shipped me sh!t. I demanded to get a watch that was not defective. He said he would try but he still wanted his servicing fees. He never got the dealer involved which was king to exchange the piece. I tools him I would take a credit and get a different watch, he couldn't make that happen either. So I got a crap watch, that I had to sell at a loss because I was honest about the flaws and I never got my$$ back for the sh8t servicing And I didn't know enough about it at the time to make a stink and that turd "modder" was on the board for at least another year. There is a much cleaner, more transparent and tighter ship being run these days. My situation would not happen for someone today if they are active on the board. But, everyone from the old days has some story. That wasn't the last time I was screwed for not asking enough questions either. And it wasn't even the last time I got screwed by someone making things up about me. It's a tuff world out there. As much as the senior members try to watch over the system, there will be folks that take advantage of ignorance. It happens in legal businesses everyday, no reason to think it wouldn't happen here. Cornerstone is right, at least it's not a gen or a car or a house with "Chinese drywall" (google it) Best advice is to research, hope for the best, take mistakes as learning experiences and put out more than you take in. Over time, you can do very very well with what our community has to offer. I have had and still have some Amazing watches that I would never have been able to get with gen's. I have gotten more out of this hobby than I would have ever thought possible. And I also know it could be shut down at any time. So enjoy it while you got it. Research and take it in stride, after all, to quote Eddie Lee - it's only a watch. Having said all that I have 2 rolexes I'm going to list to help make up my mistake.

When you have insomnia and are up all night DO NOT buy watches, especially pre-owned- even if you think you have learned most of the mistakes to buying over years of practice. You will most likely miss something. And that key piece of info could cost $$ that you don't have to casually waste. just a recommendation Peace

Ah, well, then hello tony asian7750 nice to meet you, and don't call me Shirley (surely)

Straps are like rims, they can make the piece. I am also a snob for good AR. But, I have learned that domed crystals lesson the impact of AR. Even just mild domes not even the super domes. So with those style watches no matter what you will have more reflections. But no matter what, straps can be a lot of fun. And compared to just a few years ago the selection and availability of quality and affordable straps is amazing. For the first time in my collecting I have a full variety of top quality straps. It took time to fill out the collection. I'm going to do a whole new photo set soon. It's been a long time since I have had the opportunity. Enjoy your watch. And straps. And be sure to post some pic's.

Are you sure on the 7750? That's the chronograph mov. It's more expensive. Do you know what the going price is?

Right, sure - offshore we all know who the senior authority in this thread is . (for those that don't offshore is a Jedi master) I will clarify, I have not worked with those exact stands. However, I have had 4 different brands similar. And, exactly what you state is what I call a pain. Changing the size of the band, or adding a sticky substance. For holding everyday watches isn't practical. That's why I moved to the velvet/ leather ones you can use the opposite technic you bend out the metal so it's firm to the size of your band. I use almost all deploy ants or SS. Also, center of gravity can be awkward with oversized watches. My acrylics would tip over or slide. Sometimes working. My metal ones always worked. With center of gravity, you can adjust how the watch sits so it's stable to the middle. If your talking rolex no big deal if your talking ploprof Pam 187g or even SS pams big deal. They are just more flexible, in all sense of the term.

I started this thread cause I have been considering parting with some special pieces, but lots of cool stories here

Those are a total pain. No weight and they slide on the acrylic

Ken, I told you to give me my can opener back dammit, now I got worms everywhere

this isnt true - when watches are trying to mimic tourbillon then they are recognized by watch experts as fake, but there are exposed balance wheel designs on purpose. look at my zenith. the circles out line the escapment and balance wheel. the rep movement, which is not a off the shelf skeleton, is only slightly off from aligning. if it was 44, id be comfortable with them. if they weren't 400 id get the 40. but size + price are not right the chinese tourbi's are great. but also delicate and impossible to service. be aware. i killed one cause i put it in checked luggage.

the acrylic stands that hold watches mostly wont work for heavier watches. like omegas and up. . the best individual stands are leather or velvet covering adjustable metal and a solid base. i have had 4or 5 different ones. usually by find king. the website is good for shelving and interesting cubes and such. winders are crap unless you spend over 75$ per winder. and watches dont care winder or not. including need for service. the only thing winders are good for are not having to set the watch. also on some models you need a winder that rests, changes speed and direction. although this last point im weakest on, i seem to recall just perpetual winding in the same direction is not good.

Did you search? I'm one of the few who post on the topic. Google glass display acrylic display check user findking on eBay So far i think this is the best variety http://www.displaycasecorp.com/

These zeniths are my grail or my new grail I should say. The rep is actually not bad. It's a little misaligned compared to the gen, but still good. The only issue I am waiting on, is these are 40mm and I want the 44mm version. I'm surprised they didn't make them, it's just a wider dial, same opening, Those aren't fantasy models. There are dozens of variations. This is my fav

Miss understood glad to see your still around

With my two buddies here who have great reputations there is no question about your ability and honesty. But for people that haven't been around, we should point out that behind the scenes, you of course check off with admin before offering services. We don't want anyone to think that the rules apply to everyone and obviously, not just everyone can come and offer services without being checked out. After that PSA - carry on P.s. Wish I had watch skills you have a good idea, maybe I can go to my watch guy and apprentice.

very cool. gen dials _ search ebay Europe as well i usually see more there and they dont come up unless you go to the site specific to that country. i got my breitling dial through my watchmaker. i befriended one and he ordered it just like he would order any replacement parta. does suck having to pay retail but whatta ya gonna do. project came out well. enjoy!!

hey bro. im feeling ya man. been jobless since February, and nothing consistent going on 3 yrs. and your kid facing surgery is worse than having your own. but i feel ya. if you ever need to vent, let me know

eek -- you can search for tourbillon - they aren't cheap. aldo zenith has open balance wheel models that there are not bad reps of. also faux tourbillon will show much better alternatives