offshore

Its only a repairers job, where in Oz are you? O/S

Have been in discussions with Sellita for some time. I believe demand, will hugely outstrip their ability to supply, and they are not a quartz supplier of note. So don't go looking to them to be the saving grace on this one, especially if they don't see themselves partnering in China. Don't forget that ETA had/have a number of plants in S E Asia. In any buying negotiations on movements, the starting point for price negotiation, is 1000 units. Any number below that, only attracts a premium, which is directly linked to the volume of other business done with that supplier. And I do think we overlook the ratio of mechanical movements produced c/w quartz. That is where the big volumes in both quantity, and $$ value has historically been done. Offshore

Well, that makes for most interesting reading! When I looked at these units in China last year, I was shown "genuine" and copy units, at wildly varying pricing, by a number of sellers.(I could have had a version selling at $20!) http://watchbitz.com...d&productId=114 When you consider that the selling price for a "genuine" can be as much as $200+, obviously you do need to question a tester which is being sold for only 25% or less of this price. The one which we tested and which gave ongoing correct results, we were told was the "genuine" Japanese model. In checking my stocks, all my current testers would fail the "tells" test as reproduced here. Yet I do know that we have sold a good number of these units and the buyers are most satisfied. I have also just now reconducted some tests on known sapphire and mineral lense, and am still getting a 100% success rate with these "fake" testers. I also wonder if the test for sapphire vs mineral glass is not as demanding as the test for diamonds? Are all the full and complete details being given by the manufacturer here?, by a manufacturer who is obviously trying to protect his brand.(although I did read somewhere else that this particular model is now "discontinued") The real facts, I believe, are that there are a number of "fake" models, some good, and some not so good (Sound familiar?) We actually see the same thing in the Chinese manufactured timing machines- a "genuine", and then a number of copies, some branded identically and some with same appearance but different branding. Although none of the copies come up to scratch in that case. I do know, we will only deal with one supplier on these in China, and I do know I have a right of return if a problem arose. Unfortunately like most things, the cost to return and be resupplied would far exceed the cost of the item. Like you, I must take at face value what my supplier tells me. And I do know my supplier values my business, so I can only trust that I am not mislead. However it wouldn't be the first time that shipments of goods from China have "dropped off" in quality after an initial supply of better grade product. We can only continue to monitor the quality of all the goods which are supplied to us. I suppose there is something in the statement, "First select your seller, then select your watch" Offshore

At face value, that seems an interesting concept. Unfortunately, if it can be produced, it can be reproduced. More like a sophisticated serial number...just produce a large quantity of the same "Another challenge for the counterfeiters" O/S

He's back! Not my doing Nanug, you're the one who mentioned TRL's, I just questioned authenticity! Now we've got to get the genie back in the bottle. O/S

Don't start! Nobody can possibly tell me that is a gen TRL, not even crazysalesman at the height of his TRL Crazzzzy sale!

Can't agree with you there Nanug, that is definetly thicker that a normal TRL, in fact it may well be a replica TRL O/S

Had a need for a couple of parts for a 7750 today. The Oz distributor is Swatch. (where I have an account) When I asked to purchase, I was asked what brand of watch they were for. Without thinking, I said "Tag" (as that is what they were for) I was then told, "We don't supply parts for anything but our own brands, you'll have to call Tag" Now this is something new for us here....I've never been asked about brand before. Previously it was just parts for an ETA. What do we do, lie and say "Omega"? Probably would get asked for model and serial # So I rang Tag, who naturally had nil stock! Fortunately I located the needed parts at another supply house, however I am still bemused by this latest supply concept from our Swatch/ETA friends. Probably in line with all the other ETA happenings of late. Has anyone else run into this attitude? O/S

In a lot of cases they were! The current literally tore pontoons, and whole marinas away from their moorings, along with the boats. No I don't think he would be trying to board it...unless he had the keys...was the owner....and knew his insurance wasn't current O/S

No, but a couple of hundred meters upstream was this one....on the wrong side of the bridge! And a few more like that as well! O/S

Here in "sunny" Oz, we have had a wee shower of rain over the weekend. A tropical cyclone, galloping around up north, sent its tail to the Gold Coast with a little sting in it. This footage from the local river (1 km away) shows this normally placid river in full flight, after 360mm, (thats over 7" of rain in the old terms) fell in the preceding 24 hours. Hope that link works, I'm not all that proficient with this stuff! As I was previously involved in the marine industry, and latterly in the pontoon and dock biz...I look at all this and see many $ needed to fix all of this. Quite amazing footage, for anyone who understands the ramifications of boats loose in these situations. (not to mention the marinas and pontoons downstream from this!) Offshore

Even just a hint as to where you are coming from with this "new process"?? Enquiring minds need to know. O/S

Henrick, The answer to that, is how much experience you have in repair. Frankly, if these were your 1st attempts, I would definetly say NO. There is too much family heritage, (aside from real world value) in these to use them as "practice" If however you have had some repair exposure, you will have learned some of the pitfalls of self repair, and if you could restore these to their former glory, you would achieve a greater sense of self satisfaction in each piece. Don't be in a huge hurry, they have all laid around for many years, another 6 months isn't going to be life threatening. If you haven't done any repairs, grab a couple of "clunkers" off the 'bay, get hold of a repair course like TZ watch school, and jump in feet and all. After a few months, you will know in yourself if these are the sorts of projects you are happy to take on. Then you can come here and get all the help and support needed as you work through each piece. Offshore

Never seen any solid assortments. Depending on what it is, I have a few solid bits here. Start with a width in mm, and then maybe we could modify something to suit. There are so many variables however...lug hole position vs hole in end link, material, colour, pattern if any, curve as mentioned, thickness....they all alter the end link! So, as discussed with AMK, it isn't an easy one, unless you can source them for a specific model. O/S

If you can locate the serial no. this list will give you a date. http://www.chronomaddox.com/omega_serial_numbers.html The number on the inside of the caseback just tells Model, material etc. This is worth a read in trying to work out the age. http://www.chronocentric.com/omega/myomega.shtml O/S

I don't know about specific models, but certainly there are many straps branded Hirsch which come out of China! "Here's a strap....what brand would you like it to be?" O/S

These guys have a couple of assortments. http://www.esslinger...nt48pieces.aspx http://www.esslinger...nt72pieces.aspx If there is nothing for you there, PM me. O/S

@Red, I am playing around with a movement holder that looks like this. I am trying to get them made in China, but the quantity thing isn't flying. These were a Swiss design, made in the USA a few years back, so they pop up on the'bay from time to time. Apart from being a very clever design, they also fit straight into the jaws of Vibrograf. So you can use them for uncased movement timing. I guess as long as you can attach the movement, in a holder to the mic, you can make anything work with any machine. I did have a chat also with jmb about these, it may be worth talking with him, as he has some dimensions, and started on a prototype. O/S

@Omni, Indeed it was your thread that started me on the alum route. There was another which involved heating and simmering, and purportedly only took minutes...never tried it. The one interesting thing is that in some cases, vinegar won't achieve anything. I had one in vinegar for a week, and there were no signs of erosion, put it in alum,and it worked exactly as previous alum jobs. Yet another will be, partly at least, dissolved in 2-3 days. Different metals I guess ...who knows what the stems are actually made from. O/S

If there is enough stem protruding from the crown, you can grab it with a pin vise, or pliers, and simply unscrew the crown.(anticlockwise) If there is not enough stem to get hold of, you can try immersing the crown and stem in vinegar, or better still an alum mixture. Here is one of many discussions- http://www.rwgforum.com/topic/104986-dissolving-a-stem-that-cannot-be-removed-from-the-crown/page__p__725948__hl__alum__fromsearch__1&#entry725948 If you try the vinegar route, it will take a minimum of 7 days, and may not work at all. If you use alum, be careful to continue monitoring it, as you may start a process which also dissolves some of the inner threads in the crown. There are plenty of threads discussing this procedure here. Offshore

Unfortunately that appears to be the case. Maybe we need to add to the mantra- "First choose your dealer, then choose your watch" Another line- "And be prepared to sack them if you are misled" All part of the learning process unfortunately, and just once again proves my siggy correct! Offshore

That would be a lovely gesture Fakey; just send it to me and I will onforward it to the charity! Offshore.

Thanks Andreww, just a wonderful offer, however this one needs to stay with Papa for a while. Thanks anyway! I just noticed that it needs a pearl, so that sets up anther challenge.

Just checked the model number, and it comes up as a '75. @Gran, I have another Seamaster quartz, a mans date...its my Dads 50 years service watch, given to him in 1979. Its thin, but no where near as thin as this thing. O/S

Once a month, I visit our local Op Shop, which helps one of our charities, and "get going" all the watches which have been donated during the month. They insist I must be paid...so we have struck a deal of $1 per watch....most are just a battery, and it gives the shop nice clean running watches to on sell. Today, as I am working my way through the stack, I come across an Omega Seamaster Quartz, which I must admit , I have never seen before. So I pop the back, yep its a gen movement, install a new battery, and away we go. It was pretty grubby, so I gave it a bit of a cleanup, put it back in the stack, and moved on. As I was finishing, the woman who runs the shop came out to see what I was owed. So I pulled out the Omega, and said "What will you ask for this?"....."$20"...." Gee it could be worth a bit more than that!"...."Oh no, it was donated, so we'd be happy with that"...."Well how about you don't pay me today, and I'll take this in lieu!"...."Done" So home I came with this little gem. Its 38mm, and really super thin, reminds me more of a Conny than a Seamaster. So who can cast any light on this, as I said, its not like anything I've seen before. Please excuse the dirty shots, I couldn't be bothered setting up, so just took them sitting at the 'puter. Offshore