offshore

I'll get to it later today! (Although some here would have me wasting time doing the photobucket thing ) Trailboss is coming down to have a chat and view some "toys", so we will spend some time gasbagging I guess. Also need to attend to boring shit like clearing mail, restocking the fridge etc. Another addendum to the story is that on collecting my luggage at the final stop, I note that my brand new trundle suitcase, has thrown a wheel somewhere between Sydney and here! Can't be found! So it seems there are QC issues in the rep suitcase biz as well Hope its a 1:1 ! Offshore

Whilst I don't disagree with the theory, personally I am too lazy, and maybe not tech savvy enough, to go through the whole image hosting offsite process! Maybe just lazy is the truth! If I can't post it from "my pics" it won't be posted! just another view point. Offshore

Thanks for the expert diagnosis Made my day!! O/S

I sit here, shaking my head in disbelief, and absolutely shattered. Robbie, hang tough mate, we need your type around this place. I can assure you that I will be having some words to the big man upstairs on your behalf tonight. You now need to summon all your strength to fight this horrible thing. Like 100 times the effort you have put into your business and life. The mind also can be a powerful healer. And, as Doc says, you can't take it with you, so if needed, use everything you have to find an answer! Stay with us mate! Offshore

Doc, Right now we are talking about a concept, not a product. Posted this for feedback, which is invaluable, but right now nothing is planned! Remain to be convinced that the most popular disscusions here,are the only options Whatsay, (for instance) a case for a UN "Freak"? I'm sure we can whistle up a bunch of movements to suit! ( JK ) O/S PS ( I hate polls )

Actually watched 3! Angels & Demons, 24 hours @ Le mans, and a comedy about 4 guys at a bucks nite in Vegas...(name escapes me) Also made a concerted attack on the planes' white rum stocks O/S

This issue now reported to Admin. It will be sorted post haste. O/S

Ubi, I had/have no preconceived ideas of what would be the final product. Seriously, it was something discussed over lunch, and having seen another project earth is working on,I had/have a lot of confidence in his ability to carry something like this off. The ingredients seem right.He is already part way down the track with these other projects, and these have already set up contacts, and commenced the learning curve, needed for something like this. He is an engineer, is "on the ground", spends a good part of his time in and around the various suppliers, (is well known, and can negotiate) He has watch experience, speaks passable Chinese, and has an "in house" translator, who also knows one end of a watch from the other. In the time I spent in the markets, one very noticeable thing, is that a huge majority of the vendors, have little or no knowledge of what they sell. We must accept that the majority could be selling another product tomorrow, with an equal lack of knowledge! They are just turning a buck, and it happens to be watches. Ask a quartz seller to cross reference an item and he would have no idea. Ask a mechanical movement vendor about changes, or modifications to a newly released version...they would be clueless.The best they would know was that it was "new" or " better" But no concept of what may have altered. They, for the most part, just sell "products". (not watch parts per se) No, this was posted so we could gain a reaction, which certainly appeared! Let's see how this unfolds, as quite correctly, something like this require much research, and member input. O/S

Just landed in Sydney en route to Brisbane....Home sweet home in about 2 hours! Didn't sleep last nite so pretty knackered today! O/S

No, didn't see'em! O/S

Not very large Gran, some pretty good pricing is achieved at 250 quantity, and maybe a 10%-20% premium may get a 100 quantity. O/S

Hey Zig, Those parts were a real challenge to locate! No luck so far, however we still have the scouts out! O/S

One discussion I did have whilst in GZ concerned building a real 1:1 case set. Now even though it has never been achieved, doesn't mean to say it can't be! I believe it has simply never happened because none of our suppliers are passionate enough and have enough knowledge (read nouse) to follow a project through. Cases and case backs can be run on CNC machines in GZ in minimum quantities of 250 possibly even 100. All that is needed is a CAD/CAM scan of an existing gen, and bingo , we could even specify a grade of s/s if we wanted to get super 1:1. So a case is doable. Next comes the crown and tube. There are many existing already floating around GZ, and if exactly the correct one cannot be sourced, again we could go the CAD/CAM route. If the chosen model has a bezel/insert, all the above apply again. Finally we get to the crystal. This may prove a bit of a stumbling block, as if the chosen model has an engraved logo, this is apparently not actually achievable at 1:1 in some brands. Most of the engraving setups currently available either leave a too feint, or too heavy inscription. O rings, and seals should prove no issue, which really only leaves a stem, and this is very dependent on what movement is fitted obviously. If someone wanted to fit an existing movement then a different stem may be required. Pretty elementary really , and no biggy. We could move further on in to bracelets and many other areas, however my initial thrust, is just towards a case set. You all will note that I have deliberately not specified a brand or model. There may be questions of copyright to consider , and this is not a subject I have yet raised in admin. So let's just keep the initial discussion in very general terms , shall we? How could this be made to work? Those who have been following my travels will have noted mention of a colleague I met in GZ, from an earlier contact through this place. He is a passionate horologist, (you may well hear of other of his projects in the weeks and months to come) and he is a European born engineer, running his own company in GZ. He has been researching all of the above areas for another project, and over lunch today, we kicked this one around. I believe he could be persuaded to be the foot soldier, and runner, to bring something like this to fruition. And he has the engineering skill/ability and contacts to swing it! What he doesn't have, is the technical expertise of the finer points of a specific model, and the input from a team of advisers as to what is really needed to make the whole deal fly! Guess what...I reckon that last piece of the jigsaw, may well exist, somewhere in these hallowed walls! So, open for discussion! No names, no pack drill. Let's just explore this one in VERY general terms shall we? Offshore

An addendum. Cleared customs to find I was boarding at gate 38. You guessed it, furtherest gate from the terminal building! (I reckon there really is a fortune to be made by a bright young lad, with a couple of golf cart style taxis, running weary travellers from plane to exit!) So after another epic trek, I now sit in the boarding lounge awaiting my flight. May pen a couple more missives in the next hour or two, as I have some interesting concepts to throw up. O/S

So finally after calls to Australia to my bank to see WTF is happening, I again venture out into the heat and go to the bank and ATM. The 1st one I tap gives forth a supply of cash, so like a kid with the keys to the chocolate factory, off to the markets I dash. Collect a strap order from a couple of days previous, and meet up with a colleague from GZ, to look at some custom straps. We are shown some wonderful croc skins and some made up straps..... just beautiful, and they can be had on day 3 day turn around for the price of a beer back home. Choose your style , stitching, colour, clasp, size of course.... Just design and build whatever you want! So an order for a couple for friends and clients is duly placed. Then I am taken to the surprise of the trip! In a secured area, attached to the markets are a large number of rooms blanked off from view, and air conditioned and very well appointed. These are for the international and VIP visitors and are the next step wholesaler above the market stall holders. I have never heard this spoken of before! Through the good graces of my colleague, who is a well known client, we are invited inside, and shown the “wares.”And what a display! These wholesalers have access to all the new release items, and even have preview catalogues of next years offerings, which I browsed for some time. They have contacts with at least 3 factories, and have an amazing range of very up market pieces, a lot of “presence” in many of these watches. I was also shown a new Porsche, released last week, which there is yet to be any mutterings around the boards about. Another which caught my eye was an Asian driven Richard Mille, and when I was quoted the price, I couldn’t get my wallet out fast enough. Had a chuckle about the 3 well heeled business gents from Europe, who were negotiating a deal on a very upscale model, Brequet or similar, and just wanted a new dial printed, with their companies name replacing the makers logo! Didn’t catch whether the deal was finally done! Having been messed around and lost a few hours, I was running out of time and needed to get back to the hotel to collect some other watches, and EMS ship a large box of tools and parts I had picked up over the last days. So I jumped another cab, this one driven by Juan Fangios’ son! My dealer friend arrived soon after with a gaggle of watches, and the EMS courier in tow, and we completed our transactions and said our good byes. This lady has been nothing short of magnificent in her attention these last days, and will be a more than worthwhile addition to our dealer group, once the vetting formalities are completed, and the admin team have had their input! My colleague from the markets then arrived at the hotel with his lovely wife, and we had a quick meal and made arrangements for today as you can see above. As I was fading fast, the virtuous couch again beckoned! On arising today ( Tuesday), I really felt like I had been run over by a truck, just stiff and sore. To dash off to the markets again would have been a 1 ½ hour sprint at best, so feeling as I did, I opted to rest for the trip home, and boy am I glad I did, even though now, I am only at HK airport! The enticement to go back this morning, was that there is apparently a similar area to that describe above, which caters to the tool and parts clientelle. As much as I would have loved to spend some time there, I was just not up to it, so I have stored that one in the memory bank for my next visit…. Which will be a damn sight longer... about 3 weeks! Anyone planning to go there should allow a week at minimum and spend a day or two just wandering and getting bearings, before emptying the wallets and bank accounts! My colleague, (earth 2172), collected me from the hotel late this morning,we had a quick lunch, and he deposited me safely on the bus which connects to HK airport. The train option involved multiple changes, so I chose the longer bus trip, to try to cut out the F*** around factor. It didn’t! When you arrive at the China –HK border, you disembark and go thru China customs. This entails health, passport control and customs. Then you go to an embarkation point, board a bus, and travel 800m to HK immigration.. where you repeat the process . FFS, this is the same country now! In the interests of both travellers, and the plain economics of the screening process, surely the same officer/s could handle each exit/entry! If 2 processes must be done, put them 50 m apart in the same building!!! It feels like the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, with an 800m “buffer zone” in which to shoot escapees!!! Finally the bus arrives at the airport and stops at the 1st parking spot, in front of terminal 1. On the way in I saw that Qantas was at terminal 4. Would the driver do another drop off? Not on your life! So not unlike Marco Polos travels all those years ago, I again hiked across 4 terminals with VERY weighty cases. Thank God I bought the new trundle suitcase, or Qantas may have had one passenger in the cargo hold! And so ends the Offshore tour of downtown China. Hopefully around lunch time tomorrow, I can stretch out on my own bed, and catch up on some much needed rest. But it has been an experience and a half. Wouldn’t have missed it for quids! And as (was it Macarthur ?-who said) We shall return (or was that Churchill?) Never matter, one of ’em! I will separately in a few days time put together some thoughts on the country, the people, and the rep scene there as I saw it. Whilst it may all be fiction, I can only tell things as I see them, and with the advantage of the knowledge gained in my time spent around the rep scene from a forum perspective. Travelogue ends. Offshore

Who do you think I am Dems? Clive? Well unless something untoward takes place early tomorrow morning (and very quickly) there is no love affair in this epic! Just finished packing, and so to bed. See what the morrow brings. Offshore

Well! my colleague from GZ emerges from his shell! I probably won't make the markets in the morning after all mate, we'll see. But see you for lunch! O/S

Col, go for your life. All, I have just lost a page, and about an hour of work trying to upgrade todays events. As I need to start packing to commence the trip home, I fear I may not get an opportunity to conclude this little tale, until I get home in about 48 hours. If some time does become available, i'll try and rehash what i had done....sorry, you may just have to wait for the conclusion! Offshore

Warbody, If you can wait for 2 days until I get back to Australia, I'm sure I can assist. I have a large box of ETA stems and I'm sure that one is in it. Offshore

Hey Luthier, Mary spoke most kindly of you, and sends her regards. Yes, woe betide the innocent abroad! Beware of strange men bearing taxi signs! That sign still hangs there, above all the reps! And the scenes still look the same! I am back at the hotel because I am still struggling to withdraw money! The ATM's just won't work. I now go to the China Bank with my passport to see if I have better luck. Have just spent 40 minutes walking in oppressive heat and tried about 6 ATM machines, Thankfully each returned my card!!!! Can only guess at the dramas if it gets "swallowed" O/S

Back at the hotel a couple of hours later! Came across a ripping deal on accumulators for quartz watches, and ripped up a couple more k! So out of money again, and will have to get the address again of the other hotel and find an ATM that works for overseas! Good thing the taxi fares are only RMB10-20 ($2-4) Jumped a cab to come back, which requires a 8km detour to get on the right side of the expressway, or a 5 minute walk. Was too hot to contemplate walking, but the cabbie couldn't believe I wanted to spend the money! He rattled on for most of the trip, and when I tipped him RMB5 I'm sure he thought he had just transported an alien or Bill Gates! So hving cooled off now in the aircon, I will go and replenish the wallet, and venture back to the markets once more. To be continued!

Firstly, I will add some pics on my return home, later this week. No great photographic skills here, and photos must be done surreptiously, which further complicates things. If you pull out camera in the stall areas, they all duck or run or put a paper over their face. Soon someone is screaming No No No! So it's not easy. And so to day 4. Just back from breakfast. When I got to the cafe, I noted the small cooking area for the eggs, was set up but unmanned. When I inquired, was told the cook had not turned up for work. It appeared to be the centre of much chat amongst the MANY wait staff. I gathered that he would be sacked, and that his work area would be left set up as an embarrasment to him for not appearing. Westerners would remove all the ingredients, and just make it appear that there was no eggs/cooking today! Just different cultures. At breakfast today were 2 African guys.I have seen them around the last day or so. Now these 2 gents are REAL Africans, colored the other side of midnight, and with VERY African features. They are the source of intense scrutiny and amazement for the Chinese, who just stop in their tracks, and stare as these guys walk by! Now I have noticed a few stares myself, Westerner, 6-2", 18 stone, grey hair & beard...but nothing like the absolute fixation the locals have on these 2 guys. So once again, off to the markets, let's see what surprises today brings! O/S

Couldn't agree more, especially around the rep business, and the markets here! So on to an update of day 3. The 1st of my watches arrived (some for me, but most for people here.) UN Maxi limited blue. Would you believe this is my 1st rep in 5 years! Great looking watch, this one QC'd and WP tested. Not really any cheaper than available here, although the QC & WP is a bonus! So off for another day in and around the markets. Today I had the pleasure of being guided by a lovely articulate Chinese lady, who sells in other places, and would like to be a regular here. If her professionalism displayed today counts, she would be a natural. As she has recently made application, she will carry my vote for dealer status! I was initially taken to the "best" tool shop. Prices were keen, quality very good, and a staff who were prepared to listen and act. I was interested in some sets of screwdrivers, but as always, the blades were crap! So I was shown some very good replacement blades. Finally these were fitted to my sets for no difference in price....Wow, how do you generate this sort of action here, can't be my good looks and charm, so a pretty face and smile must have won the day. Finally, relieved of a couple of k, I moved on to look at sapphire crystals. Now it needs to be understood, that whilst these merchants know their own products, they have absolutely no idea what they fit! So if you want a single dome 32,5 sapphire, no problems, just don't ask for one for an Omega PO for example! Same applies for the movement people, and seems to be very common. Whilst I knew what I wanted, after 5 booths and about 2 hours, we gave up. I was then invited into the "inner sanctum", to view a wholesalers stocks of watch winders and display boxes. Blown away is the only description. Hidden away up a flight of stairs, and around a few corners, was an Aladdins cave of magnificently crafted timber and GRP boxes to suit every known prestige watch brand on the planet, as well as maybe 20 different styles of watch winders. As I had a few UN's coming, I asked to see some of those boxes. Was shown 2 versions, both beautiful, and with $ equivalent prices around $24, which included inner, outer, and warranty papers and binder, just amazing. I did see exactly the same on the street a little late @$40! Now I happened to get a few snaps there, although I don't think it was allowed! So I will refrain from publishing here now...until I am clear of GZ Now if you think the action on the street levels, which cater for the retail and some wholesale is fast & furious, I was taken by another guide and shown the rows of sealed offices, on the upper floors, where the "factory chiefs" conduct business. Lots of noise, discussion and bit of shouting, but unfortunately no introductions to the head honchos. Runners were back an forth at an incredible bat, carrying various watches from seemingly vast vaults, to the street vendors. Just a whirlwind of bodies scurrying to and fro. A real eye opener. We then traipsed back down to street level, to the ongoing noise and tidal wave of people and traffic which just continues to pulse through this whole area. Today I gained an even better picture of the magnitude of what is here. You have an area of probably 1 km x 3/4 km, with 4-5 stories and a rabbit warren of floors, sub floors and basements. There are thousands of people within this area! Millions of watches, straps crystals, tools..if it is part of, or wraps, packs or services a watch, it's here. Exhausted, hot and tired, we jumped a cab and headed back for a well earned drink and meal. Later this afternoon, i was chatting with a guy who is commissioning a range of watches, and had just returned from the markets. He was elated that he had managed to negotiate MOQ on some dials, from 250 to 100, allowing a smaller run, less outlay and risk. Tomorrow I hope to meet with some strap wholesalers, and see some samples of a range of custom straps which are being run. Also still on the agenda, is an inside look at a "factory", although the goal posts for this intro continue to move. Have a few other items still on the shopping list, and few orders to collect, so time now to rest the weary bones! Lights out on day 3. Offshore

Yeh, Justice is served! @AMK, Strangely it has been a secret fantasy, however I would think time has passed me by on that one. I do find some inspiration in the 1st hours after wakeing, but don't think the old brain would work long enough to write anything meaningful, beyond 1 page O/S

Day 3 dawns! Just back from the buffet breakfast, so some quick observations are in order. Breakfast seems to be a big meal in the day. An amazing array of choices, (today almost 30 options in hot colanders) although probably 80% would never appear on a Western menu, and you are a little loath to try a lot of them! However eggs , scrambled or omlette, (cooked while you wait), boiled, poached in a tray, all featured. Precooked bacon (tough old pig), many varieties of bread/toast, (French, Honey- never seen this before, a quarter of a loaf about 1