offshore

Oh, I'm sure there's some goodies in there for you mate... I did get that set of dies we needed! Also found a guy with a replacement die for that 29.5 for the Bergeon clone set (which doesn't work) Cost $6 and I'm sure it will be worth the effort. I'll see if I can find something that ticks in the next day or so I am still slowly working through your "wish list" O/S

Day 2. Woke to pouring rain, so packed an umbrella, which I regretted later. Off to the markets, and it is absolutely mind boggling. Without a guide and someone who knows what is going on you would be very lost. There are thousand of stalls, and literally tens of thousands of Chinese, all trying to scam a buck out of watches. Specialist stalls for cases, bands, bracelets, display stands, hands, travelling cases,dials and of course tools. Also have seen many movements and various options, and some movement parts. (I got some 7750 stems, and ETA quartz circuits today) If you spent 1 month here, you would see about 10% I reckon. Everyone you speak to, or deal with is only finally after the best $ they can glean, which of course makes one very wary. I am looking basically at the tools and parts side of the business, So it is mind boggling to see (for instance) stall after stall just dealing in crystals (or dials) one guy even just sold springbars! And there are tools to burn, both gen and copy, Bergeon, Horotec and their cloned brothers. I had an offer put to me on a large quantity of batteries, which I believe is either a mistake, or a scam attempt. The battery biz is pretty competitive, and I am doing pretty well on price, so I raised my eyebrows more than a little bit when I was quoted a figure which was 25% of my current price. Think I may go with “If it’s to good to believe” on that one, as it requires significant $$ up front with 50,000 batteries to be shipped by sea in the future. However I did see some real deals on some watches in passing, A very good Tudor running a Miyota low beat at around U$50, and a DD MOP Rx for similar. I am meeting a couple of dealers tomorrow, collecting some watches, and hopefully going to a couple of factories. So maybe some better watch insight then. The prices I saw today basically were not a lot below our better board prices. For instance I was shown an ETA (gen) Omega, and the hagglin tarted at U$600. As I “walked away” it was U$330 ! Had a funny experience coming back from the markets, which are only a stones throw away. My taxi driver took me on a "cooks tour" and wanted 10X what the fare should have been. I was arguing in the cab with him, and the hotel staff came and pulled me from the taxi, and sent him away…. with nothing! I kept insisting I would pay the RMB 15 to 20 the fare was worth, however they ran him off. Looks like cabs are a real problem, as whenever you arrive at,or leave the hotel, you are handed a slip with the taxi number on it, so you can report it.(to what result I guess would be a mute point!) Tried to arrange some more money for purchases, however the hotel doesn’t have a facility to dispense $$, so I had to get in yet another cab, and go to another hotel with an ATM machine! I seriously don’t think you would find this in any 5 star hotel, anywhere else in the world. Also there is a huge problem with counterfeit money here. Any note over RMB50 (about $10) is scanned, and checked by 3 different people, who all sign a docket for management. Even the traders on the street check every note they get.(And I’ll bet pass off anything remotely suspect, very quickly. Sort of fitting really, in the home of reps! It was distressing to see people sleeping on the streets, and to be confronted by beggars. Truly still a 3rd world country, no matter what we are shown and told. There are some very wealthy as well, I chuckled as a guy in a DB9 fought his way through the market area, amongst old beaten wrecks, trolley carts and the ever present taxis. The traffic is horrendous, and I am amazed that there seem to be so few actual accidents. I initially thought that a panel beater here would be very wealthy, but for all the push and shove, very few actual altercations. Every cab driver I have been with certainly aspires to the F1 circuit (or is that circus?.. as that is what travelling in this city is like.) My luggage grows by the minute, and I think I will need to send some home seperately by mail, as weight will be huge before I finish. And I bought a decent trundle case today to stop the body exertion and subsequent high temperature! So I am off out to dinner tonite, with a guy who is a potential new dealer @ RWG. See what we do for our members! And there will be a sharing of the bill, so there are no inducements for a dealers spot! More to come later. Offshore

For those who aren't aware, yours truly is on an epic journey to the home of reps! Now whilst this expedition pales alongside the travels of Marco Polo, I'm sure it has some similarities. So I arrived in GZ a few hours ago. Hi speed train from HK, absolute luxury. Disembarked at GZ station. 1st mistake! I got off the train! Standing in the customs queue, I get pulled aside, as my "temperature is too high" (BTW its super hot and humid, and I have just lugged a VERY overweight suitcase about 2kms...and I WILL be buying a new trundle version tomorrow)(They must be using laser detectors) So I am sat down- temperature taken -"Too high" "We take swab" Swabs of mouth and nose, after 20 mins "OK you go!" Walk out of station and a guy says "You want taxi" Answer-"Yes" An ancient mini bus appears, no taxi stickers. I had preprinted the hotel name in Chinese for this scenario! He says $200....No way....$100....no way....$50 (at about 6-1 thats sounds about OK) but then he presses me to pay him upfront. No Way! Get out of mini bus! He drives off with my hotel address! So there I am in 35deg heat, trying to talk to cab drivers in Chinese, and tell them- "Liuhau Hotel!!!" Finally find one who says 'other railway' and I know my hotel is near another station, so I take a punt and say yes. 30minutes and $50 later I eventually arrive....safely, (Although that is a matter of conjecture given the total lack of any known traffic rules) Get to my room, open my case, to find my litre bottle of white rum purchased in customs in HK has broken! I won't detail the mess. Suffice to say there are a lot of clothes being sent to laundry. Tidy that mess up and think - OK time for a drink. Open the mini bar, it's empty. Ring room service, but I don't speak Chinese, do I . So ring the front desk and finally thats sorted. Mini bar stocked. Then I ask for a bucket of ice. Now this is a 5 star upmarket pad, but do you reckon I could get anyone to recognise "Ice" Ring the desk again...finally sorted, and I ask the room girl if she can get white rum, as there is none in the mini bar. She looked at me as if I was an alien. Long story short....white rum does not exist in GZ that I can see! Not in the bottle shop, the hotel does NOT have a bar, and the cafe where you get drinks also thinks I am an alien!!! The cig and spirit shop in the arcade has little western stuff, and I wouldn't punt on whatever is in some of those other bottles! So I find 2 cans of Carlsberg beer, now in the fridge, which is struggling to get cool. DON'T CARE.... drank 'em warm! And now the 2 replacements are in a plastic bag out of the rubbish bin, in the sink with all the ice I previously got for my rum! If this is hob nobbing in GZ, I'd hate to see how the natives live, but reckon I will tomorrow when I venture out. Had asked for the optional room with Wi Fi but the connection was too weak. There is a LAN, but couldn't for the life of me configure it. Ring reception! That was an hour ago, no on here yet, but I have perservered and tried a couple of things and Bingo, I am online. Connection is very slow, but liveable, (Just went and got a cold beer from the sink.....heaven is here! ) It is plainly obvious, both from what I have seen, and comments on the train, that every person here is grafting for a buck, anyway they can get it! Was told by 3 different people on the train, not to leave valuables out, as they will disappear. So the safe is getting a workout! Westerners are fair game I reckon. Well, down to the cafe to try some culinary delights..... the mind boggles! Back again....hmmmm interesting menu. Thought I would go native - "When in Rome" sort of thing, so I tried the eel! Now it won't be on my list of "must haves" but it was edible. Had a little wander around viewing the locals at play....just amazing...sights, sounds and smells are all to the fore. Am in need of some calming after a hard day, so I decide on a massage. For around U$30 equivalent I enjoyed a wonderful traditional Chinese massage-1 hour. (and NO, I didn't take up the offer of extras ) I will be off to the watch markets in the morning, so I'll try to give an update tomorrow nite, Day 1 in GZ...Hopefully it gets better. Offshore PS I have just come from the HK watch fair, that is another story which I will try to detail when I return home....an amazing horological smorgasboard!

Glad the book fitted the personality...big, rare and precious! Offshore (From HK) PS This watch fair is almost as big!Amazing. Never seen so many watches....and so many so different. And not a rep to be see, plenty of homages though!

Thanks mate, I do see all those new links! Ah, the Links area is starting to recover some of its former glory, and these will at least be "fresh" Keep 'em coming everyone, just adds more value to this place. Offshore.

Indeed not. And you input is noted and gratefully received as well. Maybe I am just looking to inspire a few of our "quieter" members here my friend! Your contributions to this place are many faceted and valued by us all. Much more than "chopped liver" Offshore

I notice that valerian has been pretty active helping to get the links area repopulated. Thanks Val! So we all need to get behind him and assist him in his efforts to repopulate this area. It is all about the contributions we all make to build the facilities here, which makes this place great. so let's all pitch in and rebuild this fabulous resource. Maybe we may even crown a new "Links Meister" in coming months Offshore

Actually Dems, if it doesn't go ballistic, I just may grab it. Gotta be some curiosity value in something like this. O/S EDIT. Just went and checked his post cost! He only wants $10 to get it to me. Now, knowing Australia Post... they WILL get him for oversize, or over weight Most of the mailmen today, would struggle to carry this. AND lodge an official complaint on it's bulk!

Or another appendage

Spotted on the 'bay tonite. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GIGANTIC-Alarm-Clock-Wristwatch-TOWNCRAFT-Watch-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ370249711459QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Watches?hash=item56349a3f63&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_4598wt_958 Don't believe I've seen a 120mm watch before. This is a watch, not a PW modified. It would take big arms (and other bits) To strap this muther on. Offshore

And isn't it amazing where these searches take you! This is another great link for repair info. http://www.cwrnh.com/techpages/cwr_technical_pages.htm Offshore

Whilst surfing today, I ran across this list buried in the bowels of the Esslinger site. http://www.esslinger.com/watchrepair.aspx Much useful info in here! Offshore

Might be a good idea, to put a screwdriver on all the other screws and check! Offshore

Please give me or "Admin" a PM. We will have a look at any issues. Offshore

@ammandel, In fact it's not just about "rep" manufacturers. 'Cos in a lot of instances they are also involved in the gen trade. I think it is pretty well accepted that these "manufacturers", actually just assemble a number of components, sourced from a variety of suppliers. These suppliers also supply to the "mainstream market" When you look at the number of "brand" names now using Chinese components, (and the number recently purchased by Asian interests), we must almost question the parentage of a great % of "gens". This is all a bit OT from the original discussion, however I think it is useful as we continue to understand the market. I will be in GZ in a week or so, and now have intros to a number of component supply manufacturers. It will be interesting to see how the manufacturing/assembly process evolves. As an example, I have just been speaking with one "assembler". He mentioned that he had sourced some new better quality straps. He was travelling some distance to view them, and if they were an improvement, they would become standard on "his" version. So the business continues to evolve, and new "versions" appear. The one given in all this, is that the various component manufacturers are constantly learning and improving, so we will only continue to see better and better products. As long as the competition between assemblers continues...to produce better and better watches! ( note I didn't say "reps " here) Offshore

John, Unfortunately there is more than one A7750, and more than one way to fix the movement and dial! Just have to work thru it.....part of the fun and learning process. If you can't sort it, show us some photos. Offshore

May not be dial clamps, could be dial feet- see this- http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/WatchSchool/WS%2012%20How%20to%20remove%20and%20replace%20hands%20and%20dial/WS%2012%20How%20to%20remove%20and%20replace%20hands.htm Or could be dial feet just pressed fit- ie, you can lever the movement off, although this is not common with mechanicals, normally associated with quartz. The PMWF forum is worth a visit, Lot of good tute's there. Offshore

Some do, some don't.....depends on the model. Same goes for Miyota, and other brands. No definite answer to that one I'm afraid. O/S

And welcome to you eddog. This place is not only for the "rabid" posters, and we understand some like to take time to find their feet. Good that you are now seeing the bigger rep world, and feel you can also contribute. And has been said a zillion times... Hang on to your wallet! Offshore

Sneaky bugger thought it would sneak through undetected. Not to be my friend! To the one person who is the heart beat of this place. Happy Birthday mate A lot of members here, would be unaware, that if it wasn't for KB's relentless drive a few years back, then, this place would not exist. And that drive and passion has continued unchecked, and unparalleled for these latter years. So lets all celebrate the 50th birthday of a great forum personality, and dedicated admin team member. Thanks for all you bring to our community. Offshore

@Jkay, Are you speaking here of just the Chinese cheapies (plastic) stamped Miyota only, (I agree with you BTW) or have you seen OS (chrono) Miyotas (Japanese) that may have been Chinese manufactured? I have suspected that some OS movements of late may have questionable parentage Offshore

Sounds like it got bumped............off.

Ah, The bosses boy! (You just want the keys to the bar!) O/S

Not stupid at all. Most think just that. However there are/have been a few. The Accutron is the best known, and it appeared in a few Omega as the 300hz. There have been other attempts, but power drain is the killer. From memory there has been something quite recently, but it will probably go the way of all the rest. Offshore

Just get a photo of the movement fitted! We'll soon sort out its parentage. I don't doubt that a fair % are fitted with ETA, but I don't believe too many ETA quartz now come from anywhere but the Asia/China region....certainly not Switzerland. Offshore