offshore

On ebay Oz tonite. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Vintage-1960-Rolex-...1QQcmdZViewItem Looks and sounds gen to me, but what would I know? Experts needed here please. If it's really worth all those $, why start it @ $1? Gunna take a lot of bidding to get there! Offshore

Don't know whether this should be here, or in humour! Last week at my market stall, a guy produced a copy DD. Not bad, just your average Canal St clunker. "It's not working" "Hmm, looks like a quartz, may be a flat battery. Actually I didn't bring my Rx caseback tool today, so I will need to take it home" "How much for a battery" "$7.00 fitted" "OK" ( Repair docket given) Today, as I work thru last weeks "too hard for market" repairs, I come across the envelope with this DD. Out with Rx caseback tool. Doesn't fit, not even close. Check all dies.. No way. Closely inspect, in case it is a snap back with faux dimples, but doesn't look like a snap back! (There are a hell of a lot of Chinese quartz, that look like screw backs, but are actually snap backs) Hmmm, Sticky ball! No way will it move! OK Duct tape....Same result. I must have by now spent an hour f***kin around with this thing. But not to be beaten, I stick it under the microscope (80X) to make sure it is not a snap back. I do detect a minute gap in one area, mark it with a marker, and sit back under loupe (highest mag) Taking my sharpest and pointiest case knife, I proceed to insert in the gap area. Slip--- slash....large deep cut, blood everywhere. Off to the kitchen for band aid etc! Undaunted, I return clean up bloody mess, and start again. Not going to let this mongrel beat me! In fact the slip has revealed a small gap, so reinsert case knife, and Voila... It is a bloody snap back, just with no entry point! And the case back pops off, clean as you like. Quick inspect of movement, never see one of these before, Let's test battery. Flat as a maggot! Insert new battery, still no response. Out with circuit tester. Test for quartz crystal. Negative. Test for coil. Negative. Well, this thing really needs a transplant. Can't find any cross reference of this movement anywhere, so check dimensions, and a 2115 will go in nicely. Date wheel will line up (fonts will be off a bit, but I'm really beyond caring!) And I have a bulk supply of these, purchased quite cheaply. So I ring the client, and give him the bad news, but offer to do a heart transplant for $25.(maybe I can recoup some of my time!!) "$25, your kidding aren't you? I picked that up in KL for $5 bucks, and I'm back there next week. I actually thought your quote for $7 for a new battery was a bit steep. Just throw it in the bin. Thanks" Click. Am sitting here now rolling around in laughter...If you don't laugh, you have to cry. It's +2hours since I picked this bloody thing up, what a waste of time! Oh the trials and tribulations of a watch repairer! Hope some find this just a little amusing....! Offshore

Ahhhhh,yesssss, much more better. O/S

TwoTone

I was chatting with Trailboss, about 12 hours ago. He is close to posting his raffle across the 3 boards. (maybe another 24 hours) He has secured a couple of raffle items, and was waiting on responses from some others, so I'm sure this thread will hearten him in his efforts. Thanks to all from this wonderful community here, for your thoughts of your fellow members here in Oz. Even though some of us are many miles from the fires, to each Aussie, it feels as a little piece of you has been removed. I lived in Victoria for 40 years, went through Ash Wednesday, and visited all those wonderful little country towns in the hills, which have now been obliterated. And just cannot comprehend the massive loss of life which has, and is occurring. Thanks RWG, there are some wonderful people in this place. Offshore

Agreed. Couldn't bring myself to vote under the circumstances. Does the old adage, " Do you look at the mantelpiece, whilst stoking the fire" have any relevance, in this discussion? O/S

The fires are still burning, more lives are being lost. The police are on the trail of other suspects. In previous events, few arsonists have ever come to trial.!! ( Ever wondered about this?) And if any more are found, I suspect they will become another statistic, rather than a defendant. A lot of anger, lynch mob mentality around methinks. Don't even go wandering around in the bush, with a lighter, or pack of Bryant & Mays in your pocket. Not the 1st time, nor will it be the last. A really sorry state of affairs. For a multitude of reasons. O/S

A note to all members. Ajoesmith, has previously applied to the admin, to become a dealer here. His application was rejected. He was told to reapply in 6-12 months, after proving his bonafides. He then became a dealer @RG. So in our eyes he is very much a dealer, yet continues to hawk his wares, without an approval. We realise that some members have a need for these services, however we cannot condone this breach of our instructions. Further attempts to trade on this forum will result in removal. Offshore

Wow, just completed 500 reps of this! What a workout! ::Inhales cigarette..reaches for rum/drinks/puts glass down :: Think I just over excercised. O/S

There is a Maurice Lacroix ML01, which is a moonphase. Apart from that............................more information please? O/S

And so is your avatar! Although I did like the old one better! O/S

(Back from the pub- Hic!) You know Dems, I am really enjoying the discussions on economics, and the vagaries of same. Far be it for me to stem our attempts to alter the economic history of the planet. 'Tis only when the political name calling moves to one line barbs, and economics is suddenly renamed politics, that the red mist descends. So, ' to it lads...I'll just retain a very light pressure on the big button, and/or until the next round of bitch slapping commences. Offshore

Indeed andreww. Looks like the purist censor strikes again! ?? Protecting the unwashed masses from the truth? O/S

Agreed, but better than nothing, if you don't want to shell out for a sapphire tester. Or if you handle them a lot, you can pick with a reasonable amount of accuracy - mainly the sound, when tapped with a fingernail. Offshore Same crystals used in reps and gens anyway.

Good indeed! And let's keep it that way. One of the great things about RWG and similar places, is the amount of info available. However, it is only available to the dedicated researcher, and in doing so, each one learns a little more about this hobby and watches in general. I recall some years back, someone floated an idea (either here or elsewhere,) of producing a list of "Tells" Apart from the massive task of actually producing an accurate list of all models, and the various versions from different sources, then the ongoing job of keeping it updated, would have required almost full time commitment. The down side, if it ever had been undertaken, would have been an instant copy & paste, for all the lazy WIS, who only want to decry reps in the 1st instance. So it never proceeded, (thankfully), although I believe it would have been of limited use/value. Better these things remain, "our little secret" Offshore

Either buy a hardness tester, if you want to be 99% sure, or run a water beading test, and be reasonably certain. Offshore

Go and have a look at this. https://secure.eta.ch/CSP/DesktopModules/Vi...&DocType=DT These are the ETA 7 3/4 ligne movements. Measure 17.20 x 2.6 high. Can't find any quartz 7 ligne around. Ronda also have a 7 3/4, #772/#3/#5 ( haven't checked its dimensions.) Need to know. Number of hands. Stack. Date wheel? Position? Colour of d/wheel. How critical is movement height? (as I realise this is a thin case.) Without seeing the case, it is difficult to plan the best approach to this. Maybe a smaller movement will work fine?? trial & error, this one!!!! Offshore

If you are going to attempt a fix on this, do so, AFTER you get a better set! You may find either the promised replacements don't arrive, or what arrives is worse than existing. Leave well enough alone, until you have a comparison. Offshore Just my .02c

Yep, Dems' (as usual), is on the money. This thread has been allowed to continue, as a discussion on the economy. However it is now descending into a political bun fight. May I suggest you all have a wee glance at rule 6! The next political post, (as aside from a discussion of the economy) will see the clampers applied. Should you wish to continue to discuss the pros & cons of parties/leaders, and /or their contribution, or lack thereof... I am sure you all can find much more worthwhile fora, in which to have your "discussion" Thanks. Offshore

In the interests of this discussion having a broad input, can I throw in a few very recognisable names, (not saying they should be included here), however in my neck of the woods, these would rank in the "mall" recognised arena. Guess. Piere Cardin. Swatch. Seiko. Pulsar. Citizen. Tissot. Longines. My guess is that the top few recognised brands for luxury would be Rolex Omega Tag Brietling IWC. I talk with watch people every week, and without doubt Rolex is the 1st name mentioned. This is in a lower income area, although I do have a few collectors around each week. Interestingly, even the collectors I speak with, wouldn't recognise ( maybe be able to identify) the likes of Brequet, VC, Patek,even GP! More fuel for the fire. Offshore

Hmmm, Gen AP calibre eh? 7 ligne is sure an unusual size. Gotta be something will fit. PM sent. Offshore

What make is that movement? 2710 is not a number which comes readily to mind! And a search of current numbers doesn't show it. It may be an old FE (French Ebauches) number, but I can't find it. Offshore

Absolutely not! The most expensive quartz movements retail @U$40 -U$80, depending on brand/ model. Labour to transplant, should be no more than another $30 -$40. Tops! See if you can ID the movement make and model, and we can better advise, or post a photo. I do maybe 3-4 quartz transplants each week, and the mot expensive are a little over $100, whilst the majority are from $20- $50. Offshore

Not saying he has everything, but if you know the # no. shoot him a fax, or PM me, and I will call. He is a bit like Bob Frei....you better know the P/N you want..... don't go sending him a watch model no.!! Sheesh...all us old timers must get sick of looking up parts...especially when Seiko don't release parts lists! Offshore

I have had a number of Seiko refurbs on the bench of late. Finding parts, and moreso genuine crystals, is a real challenge. Last Friday I spoke with a guy in Sydney (Oz), and today received 6 various crystals (4 x genuine Hardlex) for these jobs. I have been chasing these thru the Seiko forums, and most were saying they all were NLA. So if anyone is having a prob sourcing a gen Seiko crystal, a good starting point is ...Precise Plexis in Sydney...Ph 02 9299 7933. Fax 02 9299 7887. He is an old time type supplier...no website...no email. If anyone wants an assist, and you know the crystal number, give me a yell, and I'll call him for you. Be a little wary.... 2 of the 6 were in fact Steinkrutz aftermarkets, (which he didn't tell me), however the prices were still a LOT cheaper than Frei, Cousins, or Jules Borel. FYI. Offshore PS Don't tell the Seiko forum guys....they'll eat all the stocks up in minutes