offshore

Well, I don't know that ebay has yet won the war in Oz, actually they are yet to even win a battle. This is their latest posting! This is now the 2nd "back down" from ebay. I am reliably informed that the ACCC has received thousands of negative submissions, not only from the "big guys"...Banking Ombudsman, Banking regulators, their opposition ( Google and ilk), but also from the mom and pop ebay users. It really is more about Pay Pal, than ebay, just that ebay are being used as the vehicle to drive this attempted monopoly for them! And I don't really beleive the ACCC are buying any of it! Also it is clear that the ACCC are aware that if they cave in, ebay will try it on in other areas, and the ACCC don't want/need to become embroiled in an international slanging match about allowing monopolies. Think this still has some one way to go, but I sincerely trust the regulators stick to their guns. Offshore

I have recently done a couple of Seiko bezel replacements, and used GS Hypo cement. Seemed to work OK! The trick is to not use too much..... don't put on enough to create "ooze" out the sides.....like mjm above, I put on maybe 8-12 small drops in the centre of the insert, so it flowed out to the edges, but didn't overflow, as I was concerned that in trying to clean up later (with acetone) may damage the insert face. If the bezel is of the "hollow" centre style, like the Seikos, an alternate may be Loctite 358 UV cure, but due to its UV curing, you need to expose the glue to UV light, which would not be possible in solid bezels. Offshore PS have found the Loctite a wonderful glue for crystal replacements, nice and thin to work with, and an easy clean up afterwards....now if we could only get it in a tube like the GS hypo...that is just a great nozzle setup GS have on that glue dispenser!

Yep, cut my teeth there as well! A sad day for us, but hope the quality members who aren't here, head this way, as there is a huge lot of combined knowledge for us all. Offshore (aland @ TRC)

Somehow that sounds like more ebay bluster and BS to me! Let's wait and see what happens in a month....think there may be some more distance to go with this one yet. It would be VERY unusual for the ACCC to retreat now! Methinks ebay are still beating their chest, unfortunately there is a bigger gorilla involved now! Offshore

Thought this little tidbit today had some merit-

RG, Some great shots there, excellent stuff.... beats my "happy snaps" hands down! Offshore

That one probably has the flawed die/s! You would then need to buy (at least) the 29.5 Bergeon gen die, and modify it to fit that opener. The one I got, all the other dies fitted OK, but the 29.5 was a POS. Personally, this tool now does what I want, and although the press type would be nice, unless you are constantly working on Rx, it does the job. Offshore

JM, Can't disagree with anything you said, however it does appear in this instance they have pulled ebay in to line. Now if they would only set their sights on Paypal!! Offshore

Ebay has been well and truly told by the ACCC, as to it's thoughts on making Paypal a stand alone product. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/...5013040,00.html And it appears they won't listen, as they are challenging the decision! One can only hope the focus shifts to Paypal and its standover, bully boy operation. Offshore

So do we! Offshore

L, For removing, I have a spring loaded and a wind style hand remover. Probably use the spring unit more than the screw style. The "trick" is to have all the hands in the same position, and remove them all in one movement (having first protected the dial) For installs, I use a Bergeon 7404-1 hand tool (which is just a glorified "empty bic refill") Someone here showed a method of using a piece of tape to locate the hand, and I have adopted that method, with very good results, combined with the Bergeon "pusher" Here is one link to these methods, although not the one I remember! http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...855&hl=tape This is worth a read, and a trip to PMWF http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...mp;hl=hand+tape Also some great info here! http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...mp;hl=hand+tape Offshore

For the interest, this guy bought this watch new 40+ years ago. He told me he paid 42 pound ($84) for it! I said, but what were you earning then? "Oh 18 pound ($36) a week!" His mentality was that it still owed him $84, and why spend -> $200 on it! And yes he had got a quote from the AD here..... $450......to start! Offshore

Had a customer this morning, who has a genTudor Oyster (40+ yo) It is working intermittently, and probably requires a service. When I quoted him to do the service ($175) he was not happy with my price, as "another repairer" had quoted him $65! I explained that he would probably only be getting a "splash & dip" for that money, as this type of service was typically done in the $40-$70 price range, and I couldn't possibly do a full tear down, clean, dry, oil, time, etc for that price. His retort was, "then how much for you to do a splash & dip" I explained that I didn't do that work (and have never done one, so wouldn't know how) but it got me to thinking as to whether it was ethical/feasable to do this, especially where people have lower value mechs, which they won't spend ->$200 on. I know I have had a lot of work go to splash & dip servicing guys in the past, and would like to get the thoughts of the forum members as to what stance one would take. On one hand, if I have fully disclosed what would be done, and offer no warranty on the work, what if any failings are there? On the other hand, am I doing myself, and my business a disservice, by putting out "2nd grade" work? I can almost be sure of the thoughts of Ziggy, and have till now adhered to his school of thought, but the feelings of others in the community will be of interest. BTW, the owner took his Tudor "elsewhere" as I wouldn't do what he requested. (And as I have just finished a refurb on an old Elma cleaner....would have been nice to get the teardown to see how the Elma performed... Oh well there must be something in the box needs a service!) Offshore

I have a couple of PP accounts, 1 biz and 1 private. I recently checked my biz account, which had a positive balance of U$87. So I made a payment to our admin for U$60, for a commitment I had made. 4 days later I am told it is reversed, as 1 of my clients had reversed a payment on me! (I will deal with that later) So I immediately transferred monies from my CC to PP to cover the deficit. Some 3 days later, I am still shown as having a negative balance in PP as now this transfer is viewed as an E-Cheque! WTF! It has been debited to my CC! What I don't understand, is that PP has access to my CC account, to cover payments made, but now says they are E cheque payments, yet my CC shows the debit. (BTW my CC account is actually a debit card, and I keep the balance at a level to just pay the payments needed) The other question...as I am still being shown as a negative balance @ PP, does this mean the payment of $60 to admin, will still go thru ( when this payment arrives?) , or will PP "bounce" that, so they can create more chaos? I truly belive this company are tampering with the banking system, when they are not even recognised by banking legislators! Someone @ PP has a keen brain as to what they can and can't "pull", and they are manipulating a system, to which they are not even members, to their own financial advantage. All the BS we have seen, about "frozen" accounts, (and I have been on the end of that stick too) is only about holding funds for profit on the short term money market. Really some smart operator needs to start up a "legal" PP style operation, there must be $$$$$$$$ out there for the picking. I am furious tonite, Friday, at the start of a 3 day weekend, to know my account/s are locked until Tuesday at least.... my ability to trade is nil. Pay Pal, indeed, sucks. Offshore (End of rant)

I have sat back (thusfar) on this discussion, to watch it unfold. Those of us who have been around for some time, well recognise that it is not smart to promote replica "anythings", any where, but within replica communities. There have been many instances when our hobby has been exposed to the more mainstream areas of the 'net, and physically at various watch sales organisations. I am yet to see an instance where our community has benefitted from such exposure. Indeed we have been attacked on a number of occasions, due to these "exposures" Here, I see, we have another example of a misguided outing of our hobby, however the person involved would seem to want to argue as to whether his actions are indeed detrimental. You have been offered the opportunity to consider your situation; at the least you could have not continued to push your stance, at best you could have accepted a mistake, and apologised to your fellow members. I see nothing of this here, just more antagonism that your stance is correct. And you could be absolutely right in your thinking, unfortunately the majority of this community does not share your view. So, maybe it becomes time for you to take your views to a community that does accept them? This place is like the loungeroom at a friends home. All are welcome. However if some arrive at the party or gathering, and are loud and abusive, mess up the furniture and carpet, or just antagonise the rest of the guests who are there, for a friendly an informative time, they probably find themselves ejected in short time. It is NO different here. Think your next response(if any) carefully. Offshore

@mikellem, I actually have a 5555/98 and a Mido! I was interested in this as it appeared to offer some extreme depth testing. However I have just done a conversion on 5kg/cm2, and it only comes up at around 71psi or 5 atm.(maybe 165ft gauge- add 33ft for absolute) So it probably doesn't offer any more than what I have! Still can't quite understand the level and quality of engineering in it, for it only to work to 200ft. And if it is for Seadweller testing????????? Probably pass anyway. Offshore

Freddy, Just got off the phone talking to the seller. Apparently these are from the '70's, and were used by mainly pro dive shops/watchmakers for deep testing. It is to more test the ability of a case to stand extreme pressures, (You test the case with crown installed- no movement) It tests to 5kg->cu/cm upperlimit 6kg. I have no doubt it's gen, interesting that there is no info out there about these. It obviously is used as an initial test of the casing to withstand extremes, and then once the movement is recased, the watch is then retested for "waterproofness" Hmmm, interesting bit of gear, don't know whether I "need" it Offshore

Thanks Freddy, Just checked my Bergeon Cat, but it is a later version and only shows the 5555/98. Am really at a loss on this one, there is NO info about these numbers anywhere. The photos do show a unit which would appear to have some real pressure ability, will just have to keep looking and asking questions. Offshore

Spotted this for sale, but can find no info. Described as a Bergeon WP tester for SD! P/n 5395 Series 500, but not on Bergeons' site. Looks like a serious bit of kit! Interested to know if anyone has any info? Offshore

Will always bow to the experts, that's what this place is all about, to look and learn! So then, is it reportable? Seems like someone is going to get burned! Offshore

Wonder where this will end up? Looks kosher to me. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VINTAGE-SS-Rolex-Do...1QQcmdZViewItem What's it worth Nanug? Offshore

Unfortunately PP is NOT an option. I do think, however, this thread is serving its purpose, and we will attempt to address the issues raised. Please continue this discussion. Offshore

Gee, there is some good info @ PMWF! Hadn't viewed that "how to" before. I encourage all "apprentice" watchsmiths to spend some time there! Pity they are not fans of "reps" We two forums are a match made in heaven, although some of our "friends" frown at our existence! Offshore

I use the "piece of tape under the hand" method, and find it excellent ( gives you a much more steady base to work with) Hour and minute hands invariably can be pretty strait forward, and a pair of tweezers will suffice, but sometimes second hands can be fair bastards, and I am still struggling with a chrono hand on a Sector! Offshore

Have a look for an issue with hands out of alignment. If a watch repeatedly stops at a specific time, you can almost for sure be certain that a hand/s is binding up, ?? hour marker?? hour and minute hand alignment? Somehing is stopping it, and it's probably... "the time" Offshore