offshore

Think it may have to END soon......unless we can stop moving and start discussing the actual topic of A & J merging.... not crimes ... perceived or otherwise

Z is on hols until Sept. I think marrickville boy is coming back to Sydney some time soon, he may be able to assist. Send him a PM. Offshore

Hmmm, Sort of sounds like you were using the tool required, when you did the damage! Sounds like a very technical bit of kit, called a 'legopener" Seriously, I don't think I have seen what you need as a true watchmakers tool, but I'm sure an engineering shop would have an "expander", small enough, to get those (legs)... sorry misspell... lugs.. apart! Offshore

As an update of sorts, KB has been severely admonished by the Admin team, for even thinking of coming here tonite... at threat of having his moddship suspended Has been summarily ordered to bed... and I would hate to think of the punishments TT will produce... should he come sniffing around! So we may hope to hear from him in some hours from now.... after a good nights rest! Sleep well mate. Offshore

Mate! Think you will find a few of your fellow countrymen here. As well as a cuppla Ozzies, just to try and balance out the Tin Tanks a bit

Some great news people, Ken is home, and a lot better. His wife tells me, he may even grace us with his presence shortly. A great relief for all. Offshore

Moppel, Hypo cement is sold by G-S (Germanow-Simon), for fitting (some) watch crystals. Offshore

Who actually makes 'em? The million $$ question. Short answer, a liitle guy in China, somewhere............and he runs out of dials Seriously, there are plenty around.... think "someone" may even have an Omega up FS right now ! offshore

Well finally I am pleased to report some real progress for Ken! Today, ( his birthday) he has been taken out of ICU, and placed in a ward. Better still is that, whilst he has some confusion still, his memory is returning. He discussed with his wife the forums, and talked about a planned GTG that he and I have for around Christmas time. This is truly the best news I have heard so far. Don't think he is out of the woods, by a longshot... but this is most encouraging. Will update in a "cuppla days" Offshore

Have a good one mate! Offshore

BobM, I have probably got about 40% from eBay, ( Using the wonderful info I glean from here, to not get burned) The balance, have come from strategically placed (and worded) Classified WTB adverts! Local Newspaper. It is quite amazing, the watches that people dig out from drawers, or have around the house. I carry with me, as my bible, Cooksey & Shugart- " Complete price guide to watches" AS A GUIDE!!!!! But it also sure helps in negotation You do have to work hard, follow up all enquireis, even though you know you will draw a lot of blanks. Some here are aware, I also run a little repair biz at a Sunday Market stall. You wouldn't beleive what people walk up with to show me. In a lot of cases it is just "show & tell" but from time to time, I am offered pieces at a good price, and amazingly, at least once every week, someone just hands me a packet of not going watches.... and I have had a few gems from this area! Just today, a guy handed me a lovely Tissot Seamaster (Quartz), told me he had it at the local jewellers, and they quoted $190 for the repair. His attitude was, " If it can be repaired for under $20, fix it, if not .... keep it." It was just a flat battery, and dirty contacts.... charged him $10, and sent him on his way. He came back about an hour later with 7 watches in a bag, and gave them to me, as thanks for being honest. They are all no going mechs; don't think there is much in the bag, was too busy to look hard, and am now just about to unload the car .... so maybe a surprise?? or just some more spare parts I have gone the pawn shop route, find they are far to sharp ( mostly not for their own good- as I see many reps- which they have paid too much for- when it is a "name" watch) Not to many pickings there IMHO. There are a number of ways to strategically search, and qualify the ebay offerings.... I won't detail them here, but PM me if you want more info. Offshore

A few thoughts from someone who no longer collects reps. Firstly, I beleive your focus will change once you start to collect. Type , style, size et al. So don't get too far ahead of yourself. Secondly, as you have looked around, you will see a number of posts of people "clearing out the watch box" (indeed I have a bunch up at this time--shameless self promo ) Ask yourself why? Also ask yourself why you wouldn't buy some of these used watches, many at up to 1/2 price of new. Most of these also have had some level of TLC, or at best had any QC issues sorted by the owner. You have listed a number of dealers you will work thru. One solid recommendation is to choose your dealer, then your watch. It certainly held pretty true for me when I was buying, I had 2-3 I was happy with, and some ...not so. Finally, give consideration to the fact, that in the longer term, you like a lot that have come before you, will come to the realisation that a good lower grade/lesser known gen, is probably as good if not better value than a lot of the reps that are around. I think I can confidentally say that most of our longer term collectors have more than a few gens in their boxes. As a footnote, I made a concious decision about 18 months ago to stop collecting reps. I now have more than 200 gens, and most are good, if not great brand name watches. Why, you ask, are you still here, ( and moderating?) S'pose it's just the camaraderie, there are a great group of people here; and the level of knowledge and info to be gained. I think I can say without fear of contradiction, that you will not find the levels of expertise, in so many different areas, on any other forum. Offshore

Update - Saturday- 11.30am. Some better news. Ken is slowly on the improve, up out of bed, sitting in a chair. Still very confused, but now able to at least have a discussion, no longer incoherent. He still doesn't really understand what is happening, and just wants to go home. He is not yet well enough for them to carry out some other tests they want to do, so I feel his rehab will be lengthy. He yet doesn't remember anything about watch forums, so our best wishes were greeted with a blank look! His card and book are waiting for a time when he can comprehend them. Will update again in 48 hours. Offshore

Ahhhh Victoria, DUCK indeed. Just because the swill that is brewed and branded as such in other climes, may well be sub standard, I can assure you that the genuine..... as akin to the rep.... in this case, is chalk and cheese. Bit like a Rolex with an Asian movement! I can assure you that the Offshore household is a major consumer of C & U product, actually Carlton Draught is more highly thought of, but VB certainly has pride of place on our shelves. And amazingly, Mr Offshore is more likely to imbibe of a rum or three; it's actually Mrs Offshore who has taste buds for a good ale. The quality of the water, where the product is brewed, has huge bearing on the finished product, ( bit like a Swiss watch actually) Even here in sunny Queensland, the locally brewed product, doesn't hold a candle to the "genuine" Victoria Bitter, from cold old Melboune....in Victoria! Offshore

Hey HFC! How are they hangin'?? Good to see you here mate. All, take serious note of what this gent says.... he also seriously knows his stuff... and has a penchant for waterproofing of watches....... and the foibles of non testing. Offshore

Ahhh yes, Now we conclusively see how two extra seals, WILL increase the waterproofness of a watch!!! Bit bloody difficult to put it on your wrist though! And at 1' the plastic baggy will have collapsed, and at 20' the glass jar will have imploded, (and probably the schrapnel from this will have smashed the watch crystal) But, let's never let practicalities like this get in the way of a good yarn Luv the concept ximenes , but I'm sure you are at the top of the line also crying BS! Offshore PS At some stage one may have to remove the mod cap, and really say what one feels!!!

Yep! better beleive that!

Hmmmm, Just like you said, I too hope you get a "warranty", however I doubt it. And the only way you will really know, is to have the watch/es tested again when you get them! which sort of makes the initial "test" a bit defunct! There is another way of running a simple test by yourself. I quote this from Henry Frieds', "The principles of Waterproofing Watches" "This test indicates whether a watch is waterproof to a depth of about 5' It consists of dipping the watch into a glass of warm water @ between 120 deg F & 140 deg F, for about 5 seconds. The warm water will expand the air inside the case, if the case is leaky, the air will escape in the form of bubbles. A faulty watch should be removed as soon as bubbles appear. It should then be dried immediately, to prevent outside air pressure from forcing water clinging to the case, inside the watch." I quote this , from the book of a highly experienced watchmaker, who was technical director of the AWI. Personally I have my own take on this, but then I'm neither a watchmaker, nor have ever been a technical director of anything! The only problem I see with this test, is that if you immerse a watch for just a few seconds, you may well see some bubbles escape from say under the bezel, which are just trapped air, not a leak. and you pull the watch out & dry it, thinking it is not WP, when in fact it may be VERY WP! Just FYI. offshore

@Dani, I'll pass on your best, as soon as I get a chance to speak with him. @All, We in admin, have sent him a card, and a book, ( "Practical Watch Repairing" De Carle) with everyones good wishes. Hope he is soon in a position to be able to receive them, and be back here with us. Offshore

@FxrAndy, I have that very set. Picked it up here in Oz, @ about A$17.00, from a wholesaler, as a price comparison, so that is a pretty good price. Mine have worked faultessly for 12 months, although I don't think they get as near a severe workout as in general engineering! FWIW, we also bought a set for our engineering dept at work, and they failed after about 12 months HARD work. Still pretty good for Chinese product! Better that Mattel toys Offshore

My pleasure! There are a few little "tricks" one learns. My best one is restarting a "dead" quartz. Anyone wants to know, just ask. Offshore

An update on Ken. He has had the breathing tube removed, and his throat infection is clearing up. which is great news. At this stage he is still incoherent, I assume this is as he was on anaesthetic for almost a week. However all the tests which have been run have revealed some other potential problems, which will require further tests. They cannot carry these out until he becomes more lucid. So he's not out of the woods yet, by any imagination. I will update again in 48 hours. Suggest everyone has a chat to their own personal god, and offer a word for Ken. Let's all hope that nothing more is detected. Offshore

Fair go Reg! I'm having a watch sale here now!!! And you're givin 'em away! And NO I don't know the answer. Offshore

Firstly, Are you absolutely, 100% sure it's a screw back? If yes, you could maybe try applying the tip off of a (hot) soldering iron-sparingly- (just around the seal area) to heat it up, but dont heat the whole watch!! If no, have a REALLY good look and see if it may just be flip back. If neither of these options are viable, you will need to find someone who has a Roles case back press/tool. If all of this doesn't work..... send it to Nanug.... he and his 4WD seem to be able to get anything open Can't vouch for the ongoing operation of said timepiece however! Offshore