mars08

Looking forward to many years of swimming with the 'water-resistant' rep I got from the cartel. Oi.

So I take it you don't buy reps from ANYONE. Or just the ones who tell the "white lies" you can trust? It's odd that those who dismiss SOME lies and bad shipments as unrepresentative and so unbending in other cases. mrshuma QUOTE: "...pick a respected poster on here or an admin that you all can agree on..." Not likely to happen, mate

If having "gen pictures" on a web site was a SURE way to tell a scammer, I wouldn't have half the reps I have today. Like I said, we need more PROOF -one way or the other. But this is going to be one of those threads, isn't it?

I recall that a comment was made in a recent thread that "frank and open discussion" was the best way to sort out the CURRENT trustworthiness of dealers. This guy is just being slammed for the same sort of "white lies" that are accepted from other, more trusted, dealers. Has anyone had recent dealings that they can point to as proof... one way or the other?

It might be worthwhile directing King to this thread. That way she can get a better idea of what the "pearl" issue is about.

If it DOES have the pearl fixed on the bezel rather than the insert, it COULD guarantee correct alignment every time. That assumes that the pearl is glued in line with one of the "peaks" on the bezel. Sadly the your picture shows that it is not. Shame... it's a good shape and size for an SMP rep. Of course if the pearl sits in an indent on the metal bezel, the insert will be impossible to realign. Good grief! What doesn't someone build an "ultimate" of that rep? Apparently it HAS been done before!

The laid back attitude to personal hygiene?

Thanks TeeJay. I like that idea.

So let me get this straight... getting too "enthusiastic" with the hair dryer can wreck the watch?

GREAT. Oh man! I really hope this works out for me... ooops um, ah, I mean... YOU

See? THAT'S why is really annoys me when some poor noob gets slammed just for asking about an internet rep site. It's nasty. What's the point of INSTINCTIVELY tagging untested sellers as "scams" or accusing the noob of being a "shill", when the biggest SCAMMERS are among the "trusted" ones?

Will someone please buy this rep from King!!! I will never be able to afford the gen and would love to have a super rep. I've got 3 Bonds at the moment and the Silix is the most authentic. But the tiny crown guards are bloody disappointing!

QUOTE: "BTW- Andrew fixed my ROO in 5 days without a hitch. Try getting that from an AD." Yet I got a dropshipped SMP GMT from him with the wrong clasp and has done bugger all to make it right. And I expect he won't. Does that still leave him in the elite class?

The formal HONTWATCH site is crap. The photobucket collections are more useful. Both sites running fine here on East coast Australia. Was going to buy a SMP Chrono off the guy, but it all went wobbly when it came time to pay. Not HIS fault. Something about the Bank of China and MY MasterCard. I feel bad letting him down. Seems a decent bloke. I'm told the does QC in-house.

Is there a chance Andrew has other sites that DO come up in Google, or if he makes good money supplying other dealers?

Good (but misaligned) pearl too.

Wow. You blokes still going at it? About Andrew being the victim of a Conspiracy... I followed the discussion at RWI and he had heaps of chances to put his case. I understand he was contacted be email about his "alleged" activities. Yet in the whole thread all I saw from Andrew were a could of half-baked comments. The he disappeared. Probably too busy selling watches on the internet. It seems to me that he does not care about his "trusted" status at RWI. I assume that's because he does NOT need the forum geeks for his business. Andrew's web site is still there for anyone who wants buy from him. What I don't understand is the number of people in this threat who are doing flips and twists trying to explain away or justify Andrews actions. I mean, the man can't be bothered doing it HIMSELF. Why all the anguish and word gymnastics trying to defend someone who doesn't respect forum members enough to give a serious reply? If people still think he's worth dealing with then go and enjoy. He's open for business as usual. If he's a hard-nosed, cunning, typical businessman as some say he is, then he'll survive this glitch. Clearly he doesn't think that his reputation on these boards will hit him too badly. Why try to convert those of us who don't like the idea of being cheated?

Indeed. I just compared to my Silix rep... The King item has better crownguaqrds. Can't comment on the bracelet. Like my Silix seems to have the correct length hands. It also appears to use a fairly authentic font on the bezel insert. If King is showing a photo of the ACTUAL rep being sold, it's very, very, nice. How much?

QUOTE: "...every business is looking for the most profit, any way they can get that is granted..." And that's just the way it is, eh? Really? We get the politicians we deserve. We get the community we deserve. We get the dealers we deserve. Do we deserve better?

Amen. And this thread is turning in exactly that type of discussion. Criticism of Josh and Andrew is being shouted down or dismissed as business. It's appeasement, pure and simple. What's the point of having "trusted dealers" if the TRUSTED part is open to interpretation? What benefit does that bring to members of this community?

What to do now? I've heated the watch until it was almost too hot to pick up but the bezel insert will not budge. Can't try leaving it out in the sun to soften the glue because it's middle of winter here. Might try to lift off the bezel insert using a scalpel. Tried using a toothpick but it wasn't strong enough. Afraid a scalpel might damage the insert. The bezel is only about 1.5mm off the mark and I don't want to wreck a nice new watch while trying to "fix" it.

I guess that depends on how much business they get from the forum geeks and how much they make from Joe Sixpack who just orders on their web sites.

Which SMP do you want? Silix does a very nice "Bond" rep. The only obvious flaw is the crown and crown guard. And the bezel insert alignment -as usual.

People... I am looking for an "authentic" SS bracelet for a SMP rep. One with the proper mix of polished and brushed links. Like this: HOWEVER! Am I likely to run into problems with the end-links not being suited to my particular rep? Would I be right to assume that there are variations between makers and generations of reps?

I've not rushed into buying a 42mm PO rep for various reasons. www.pam111.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_50_118&products_id=1129 Even if it IS a better rep, the price is kinda high. **NEVER MIND** I just noticed the "This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 27 May, 2006" statement. It's a dud.