Pannyman04

I was about to pull the trigger on the new FF, but searches kept throwing up the various DSN vintage models, as well as a bunch of hommage models. I definitely want 3-6-9-12 numerals so that rules out the dot and marker dials. However I'm utterly split between the various DSN models. The Phong one is interesting but relatively expensive and probably more hassle. None of the vintage models are close to 100% accurate - the bezel is really too thick, stap too wide and there are small details. But somehow I feel I can carry off a vintage model better than the new one. (I think they look better for a start).What they seem to be is homage watches with a Blancpain dial. So the choice is between the FF95; : And the FF16: Really not sure which way to go. There's a version of the 95 with a curved bezel insert that looks the business, but might be a bit fussy/flash on a vintage piece. Then there's the new one of course, according to Toro due in 2-3 weeks (pic from Angus's site who is also selling it) Genuinely stuck here! Any opinions?

http://puretime-asia.com/product/explorer-i-214270-39mm-11-best-edition-on-ss-bracelet-sa3132-v2/?sent=yes#product-request Anyone got any info on this one? Dials so far on these have all been wrong.

Any more thoughts on Explorer 39mm? I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Indeed this is the one that sparked my interest ... anyone seen it in real life yet. Thanks also for the feedback on dial, that's v useful info.

Just getting back into reps again after a break ... seeking views on whether there a good Explorer I rep out there at the minute? 39mm is a good size. I'm not really into the whole Franken business so looking for something that looks the part on arrival, and not too worried about things from a movement perspective. Appreciate any views on the subject. I have done a good search but this rep hasn't sparked much discussion lately and of course is fairly new even in a gen.

I'm looking to get my soon to be 15-year-old his first rep for his birthday - I've bought him cheap Russian watches in the past which he wears and enjoys but I'm looking at a vintage Seamaster 300 rep as he likes the miliary look. Ideally I'd like to 'vintage'-ise it a bit before giving it to him but I suspect it'll have a tough life so may look quite ragged after six months. Anyone offering such a service? I'm pretty out of touch, not coming here so often these days. Any thoughts on this watch generally and on its suitability for a teenager? Gens seem to be a minefield which is why I've never owned one much as I like the look, while I've never been too sure of the accuracy or solidity of the rep.

Any views on the best Explorer 39mm 2010 version? From what I've read the V1, V2 and V3 all have quite serious flaws. Just wondered if anyone has come up with a really good one since this watch came out. I do love the Explorer dial and 39mm is a decent size for a Rolex. Appreciate any views. Its been some years since I bought a rep so quite interested in what's moved on.

Well you could have said that! Now I have to rewrite the thing

Hi, I've been a member here since 2008 (and its predecessor forum before that) but haven't been much into reps for a while. This is my first time logged in in ages. I have some stuff I'd like to sell (no probs to pay the membership to do that) but am looking for a bit of advice to help me get organised. At least one of my pieces dates back a long time (to Eddie Lee days if anyone still remembers that). Not looking to make a killing, just clearing out of watches I don't wear any more really and liquidate a few quid. Would anyone be prepared to offer some advice (probably best offline)? Or otherwise suggest the best way to go about it. Don't want to look silly on the sales forum as I'm not even up with the lingo of how to describe them any more!

Somehow I don't think the FBI are interested in what goes on in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England but thanks for the input. BTW I wasn't really looking for vigilante lessons, or a discussion on how big a [censored] he is, I'm interested if anyone actually KNOWS what's happening with this guy, or had any contact in recent weeks?

I sent him two watches in April (one for AR - part of the Chieftang debackle - the other for a crown mod), I last got some sort of reply in August, since then, nothing. He gave me a phone number at that point which has never, ever been answered. I'm seriously thiking of calling the police to report fraud/theft. Has anyone heard from this character in recent weeks, or have any better contact info? I have his address, Milton Kenynes is only 45 min away, I'm seriously tempted to go up at the weekend and cause a bit of a fuss in person ... just getting sick of the whole thing.

If anyone turned up this guy's phone number could they pass it on? The trick seems to be to take 3 weeks to reply to every email, so even if you answer him right away it takes forever to get any communication done. He has a panerai of mine for some mods (not done as instructed first time, sent back for the proper crown mod) and a Breitling in for AR which he's had since April. Getting seriously hacked off now.

I have three panerai rubber straps, all quite old now but they aren't great copies, too think & light. they were bought anything up to 4-5 years ago though. Question - are they better now? If so any recommendations on who has the best one? UK sourced preferably. On ebay there's nothing between unbranded

Join the RAF then. Some nice Seikos. (But also Quartz ... mechanical being something of an affectation quite at odds with modern day military utilitarianism). Anyone know what Obama wears/wore when not on the campaign trail? I was a regular on Timezone in the Clinton era (really .. that long ago ..) and arm shots were regularly posted ... while during elections he wore Timex digitals, outside of these times he was rather more inclined towards the high-end (Choppard, AP and the like).

Recently back on the scene ... looking for someone to take my Pam001 and do the necessary to it (lever pin, AR if it correct, rubber insert, correct screws etc) whatever it takes I had some bad expererience that I won;t go into with TomH so looking for someone else in EU Any thoughts? Also a decent source for a good IWC Big Pilot strap, a maybe 1cm longer than standard ...

Last heard from him 8/10. No reply to several emails since then. I sent him four watches in early August, I have effectively written them off by now. Be nice if I got them back but I'm not holding my breath any more.

I disagree. Someone out there, undoubtedly in China, must be making and assembling the cable material for them and since there are 'fakes' (ie 'non authorised' cables with no s/n) about, I would guess some of this material is definitely making it into circulation without Nordost's consent. I already have some pretty good mains stuff (Eupen/Audusa cable with the patented RF absorbing metal-polymer coating, recently unmasked as the cable used under the nylon cover at x10 markup in the well-regarded

Nordost mains cables for high-end hifi list at

I sent him about half a dozen watches to be worked on back on August 11th, have heard nothing from him since September 1, when my IWC was supposed to be 'on the bench being worked on right now'. Have been sending regular emails but no reply at all.

Hi, I'm back (sort of) having been a regular going back years on other forums, never posting on this one before though. I gave up rep collecting on the back of a whole string of watches with poor quality control - a 1950 with winding problems, a stunning looking IWC fliegerchrono with a mis-aligned date, a portuguese that just kept stopping, and so on and so on. And yet - some of these new Hublots, the AP Offshore Chrono here at last ... assorted others ... have drawn me back again and I'm probably ready to take the plunge again in the not too distant. In the past couple of years I've focused more on spending my money on hifi ... which leads me to my question ... anyone know of good quality rep hifi - I'm thinking in particular I'm looking for a set of Nordost mains cables ... obviously big complex electronics is hard to fake, but the simpler stuff - cables and the like - 90% of their cost is in branding, and in bribes for magazine reviews (either direct to reviewers or less directly in advertising to the publications that run the reviews). Any tips on where to look?