adrenalin

Count me in on one if you are! Thats schweeeet! -K

My daily driver is a Cooper S convertable... And my weekend fun car is an Aston Martin AMV8 Needless to say, I wish every day was a weekend... -K

The way I interpret 'Franken' is like this.... Each piece, by itself is dead. Uninspired. Lifeless. The sum of all the pieces in its animated, functional form results in a product greater than the sum of all the individual parts. 'Franken' also refers to the effort and the passion that goes into each of these pieces. When I first started, I didn't know who 'Franken' was, but boy, did he sure make some cool watches!.... If you undertake your own 'Franken' project, try to get somebody else to hold it when the lightning strikes... it stings quiet a bit.... -K

Karma, man, karma... Contact the dealer. He might surprize you and tell you to keep it.... If not, it wasnt yours to begin with. IMHO, thats what I would do. Good luck! -K

Greetings all, Can somebody please direct me to the post that one of our forum members did a compairison of the 3717 and all of the dealers? It was the best review on the subject I have been able to find. I have used the search until I have blisters on my fingers.... (well almost) The review I am specifically looking for is the one that lists What is 100% accurate on each watch, and what is not,( and why...) which has best bezel, best lume, best ... you get the idea. I have looked at all the pinned topics and have hit all their links, but for some reason, cant find it... I have seen some awesome watches and re-read how to change date wheels, etc... and have gotten side tracked too many times Thanks! -K

I am sorry for your loss. Stay strong. -K

Cats, I apreciate your effort in trying to authenticate your piece! You should be congratulated! While the resident experts are responding, could we turn this into an educational opportunity too? Can the resident experts please state 'why' also? Yeah, it looks Swiss to me... gears and all, but the bridges look different to me, if for nothing else than the machine patern on them. Is this the reason why FxrAndy calls them Chinese? Simillarly, what does TomRiddle see that makes it an Asian 6497? I am no expert, but am trying to educate myself in knowing what I am looking at and want to take any opportunity to learn... Thanks to everybody that coments to help Cats, but also so the rest of us can learn along the way! Gracias! -K

Hey Guys, Recently aquired a PAM 222 with a non-descript Asian automatic 21 J mechanism. Have never wound the crown, just let the rotor do its thing. Power reserve is great 40+ hrs. Time sets nicely and keeps +/- 5 seconds a day. Here is the problem... it doesn't hack, and the date can only be set by rolling through the calendar. Easy fix, or something that needs a 'higher' skill level to fix? Any input is apreciated! -K

I will also send my empathy. As V stated, be thankfull your son and daughter are ok... As for the photo, dont give up hope. Take the photo in its damaged condition to a high-end camera shop, preferably one with an on site darkroom and photo lab. Find the guy behind the computer that looks to be about 15 years old and ask him to scan the damaged photo on the highest resolution possible (RAW or TIFF) and then have him 'restore' the damage. I realize that it wont be original, but you will be surprized at the work that they can do. I had to do just that to an original early 1900's photo that had been creased, and torn into several pieces (dont ask)... I now have the copy in a frame and a backup on a disk in the safe... Hang in there... -K

It died? Probably need a little more explination... can't wind? crown just spins? Often times it can be a simple fix... As a suggestion, are you sure that you have the crown guard oriented in the correct orientation? (leaver direction) Sometimes if you are 180 degrees out, one screw will thread, and the other will be off by a couple of microns... Not that I have ever experienced that, or anything...... (cough, chough) Be persistant, but patient with Angus. I am sure that things will work out. Good luck with everything! -K

Let me be the 3rd to echo needing a movement school. As a newbie, I have no problem taking the back off my watches. Problem is, I'm not exactly sure what I am looking at.... I have seen all the photo tutorials that are already on the forum, but its like being an armchair quarterback--- real easy to say ' yeah, uh-huh... i see that...' especially when there is a picture of a real 7750 sitting by your clone photo. Its a totally different game when its a movement in front of you and it 'kind of 'looks like the picture of the real, and 'kind of' looks like the picture of the clone. I have been reading as much as I can get my hands on about the different movements. I seriously doubt I could identify that the teeth on the hour wheel is 'off' as compaired to the real ETA. I am not educated enough -- yet. I doubt if I will sell/trade anything until I can. (At least without posting photos asking the hawked-eyed officianados of the board for an ID). I am truly impressed with the integrity of the people involved. You guys make me feel privliged to participate and allowing me to educate myself. I will continue to read with intrest. -K

Thanks to all, 'It is better to ask a question a day too early than a day too late...' Rep out of the box + water = bad... Got it! Thx, -K

Forgive me if this has been asked before, How waterproof are most reps (strait off the shelf)?-- In not talking swimming, diving or anything... Things like washing cars, showers and domestic stuff like (gulp)--dishes.... Could you clean the exterior with soap and water? (yeah, I know, keep the crown closed) or would that be ill-advised? What do you guys do? Thx, -K

Well, that sucks. I saw him race at Laguna Seca once. He was faster at aged 78 than I was at 35. He will be missed.

Bingo! Thants just what I was looking for! Thanks! -K

I think I have a handle on this one.... My biggest disappointment would probably have to be the one that never came in the mail... -K

Greetings all, I allways seem to just miss watches that go up for sale... sometimes by minutes I was thinking of adding a 164 to my collection, and missed the one that was recently up for sale. I figured, no big deal.... I will order from Trusty or Pure or whomever and start with some mods of my own.... Problem is, nobody seems to have any in stock. Any idea where to look? Thanks in advance for the leads.... -K

Quick answer: You dont. I am new here also. It takes quite a long time of educating yourself by reading, looking and lots of watching (no pun intended). The purpose-- see what you can and cant do yourself. Obviously there are people on this forum that are masters at their craft.... As near as I can figure, it requires a signifigant investment in time and effort in building relationships in the forum. Once that has been achieved, artisians (The Zigmeister for example) become more and more available... especially if they see what you have tried, what questions you ask etc... I guess you can send out an all out page to him, but frankly I doubt that you get much a response-- I dont blame him or you, but I am sure that he has been hit before by new guys wanting the best of the best of the best when they are still struggling to learn how to take the casebacks off their timex... Especially when a long time friend has a special project that would really benifit from his talents needs help. I don't want to put words in anybodys mouth (esp. not The Zigmeister), but this is what I have observed in my short time here. Good luck, read lots, look at lots and most of all, have fun! Welcome to the Forum -K

Did they drop anything?

Greetings all, I ran across this. It is represented as a 1970's cal 861. It looks gen to me, but I dont have the hawk-eyes that you guys do... Real or Rep? As a follow up question, what would you consider paying for such a piece? Thanks! -K

I recently picked up a 196 old case with an A7750 that had been The Zigmeister-fied with OEM Crown and Lume. Prices ranged 500-600 USD. I would imagine that a 7753 would be a bit more. Hang on to yours! you will miss it! I love mine! Good luck with your decision, -K

O-ring silicone?

I thought of that. I wanted to try to do the 'big-boy' thing and handle it myself --- find out what the standard is and what the options were before I run to the teacher (Admin) or worse... the principle (paypal).... Thx! -K

Guys, I apreciate all the input. Everybody raises valid points. The real question is knowing when and where the two lines meet.... where it becomes 'life-got-in-the-way' vs. 'aaaahhhh !@#$%^&*(-- I just got taken for a ride!'. I am not implying that somebody on their death bed needs to feebly log on to RWG and send a PM (funny, btw) but honestly, what are really the odds of that happening? I just think it odd that open lines of comunication, especially with quick responses, suddenly stops. I dont know what the standard wait times should be. I have to lean towards RobbieG's persective--if nothing else for the common courtesy aspect. I think 5 days is more than a reasonable time period. Its just an email or a PM not having watch in hand. Put the shoe on the other foot... how long would you hold somebody's money before you felt obligated to contact them? I realize this is a hobby for most. Hobby or not, there has to be a factor of respect/honesty/common sense. I can also tell you by reading the posts on the forum, seeing the interactions between members that this (for the vast, vast majority) are a group of like minded individuals. There is a respect between everybody (at least thats what I percieve). I dont think my opinion is the 'gold standard'. I for one would respond very quickly--buying or selling. I have to live with myself, and I dont think its a good habit (or karma or whatever) to keep somebody strung out. I am going to wait for 5 days. Hopefully I will hear something (26 hrs to go). I really dont want to get paypal involved (yeah, I know 45 days), but I feel like an idiot for not... What a paradox. I will let you guys know what happens. -K