Luthier

I'm in L.A. And I'm in, if it's still alive.

Welcome to the forum, TK!!!

I'm often in HK, lived there for some time a few years ago, in TsimShaTsui, and going there again in a few weeks.

Beer?

I think the vintage models are what should be looked at. These are the models that most collectors are looking for and are hard to find. Modern models have a following, but most are very close and not worth the time and effort to reproduce again.

What I would like to see along with these cases...a rep movement of the 1570 or 3135. Most of the parts are available as aftermarket parts, but the bridges/base movement are the problem. If these could also be reproduced in the $200-$300 range it would be a great investment.

It would be nice for the forum to take on this as an escrow kind of deal and a fundraiser. A win-win for everyone!

+1

3135 is great mov't.

Robbie, remember one thing - sometimes even cancer just disappear without a trace with no operation or medications. I think all depend of how strong your "Qi" is. You love life, you have what to live for- love, good things, like your Porsche, friends, sunsets and ocean breeze, so, I am sure you'll survive and will live long life. I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart, be well and stay strong, buddy, ok?

Dems, my planes were MIG-25 and SU-17, MIG-15 was too old when I served. And, no, I'm NOT Russian. But I do speak Russian. And few more langs.

But let's not hijack this thread, and go back to this interesting idea about cases.

I know a few factories in HK, who will reproduce exact copy of any dial and hands and datewheels.

It's not a problem, I'm quite often in HK, I can talk to managers.

Case is the most important part of the project. If decision will go to the independent (not watch cases factory) factory, then I can ask my people in China to find the factory who will be able to do the job. It's really great project, and it can turn upside down all rep. World, and I'm excited. Offshore and Earth will be the brain and driving machines, and everyone who can contribute any ideas - speak it out right here.

Join the Russian Nuclear Sub Fleet.

I joined their Air Forces, Dem, and I know things there much better than you, Dem, with all my do respect.

this is not a problem when you live here, transport is cheap But having your design stolen is much more annoying...

I did not say it in my post, but after casting, you still must mill the case for last details (threads). So you re absolutely right. And after you need to send it to a polish factory...

You are kidding ? If no, you don't know chinese factories... Of course they will ! and I can tell you many horror stories that happen to me when I started business here

I fully agree

kind regards

--earth

Earth, I lived in China for years, had business with dozens of factories and worked on many of them, I know this field from A to Z.

I patented about 25 designs after a few factories tried to steal a few, but I have excellent patent lawyers in BJ, so, these badtards stopped.

My point is... who will know, that it's let's say - Sub case, without seeing a finished product, not just a case for your own design of watch? To milling factory it's just a "watch case" with no name, they'll not know it's value. At least it's what I think.

OS, you're absolutely correct - they have no clue, and it only prove my point - nobody will steal just "no name" case.

I think we have a missunderstanding

First, I was talking about watches (reps), not guitars.

Second, the key point is 3D CAD scan. Of course everybody uses 3D CAD in China (ProE and Solidworks mainly) and 3D printers but 3D scan is another story. At least in my business field (speakers) and from what I have seen in reps. however, I may be wrong.

and for the production process, IMHO, I think it's not a good idea to mill the case, as the factory will make thousand of them afterwards without you know about it... The right way is to make a mold at company A. Take the mold, give it to Company B for production. You stay at the factory B during the manufacturing and you take back your mold after the batch. Of course, company A and B must be from different city, different business field and not know each other...

my 2cts from 10 years manufacturing experience in China and protection of my designs from copycats

--earth

It make sense. But if you'll need another batch of watches - you'll have to go back to the factory and ask them to cast another 250-500 cases.

I'm not even talking about problems with bubbles in casted metal, common thing in chinese casting process. Besides, milling is much more precise process, than casting, and in case of casting, you should mill cases after removing it from the mold anyway. Even if it's high pressure injection mold - you have to mill each case. I don't think the factory, that has no any relation to rep. business, will run to GZ and offer their (yours) cases to watch factories. So, it's not a problem. Problem is to find the starting capital and proper factories.

Calipers? Good lord that is impressive. I only thought the Russians still engineered like that.

Demsey, Russians shot first artificial Earth satellite into space in 1957, and first man in 1961, and VOSTOK spaceship was made not by sledgehammer.

Earth, I have 2 guitar factories in China, and both use 3D CAD, creating bodies and necks samples in 3D and printing the drawings. Also I personally visited at least 10 factories who make guitars hardware, and they all use 3D CAD. I agree, that best way is not to make cases on rep. factories, it will be in mass production immediately. But it's not a problem to find the factory that can make it. Also, if the case will be casted first - then need to order the mold, but I doubt it will cost $2000. But if the case will be milled from the piece od steel - then no mold needed. Rolex don't cast cases, they mill it. As I said - my "thoughts" can and should be corrected significantly.

OK, let's start calculations.

1. Setting up the goal - let's say "The Best One" and Tona.

2. Ordering CAD drawings for every part, it's not a big problem.

3. Ask every member who willing to buy finishing product to pay 33% downpayment of...let's say $200 (final price).

4. Place orders on the factories, who make cases, dials, hands, crystals, etc. I know a few very good factories in HK who make excellent parts.

5. Find the source for Asian clone ETA and Shanghai A7750, not a problem, they'll provide top notch QC for such an order.

6. Find 2 skilled watchsmiths there, who will do assembling. 200-300 watches not a big quantity, will be done in a week.

7. Find the safest way to deliver finished product (all together) to USA.

It's just a thoughts, could be corrected, if needed. If we'll find enough members who will agree to participate - why not start it right away?

Alan, if you'd have a chance - try to find oblong puncher for me - about 1,5X3mm or 2X4mm size, for straps like this.

I tried everywhere... no luck.

Can't understand, why you having problems with ATMs. I used debit cards there for years, and only once ATM ate my card, it happened only because on some machines these idiots start keys from 0 and end on 1 on the bottom, not like is USA - 1,2,3 and next row - 4,5,6... So, I automatically punched my key, and got card returned. After 3 tries ATM ate my card. Thanks God it was inside China Bank at 2pm, so, I grabbed manager's tie and he opened the machine. Since I always look on keys first. Never ever had any other problems to get money. They allows to withdraw 5000 yuan per day. Try to find machine with Languages menu, choose English. You shouldn't get any problems.

Mary is my personal dealer for a few years already, we met a few times, I bought many watches from her, and I can highly recommend her to anyone, she is extremely honest, very hardworking, and very attentive dealer, and just great person. You can write a review about her in here and on RWG-1 forum, I'm sure you like her personality, professionalism and service too. Good luck with ATMs!!!

And about massage... be very careful, when they offer "that" massage... AIDS there fluorishing...they have no idea, what it is. 12th Century.

Alan, you made first mistake choosing LiuHua hotel, it's real crap. I'd recommend "Ocean" or "Garden", it's quite decent hotels.

Second - never ever go with strangers who offer you taxi. I know these guys with minivans, who ask $200 for 1km route. Had experience. But I speak some chinese, so, they weren't too persistent. Fake maney you can get even in chinese bank, they have policy- do not destroy fake banknotes, but give it to "stupid westerners". I know it from friends there, who works in chinese banks. No, nobody will kill anyone for fake money, it's so common there, that they'll return you your 100 yuan with words - it's a fake. That's it.

I visited Watch Market for the first time in 2007, then it was even more open, now dealers hide good stuff. Police was all over, when I was there last time in 2008. But I honestly envy you, I had same thrill first few visits. It's fantastic place. Not only I bought a bunch of decent reps, but also picked up a few priceless catalogs on all chinese-made movements, and it's great help. Here's a few pictures of the place.

Pay attention to the banner on the wall!!!

Great watch, indeed. I have 5004, but with working PR for $160 or so.

Non-working PR is no-no to me. But... it's my personal taste.

No, that's not why.

We are usually the ones that come up with the names, not the factories. Also, don't confuse factories with dealers.

Aha... and we dictate to Josh to put names like V1, V2..etc... on his page, right?

No, I'm not confusing factories and dealers, I'm often in GZ, met few dealers personally, and even visited a few watch factories.

Actually, it's not a watch factories, it's assembling workshops. They recieve movements from 2-3 legit movements factories, who also make reps movements, dials from another legit factory, hands from third, cases and bracelets from fourth, etc, etc, and assemble our beloved replicas.

I asked to assemble few reps according to my specifications, and it was done right on my eyes.

This isn't why they do it as if an "improved" version comes out, it's inevitably from a different factory. Replica factories don't follow the usual rules.

They, actually, do. That's why we have V1, V2, V3, and ULTIMATE versions of the same watch.

I recently bought SuperOcean Chrono replica.

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq4/jstudio107/DSCF0010-1.jpg

Gotta agree with Luthier on that one. I'd rather have the PR working but FFS, why can't we have both????

Col.

Because it gives the possibility to rep. factory to sell you "improved" version lil bit later.

Is it watches with non-working PR?

I prefer sunken DW but working PR.

It's a shame to see dead PR hand, isn't?

Nothing to do with Russia....(only text on dial, СЛАВА(Fame), assembled in China,cheapo movement etc,sold mostly from HK!? and China

СЛАВА, actually, mean "Glory". It's famous Russian brand of 60's and 70's.

Damn.....if she was the one delivering watches.....i'd be ordering 5 watches a day

I'd request night delivery.

Everytime i see the one with working power reserve i want it even though it's not the most accurate version. This confuses me to no end.

Working PR is the most important thing.

What's the point to have most accurate version with fake hand?

Is ir "working power reserve"?

I have 5004 with working PR.

It would be pretty swell to find something like that anywhere in So Cali.

Venice Beach vendors.

Plenty of cheapies there.

I'm looking at buying a IWC Aquatimer on runner strap (can't find the dial & bracelet combo I want). I'm gonna try and source one but still would like to know. Could I buy a bracelet (if sold separately) and install on an IWC that comes with a strap?

I bought my SS bracelet from www.swissgallory.com

For Cousteau Divers. Will fit Aquatimer too, same lugs size.

Hate rubber of any kind...