Category 5

@retep - Thanks for the heads up. I already tightened the all before shipping the watch off to my dad Where did you read that? i didn't think too many others had this watch yet.

2 and 4 are at the top of my list. I'd like to also add the TAG Carrera special Ed (the automatic version, not quartz) as well as the Chopard yellow faced chrono automatic.

I think the weight of mine is just about right on. Remember, even the Gens have hollow mid links, and the same "underweight" feel. The gold Gens are heavier, but the stainless is pretty much exact.

You must admit...when you ask someone to see their watch more closely (thinking it's a higer end brand) and notice it's a Seiko, you still give them a nod of respect. The bottom line is, Seikos are excellent watches...functionally, and aesthetically. The fact that they are Japanese, priced reasonably (instead of charging for prestige), and marketed in department stores, and low end mall jewelry stores makes some enthusiasts look down on the brand. Watch the spring drive video on their site though...it's amazing to see a TRUE sweep hand in motion. The Credor spring drives even have a wonderfully quaint bell sound alarm and hour announcement. ...but give me an Omega first.

The papers belong to my Aquaracer Gen. The brown color is too cool in person. The Gen, with a leather strap is the best though. With the borwn leather, and dials (complete with redline) it looks just like a car interior styling. Re: The Tag forum. My bad...too excited to post. The thread can be moved if the Mod is willing. (sorry)

The TAG from Neil arrived yesterday, and it is positively awesome. The finish is among the best of any REP. My only 2 complaints are 1-It's Quartz, and 2-This one is for my Dad, but it's so awesome I have to order another for myself. I wish the Rolly reps were put together this well. ...and sitting in my Gen Aquaracer case...for looks.

I looked at Luckyy's pics too, and the rehaut on this looks shallower than Gen. I thought the rehaut on all the MBW's was supposed to be about as deep as gen, and in Luckyyy's LV sub pics this looks to be true. On this new TT the rehaut looks identical to that of my PT LV and EL TT. Shallower than gen. Maybe you could snap a few pics of the two MBWs side by side, from a sharp angle so that the depth is easily compared. I am just wondering if this piece is the same as ELs, but with the new SELs. No sense in upgrading if it is.

That was the Digital Rebel with the kit lens. I also have a 20D, 30D, and Pro1, but for these types of pics, reduced to web size they all perform about equally. I image the same quality could be achieved with just about any current digital (even the point and shoots).

I got my watch from Niel in abou 2 weeks. Keep in mind the mail from other countries is not as quick as it is domestic. The watch you receive from Neil will be awesome. The TAG I got was better quality than almost any rep I have seen. If there's another Rep factory in Thailand, that's where I want ALL my reps to come from!

What's the deal with the rehaut on this one. Everything looks great except the date being misaligned (as usual) and the rehaut doesn't look on-par with the other MBW models I've seen. Rehaut looks the same as ELs. I DO like that new SEL though. A big accomplishment where TT is concerned. Also, are the minute markers correct (fatter at the markers)?

Hmmm....I was using the balance wheel jewel as an identifier but this may have been the wrong indicator. http://perfect-clones.com/popup_image.php?...073&image=6 On the two above it looks as though the case size may be the same, and the one with the brass movement just has a larger diameter movement space. Look at how much more meat is on the edge of River/TTK's. @TTK - Still waiting on my Dad's quartz Brown TAG Carrera (I guess the EMS police issues aren't helping) but if you get decent skele-back automatic reps of that watch (I want blue AND black) I guarantee you will sell them faster than you can get them. ...especially if they are as close to gen as these latest Link reps you have been getting. PLEASE pass that on to your watchsmiths. I am good for at elast two for myself and one as a gift....and I am sure the line will form quickly the day you post pics. The new TAG Carrera is sure to become a classic. With a leather strap and in brown it reminds me of a porche interior, with guages and all. What a great looking watch! I almost bought the Gen and went for the PO instead because of the co-ax movement. PLEASE NEIL - Find us that rep!!!

When doing EXTREME deep dives divers need to prepare before going under in a compression tank filled with a gas mixture containing helium (helps them avoid nitrogen toxicity). During return from long dives at these extreme depths, the helium in the watch needs somewhere to escape from to equalize pressure. The helium valve is a spring loaded mechanism which lets the watch equalize in pressure during return to the surface (which can take days). In a Gen, or rep with a functioning valve the watch should still be water resistant according to spec even when the valve cover is unscrewed, because the spring mechanism holds the valve closed unless the pressure inside gets too great. Ignore the He valve for most people...if you need it you'll already know all about it. Again, on the gen the cover does NOT screw down all the way to the case. If it did, it would indicate that the cover was tight against hte case edge, rather than being tight against the valve tube itself.

That also works well. I have done this with camera lenses that seemed to get moisture inside. Put them in tupperware with silica. Problem is, most silica you have lying around is already saturated. Most people don't know this, but there is a type of cat litter that is silica rocks. It is about 13 bucks or so for a giant bag.

Yours is exactly as my Genuine. the HE valve does NOT screw down all the way to the case. This is how it is on my 4th Gen as well...Identical to the real deal.

Unscrew the crown to let teh air equalize, and see if you can unscrew the back with your hands (I'll bet you can). The watch should be okay if it is just vapor, and will clear itself out. Then, take it to a jewelers exchange or to some watch guy somewhere, and give him $10 to grease the gasket and install hte back tightly and properly. You should be able to hold the watch under the faucet with the crown screwed in on most reps. I wash mine with dish soap and warm water and this keeps them looking new. The vapor you see is a sign of the crown not being tight, or the back not being tight.

With the Michael Phelps image from the OMEGA catalog in the BG. and alone on black...

Just having fun with the camera and CS2 - Comments welcome....

Both of those looklike the old, slower beat version of the 7750. Johsua's conatins the new 28,800bph version.

Yes. There should be a pin in the very last link on each side. Remove the last link with the pin it it and the two halves will easily part. Take the last link off and you'll see the screws that hold the other links together.

Vintrage Rolex's indeed, but it would be up in the air whether or not you'd want these for a co-ax rep. The first and second edition co-ax movements ran at 28,800bph. they switched to 25,200 to "add to the power reserve", but I've heard the real reason is mfgr. tolerances for the co-axial escapement. The co-ax movements are so accurate, they do not lose accuracy by dropping the beat rate.

Iyt definitely isn't the 2824 or 2836 movement that we see in most good reps (and expect to see). It is missing the screw regulator.

You should certainly buy a gen. Despite how good the reps have gotten you will feel a certain precision quality that is never there on a rep. Believe me, it is the only way to appreciate that. If you love a watch, and will always love it then it makes sense to get the gen. you will feel a new sort of pride about it. rather than try to hide it from sight at the AD or in the presence of a true enthusisat you will wield it proudly. ...and you will always have it because you will care for it. If you like Rolex, it is a wise idea to get a like new pre-owned Rolex. Let someone else pay the 3-5year depreciation. you will only gain value on such a watch. Rolex are always increasing in value, but it takes 3-5 years (average) for a nw Rolex to be worth it's purchase price on the used market. IMO though, you should get what I and many enthusiasts are getting. An Omega with a co-axial movement. As stated above, it is more than a small breakthrough in mechanical watches. It not only extends periods between service to 10-15 years (!!!!!!!), it is also more accurate than nay traditional escapement by far. My gen has yet to gain a second since I got it last weekend. It is almost like a quartz. Daniel's (inventor of the co-axial escapement) gave an interview in a watch magazine I read recently stating that the co-axial watch on his wrist had gained less than 3 seconds in over a year of daily wearing. That's just insane! No Rolex, Patek, breit, Tag, Vacheron, Breguet or any other brand can say that about an automatic movement. None of them. In short, get a Gen you will ove forever...but don't think reps are a true substitute for gen. they are something different altogether. That said, i still love my PT LV Sub...despite the dial flaws, shallow rehaut, and 15 seconds gained per day...but in the presence of watch enthusisats, I drop my wrist and hope nobody calls me on it!

My PO was only $2k at ashford.com and it came with serial# intact, all certificates, retail box, manual, etc. - everything was new and perfect. They don't stock allw atches at all times, but they are really big with retail buyouts, so their inventory changes all the time. I was impressed that they had a pre-shipping checklist which included checking for function, scratches, straight markers, proper lume, etc. They seem to have several of the well known brands.

Almost bought the Gen of this watch and went for the PLanet Ocean instead. The TAG is awesome (and cheaper) but lacks that certain elegance that theOmega has. It's still on my short list of Gens to get. Unlike many others in this board, I happen to like TAG Heuer as a brand. Their Aquaracer Chrono (which I own) and this new Carrera are two of the nicest looking watches out. TAG has quite a few really good looking pieces (like the Link above).

Great to finally have a title holding team here at home again, even though I am really only a Hockey fan. B-Ball players all seem to have nice watches though. Saw a couple of Pams, a Jaeger, some Rollies, and several I don't recognize. Go Heat!