JohnQ

The V1 bezel screws on just like the gen. I believe you need the gen tension ring as well.

Well, glad to hear I don't need to cut off the old bezel. How would I get in contact with Diamond Castle or someone else about getting a gen tension ring?

I bought a V1 to see if I liked the size, and as it turns out I do. As a result I bought a franken V2 and a new Blacksteel, but that left me with a rather subpar V1. I got a gen bezel to put on it, but it came without the tension ring. My questions are: Can I get the ring on its own? How do I remove the current bezel? How tough would it be to put the gen on there?

I realize this is never going to be a great rep, but I like the black dial and I'd like to just get it passable until I can find a nice franken for sale.

For a CONUS purchase, is any dealer recommended over the others?

TinEye is a handy way to figure out mystery pics. Not perfect, but better than nothing.

As far as the SA goes, is there only one version? I'm really wanting the white faced model, but I want to make sure I get the best one out there.

Anyone have one of these sitting around or know where I can get one?

If you're in the US Sead is an excellent source for the Ultimate 088. It's very close to gen for a little over $400. All it needs is better lume, and some say a new crown. DSN sells one as well, but from what I've heard the dial is a little off.

There some good Asian movements out there...but the Asian PR movements like on the UN MMD, IWC 7 days and what not are pretty low cost models...costing <$15-20 to replace, so they can't be compared with in quality to a gen Swiss with the Soprod module. The Asian repair approach is rip and replace, whereas the ETA would be a service and rebuild.

If you can source the PR movements, they can be the best value as it only costs a few bucks to replace the movement when it fails...rather then $100's of dollars to maintain an ETA. It depends on the quality and reliability you need.

I assume they work in exactly the same manner, correct? I.E., the asian version is to Swiss as eta clones are to true eta movements?

I had a friend in high school, and every year his grandma would go to Mexico and buy fake rolexes and oakleys for Christmas presents. These were the turn your wrist green variety as well. Crowns falling off, logo falling off the dial, etc.

Hello all. As you can see from the join date, it has taken awhile for me to start posting. This is because for some reason I was entirely unable to sign in to the forums for several months following registration. Anyways, I'm not entirely new to the watch game, I have a decent collection of Japanese autos and have had a few decent reps so far. I started out as a Breitling man, but after hanging around on Repgeek my horizons have started to expand. My interest in Panerai is slowly expanding, and I'm looking at trying my hand at putting a nice 47mm Radiomir homage together in the near future, hopefully gaining skills I can use on other watches. Well, that's me.

Evening. I've been fostering a watch addiction for a long time, and only recently have I gotten to the point where I know what the good stuff is. For a long time it was all Fossil for me, but lately I've been getting into automatics, with Seiko, Orient and a few Invictas. I'm currently in school, and the wife says once I graduate I can buy any watch I want. Sadly, I'm impatient and that's what brings me here. I am interested in seeing what kind of quality pieces I can get for a little less than Brietling entry prices so I can hold off the craving. I've already looked around a bit, and I have to say, nice site. Anyways, see you around.