crystalcranium

It's tough to say. These customized pieces will appreciate considerably,...but not in our lifetime. They are works of art and will gain value from a combination of rarity, body of work of the artist, desireability...all the things that determine the going value for fine artwork. Unless you have a custom piece from the likes of a George Daniels, I'd say immediate significant return isn't in the cards. perhaps a custom piece by a rising star like RG Murphy might be more affordable and pay off in a reasonable amount of time.

Nahhh, I'd rather have a quartz!!!! (Sorry) Incredible stuff and you are right, a steal at that price.

Wow, similar horologic paths. I can remember crossing the pedistrian bridge from around San Diego into Mexico 20 years ago and plunging head long into the outdoor markets full of replica watches thinking I had arrived in heaven. I bought a ticking gold plated President that turned my wrist green and loved it. I stopped by buydesignerwatch.com and dropped close to two grand 6 years ago on 4 ETA replicas of Submariners before I reached the promised land right here.

First of all, the IP was asking where are the quartz reps.....and my answer was and is ...Canal Street. If you notice, I did not say all quartz watches are souless. The accurate cheap quartz movements mass produced in asia that pervade the watch industry today, the digital display multi function gadget watches are not timepieces IMO. There are beautiful timepieces sold by Omega, Tag and Tissot to name a few that heve a quartz engine that I would consider buying. Quartz watch owners "losers"??? Where did you get that? Little too much testosterone flowing today. Looks like you're sportin for a fight????

Now thats a quartz with some soul. Nice battle scars!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice way to introduce yourself. So I guess your point is that if someone produced a lights out replica of a mechanical watch that was indistinguishable from the genuine article and dropped a quartz movement in it and sold it for a song, say $50, sales would be through the roof? Two words for you.....well OK 4 words for you but I'll only type two...Canal Street. It's been done for years. They are produced by the hundreds of thousands and yes....you are correct, they sell like hotcakes. Last time I looked, the replica state of the art discussed here was a little more highbrow.

That Lo Mein is a killer. I cant budge my wedding ring today!

WOW!!!!! Isn't McMaster-Carr great????? Most outrageous shipping efficency of any company I have ever dealt with. I've ordered from them at 7PM EST and recieved a package during business hours the next day. They certainly have everything.

Maybe...but I can tell you from personal experience that buying Chinese movements from Clockspares or Ofrei and getting them to fit in replica cases and fitting replica dials and hands is not an endeavor for the novice watch tinkerer. I was dissatisfied 4 times out of 5. As for the movement, yes, the wheel looks wide enough to fit in the date opening on Rolex dials. Whether it is centered, whether you can mount the dial or fit the hands is up for grabs. The date wheel overlays used in most replicas that match font and centering are a rare item. There are some dark "psst...hey you...I got some for ya..." shadowy links to obtaining them but I've never taken the plunge. I don't think they are an item you can just purchase one of.

You pay whatever you want for what you want. No body really cares! Two of the most popular replicated watches, the Tag Link and the Omega Seamaster are offered by their respective companies in both formats. All I can do to illuminate the appeal of mechanical watch ownership to the true afficianatos is to offer an analogy. I love watching 12 meter class yacht racing. The skill and teamwork of a racing crew onboard a beautifully engineered, fimely tuned racing boat as it slices the seas gets my blood pumping. Does it lessen the experience one bit knowing that a guy on a Jet Ski could cover the same course twice as fast at a fraction of the cost????? Not a bit. Am I excited by a passion to watch Jet Ski racing??? Not even a little. Watch technology was driven for years by the quest for the ultimate in accuracy. The quartz watch forever changed the rules and expectations and in a way, freed up the mechanical artists to create marvelous beauty. A perfectly engineered mechanical chronometer has a personality. A Casio Quartz is souless. A chess match between two brilliant grand Masters is no less a study in fantastic multi level human intellect just because Deep Blue can wipe the floor with both of them. OK....off the soap box!!!

Paul's a reputable guy and he's been around a while. His history is a bit spotty though but I think you'll get your watch. But, be forwarned....if you spend any meaningful time in this hobby, you must learn to accept loss as part of the cost of doing business. Customs seizures, lost packages, disreputable dealers, DOA watches are all part of the game. Make sure the cash you have to spend on these things is truly disposable.

My suggestion would be to buy one of the cheap winders on the bay, one of the disposable ones for around $40, canibalize the electronics and DC motors, upgrade where you can and start from there. If you're looking to hook up Mom's old washing machine motor to a series of belts and reduction gears, I'd say you're in for a steep learning curve. I'm a reproduction woodworker in my spare time and I have fantisized about making a custom, high quality winder in exotic woods for a while. The mechanicals would be an outsourced item for sure.

Looks like a comfort accomodation but as Ubi said, would do little more to protect the balance staff from breakage than tne Incabloc shock protection. That shock protection is primarily designed to protect the BW from damage due to drops. Speaking as someone who's wrist size can vary greatly with Chinese food intake and water, a cushioned watch that adjusts to swelling and edema might be worth a look!!!!

Rehaut looks excellent but.....all SDs have HV issues. 1-1 perfect replica???? Really??? Can you use OEM parts? Is the crystal the same thickness as the genuine???

It depends on why you bought the replica. If you bought it as a consumable, disposable item, then ride on. If you bought it as a precious piece then put it under glass. You cannot expect any level of genuine quality performance from replicas. I have had more reps fog from sweat than any other reason. If it's a keeper, wear it well and carefully. I'm something of a white glove collector. Whenever I do anything remotely threatning I don't wear a watch. My Dad, on the other hand, owns a Girard Peregeaux that he wears painting the house. It's the Ying and Yang thing!!!

That's exactly the point. I believe certain replicas represent a tremendous value but they are few and far between. What we're seeing here is a ceiling push by the dealers to gauge just how far we'll go. There's lots of enthusiasm on this board for the latest wave of suposedly 1-1 replicas and I have to admit, the level of counterfeit fidelity is getting very good. They are not, nor will they ever be forgery class, but I can feel my juices flowing when the latest Breitling clone comes out and it's beautifully reproduced. It's this emotional, sensual response to our watch passion that ALL watch manufacturers, replica and genuine, count on to drive a luxury item buy. The replica buying decision has to be tempered with good judgement and more than just a little skepticisim. A luxury price for an un-waranteed, poorly QC'd watch of unknown origins quickly tempers my enthusiasm. A mid to high hundreds genuine is always a better choice.

The reason I came to RWG was to be saved from $500-$600 replicas. I think it's absolute lunacy to shell out that kind of scratch for a replica. The whole point here I thought was value for the dollar. I'd rather be known as a legitimate Oris owner, a fine watch, than pay a similar amount to be a phony. No value in paying that much for a fake. An asian 7750 chrono for $275 is a fine value, for $499 it's just plain stupid.

Absolutely agree. I could never justify paying more than $300 for a replica. The beauty of these watches is literally skin deep. If Bulova, Tissot, or Hamilton can give me a beautiful mechanical chronograph for around $650 all of which smell, and perform very Swiss, why would I pay 2/3 this for a "super-rep". The fidelity of the copying technology might be getting better but you can be assured what's under the greasepaint and polish is the same ol same ol.

A sober, measured, thoughtful response to the forum input.

MBW My Brain Wasted. I probably would have bought these a few years ago! Thanks RWG

Uncle...you win .......last word freak.....

Still love watches, facinated with time and mechanical timepieces but I am suffering from a little acquisitional burn out. I was pretty driven for a while to buy up everyting I saw but for now I'm sated. I've sold all of my reps save for the obligitory sub and a beautiful gold FA jones my wife loves and aquired some delicious gens from Omega, Hamilton and Maurice Lacroix. I'm full right now... but maybe just a little dessert!!!

As I said, your condemnation of said dealers and their practices is noted and clear. You obviously believe they would be a continued detrement to this community. I don't understand, other than some pretty obvious narsisistic self aggrandizing, why you continue to challenge my desire to have a discussion (with others obviously) in another direction.

Apart from replacing a blown transformer....it's been fine???? That's funny! Winders are one of the most adherent products to the "you get what you pay for" maxim I've encountered.

I'm not going to argue with you. Perhaps I should have used the word "manipulation" to describe what drives all advertising methodologies. Every time you sip on a soft drink or buy a box of detergent, your choice has been manipulated and influenced by inputs of which you are only partially aware. Is that lying in your book? Sure, telling me its an ETA when it's not is a lie and that's exactly what's being called out here. How reprehensible a lie it is in the grand scheme of things is up for debate and discussion. Your vote is loud and clear. You're an absolutist. It either is or it isn't. Sinner or saint. You're the guy carrying the protest sign outside, pumping his fist, chanting your cause,....I'm more a grey zone negotiator trying to broker understanding inside the building between all parties involved. Several weeks ago, Pugwash posted a bold thread calling attention to "little lies" (notice the wording...little lies...is there such a thing in your book???) that were increasing in number and uncomfortably pushing the limits of advertising ethics. The response to the thread was enthusiastic, angry, and concerned. When no noticible change came of it, Edge posted an even more passionate call to arms to take some action or come to some consensus over what to do about this troubling trend. This won't go away, the dealers in question have to address it. My question in the previous post was about do we do the replica buying community a service throwing out the baby with the bath water?