crystalcranium

That perfect PO looks great with a 3 piece or wet suit!

Solid as a rock. The lume is insane. The bezel movement is smooth and first rate. Like all Seiko's with these automatic movements. the lack of manual winding and hacking is a pain and spoils an otherwise first rate rock of a watch. Diver's extension is a little conplicated and after 2 years, I still cant do it easily!!!

Ah, Le Monsteur Orange. Have this one too. You can read by the lume at night.

Yesssssssss!!!! I'm linked and reading!

Well, you know...it's a genuine BTW, how's the reliability and accuracy of the new Tag? Can we expect a By-Tor review special anytime soon?

Jeeze, that tag Link Chrono is Beautiful!!!! I'm ashamed of what I'm wearing today. No pics of it on me. At least, it's an automatic

Don't Rambo your Venus copy movement. Wind toward the 12:00 position until you feel resistance. If you wind it until you can't wind it anymore, you are going to destroy it. Here's a suggestion. Let the watch run out. Wind it a countable number of turns until slight resistance is felt, then let it run out again. If you get more than 24 hours, recalibrate down the number of winds until you get 24h +- 1 hour, then rewind the next day the same # of turns.

Exactly!!! Intetesting article about water resistance: What makes a watch water-resistant? There are several features that help make a watch water-resistant. The most important is the gaskets, or 0 rings-made of rubber, nylon or Teflon which form watertight seals at the joints where the crystal, case back and crown meet the watch case. if the watch is a chronograph, the chronograph pushers will also have gaskets. In addition, water-resistant watch cases are lined with a sealant, applied in the form of a quick-hardening liquid, which helps keep water out. The thickness and material of the case is also a big factor in determining whether a watch can safely be worn underwater. The case must be sturdy enough to withstand pressure without caving in says John Sokol, technical directors at TAG-Heuer USA in general, this means a steel or titanium case or a steel case plated with gold, manufacturers say. Solid gold cases can be water resistant provided they are sufficiently thick. A screw-in case back, as opposed to one that pushes in, also contributes to a watch's water resistance. A screw-in crown, a feature of many divers' watches, helps prevent water getting into the case through the watch-stem hole. When it is screwed down it forms a water tight seal much like the seal between a jar and its lid. 2. Why aren't watches ever labeled or described in advertising as "waterproof" even if they can be worn deep-sea diving? According to guidelines issued by the Federal Trade Commission, watch marketers are not allowed to label their watches "water-proof." Even watches designed for deep-sea diving cannot claim to be water-proof. 3. My watch is labeled "water-resistant to 50 meters" but the manufacturer's instructions say I can only wear it swimming, not snorkeling or diving. Why is that? The different levels of water resistance as expressed in meters are only theoretical. They refer to the depth at which a watch will keep out water if both watch and the water are perfectly motionless, says Scott Chou, technical director at Seiko Corp. of America. These conditions, of course, are never met in the real swimmer's or diver's world. in real life, the movement of the wearer's arm through the water increases the pressure on the watch dramatically; so it can't be worn to the depths indicated by lab testing machines. 4. What are the various levels of water-resistance? Watches with the lowest level of water resistance are labeled simply "water-resistant." They can withstand splashes of water but should not be submerged. Above that (or below it, literally speaking), the most common designations are -50 meters (1 meter is about 3.3 feet), which means the watch is suitable for swimming; -100 meters; indicating it can be worn snorkeling; -200 meters, suitable for recreational scuba diving and, believe it or not, -1,000 meters (roughly three-fifths of a mile). Watches in this last category can endure deep-sea diving. Their gaskets are made of materials that can withstand the helium used in decompression chambers. Some have valves that let the wearer release the helium that has seeped into the watch so the case won't explode as the watch and diver adjust to normal atmospheric conditions, says Peter Purtschert, technical director at Breitling USA. Keep in mind that the depth specified on the watch dial represents the results of tests done in the lab, not in the ocean (see question 3). 5. I've seen the abbreviation ATM used in labeling degrees of water resistance. What does it mean? It stands for "atmosphere" and it's equal to 10 meters of water pressure. Another word for "atmosphere" is "bar," which is often used in Europe. 6. Is water resistance permanent? No. Water resistance depends on several factors (see question 1), some of which can be affected by wear or simply by time. Gaskets can become corroded or misshapen, cases denied or crystals loose or broken. That's why your watch, like your car and your teeth, needs preventive maintenance. 7. How often does water resistance need to be checked? At least once a year. Most manufacturers say water resistance needs to be tested every time the case back is opened, because opening the case can dislodge the gaskets. This rule applies even to a simple battery change. (Many service centers also change the gaskets whenever a watch comes in for service.) You should take it only to a service center authorized by the manufacturer. Doing otherwise could invalidate your warranty. 8. How is water resistance tested? There are basically two ways of machine-testing water resistance, referred to as "dry" and "wet" testing. In the former, the watch is subjected to air pressure and measurements taken to see whether the case expands as a result of air leaking into the case. If it does, the watch is not water resistant. In one type of "wet" testing, the watch is first subjected to air pressure, then submerged in water. If air bubbles come out of the watch when it is underwater, it means air seeped into the watch before it was submerged, and it is therefore not water-resistant. In another type, the watch is placed in a small water-filled chamber which is then subjected to pressure from a piston. If water gets into the watch, it's not water resistant (this is obviously the riskiest form of water-resistance testing). 9. Can I wear my water resistant watch in the hot tub? No. Exposing your watch to heat, whether it's in a hot tub or sauna can cause the gaskets to lose their shape and their ability to keep out water. 10. What besides extreme temperatures will jeopardize my watch's water-resistance? Some chemicals can corrode the gaskets and make it vulnerable. Heavily chlorinated water can cause problems, as can spray-on perfumes and hairsprays that work their way into the watch's seams and damage the gaskets. (They can also damage your watch's finish.)

So the fact that the glue that holds on the bezel stinks and breaks down quickly doesn't spark suspicions about the long term reliability of the rubber in the o-rings, the mating tolerances with wear of high friction parts like the threads of a case tube and a screw down crown, the quality of the steel and its' resistance to salt corosion at critical points that are potential places for water infiltration ...etc... As I said before, if you take your reps into battle and come out unscathed, more power to you. It's not a risk I'm willing to take with them. Too many I've owned have withstood dives into pools, ocean swimming, and showers only to fog one summer day when I'm cutting the grass It's more prudent to leave the show pieces high and dry and wear the disposables into extreem conditions.

24mm

These "manufacturers" have no one except the replica consumers to answer to. This is unregulated and standardless manufacturing. A Rolex submariner replica with a screw on caseback and screw down crown thats tests to 150m in a pressure test is in no way is representative of the water resistance reliability of the next one that comes off the line than it is of the one that came before it. I understand your point that a well engineered copy has the potential to be brought up to water resistant specs with greased gaskets etc. I'm not suggesting all replicas are poorly made or engineered, just that you are taking an un-warranteed covered risk that is significant even with cautious checking. Why would one think that replica watches, which, through unfortunate personal experience I have found, don't stand up to the rigours of shock and other stresses as well as inexpensive genuines (what do you think is going to survive a drop from three feet better, a Timex or a replica PAM?) would be as reliable as genuines when it comes to water resistance? The fact is, I don't get my waterproof gens near water either so maybe I'm just phobic. I've got a genuine SMP Chrono Diver that's never seen the shower. The only watch that goes in the drink with me is my Seiko Diver. $150 and infinitly replaceable

The water resistance rating printed on your replica is a worthless as the brand name that's printed on it. If you consider the $200+ dollars you've spent on your replica disposable, then by all means, roll the dice with water resistance, but my opinion is the replica factories put most of their quality control into the high level of fidelity of appearance, not reliability. You are paying for how close it looks, not how closely it performs. When you have an indistinguishable replica of an M-1 tank that's got a Chevy V-6 under the hood and plastic replica shells, you'll impress the hell out of your friends parking it in the driveway or driving it down main street on the 4th of July, but you'd be a damn fool taking it into downtown Bagdhad. I don't sweat in my reps. I don't wash my hands when wearing them. I treat them as if they are fine china. If your replicas have proven themselves reliable in harsher enviornments, then wear them and enjoy them and be aware, you have rolled the dice and won. It's just something I'm not willing to do. When I plan and save for my dream replica, the last thing I'm going to do with my beautiful piece is dunk it in the drink.

That's right. too many of us expect the clandestine replica factories to replicate the "flawless" nature of swiss made time pieces as well. This is a less that honest business that tends to do pretty well in the QC department. They are not regulated by government edict or inspection, they are only responsible to the consumer. When you factor in this "they have no one to answer to" issue, I think the watches we get at the prices we get are pretty remarkable. A nick here, a scratch there every 7-8 purchases or so???? I don't consider that lousy QC. Remember what you are buying.

I am an MD and will just advise you that every medical procedure has a risk/reward ratio that must be carefully examined befor making your decision. Certainly, lasik procedures have become common and simple as the technology has improved. I'm certain you can find a favorably referenced outfit to do your surgery and there are many that will testify to wonderful results, but do be aware what you are doing is an elective procedure. There are many in my profession, myself included, who believe ANY surgical intervention should be necessary and only after non invasive procedures have been exhausted. What you are considering, and the way you are framing it in terms of saving money long term on glasses, contact lenses, drs appointments etc, puts this procedure in the catagory of the cosmetic and not the medical. What are the chances of there being a problem? Very, very small. What are the chances of you having vision complications from the surgery if you do not have the surgery? Zero. What are the chances of that very small probably of problems affecting your vision for the rest of your life? Pretty high. That's your dice roll.

The only thing I can add is that Joshua may be a special case. His customer service is second to none. I have had several issues with pieces I bought from him and the result has always been satisfactory. Did you know he tests all of the watches he sends out? Even the notorious old 7750's apparently get an overnight function test of the movement and stopwatch so very few arrive the dreaded DOA. He is currently modifying the movement of an Omega Moonwatch for me, freezing the hour hand on the non functional subdial BEFORE I've paid him for the piece so when I can pay him on 8/11, the watch will be ready to ship out immediatly. He also quoted me a price for the modification that was much lower than the price I told him I was willing to pay. I have read posts from others where he has sourced parts for them for watches they did not buy from him. I have not bought from Andrew, King, TTK or any of the others here so I cannot testify to their level of customer service, but I can't see how they could be any better at it than Josh is. In a business where dealers are here today, gone tomorrow, this guy has my highest praise for excellent business practices.

Of course I'm not addicted but when it was down the other day, I did get the shakes and cold sweats!

Replicolia

I agree. It's less than other prices I've been quoted for the same service and I don't have to pay for the additional shipping. Also, I offered Joshua $50 for the hand freezing service when I made my first inquiry and he came back with a price of $30 after he checked with his watchsmith. What an honest business man!!! I know he is a bit more expensive than some of the other dealers out there but the customer service is first rate. I have never had an unpleasant interaction with him and I have had some issues with a piece or two that required additional action on his part. His responses are always quick and satisfying.

No disrespect to our other dealers out there but Josh is simply my favorite. He has just agreed to send me a modified Omega Moon Watch with a frozen 6 o'clock subdial hand for $30 extra over the normal purchase price of $248. Saves me the expense and inconvience of shiping it out for this needed modification and I get to wear it and keep it from delivery day on. Thanks man!!!

I used this site as a reference for years. What a dope! I could have sent my son to a semester in college for what I wasted on watches from their recommended sites.

Sounds like a class act

This is what I figured. Josh has several models listed as plated, wrapped and solid and he has never misrepresented a product to me. He specifically states the bezel and crown are solid. He confirmed this in an email conversation.

Yep but perhaps you might introduce it as something other than a replica to begin with. Replica says "Canal Street" and quartz powered Rolex to just about everyone. I tell everyone who asks that it's "a high fidelity, swiss mechanical movement copy" and that it's "nearly indistinguishable from the genuine". I make sure I describe the rarity of such 99% accurate reproductions. This usually creates intrigue and interest. "Just how does one get one of these" is usually where the conversation goes next.

This is one of the only solid gold TT I have been able to find. Price with shipping is about $500. Opinions please????

As of 12:15 EDT it is still down. I got a message apologizing for inconvience claiming server problems