Agrippa

Thanks a lot for the links, very useful indeed! So far I've received every catalogue I've requested, except the ones from Breguet and Vacheron Constantin. The VC I later requested and received from the local distributor after 3 or 4 failed attempts at getting it via the web site. The Breguet I haven't gotten around to begging for yet. Every other catalogue arrived quickly and without a hitch, with Ebel being the first to appear.

As Dani said, serviced movements (as an optional extra at least) and better lume are the things I want the most. I also agree with Ronin that logistics centres would be nice, although I'm sure it won't happen. Not so much because of the shipping out, as for when a watch has to be returned. I've yet to experience any problems requiring the return of a watch, but if I did I would be seriously hesitant in shipping it back to China, both because of the time it takes and the chance of it disappearing down a black hole.

All dealers carry Breitling deployants, you just need to e-mail and ask if it's not on the site. Whether or not they'll sell you just the strap/deployant without the watch depends on the dealer - some will, some won't. As per usual I'd suggest asking Tony @ asian7750.com, as he's always been happy to get me any small bits and bobs I've asked for.

My bet would be that it's a strong yellow tint in the AR. Not that I know that for sure, but I've seen a number of photos where that's been quite evident and it's also been mentioned on the forum a few times. If that turns out to be the problem, I guess your only options are to send it off somewhere to have the AR re-done, or to exchange the watch. There are certainly Day-Dates with excellent AR out there; I can't see even a hint of a yellowish (or different coloured) cast on my white Day-Date.

You might want to check with Tony @ asian7750.com. He's always been perfectly happy to sell me odds and ends, regardless of whether they're for watches I've gotten from him, or not. Worth a try anyway.

I got one too after reading By-Tor's brilliant review and it's one of my absolute favourites. If you fancy getting a strap for it, Galleonhouse eBay shop carries 22mm genuine Ebel straps. I got myself a croc strap from there not long ago, which looks fantastic on the 1911. The selection is unpredictable though, as it comes from overstock, bankruptcies and such.

Sadly true. It's gonna have to be a black one of some description methinks, as it looks far less conspicuous with a black datewheel.

Oooooo, shiny!! Looking very much forwards to the first review! Seems like a great rep, although it's a damn shame about that sunken datewheel. Oh well, can't have it all I guess.

Nice pics and I'm sure they have a great time, but... "the underwater side of sea ice shown in all its diversity for the first time" ...eh, no. It must be well over 10 years since the first time I saw a documentary from below the polar ice and since then scientists and regular divers have been diving there every year. In fact, these days you can buy organised diving trips there every summer.

I'm in Norway, but I'm quite happy to get the frame from anywhere on the planet. Oh, and as an atheist of long standing, I must admit I never even thought of asking Jesus. If I had thought of it, I'd probably have asked his dad Joseph instead, since he had way more experience. His son kinda left the family business early on, so I'm thinking his work would have been inferior.

Hi folks, I'm wondering if there's anybody on the forum who might be willing and able to help me out with something. Basically I need a small wooden frame in which to mount a few small items and and to be hung on the wall. We're talking approx. 7-8" x 5.5" and with a depth of 1.5-2", so nothing very big. I'm thinking rosewood, palisander, cedar or something similarly nice. If anyone here can help out, either themselves or by directing me to a good place to have it made, I'd really appreciate a PM.

I'm not sure getting your stuff stopped in customs is all that much to worry about. Three or four of my watch shipments been opened, but none have incurred any charges, nor been confiscated. As far as duties go it's just as matter of making sure they're declared at or below $30. I do that with everything I order from abroad anyway (which is just about everything I buy, except for food & drink), if at all possible, and the dealer/shops who refuse to mark their stuff down are few and far between.

What a great find - great cinematography, impeccably produced, educational and featuring the unmatched cool of Jean Reno. Thanks a lot!

Just about everyone who are buying replicas are sleazy and stupid then. Darn, that's a lot of sleazy, stupid people....

Christ on a bike! I've been here well over a year now and I'm sure that's the first time I've seen anyone acknowledge that obvious truth. Kudos to you man! It's not that I necessarily doubt the ones who claim to tell all and sundry that they're wearing replicas, but of the 24.284 who are members here as I write, I'm sure the percentage of "shameless rep wearers" is way below 1.

So I'm still in need of a true dress watch and I'm considering an F. A. Jones as my next acquisition. However, the only IWC buckle seemingly available is this one... ...and it is so obviously wrong for the dressier watches. It is brushed, it is angular, it as far too modern and obviously meant to match a watch with a modern design. Instead I'd like something like this, the buckle which goes with the actual F. A. Jones... ...but sadly I've not been able to find anything like it. Does anyone know if there are more than one IWC buckle, or for that sake more than one style of deployant? It's not a huge deal by any means, as I'd be happy to use a different buckle on what will certainly be an aftermarket strap. It'd just be nice to to get an IWC one if one in fact exists.

It's kinda cold in Norway still, so a little flame won't do him any harm at all. I understand you perfectly mate - there's hardly a more contemptibly annoying thing than some empty-headed shop assistant who thinks he or she has clocked you perfectly based on your attire on the day. I've done the exact same thing many a time, only not with replicas (yet), and I'll continue to do so every time the opportunity presents itself. In any case, in a run of the mill shop selling the aforementioned brands there's basically no chance of running into anyone who knows about watches, including their own.

Personally I have no issue with them charging for their services as long as they are clearly specified, or obviously said services would be non-existant. What I object to as underhanded and devious is their inflated exchange rates, which likely makes them as much money as the charges do.

Not only do they charge for everything under the sun, but their exchange rates are f*cking ludicrous. They have to be literally swimming in money.

I've always been charged for my gift payments, without exception.

Ok, so I can't be 100% certain, seeing as I don't know every Longines ever made. I'm pretty sure, however, that Longines has never made a watch in a cheapo, can't-possibly-be-mistaken-for-gold-except-by-a-blind-man, "gold tone" finish (which has started flaking off in several places). Granted they're nowhere near the top of the watch world food chain, but I'm sure they have rather more pride than that. As for who's selling it - well, I guess there aren't any watch enthusiasts in the Canadian police then. Interesting find though, if only because it really is extraordinarily repulsive.

No and no. It's just a cheap fantasy rep.

Oy! I ride the bus too. Come to think of it I also wear t-shirts, although I don't own any shorts. Nevertheless I could pick up a genuine Navitimer or two tomorrow if I was so inclined, and afterwards I'd still be riding buses. Years ago I knew a multi-millionaire who'd left the rat race, hung out with the homeless guys and spent his nights under bridges and on hot air vents. He used to be the head stable master for the Saudi royal family and still wore a Patek. I got to know him after I offered to buy him a burger, which he politely declined and instead bought me a three course meal at the most expensive place in town. Only the mentally limited judge others by their appearance or their chosen mode of transportation.

I'd be perfectly comfortable wearing that watch. As long as I was in a body bag, zipped up closely. No problem.

While papers obviously can be used to defraud prospective victims, I doubt someone who comes out and asks on the forum has any such intentions. I can certainly see the attraction for someone who wants to have a complete collection of stuff associated with a watch, not to mention the benefit to those who pass their reps off as genuine to friends and acquaintances. Which I'm sure easily accounts for most of the silent majority of the membership here. Hell, I'd like a complete set of papers for any one of my watches myself, simply because I've never actually seen those items and it'd be cool to make their acquaintance.