solicitor

Very nice, indeed! I'd seriously consider getting one, but on principle I have difficulty spending over $700.00 on a Rep. I really like the beautiful OEM strap! Mind if I ask if there was anything wrong with the Rep strap provided? Also, when you replaced the strap, were you able to use screws or did you use the push pins? Again, a beautiful watch, rep or gen!

Yes, I can. I'm considered a Great Ape, however, not a monkey.

It does not have a conventional balance wheel. It uses a "glide wheel", which serves a similar function, but it rotates only in one direction. I hope that helps...

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm considering getting the Ti bracelet for this beauty:

Yeah, I know what you mean. I couldn't resist this GEN, either....

New pics added above....

Re: AR: This is a new watch, so there's not a lot of info. available yet. However, all of Arctos' other watch crystals have anti-reflective coating. GENS vs. REPS: I'm not familiar with other GENS with a SOLID ceramic CASE. If there are others, I'd doubt they're at this price point. Anyway, the point I was making is that the stated reason for the high price of the new Hublot Ceramic REP was the cost of the ceramic bezel, which is hard to understand considering the price of this watch (with a swiss movement)... AVAILABILITY: I'd check their WEBSITE for availability.

This forum is being closely monitored for sales of Rep watches. Is posting links such a good idea?

This is just one reason why I'm becoming disenchanted with Reps lately: ARCTOS GPW K1 The Specs: Arctos K112 26 jewel Swiss auto movement (Sellita SW200, 2824 based clone) Solid Ceramic case, available in white or black Titanium crown and caseback 44mm excluding crown 15.5mm height Extra thick sapphire crystal (to 3.5mm) Lug width: 24mm Water-resistant DIN 8310

An excellent review. That took time to put together, no doubt! This is why this forum is a great resource. Good job, great info., and thanks!

So, has anyone actually ordered the new ceramic HBB? I always admire those who put their wallet where their mouth is...

I don't know about you guys, but I find this "GAF" vs. "HAF" discussion hilarious...

Coming from an AD, that sounds like a good deal to me!

Rubber strap. The MSRP is USD$3,300.00, so it's over 40% off. That's pretty astonishing to me! Well, it WAS astonishing, anyway.

Deal fell through..."damaged" stock, the reason. Otherwise, sold-out (which was true). Damn. I am [censored] and a little embarrassed. Talk about "countin' chickens"!

That explains so much! Great article.

A beautiful rep, but with all due respect how do you guys get past the continual QC issues, particularly the reliability problems with the movement? I've been collecting reps for a while now, and I honestly can't understand why that is so readily accepted. What am I'm missing? Seriously, I don't get it.

I think this is true. The luxury watch market is an artificial contrivance. Then again, we are not talking about a necessity here, such as fuel or a basic utility, so you won't catch me rationalizing my questionable hobby by exposing the profiteering motive of some innocuous watch company. As obvious as this point is, it's worth repeating: if you need to tell time, go buy a Seiko at 75% off retail and you'll be set for life. But as someone simply stated, "I don't buy watches to tell me the time". It is generally reported that the manufacturer makes 100% profit on what it costs them to manufacture, market, etc., their watches. Yeah, as repugnant as this may sound, I believe they deserve to be even further compensated by someone who copies their design. I just can't accept the idea that just because they're doing ridiculously well it therefore follows that someone is given license (no pun intended) to rip-off their designs. If high profits truly [censored] people off, why don't they just compete by encouraging the Chinese makers to simply create their own designs and sell them at reasonable prices? Because the Chinese understand it is not that simple, and they realize that buying a reasonably priced watch has never been the reason why we buy reps. For better or worse, the fact remains we buy into the artificially contrived luxury watch market almost as much as the fool who thinks 10% off the MSRP is a bargain! On a personal note, the continual QC problems of reps has convinced me to start buying Gens again. And I have to tell you, the feeling of wearing a Rep is no where near as satisfying as knowing I'm wearing a Gen that I paid 40% off the MSRP for! Be well!

^^ Now, that's the second best prank of the day! lol

I have three Steinhausen quad watchwinders. All have worked almost 24/7 for over a year thus far with no problems. Not a bad value. To get a superior product you have to pay a LOT more money. Acetimers look comparable and are a little cheaper in price, but I have no personal experience with those.

I'm not much in favor of retroactive application of newly proscribed rules. I think a "probation" period would be more appropriate, with clearly delineated rules which would become mandatory for all dealers to follow within a reasonable period of time. If they refuse or fail to comply with these rules, they would face indefinite suspension until they are willing to do so. I like many of Edge's suggestions regarding clear, accurate descriptions and photographs. Regarding the partnership of Andrew, Josh, and the others, I don't think we have any right to require their dissolution. The "cartel' theory is probably a bit overblown from what I can discern from what has been written. How can a cartel work if only a few dealers are involved? I do, however, understand the concern about the alleged price-fixing among the four dealers. By the same token, before we can justifiably do something about it, I believe there must be more compelling evidence shown that indeed their pricing policies, to the extent they are "fixed", are unreasonably inflated compared to those offered by their competitors who provide qualitatively comparable watches and service. Personally, other than deliberate misrepresentations or omissions, my biggest issue with most of the dealers is the lack of effective quality control. I have had defective watches sold to me by several dealers here. To their credit, they all offered a replacement. To me, however, it would make far more business sense for a dealer (and it would certainly promote goodwill among their customers) to take steps to prevent the problem in the first place. My 2 cents.

Excellent review! How about the overall quality of the bracelet? I often have trouble with the deployant clasp not locking tight enough.

I will definitely post some pics after it arrives....

Suffice it to say it was "grey market", so it wasn't as perfect a deal as say buying from an AD would have been. BTW, they're sold-out! If they weren't, I'd tell ya. As it is, I like getting first dibbs on these bargains. Sorry. I can't wait 'til it arrives on Friday. .

I'm growing weary and wary with all the problems associated with buying reps lately: how to make payments, customs crackdowns, inexplicably obvious flaws, misrepresentations, quality control, and the general anxiety about buying illegal goods. So, I just pulled the trigger on a BNIB Gen Planet Ocean, Ref. 2900.50.91. Paid an outstanding price=$1900.00USD, delivered. Arrives by Friday. Yeah, yeah, I know this is a Rep world, and I could have gotten seven "ultimate reps", but did I do good? Anyone understand and share my frustrations with reps?