Smab

I've read some tip about removing the stem and crown, and then try to squeeze the crown tube with some pliers, carefully making it a little tighter. Perhaps I will try it..

Hello fellow members. I am asking for a tip on this issue, perhaps someone share the same experience? I got this Pilot Chrono 377717 last summer (steel bracelet and blue dial). After a couple of days, I noticed the crown did not screw in properly aligned. All though I am very careful, I have collected reps for a decade and been a member at the forum for as long as well. After I tried to screw it back in a couple of times, to make it aligned, I noticed the threads of the crown seemed to be weakening. And now it is totally impossible to screw it back in. So, only thing to do is to swap the tube and the crown, but were can I source the parts? I notice there are som gen parts on the marked, but It will cost me the price of a new rep. So, is it possible to source part from the dealer, or someone, perhaps? Should I complain? It is the Z-Factory who make this model. Dealer (xx) is a well known trusted source.

Hi There Gran:) I have the Le Petit Prince edition with blue dial. ZF-factory. Did you exprience some issues with the crown since you got the watch almost a year ago? I bought mine abot 8months ago. After a couple of weeks the crown seemed to be stripped, slowly but surely. It began when I discovered it looked like it screwed back in misaligned. After a couple of attemts to screw it gently in again to have it aligned, it kind of slipped and now it barely locks in place. Is it possible to source spare part from the dealer, perhaps?

I got the Omega Planet Ocean Ti 45.5mm 10th of July. So, because of some issues about the stem, It is a little difficult to adjust the time of this item. That is the reason why I have kept it running ever since, had it on my wrist at least every other day, to maintain the power reserve. It has now been running continously for 43 days. And I just checked the time server. It is 22 seconds too fast!!... That is 22 seconds off in 43 days! An averidge error of only about 0.5 seconds too fast a day! This is by far the most accurate watch I've got. Even more accurate than my GEN SOSF 2010 model, which I purchased in 2012. The Breitling SOSF is officially certified chronometer by the COSC in Switzerland. Still, it is usually about 10-20 seconds off in a week. And this is a freaking rep?? I noticed allready some time ago, it was running just a little too fast, it was actually near a minute to fast a couple of weeks ago, but it has slowed a little again. It can be due to I wore it more radomly a couple of days, and the PR was getting low, I reckon. But, the averidge accuracy of the movement is so satisfying I never doubt it is within 30-60 seconds (fast) from the official time servers for 1 1/2 month now. I must say, this is not the one with the Asian "POS" movement, the socalled hibeat 2813, this one has a "rebuild" (according to the TD) Swiss ETA. It is also stamped with the correct ETA markings, stating it is a 2836-2 ETA. It has the more advanced shock absorber (different from the Novodiac or Etachoc). The metal ring around this Incablock system is made of two half rings. The Novodiac/Etachoc is one solid ring around the pivot jewel and the shock spring. The swiss ETA's seen on reps, have both of these systems installed, this Incablock system is supposed to be a little better. Well. some say the swiss on reps, are not swiss at all, but Asian clones. I don't know, it looks gen ETA to me, but I am not an expert. So let me share this pic. Is it a true ETA? If it is an Asian clone, they sure did a heck of a job making this my most accurate watch (and by far most accurate rep when it comes to time keeping).

Been a while since this tread was updated. Same problem with my PO LM Ti. Swiss 2836-2. Will not click pass the time set (hack) position when I push the crown back in after time set. After some jiggling it finally clicks, most often just until I screw it back in. Seems to "jump" pass the date set postion when this occurs (every time I try). It is possible to set date if you pull out from winding pos, but not push back from time set pos.

This is a true Titanium case and bracelet. I have one my self, but not from Toro. It is the same model though, the BP factory 45,5mm Ti Liquid Metal. The Ti is much, much lighter than an SS watch. It is a little darker also, if one is not used to Ti, it may feel a little light (missing some of the heft one would expect from such a large watch). The Ti model is almost 100 grams less than the SS model. The pictures from Toro' site are of the older version, but he carries the updated version like the ones from the cartel dealers. So, the problems with the pearl are now sorted out, and the bezel and dial have a very nice metallic blue shine, changes color by the light, like the GEN. But, whereever you choose to by from, do NOT choose the Asian clone, it is a crap movement, not the one they state as "Asian Clone 2836", but rather a clone of the Asian clone (also called new breed highbeat A2813).

At least it is not the clone of a clone Asian 2836, probably a reassembled swiss ETA. It is difficult to tell without proper macro to see the actual ETA stamp by the balance wheel.

Why on earth is the bezel not mounted???

This is the Ti Liquid Metal model. Available both with Swiss ETA and "Asian 2836 clone" and both 45,5 and 42mm now available. The cartel dealers among others, sell them. This is made by the BP factory, as far as I know. The Noob PO is not available in Ti as of yet. The Asian clone PO is approx 60USD less than the swiss and sells for a little over 300USD. But, sadly, the Asian clone model is not a true 2836 clone, it is a "2813 New Breed Highbeat 28.800", as seen in the budget Rollies selling at about 150USD and up. The budget Rollies is advertised as "2813 highbeat", whereas the PO is advertised as "Asian 2836 clone". Both the price and the text should speak for a true Asian 2836 clone, but is not. As seen in different treads here and at RWG.bz, it does not have a true 1:1 fit with the ETA hands and stem etc. Also the dial feet is screws, while the Asian 2836 clone and swiss ETA has dial clamps.

They have clearly put Asian 2813 Highbeat movt in the SOSF V2 "asian clone 2836-2" and the PO Ceramic "Asian Clone 2836". Just study the pictures and you'll see it is the same movements as in the budget Rollies with "Asian 2813 New Breed Highbeat 25j 28.800". The Budget Rollies selling from around 150USD, the SOSF and PO Ceramic around 270-300 USD! Of cource they can charge this and sell it, since an actual clone would justify the price, but not the 2813 highbeat! Study the pictures! Do not buy anything with silver centered rotor ball bearings assembly. Only go with the ones with golden center. Sometimes claimed as Swiss ETA, but probably that is the actual Asian 2836 clones. Hangzhou and Sea-Gull make good ETA clones. Who made this 2813 Highbeat stuff I have no clue. Major issues, described over at RWI and RWG.BZ.

Hello fellow members. Hope to get some input from you to enlighten the issue with the "new breed Asian 2813 Highbeat 28.800 25j" movement, these show up as budget options on some Rollies, but also in some models not budget at all (i.e. SteelFish SuperOcean V2 Asian Clone 2836-2). Planet Ocean Ceramic Asian 2836 clone etc. Seems the BP factory are using this budget movement and calling it an Asian Clone 2836, and the models are priced in the upper 200 lower 300 ish price range. At the same time the same movements are sold as it should have been, as a "A2813" highbeat at prices ranging from 150-ish up to lower 200 ish. Who is scamming who here? The factories, the dealers?

I've checked around - you can get this same movement in the Explorer I 36mm with superlume 1:1 dimensions and free freight, at 158USD... The BP Ceramic A2836 "clone" should have been 100USD less than it is currently sold for, with this movement. Approx 200-220USD.

Update: the claimed asian 2836 clone, is not that. It is the same movement as seen in the budget BP Rollies, the socalled "Asian 2813 new breed hibeat 25j 28.800" movement. It is a very cheap movment, the bad thing is this has ended up in a +300USD watch claming to be an Asian 2836 clone. I reckon all the BP PO Ceramic sold as Asian clone 2836 has the cheapy movement. Nothing worth keeping. This should have been sold at approx 200USD. Compare to the BP DSSD with the same movement, it goes at approx 218USD, sometimes also with free freight. Only difference is the 8500 decorated rotor and markings. See my post from today in the Omega section...

Hello there, GenTLe. I got in touch with the dealer once I received the watch, as it was a different movement then the "swiss ETA" on the dealers pictures. Should have seen it on the QC pics, but it was not what I was looking for, I didn't know the differene visually either at the moment. First thing to look out for, is the center in the rotor ball bearing. The claimed swiss has a golden center. So does the ETA clones from the known Hangzhou and Seagull i.e.. but this thing, it has a silver center. Also the different regulator fork and different shock spring for the balance. I then reckon I got the Asian clone 2836, the dealer told me to ship it back. Since I paid and ordered the swiss.. But later, as I saw the momement on the budget DSSD, I noticed it was very much the same, besides the decorated rotor and markings on the PO. Then I realized they are selling BP PO with claimed Asian clone 2836, but really use the cheapest hibeat available in models from a little more than 100 usd. And the asian PO ceramic sells for more than 300 USD! Probably they use the same movement in other models also, I also saw the tread on RWI. Since the dealer wants to sort things out, I will not blame him. It is the same model they sell at the cartel dealers. I guess all BP watches with claimed A2836 clone can have this crap movement, it is much, much cheaper than the actual asian clones, as seen from Hangzhou and Sea-Gull. Since a lot of fellow members seems to belive it is better to stick with the asian option, to get a new movement, that can be quite good, I feel it is esential to learn the difference between a "good" asian 2836/2824 clone and the cheap models. Noone that is interested in keeping a good rep for some time, wants the A2813 hibeat, it has numerous issues, and it is a very cheap movement, not like the actual asian ETA clones.

Here are the pics of the DSSD A2813 "new breed" hibeat 25j, and the PO Ceramic (BP) "A2836 clone". Only difference is the decorated rotor and the 8500 decorations on the movement holder...

Hello dear fellow members. It is possible this has been posted in earlier threads, but I feel I must tell you the result of my investigations, it was really a coincidence. As the most strange thing happended, my BP DSSD with the cheapest movment option "A2813 Hibeat new breed 25j movement) - When I picked it up the other day, the HE valve had fallen out!. I tried to put it back in, but it seems it will not get entirely into the hole. So I used the sticky tape ball and opened the freaking thing. Inside is the movement. This is also the same movement used in some of the cheapest models of SUB and other Rollies. It has replaced the earlier A2813 low-beat in some models. This is typically used in reps from a 100-150USD. My DSSD costs 218, but much, much cheaper than the ETA Asian Clone and Swiss ETA versions ranging about 400 USD. So, it is a very cheap movmement. The cheapest hibeat they use. If you have option for Asian2836 or Asian2824 clone, they are usually significantly more expencive. Then it came to my mind, it looked rather similar to something else I have been studying lately. The movement of my BP PO Ceramic. I ordered and paid for swiss ETA 2836, but got the Asian Clone 2836. I could tell from the movement, since the watch has crystal caseback, and you don't have to open it to see the movement. Ok, so people are telling me I should keep the watch, get it serviced or something, and maybe ask for a refund. I got something less than I paid for. But, it seems it is much worse. This Asian clone 2836 they claim to be using in the BP Ceramic, is not an 2836 clone. It is the cheapy A2813 hibeat, as used in watches from 100-150USD and up! Same [censored], it is almost impossible to get it into the time change mode (crown is somewhat stuck in the first mode, date change mode), and one has to attempt many times before it clicks out into the time change mode. So, I paid 368USD + freight for a A2813 hibeat, a movement costing something like 30-35USD??? To all of you guys getting the Asian Clone 2836 PO Ceramic, it is the crap movement they sell in the budget Rollies! I reckon the socalled swiss ETA is really the Asian Clone 2836 then, it looks more like an ETA.

Hi again. I notice from the different dealer pics of claimed swiss 2824-2, they all have the ETA stamp and the "2824-2" stamp just outside of the balance wheel. But as you suggest, it seems they are using whatever they can source, some standard or elabore and some top grade or chronometre ETAs. Difference is the "etashock (novadiac)" and "incablock" device on the balance ruby. The "incablock is identified beeing a two part ring around the balance ruby spring, but the etashock is a one piece ring. At least by visual check, the repmakers have been using both. The top and chronometre grade is supposed to have the incablock. Also there can be Elabore with Incablock and so on. Last but not least, there are diffent types of balance wheel. The socalled Glycidur has different spokes (flat and wider on the inside rim of the wheel). As one can see from the movement I got, it looks like bad workmansship, some of the holes for the screws are not perfectly circular, and the teeth of the wheel connected to the crown is significantly shorter than those on a gen ETA. The teeth on the Sea-Gull and Hangzhou movements, looks more like the gen ETA. This movement used here (By the BP factory) seems to be neither.

Hi there. No such thing as a BP 8500 clone. BP uses claimed "swiss" or asian clone 2824-2. Clone 8500 is a modified Miyota from a third factory (not Noob or BP). Noob only uses an asian clone, I believe it is the Sea-Gull ST2130. Remember the Orange PO is not ceramic bezel, not even the newest range GENS. Only Black and Blue (Ti) is ceramic.

Thanks guys for a lot of input. So the bottom line is: what is the claimed swiss movement in the pictures? (The one with the golden senter in the rotor)? What is the movement claimed asian clone that I got? Hangzhou 6301 (clone of ETA2824-2) or Sea-Gull ST2130 or something totally else? Anyway, I paid 413 USD (including freight) but was charged at my creditcard for 432 USD. The asian clone should cost 353 USD incl freight. I am scammed if I do not get what I paid for, or at least some sort of compensation. The cost for shipping back is almost the equivalent of the price difference for swiss and asian, meaning I end up paying some 120-140 USD extra for the "swiss" if I ship back. everything goes well and I get in return something that looks like the swiss in the dealers pictures..... Needless to say I have been a faithful customer for 6+ years and spent several thousand dollars on this dealer.

Yes, sun sets after 11pm here in middle of Norway as well:-) Opposite, by end of December, sun sets before 2:30pm!

Thank you to all for your advise and worries. I did ship back to China once earlier, I think it was in 2009. It took a while, this was prior to the QC pic routine, so I never saw the watch before I got it. I asked for a replacement, since there were many obvious flaws (beyond normal rep-acceptance). It took a good while, on the tracking showed it was not received for a long while, but it was in China. Finally the dealer told me it was ok. He sent me a new watch! The major issue this time is I got something else (lesser) then I ordered. I ordered this movement (if it is not swiss, why does it look different than the one they market as asian clone?): I did not notice on the QC, the Asian Clone is actually no clone, it looks a whole lot different: Now, carefully look at the two pics above (and the pic of what I got). The first one has a "nicer" balance, with a regulatur and stamped with the ETA number on the edge of the movement, beside the balance (not very visible on this pic though), and also the senter of the rotor ball bearing is different. The last pic has a more simplified balance, the regulator looks more like a non-working and has no grading + or -. Also the senter of the rotor ball bearing is different. And, most important, even the rotor itself is different, look at the bad engraving with the OMEGA logo etc. Much nicer work on the so-called swiss movement. What I got, is this: And this; look at the permanent marker letters between the lugs! What does it say? VB++, does it mean "very bad ++"???;-) It was visible above the SEL; so I had do disassemble and wipe it off with alcohol... I will not name names. All I can say is this can happen to all of us. The people who ship the stuff, they may be using subcontractors working for our TD. Honestly, no one here believe the TD them selves actually sees or pack, or ship any watch? Sloppy control by the workers. I guess they do not know the different movement, but since We pay extra, it should be unneccesary for us to pay to ship back. It was not our mistake. But, we have chosen to use their service, and must follow their rules. At last, the movement is not good at all, when I pull the crown 2 clicks, it does not hack the momenent allways, almost like the cheap 21j highbeat movement on my DSSD. You have to push it in and pull it out several times before it hacks. Also it continues to wind the movement while screwing the crown back in. Not any such thing on a swiss movement. Only positive is, it winds quite smooth. But, as you also can see on the pics, the chock spring on the balance is of a far lesser quality than that of the claimed swiss movement. Also there is bad engraving on the clasp, not visible by the QC pics. And the inner engraving on the deployment says stainless steel, but this is the Ti model, and it sure is Ti! Also looks if the AR coting is scrached prior to shipping. So, to many issues for me to keep. Also, you cannot swap to swiss movement, the hands will not fit. Problably not the stem of the crown either. Since the "asian clone" is no where near any clone, clone means it should be identical, copy is better, copy means it is almost identical. So lets stop calling these movments clones. They are copies.

Hello dear fellow members After about 6 years into this hobby, I still have some stuff to learn. One thing is examening the QC-pics carefully, and if there is a sapphire caseback, examen the movement, and you will most likely see if it is the one you opted (and paid) for - Swiss vs. Asian Clone. I did not, and got the Asian Clone, even when ordering and paying for the swiss. So, the seller says, send it back to China. But shall I use what our national Postal service (Posten) calls "Brev, rekomandert brev", or "CarryOnCash"? You norwegians, will understand what I mean. The dealer says not to use EMS, DHL or any other courier, but "normal Airmail" or "registered Airmail", no such thing here in Norway, but I reckon it is the same as "Brev" or Letter.

Greetings! I just ordered the BP PO Ceramic Ti XL from PC the other day. Tracking showed the shipment was picked up on Tuesday last week and shipped out of China on Wednesday. It arrived up here in middle Norway yesterday! EMS shipment, I cannot remember it used to be so fast. 3 working days shipping from China to the country side of Norway, I honestly does not believe it can be any faster than that. I will not be able to see the item my self before the coming Friday, I hope it is as good as it looked on the QC pics and the latest reports on the forum discussing the changes done to this BP version last november, meaning much better bezel, pearl and perhaps dial colour. The pearl is really centered as on the GEN, the Bezel has a nice gloss finish (like the Liquid Metal blue bezel on the GEN Ti). I ordered it with the bracelet. And I ordered some straps from Panatime to try as well. Will be back with a report once I have unwrapped the sweet smelling plastic and adjusted the bracelet and so on...;-) This will be my first rep since last summer. Almost a year ago. I thought I was cured, even considering a GEN, but I went for the TI rep as the GEN is so rare, few people on the streets here have seen one, so not so easy to be spotted as a REP, I hope;-)

Ja, det er jeg også. Pakker tar lengre tid fra Oslo, enn de tok hele veien fra Kina til Norge. Helt sprøtt.

Hello dear community. This message goes to all fellow Norwegians. I have received information about norwegian customs checking all import from China these days, a lot of company shipments and parcels are halted in the customs, and delayed by many days. This is information directly from DHL to my company. There is no reason why this should not also consern shipments to individuals, so if you have shipments from our Chinese dealers, you should be aware that they could be stopped, delayed or confiscated in customs. Normally they do not confiscate replicas to personal use, this is due to norwegian regulations. Only replicas and in quantities that could qualify for the suspicion that it was ment for further sale, can be confiscated. But since the are checking everything, delays must be expected.