BlackKnight

Just wanted to write up a brief goodbye to you all who have been a wealth of knowledge and experience in my brief time in the land of reps.

After nothing but disappoinment in the watches I have purchased, I have decided to move away from reps. I still love watches though and will continue my addiction in the land of Seikos, Citizens et al.

My experience has taught me that if you want a decent watch, don't buy a rep. I know, there are good ones and bad, and the world of reps can be hit and miss. BUT!

My Sinn U2 from Joshua, bought with a genuine ETA 2836-2 is actually an asian clone. The hack mechanism has stopped working and I've just noticed that the crystal isn't flat with the bezel, it protrudes at one side.

My AP ROO RBII was just crap, the screws on the back twisting off at the slightest turn. I had to epoxy them back on.

And the Rolex DSSD I got from Joshua - well the DG2813 is I know not a great movement, but it just stops working randomly. Just not accepatable. Luckily that is getting a new 8215 transplant soon so it might get saved, along with the HE valve getting the epoxy treatment.

So, keeping it short, to all those newbies who are wanting to take the plunge, a word of realistic caution: don't want to worry about getting your watch wet? Don't buy a rep. Yes I waterproofed my Sinn U2 and it holds well, but I just can't trust it. Want to be sure your watch is keeping accurate time? Buy quartz or eco-drive/kinetic. Just know what you are getting yourself into before you splash out hard-earned cash on a watch because it vaguely looks like the real deal.

Once again, thanks to all, especially OffShore for all his help, and I wish you all the best.

Good work mate, your luming skills are coming along. What, pray tell is this "horostick" you refer to?

That is hilarious! No way I'd wear one either, but amusing to say the least.

Just search 20mm croco on ebay... plenty there.

Why would you want to?

President Obama's Secret Service watch is a Jorg Gray JG6500. Before it was widely known these watches sold for peanuts on Amazon... now they are a little more expensive.

Jorg Gray JG6500

I bought a pam homage from Getat, PVD one. It kept brilliant time, was well made for a $90 watch and I loved it, until I sold it to buy my U2. Getat is great, just email him before buying to make sure they have stock. Havent tried Jackson yet, but WUS people swear by him too.

Watches International Magazine 2010

Just found this one, it's 424 pages of watch goodness.

Watch Eden has a few, will find out if they are available. Was actually thinking it would be my next purchase...

Nice work, mate! How did you lume the hands?

To be honest, mate, half of me wants to know if it's an ETA clone or real... the half that's in control doesn't

After adjustment, my U2 seems to be +-2secs/24hrs, so I'm pretty happy with whatever it is.

Omg, $2500 for a rep. Is that a record?

Now, is that a gen $US120 Sinn leather strap I see? Been thinking about one of those but hard to part with those $$$ for just a strap.

I guess if there's a demand they will get rep'd... but still. Oris? Just for reference, the Oris F1 Chrono is $US278 at PureTime, and the gen costs $AU3071.

Grrr, so close to buying one of those! Thanks for the bait... er pics.

I'm no expert, but I've come across a few posts here and they were all positive. Search the forum and you should find some enlightening reading

Congrats gtanak! I wont be reluming mine until I get some spares, also. Will just stick to subs, pilots, etc, for now. Also the gap in my buckle has shrunk, amazingly. The rubber has broken-in and it's almost unnoticable. Also, it is keeping really good time, was running 5+secs/24hrs, adjusted it today, will update.

Can't wait for that review, gtanak!

Really nice collection! What's the on the wishlist for your next pilot?

It's a simple watch, but I would really like to see a 656 rep.

I've been tempted by the Yobokies-modded Seikos, but it's not the same without the 'Sinn' on the dial.

I was this |--| close to buying a Yobokies Monster, but bought the U2 instead. I really want the dealers to push for reps of the other Sinns:

FYI you can buy a whole box of assorted sizes of the bay for next to nothing, a few bucks.

@maxman: Not at all, mate. I don't notice it and I am very fussy with build quality. Also since I received it last Saturday it has been keeping within +/- 5 secs Totally stoked.

@gtanak: Would love to see your mod tutorial! I will definately relume mine with the Lum-Tec stuff but one big issue is the hands. When you get yours you will see they seem to be flat and the lume is applied by a machine so it's perfectly placed. So I don't know how to remove the lume off the hands without damaging them. Reckon you could check with your dealer if they would supply Sinn U2 hands and maybe a dial? I would be really keen on buying several sets if they did sell them.

@OSrep: I believe the argon module/capsule is, in the gen, something which keeps the watch dry.

And yes, the GMT seems to be working as it should.

Why aren't they more popular? Because everyone knows Rolex, Omega, Breitling, B&R, etc, etc. Sinn is fairly small in production per year, and not many people know about them. I think they are great, wish the cartel would rep the other models in the Sinn range.

NB: Just emails Joshua, who said there are more Sinn models "in the pipeline" Horrah!

Well, my first decent rep and I could not be happier.

In the last two weeks I must have looked at every single watch on offer by the cartel and talked myself into and out of buying all of them! Well, not exactly, but you know what I mean: first it was a Skyland Avenger Chrono, then the ever popular UPO, then about five IWC watches, a DSSD... the list goes on. I wanted a Swiss ETA, double AR sapphire, military inspired piece that was well made and looked the business. I decided on a Sinn U2 and at the last minute saw Joshua had just received new ones with SS cases and PVD bezels - the trigger was pulled.

I've had the watch on my wrist all day and havent noticed any discernable time keeping issues - it's dead-on to my PCs clock down to the second.

The watch itself has some weight to it, but once it was on my wrist it felt almost imperceptible. I had a Seiko "Caeser" a while back but sold it because it was so heavy and chunky I kept banging it in to door frames and what-not; thankfully, no chance of that happening with the U2. It's high enough to give good wrist presence, but not so much that it looks like a VW Polo has parked on your arm.

The bad points? Well, the lume is average, especially on the hands. The other negatives are the argon module is just painted on. No big deal, there is I believe a video on YouTube, a bit of a how-to, on modding the Sinn U2/UX, which addresses the argon module and a couple of other things. The gap in the buckle is such a small thing, yet it can make or break the feel of a watch. Down to personal choice really, I'm happy with it as is, until the rubber strap is too caked with dust.

For those of you, like me, that impose a price limit on reps (mine is currently at $250), at $US228 the Sinn U2 is a damn good watch. I didn't buy the UPO because of that damn clown-footed logo, and couldn't bring myself to spend $US330 on a Skyland Avenger. For me, this watch is perfect and I have zero buyers regret. I can't say I'm crazy about the rubber strap, but neither will I pay $250 for a gen SS bracelet, so a gen leather strap will be bought next week.

Enjoy the pics!

Mmmmm, tasty AR blueness... *drools*

You can see some of the dust the "anti-dust" rubber has already attracted.

Besides the gap, the buckle itself feels solid and well made.

The gap. Might be able to fix this, will post if I do.

Lume after a 5 second charge with an LED torch.

As Sam Fisher would say, "Darkness..." *tap tap*

On my 19.5cm or 7.6" wrist.

The Zigmeister, what do you use to apply the lume? I've read a couple of tuts on it which have recommended oilers, but I am still unsure how the actual application is performed. Could you shed some light on this, please?

I have a victim waiting, so as soon as it arrives I will have a crack at it and take some photos.

As the famous poet Clarkson once said, "How hard can it be?"