olorin65

My old standby. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Hi Franke, I love that book! It's been a long time since I've read it, I need to go back over that section again. I love the Comex and Pan-Am history. Thanks for the clarification, I understand my confusion now. I think the author is in error on one minor point. He says: The GMT Master (not the II) was indeed offered in two tone (14K/SS). Perhaps Mr Dowling meant that it was not offered in this combo when it was ORIGINALLY introduced, but there are plenty of vintage examples for sale today. Here's one on eBay dating back to 1969: http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/1969-SS-14K-GOLD-RO...bayphotohosting I think it most likely that Mr. Jeanneret designed the original GMT as a stainless steel pilot's watch (this is well documented) and Rolex later offered it in two-tone. Thanks again, Tony.

Nice review, stunning photos. I have a question... I Googled but could not find anything relating to Rene Jeanneret commenting on Rolex's "Tool watch series" For my education, could you explain why the GMT Master woudl be included in such a list and not the GMT Master II? It has the same movement as the modern Explorer II and with the rotatable bezel it is arguably a more functional tool than the Explorer II. I am fascinated with the history of Rolex and I'd love to read the article or essay explaining the distinction. Thanks again for the detailed review and thanks for sharing your beautiful rep! Tony.

Yes, all the replicas you'll find on the internet sold as grade whatever 'swiss' replicas come from china. Again, please read Toad's noob guide, it will answer your questions and more. There is a whole forum full of dealers right on this board. Some have extensive websites and many of them will ship to you in Orlando. They are all more trustworthy than what you will find on the internet in general. Look under 'Collectors' and send a PM or email to anyone that has something that you like. There is also a reviews section where you can read all about the 'Collectors' on RWG and their products.

Maybe. I think it's a bit unfair to decry it as the charter of a rip-off artist without any specifics as to the context and the source of the statement. It reads more like an eBay disclaimer than something any of the collectors here use. In fact, a quick search for selected text turns up no matches on this board. A quick search of eBay turns up this listing: EBay Listing with disclaimer. I have bought items from people with disclaimers like that; as always, the rule is "buy the seller, not the watch". In each case I checked feedback and contacted the seller prior to purchasing to discuss the specifics of the terms I was concerned with. If they could set my mind at ease, I went ahead with the deal. Many (not all) of the terms are very similar to the terms I have put in my eBay watch auctions; each item I added was in response to a specific question or problem I had in a previous sale and they changed from auction to auction. It all depended on the condition of the piece I was selling and the terms under which I was willing to sell it. Each of those items can be interpreted as a protection from a specific type of scam that a buyer can perpetrate against an honest seller and yes, it does look like it was written by an attorney (or cribbed from one). Just my two cents.

Sounds to me like someone who's been burned before...

I know what you mean about the colors. That's why I picked up a black insert on the 'bay when I saw one for a reasonable price. I've got a faded Pepsi as well for variety. Thanks!

No Pepsi, Coke!

That's my second favorite shot of my son. Here's my first: Apologies for hijacking the thread.

How much for the gun?

One more rep noob, proud to be a supporter. I've spent the last twenty five years in and around IT. It takes quite a bit of effort and cash to run a site like this, especially when there's no ad revenue.

Me too. I'm running FireFox.

I had two 214's (an Alpha and an Astronaut) serviced and restored by Eric. His service was top notch and reasonably priced. I can't recommend him highly enough. Tony.

There are genuine endlinks with reference number 455b. Genuine 455b end links are correct for a Ref. 62523 18K/SS Jubilee bracelet, so yes, those end links are definitely fake.

Agreed on the marking on the bracelet. It should be 'crisper' and not so deep. The correct clasp for a 93150 is indeed a fliplock and the end pieces are the wrong reference number and probably not gen. The correct end pieces are any of the following: 501b, 580, or 593 Here are some sharp pics of what a 93150 SHOULD look like. http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tre...33175&rid=0 It sold for $275, which is very close to

Hey chief, I think the guy you're talking about might be the proprietor of Downtown Watch Repair, Mr. Seuss. An acquaintance from another board gave a glowing recommendation. Old-school European watchmaker. Thanks! -Tony

Awesome, thanks! I'm already talking to him about a WM9 piece, I didn't even think to ask about service...

Hi all, Does anyone have a recommendation for a watchsmith in or around San Francisco? I've got a couple of modern ETA powered items and a 1970's era Zenith. Thanks in advance, Tony.

Some truly creative and inspired work! Mine is an image captured by the Hubble telescope-NGC 1300, a spectacular barred spiral galaxy. The full res image is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hubble20...axy-NGC1300.jpg

I was about to ask this same question but you beat me to the punch. I own a number of fountain pens of various make (OMAS, Pelikan, Visconti) but no reps. I have enough trouble with leaks and spills with the genuine article. I don't really like any of the models on Josh's site and I doubt there's a large enough market for reps of anything but the very largest brands (like Montblanc or Cartier). If all you're looking for is a decent Montblanc Rollerball rep, the pics on Josh's site look OK. Keep in mind that a good (not super high-end, but very good) gen pen can be had for under $100 and some real beauties for a few $$ more. Colorado Pen Direct has a good selection and there are bargains to be had...I have no affiliation with Colorado Pen Direct and I received no compensation for this plug, I've just bought a couple of things from them. :-) Hope this helps, Tony.

Hi, It's never happened to me, but since they didn't ask for any other information I'd think it's a legit security confirmation, like my credit card providers occasionally perform. The only way to know for sure is to contact PayPal yourself (so you are sure of who you are talking to) and ask them if it was them... Hope this helps, Tony.

You can try Interwatches: http://www.interwatches.com/index.php?Acti...;GridPosition=8 They're not an AD but they carry genuine dials and bracelets (and a whole lot of watches). I can't vouch for their watches or dials but I bought a Stainless Daytona bracelet from them which I put on a gen Explorer II (I later sold the bracelet). I had the bracelet authenticated at an AD and it was genuine. Their stock fluctuates but they've got a few Ladies DJ bracelets in stock right now, jubilee and oyster as well as a midsize and a few presidents. Gen Ladies Datejusts are 13MM between the lugs; a quick measurement of your rep should tell you if it'll fit. The bracelets on the site are all the hollow end-link models so filing should be relatively easy, if needed. They ask a premium over list price but say that they'll consider offers. Hope this helps, Tony.

Thanks! Re: the Daytona, yes, it was. It started out life as a genuine white dialled 116523. I've always lusted after the 116528 with the black/champagne dial (sometimes erroneously called a Paul Newman dial). After about two years, I grew bored with the white dial and happened upon a dealer with a genuine black/champagne dial with hands who was willing to do the swap for me (for a fee, of course). I ended up with a 100% genuine Rolex that was never offered for sale in the US. Franken Watch? It didn't really hinder my sale when I grew bored with THAT combination. I'm almost sorry I sold it. Oh, well. Sorry, I tend to ramble. Thanks for the welcome aboard. Here's a better pic of the Daytona: Happy New Year, Tony.

Hi, I've been interested in mechanical watches for about 10 years now. I've been buying and selling genuine watches over on TimeZone primarily. My obsession started when I received a very cheap Rolex Sub replica as a gift from a family member. That got me interested and within 6 months I purchased a real TT Sub and started on my adventure that has led me through several Rolexes ( the SS GMT-II is the only one I've kept), a few Omegas, a couple of IWC's (I've still got the UTC) as well as Zenith and Tag as well as a couple of vintage tuning fork Accutrons. I found this site while searching for a bracelet for my IWC UTC (which I found elsewhere). I love the idea of being able to purchase a decent copy of a high end piece and wear it long enough to really tell if I like it enough to own the real thing. Over the years I've bought several pieces only to become bored and sell them after three months at a loss larger than the cost of a good rep. There's TONS of great info here and I've barely begun to scratch the surface. Thanks to all who have gone before to create this content and I hope to contribute something useful soon. In the meantime, I've attached pics of some favorites past and present... Best, Tony.