jkerouac

I didn't notice any Chopards on your list. The Mille Miglia GMT chrono is really distinctive and stunning, and available in a variety of dials and finishes.

Good lord, ask me what I'm wearing tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, or even this weekend and I couldn't tell you... let alone what I'm wearing on New Years Eve. However, I am fairly confident that my ensemble will include clean undies. And get called out for Florsheims? I haven't purchased a pair of Florsheims in years, but always thought they were pretty decent, as long as you keep them well polished and don't let them get too old (which applies to any shoes). I guess I'm not a shoe guy, except for that they have to be super comfortable, which is why I wear Eccos almost exclusively.

My brother wore a Cartier Roadster (gen) for his wedding last year. I thought it perfectly complemented his suit. There are some very good reps as well.

Regarding the use of an iPhone as a client, there is an interesting article about the security risks associated with the iPhone. The article: iPhone Is A Bigger Security Risk Than You Think An interesting video demonstration of an iPhone being hacked. This doesn't mean that other phones are immune. In fact, as cell phones become "smarter," the attack vectors will only increase for all types of smart phones. User beware.

Perhaps a better way to pose the question would be to simply ask what the lead time is. If the answer is "I can ship it out this week" would be very different than "I can get it to you in three to four weeks." But both situations could loosely qualify as "in stock" -- even if that means that it is in stock by the collector's factory but the collector first wants to bundle more orders together (for whatever reason) before taking delivery from the factory.

My first car was the '69 Mustang. It really rocked. It was the summer of '76 and I was just planning to get a beater to go to and from work during summer break, but my father offered to buy the Mustang instead. Talk about awesome parents! The irony is that I just bought a Camry hybrid yesterday (somewhat boring compared to a vintage Mustang, I know, but a very nice car in its own right). When I told my father about the new purchase this a.m., he suggested that because he bought the Mustang for me, now I should return the favor by buying him a new car. I wonder how my 84-year-old father would like a new Mustang?

Those are great insights, thanks. As it turns out, for the extra $1,200 that they charge for this package, the only additional thing you get is the navigation system. The next package down minus the nav already includes a great-sounding JBL stereo that offers satellite radio, a six-CD changer, and Bluetooth, as well as the moonroof, heated leather seats, etc.

Or two or three nice reps! Thanks, B.

My wife and I are shopping for a new car, and leaning toward the Camry Hybrid for its nice balance of efficiency, comfort, and overall performance and value. Not the most exciting car on the road, to be sure, but a decent all around package. In any case, we have been leaning toward the most full featured version, which includes a GPS navigation system. As it turns out, none of the dealers in my area seem to have the exact same color combination that we want with a navigation system. One does, however, have the exact same car, but minus the navigation system. The difference in price is ab. $1,200. I hadn't thought much about the nav system, except as a "nice to have" or "sure, why not" kind of feature, particularly for my wife. -- Hey, I'm a guy and guys don't need no stinkin' directions! Besides, my phone already has gps-assisted tracking and search and didn't cost anywhere near $1,200. On the other hand, a system installed on the center dashboard would be much more convenient and therefore usable. But now I'm thinking that this is $1,200 less that I am spending, and an extra piece of built-in technology that I don't have to worrry about. For half that amount, I could probably buy a pretty nice portable GPS unit with more bells and whistles and a larger screen than my phone's -- and I could more easily replace it if it broke or wanted to upgrade. Plus I could use it in more than one car, not just this one. So who here has built-in GPS nav systems on their cars? And if you had it to do over again, would you go with the auto manufacturer's unit or an aftermarket unit?

So buy the Asian 7750 version and have it serviced. The Zigmeister himself says that a serviced ASian 7750 should be every bit as reliable as a Swiss 7750. Also, I happen to have this watch and the Asian 7750 feels rock solid so far, with good accuracy and strong power reserve, probably the best Asian 7750 out of the box that I own. TWP has this same model and has expressed an identical opinion of the movement.

Careful, she bites.

I think the cake decorator must previously have worked for a Chinese rep engraver. There, now we've established the relationship to watches. This thread is safe for General Discussion.

I'm glad Prince posted first, as I was going to mention the exact same watch.... but his pictures are much better than any of mine. And I will also say there really is no contest. Second place would probably go to my Santos 100, which I seldom wear because it's a first gen and not nearly as nice as my other watches.

I already have that watch, and put it on a black leather strap with red stitching. But I would love to find that racing style in brown calf or crocodile. Congratulations to Lord Rasta.

The VC Overseas might be aiming a bit high, in my opinion, if people know the prices of gen watches. You want your friend to convey good taste and style, but I'd keep it more understated. I like the suggestions of the Explorer or Carerra, or even the Timewalker. A co-worker also has an Omega Railmaster, which is another stylish yet understated watch. I'd only consider one of the diver watches (such as PO or Submariner) if your friend is into water sports and the sportier look would be appropriate in his office.

This has been asked many times before. The answer is that there is no reason for a rep with a decent movement that is decently maintained not to last for a very, very long time... a lifetime even. Sure, if you are abusive and never ever service any watch -- rep or genuine -- it will die. In some cases it might last just a few months or a year or two.... or it might last for a number of years. But it will die. Mechanical watches are complex, delicate mechanisms. As many people have pointed out, quality control is not a strong point of the rep factories. But that is why, if you seriously care for one of your quality reps, and particularly one that uses a 7750 movement, you will invest $200 to $300 extra to have it serviced by someone like The Zigmeister.

Newbie? I think you gave up that status well before your 1,000th post. Of course, I gladly subscribe to the status of Newbie In Perpetuity.

The time wherever I am is the most important consideration.... the time elsewhere is secondary. My GMTs are easy enough to reset that resetting the GMT hand is almost as simple as resetting the regular time. Now if I were just dashing across to another time zone for a day or less, say from Pacific to Mountain, I might not bother with resetting the GMT. Otherwise it's a no-brainer, usually as soon as I board a plane. As far as I'm concerned, once I sit down on a plane I readjust to the arrival city time.

I have purchased a number of watches from River. He has always communicated and shipped promptly -- and his prices have always been among the best. I always wondered why he was on RWI but not here. I hope everyone makes him feel welcome.

I'm glad Andrew's links were fast otherwise I might not have been able to study your choices. But I like that fact that you stick to basic, clean watches and will leave chronos and other complications for another day. The Noob and PO are the best regarded of the watches you referenced-- perhaps the Tag as well. I'm not a Rolex person, but am very fond of the PO. I wish there were better JLC reps available, but that isn't intended as a knock on the one that you highlighted. You mention that you are a college student. Be realistic about the watch you get so that it doesn't seem out of character for your means. There are some great buys in the used forum. I've purchased several and never been disappointed. That doesn't mean satisfaction is guaranteed, just that I've had good like. You might post what you are looking for in the WTB section. People buy watches and then end up not wearing them, but sometimes don't think it is worth the effort to resell them, especially for less than $100. If that person sees your advertisement they might just want to do you a favor... while clearing a slot in their watch box. Good luck.

For a first watch, stick to the $175-$300 range. There are tons of great, high quality options from reliable dealers. I wouldn't go higher until you have a feel for what you are getting into -- unless of course you absolutely have a burning passion for one of the more expensive reps and can't wait to get it. Over the past few years I've only made a couple of purchases over the $300 mark... but when I have a great watch I am willing to invest additional dollars into a nice strap and service so that it lasts me a long, long time. This is another factor you need to take into consideration.... not just first cost but lifetime cost... but again that depends on how much of a passion for watches you have or whether they are merely novelties that you will throw away in a year or two or three.

I purchased the white because I already owned more black dial watches. Both are very elegant and beautiful.

There are at least two 7750 watches with GMT hands -- a Breitling Navitimer, if I recall correctly, and the Chopard Mille Miglia GMT. I have the latter and so far it is rock solid. The GMT is set by putting the crown into date adjustment mode, then turning the crown in the opposite direction (similar to how you would set the day in day/date watches). I have two other GMT watches, booth based on the 2836, a Seamaster Pro and a Pam. As By-Tor states, I first set the regular time on the hour, then set the GMT hand. I then go back and set the regular hour and minute hands to the correct time and the GMT hand tracks to the correct GMT time automatically. It isn't a big deal.

Unfair. There should be a separate category for Ola watch photos. By the way, I voted for Maximilian's Ingy.

Ditto on the congratulations. I'd lead with one of the IWCs because they convey understated good taste and intelligence, then add the UPO later during the first week. Add to the mix gradually until people realize you really are a connoisseur of fine time pieces, then bring out the "heavy artillery"-- the Pams, the Steelfish, and perhaps even a Rolex or two.