jkerouac

If you learn nothing else about Seamaster reps on these forums, you should at least learn one thing -- the bezel alignment on Seamaster reps is usually incorrect and you have to realign the bezel and bezel insert, otherwise this is a dead giveaway to the cogniscenti. So it was with interest and a bit of amusement that I found the following picture on Omega's own Web site: I know that sometimes picture angles can lead to distortion, but I don't think that is the case here. Is it just me, or is that picture just downright sloppy on Omega's part?

Very sorry to hear about Casey, Esteban. Like your fellow members, I know how this feels. But you reach a point where you realize that giving them relief from their pain is the right decision for the pet who has given you so much over the years.

Ubi, It took me a while to realize you were referring to the 10,000 Maniacs song regarding Jk. Actually, I'm just one maniac.

We all want our dealers to treat us fairly, and they want to be treated fairly. There is a tremendous amount of trust involved in these somewhat complex, long distance transactions. A few years ago, before the Internet, payment services such as Paypal, and boards such as this, this business would not even have existed. The boards have been extremely successful, bringing hundreds if not thousands of new customers to the fold. In some cases these are uneducated customers, in other cases they may become just educated enough to think they know what they are talking about, and in a few cases they really, really know what they are talking about. It is all too easy for scam buyers to work the system. The boards are primarily about protecting the buyers, not the sellers, or else it would look like a flea market rather than the well ordered system that exists. Sellers have to make a profit, otherwise they won't be here. In my case, I don't like to pay the highest price, which is why I have never purchased from certain well-regarded dealers. But I also am cautious about buying from the lowest priced dealers as well. In my earlier days almost every purchase was from a different dealer. I wanted to try out as many as I could. Now I've settled in with one or two. I hope they feel that I will treat them fairly, and I hope they respect and appreciate my value as a repeat customer. Pricing will change as the value fo the dollar fluctuates and other costs of doing business rise, and sometimes drop. I have nothing but the best wishes for Neil and the other dealers, and that they can continue to do business in a cost effective (for us) yet profitable (for them) way.

How long have you had the watch? If you've had the watch for a while, did this issue just start to happen or has it happened from the beginning? Also, did you give the watch a thorough polish with a cape cod cloth or similar? I noticed that some watches need a good polish when they first arrive in order to bring out their true beauty. For example, I remember when I first received my VC Overseas I thought it was a stunning watch -- until I polished it and found out how much tarnish it had on it. After I was done polishing it was beyond stunning. If they used graphite on the bracelet, then it would make sense for any excess to land on your wrist. Btu that should diminsih with time.

This quiz would have been a bit easier to answer a few weeks ago -- since then my top three has become my top four. The top three right now are: IWC GST in stainless steel with a white face Panerai 192 Seamaster SMP GMT (the new kid on the block as of last week) Just barely out of the top three is my VC Overseas, also in white.

I saw an interesting bumper sticker the other day. It was on a pickup truck that also had the Marine and Semper Fi logos. The bumper sticker read: All we are saying, is give war a chance. JK's take: People have short memories. I don't think we are at the edge of apocalypse. But I do wish politicians and military leaders would make wiser, more nuanced decisions. Whatever they decide, regular people are left to live with the consequences.

In order of priority: Time Seconds Date GMT (second time zone) Waterproofing Chrono (stop watch) Day/Month

I try not to show off my superior knowledge by using too many technical terms. And if you really believe that, then I have a few Shniterland specials to offer you.

Number 2 looks as if it started out round but then melted.

Why would the GST be called out? Few people even know the name IWC, far fewer than know Tag. I'd go with the GST (I have it in white and love it), but then the Tag GMT doesn't do much for me. There are other GMTs that I would rank before this, the Seamaster SMP, the Pan, the GMT-Master to name several. But you have to live with it.

Sincere condolences to you and your family.

Last week at the local Costco I spied from the back a very tall "woman" in an extremely short skirt and wearing very high heels. Being a careful shopper, I decided to head toward the produce section (which is where "she" was heading). As soon as "she" turned around, I knew I was looking at a less than 100% rep. Yikes! Time to head for the beer and wine section.

Although I do not have a pic to post, I am delighted to add one more SMP to this week's wrist check -- this one a GMT which arrived this week from Joshua. Thank you, Joshua!

One of my GST pushers came off several times. Fortunately I found it each time and finally was able to secure it properly. Based on threads here and elsewhere a lot of GSTs arrived with loose pushers, so I would guess that our dealers have fielded more than one request for replacement parts. That is you best bet. You might also check with a repair shop. These pushers seem fairly generic in design, and a generic replacement might be possible. Of course you'd probably have to replace both in order for them to match. Good luck.

I agree with what has been said -- just call and ask. Also, it's often best to ignore repair shops that are inside ADs. Their primary allegiance may be to the brand rather than to you, the customer. Also, if possible I would prefer to try the shop out on simple tasks to build up my comfort level with them for more complicated repairs. Perhaps if you mentioned what part (town) of southern California you are in someone here might have a lead for you.

Perhaps I'm being paranoid on behalf of our dealers. But could this situation be a deliberate setup?

Yes. On Canal St.

I believe some dealers issue tracking numbers before actually shipping a watch -- in some cases a week or more before, so keep trying and the tracking number may start to work. I have a situation where my watch is listed as leaving customs Sunday morning, but either the watch is stuck in San Francisco or tracking has stopped functioning. Perhaps tracking will resume tomorrow (or the next day) or my parcel might even show up in the next couple of days without benefit of tracking information.

At some point perhaps someone can donate a nice strap as one option to resizing the bracelet for just a one or two-week encounter. Enjoy. Look forward to seeing the pictures.

I've mentioned this in other threads, but will repeat myself here. I took my GST to a local watchmaker after one of the pushers jammed. While he was at it, I also asked him to do an inspection for lubrication and cleanliness. The verdict: he said everything looked fine. Now, he may or may not have done a really close inspection, and maybe the movement will break down in the next year, or two years, or whatever. But in my opinion I was giving him an opportunity to sell me an overhaul, cleaning, tuneup or whatever you want to call it. As it stands, if it needs a new movement or repair in a year or two, then I will gladly (OK, not gladly but readily) pay for a repair or replacement. On this watch it will be worth it. For today, though, I'm not going to pay extra to fix a watch that is not broken.

That's an extremely broad question. Not every Asian movement is the same. Andrew may have some inferior Asian movements -- I don't know. But I am also very certain that he has some good value Asian movement watches. I strongly suggest that you first narrow your search down to the watch or watches that you are interested in, and then search for postings on those watches. I think most people here have had good experiences with Asian movements. For example, I recall someone citing Andrew's Seamaster Pro with an Asian movement as an outstanding value. But you have to decide for yourself. If you are committed to buying from Andrew, then search on postings where he is referenced until you find the feedback that satisfies you on a watch that you want.

1...9...2

Succinct and well said. Thanks.

Mossanti and Bigsy, Sure this is a business and players such as Andrew, EL, TTK, and Joshua are in this for profit, and they'd either be a bit of balance or not in the game for long if they were not. But they are also good guys who do their best to give a pretty damn high level of service considering the prices, distances, business processes, and legal rules that surround this activity. My first purchases were from ABay (Paul) and I was a satisfied customer. They went totally high volume, collapsed and came back as Aspire. They once again seem to have some of the best prices around, and I haven't heard any significant complaints, but since my first purchases I have managed to do transactions with many of our main suppliers. I did a couple of low cost transactions with Andrew, and when a watch arrived that did not perform as promised he took it back and refunded my money no questions asked. He could easily have left me holding the bag, but he didn't and for that I am grateful. He demonstrated why he is "trusty." Since then I have settled in and do most of my purchases from Joshua. He is neither the lowest priced nor the highest priced dealer, but I like doing business with the guy and I trust him. Deal with dealers you respect, treat them with respect, and chances are they will treat you with respect as well. Sure it's a business. But it can be more than just "here's my money now fork over the goods." I can understand why some dealers give better prices to return customers than to first timers. First timers tend to be more hassle (expense) than repeat customers. In the future I wouldn't be surprised if more dealers institute split pricing or customer loyalty programs.