Ronin

So I am wondering... My only experience with a Bi-directional bezel comes from a Russian Vostok watch. It is HORRIBLE. The slightest brush of a coat or shirt sleeve rotates it off of 12. I attribute this to Cold War crappy Russian technology. That said. How is the tension / resistance on some of the vintage reps? Are they easily knocked around? TIA!

Wow... Ok, I am totally against 'papers' for replica watches for the scam ideas referenced above. The ONLY place this has a shred of usefulness ~might~ be for getting through customs. But seriously, if you want "papers" spend enough time with Google-- somewhere, for some auction somewhere, there is probably a photo of one. If it is 'truly' for your own piece of mind as someone who is a completionist (<- is that a word), just fire up <your favorite pagemaker software> and 'create' your own Tribute Papers.

I have no complaints with the Asian movements in a handful of reps I have. I have only had one that ran super fast, but I was able to tune it myself and it too works great. Since I rarely wear the same watch longer than a week, any deviation is never really noticed. (I don't keep them on winders, so they eventually stop, and get reset upon my next wear.)

Theta is to Omega as Invicta is to Rolex.

Fantastic, love it!

Most comfortable to me are ANY of the SUB/GMT varieties, both Gen or Rep. Actually, do to weight, I might have to give a nod to my Sector STE220: Least Comfortable - I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY "MTM" watches, overpriced quartz crap, and horrible customer service!!!

Hmmm, example of NOT a deal. They sold a Gen Breitling Navimeter that an ambitious AD was willing to sell me for $4500 around X-Mas. 7,671.00 SGD = 5,134.83 USD for a used one... Also, what happens if customs snags it assuming- if it is a high end watch from SE Asia it must be a Rep... Just sayin... Nice source for Blancpain though...

Excellent, thanks, the 41mm I have been seeing must be one-offs, have to check what movements the 41s were using, IIRC Asian...

Tried searching first... In looking at many of the vintage SUBS 5512 5513, etc, I am noticing a variance in case size. Some are 40mm some are 41mm. Does anyone know definitely if one or both are actually correct 1:1? Some of the Vintage sites and Google search did not lead me to an answer. Does anyone have any side by side photos of a 40 vs 41? I suppose a mm is nothing, but if planning to Franken, I wonder how mixing Gen+Rep would be affected. TIA -RoninQ

I can totally relate. I live in a wealthy side of town in a major metro area. I see exactly what you describe with the "Trust-Fund" kids and possibly young movers and shakers, but mostly the former. As a long time Breitling Navi fan, I feel the same way with the "Bently" versions. I have become a big fan of the older classic designs. A SUB, Explorer, or older Navi looks just as good on a super formal occasion as it does playing Golf or casually running errands. -Ronin

http://www.vintagesubmariner.com/

+1 for BLANCPAIN FIFTY FATHOMS +1 for BREITLING AEROSPACE

To your question, I keep it modest. Before I bought my gen Navimeter I was wearing a very good Navimeter rep on a business trip. On this particular trip, I had a passenger on the plane compliment it. To which I simply said thank you. He then proceeded to ask if he could see it. (Now this is where the situations get uncomfortable). 1.) If it were real, would you hand over a $5k watch to a stranger. 2.) If it a rep, do you hand it over to a stranger never knowing who or what that person does for a living... AD??? What would you do in this situation? Here is what I did. I did take it off and hand it to him. Figuring, I would be honest if further inquiry was made. Instead, he looked at, and handed it back to me. No other comment was made...Thankfully... On that SAME trip I had a VP level executive (who was wearing an Invicta Sub look alike) compliment it as well. A simple "Thanks" and "same to you" (re:his wanna be Sub) to divert attention. At lunch I caught him staring at it a few times. No further comments were made... Finally, most recently, I had someone who half-ass knows watches see my Daytona rep. It is a 2008 model with the rolexrolexrolex around the rehaut. This is what he said "Wow, nice watch, I can tell it is "real" because it has rolexrolexrolex around the 'EDGE'". To which I said NOTHING and went about my business. I am in agreement with everyone else here. Keep it honest amongst friends & family, and "glide by" on the strangers, being honest if necessary... Remember, also don't make yourself a 'mark'. It would suck to have a friend of a friend of a friend break into your home thinking you have a $$$$$$ watch to fence.

Yes, in retrospect I am a bit embarrassed that I actually wore it. Young and dumb. But on a kid 16-18 at the time, it was pretty harmless. Ohh, I forgot at the time, I also had my friend bring me back a ladies date-adjust for a girl I was seeing. That one failed in about 6 months. Ahhh, youth...

Thanks Toad, I have read your guide, FANTASTIC, BTW. I have logged about 12 hours here in the last 2 days just reading and reading! Great stuff. -Ronin Q.

Hello everyone, I wish I would have know about this forum sooner. Where should I begin... The year was 1986, I was in high school. I had a friend who's parents made frequent trips to HK. Well, as fate would have it, my friend was kind enough to hook me up with my first SUB rep. Mind you it was '86, and this turned out to be a "Quartz" rep. None the less, to a high school kid in a mid-west suburb where the only Rolex most people ever saw was on James Bond-- it proved fun, and even a hit with aspiring girls ;-). Funny thing is, I wore this watch every day between 1986 and 1990, and it still runs today! However, I would not be caught out in public with it, it is more a sentimental, historical piece for me now. Here is a photo link to it. Click to enlarge. My first rep in '86 My second rep was a 'street' err 'beach' purchase back in 1995 on Venice Beach!!! This time a full auto, "glass back" SUB. This was fun for knocking around with, and a bargain, but still not up to my standards, but it does have a great date wheel, bracelet and the movement. Oddly enough, this thing keeps near perfect time ~1 - 2 seconds a day, and still runs 14 years later. At any rate since then, I have had many friends bring me back reps from their overseas trips. Unfortunately, the quality of many leaves much to be desired. Out of 6 recent reps, only 2 are decent. This is why I am turning to this forum, and my skills as a modder / tinkerer. Out of the 6 current reps (SUBs, GMTs, Daytona, Navi's), each has some redeeming qualities. So, I have invested in some tools, and thus Frankewatching. Finally, I am a huge 'vintage' Rollie fan. Thinking of picking up a 5512, or Mil Spec-- and hmm I need to research the Tiffany version. I figure I should be able to find some good options here. I have also discovered the better Navi's and SOH 46, and the PRO-HUNTERS. Looking forward to modding, and acquiring new toys! Total Reps = 7 Total Gens = 4 -Ronin Q. P.S. @By-Tor. My first RUSH concert was the Permanent Waves tour, and I have had written correspondence with Neil about books. I play a Rickenbacker 4001...