Ronin

The reason the large/regular seconds hand is used in the chrono is because it is easier to see, when used as a chrono. Especially for those far-sighted or bi-focal challenged individuals. True, most people don't buy chrono's as chrono's. But, in aviation, racing (Daytona), etc, they do serve their purpose. Especially the Tachymeter for calculating speed. -Ronin

Speechless. My Black Steel actually arrived in today's post. It is clear what you have done is a big improvement. -Ronin

My thinking is almost identical to yours. I shop reps that are in the gen price range that I can actually go out and buy. But not consciously if that makes sense. I gravitate towards the "Sport/Dive" models. As it happens they naturally come together. Now if a Blancpain FF comes out, I will go for it even though its a higher $$$ watch. I am starting to lean towards the super-reps and gens now. I have enough low-end stuff. The low end was fun to learn on. -Ronin

+1 around 4~5am UTC. OpenDNS was throwing a DNS server error at me. -Ronin P.S. I highly recommend using OpenDNS over your ISP's DNS servers. Although ISPs can log just about everything, much of there info comes from DNS queries. http://www.opendns.com

The Fantasy Navi-Date: Asian 21J Automatic. (this thing has killer reserve 36+hrs) Functioning Dials - Date Dial, Day of Week, 24hr indicator A fun watch that does not exist in the wild. -Ronin

Hmmm, I might have considered something like this in my younger days, but now that I am somewhat-- how do I say, older... I would NOT recommend a "replica" watch as a groomsman gift. Too many opportunities for embarrassment for all parties involved. (IMHO). Especially, the Canal St. varieties that, quite frankly, reflect poorly on the hobby. Stick with something like "Flask's" if your men are the drinking type, with maybe an engraving of thanks on it. Or, even a modest GEN watch from a Seiko, Bulova, etc... Just my .02. -Ronin

From: http://home.comcast.net/~bill.jones.scubag...FactOrMyth.html FACT or MYTH? Mike Nelson wore a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms dive watch. That's a MYTH. FACT: Bridges playing Mike Nelson wore an expanding-bracelet, rotating-bezel Rolex Submariner (model 6538) watch on his left wrist during his performance on SEA HUNT. This series of Rolex watches is known to collectors as the "James Bond Submariners". The reason for this myth is probably because Bridges wore a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms dive watch in a photo that appeared on the cover of the February 1962 edition of Skin Diver Magazine (photo at right). The Rolex was property of Ziv United Artists Television, not Bridges personal property at the time this photo was shot. In real life, Bridges (not Mike Nelson) was also seen around town wearing a gold Rolex two-tone black-face Submariner, a watch from Cartier, and a Blancpain dive watch. In the 1987 remake of SEA HUNT, Ron Ely playing Mike Nelson wore a Citizen Aqualand dive watch. HTH, -Ronin

Sounds like you made his, and your, Valentines day. Nice to see people passionate about something today. Out of curiosity, what watch was on your wrist when you went in there? -Ronin

+1 on that. Don't mention watch's. -Ronin

Looks like the Bezel ring is attached with the same double sided tape / adhesive that came on a similar GMT Master II that I have. A little clean up and it should be ready for prime time... Nice.

Nice A-Team Reference BillyWhiz^^^^^

Wow, I OWN one of these as well. Big Highlander fan back in the day. Had the series on VHS. Fun.

Here is his "inactive" profile here at RWG. http://www.rwg.cc/members/mLuMaN83-m8448.html -Ronin

I vote #3 and go 2-Dimensional Bounce .

Still rolling with: Still on Temporary Racer strap. Desperately seeking a Breitling "Ocean Classic" or other steel-mesh. -Ronin

Out of curiosity, was this the lower cost Asian version? Not that it should matter since I am guessing all things are = except the movement at crystal. Just curious, -Ronin

Here in the USA, 1.) Rolex 2.) Tag/Heuer 3.) Movado 4.) Omega 5.) Cartier -- 6.) Breitling 7.) Patek Phillipe 8.) Panerai -Ronin

I remember re-watching Life Aquatic recently and recognizing the watch as similar to one I own. The Bezel (look in other scenes) was the dead give away for me. The watch appears to me to be a Russian Vostok Amphibian series. Similar to this: You can pick them up here: http://www.rugift.com/watches/amphibian-vostok-watches.htm I own a few of these, they are cheap on the outside, but the movements are pretty tough. They were originally designed for the Russian Military. They are automatic 31J with a 19.8 BPH. HTH, -Ronin

Although not a rep, by beater / most worn watch since 1996 when I picked it up on Grand Cayman for ~$350. Funny thing is, Sector basically rep'd a Breitling Colt dial, ~lex style hands/bezel, bracelet in a 40mm package. Very comfortable. There are BURN marks, melted metal, on the bracelet from where I accidentally, with the help of a wrench, bridged battery terminals on a car battery! Ouch! STE200 I need to open it up soon, the Chrono has started acting up. -Ronin

NSFW, contains profanity. Personally, I would spend my $$$ on watches. I have enough Tech already. Enjoy: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/sony...stupid_piece_of -Ronin

Haven't looked into individual parts per say, but the entire movement can be R&R'd for $30-50. -Ronin

The SOH I picked up from here last week: http://www.rwg.cc/members/FS-Breitling-Sup...ean-t91428.html On temporary "Race Track" leather band. Trying to source Steel mesh. For reference sake, my wrist size is just over 7". Can't decide if watch is too big yet. -Ronin

Thanks, that is a great resource. On a similar note, someone here was recently talking about the 19.8 movements on the vintage models. I have some 19.8 Vostok 2416 movements. I am going to see if it fits in a rep SUB case I have, and report back. Although this is a Russian movement, I can say, from experience they are pretty reliable. A friend has been wearing a watch with this movement for 2 years straight, and I have one in a beater that I often wear during action sports. Here are more details. http://www.vostok-watches.com/movements-russian-watches.html Vostok 2416Б (RU) Mechanical lever movement Automatic winding Diameter: 24 mm Movement height: 6,3 mm 31 jewels Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date calendar Shock protection Frequency: 19800 vph Daily rate from -20/ to +60 s/day Precision movement: from -10 to + 30 s/day Power reserve minimum: 31 h Not sure if it is TABOO to mix Swiss and Russia. -Ronin

Looks reputable, however, his "shopping cart" looks a bit weak-- I don't see any Thwart/McAfee SSL associated with his order process. And the whole "click off" CA sales tax if you are not a CA resident. There also appears to be a companion site: www.ottofrei.com that looks a little better. Interesting. I am getting ready to add some more tools to my bench from: http://www.rwg.cc/members/Birdman-s-Tools-f84.html Another place I like is: http://www.micro-tools.com/store/home.aspx -Ronin

As I recently learned in another thread here, first for the general wear and tear, a 30+yr old watch will have some dings. Try the "coin treatment" put in in your pocket with a bunch of coins to add some scratches etc.... If you want a weathered look to the exterior. Finally, my experience with some rep dials, and hanging my arm out the car window, is the sun light does a wonderful job of fading the dial. You may not have the time or sunlight (where I live we get 300+ days of sun), but maybe a strong UV light source.... If you are willing and able to disassemble the watch, an old "Hollywood" trick to reduce luster is hair spray. Obviously you would only want to hit the dial. I can NOT vouch for this on a watch however. Props and cars yes... Just some random thoughts. I am sure the pros will chime in soon. -Ronin