Ronin

Wow. For putting it "out there" that you would be parting out the watch and selling parts. HARSH. Backdoor sales are probably more the norm than most people think.

I use them as intended. I make sure most are water resistant to cover running water, or swimming and use them in all conditions. However, I also like the "well maintained / serviced look". In my opinion, there should be a natural ebb and flow of New/Serviced looking to getting Worn-- only to be serviced again and looking fresh to getting worn again. Swapping Acrylic Rolex crystals is a breeze, as is using PolyWatch. If I can't read the dial through scratches, it is time for some attention. I think most people apply the same logic to auto maintenance. I don't keep a cracked windshield on my car, or let my tires wear down to cords. The same reason, I keep my car washed and waxed. For me, this same principle of 'taking care' comes into play with my watches.

I live in CO. Depending on the time of year, mountain driving is NOT BAD. We joke about our "Solar Snow Plows" (at 5280' and much much higher in the mountains, snow on the roads actually does NOT last too long if the Sun comes out, and the plows are doing their job. The intense Sun melts away a lot of snow on the major roadways.) ((Don't forget your Sunscreen, Intense UV up in the mountain sun. It is not uncommon to come home from Skiing with severe Sun & Wind burn)) There are services like the "Colorado Mountain Express", a Van Service that hits many of the ski towns or popular mountain towns. DON'T GET SUCKED into believing a SUV is better. The MAJORITY of off-the road, accidents I have witnessed, in the mountains, are CRASHED SUV's. SUV drivers think they are immortal for some reason, take more risks, go to fast, and FAIL TO STOP ON ICE when the 5hit hits the fan. Nearly all accidents involve ICE on the roads, and simple physics tells us a larger, heavier vehicle regardless of how many 'drive' wheels it has is harder to slow/control/stop on ICE. My personal "Ski" vehicle / Mountain Car is an VW Golf. Two wheel drive, with 4 snow tires. I have NEVER had an issue, and go anywhere the 'average / light SUV' goes. I shake my head at the MANY SUV's that are off the road when I go Skiing. Fact: If you are sticking to the interstate, state routes, we have snow plows that also spray Ice melt, and drop pulverized granite for traction, in addition to the Sun. The roads will most likely be WET. Properly timing your drive to avoid a major snow storm / blizzard is all you need to do. IF renting a car, check the tires for good tread and a M&S (Mud and Snow) rating. Rental Cars will be All Season (which will be adequate if you follow my advice on timing your drive). Front Wheel Drive, or, if you must, a "Light SUV" is the way to ago. Avoid the rear wheel drive American Muscle Car styles. ICE is the enemy up there.

Favorite that I own:

Imageshack, Photobucket are basically 5hit these days. They mess with the compression of your photos as well. I switched to "Minus" and it has been excellent. http://minus.com They DON'T alter your photos in any way. So far so good.

Wow, very nice, just when I thought I didn't want (another) Breitling this post pulled me back in.

Read This: http://www.tractioni...Tianjin_Seagull And here is a common guide to the 2824/2892.

Fall Colors, Orange for the season:

Remember, "personal transactions" of money owed (the old Gift Option), is technically NOT selling/buying of illegal goods. While some argue that you loose buyer protection in these transactions-- I say these days the risk to the seller is = to the risk of the buyer getting scammed. PP (Personal Payment) is no different from a protection standpoint than a "Wire Transfer" that is all the rage for high dollar GEN purchased on many GEN forums. DONATIONS therefore should never be an issue.

I often wondered the same thing. My wife managed to Magnatize her (gen) Breitling whilst switching off our subwoofer for the Home Theater. I have also heard of "Safes" with doing similar. Any experts care to chime in on this one?

Currently servicing the movement on this awesome Ubi/Ronin 5513. Then possibly up for sale...

Happy 10/16 day, only one watch will do for today... The 1016.

If I am elected President, I will replace my Secret Service detail with Sword Wielding, scantily clad, female body guards. Also, I will require Rolex to lift their anti-consumer parts policy. To Watchmeisters point, the majority of these faux gold ladies watches have faux chronos as well. These fashion plate watches are more fake than most of our Reps.

Actually, it looks like a dime-a-dozen Michael Kors fashion plate watch that are overflowing at stores like Nordstrom. Similar to this: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/michael-kors-runway-rose-gold-watch/3126735?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=michael_kors_%27runway%27_rose_gold_watch:318676&cm_pla=jewelry:women:watch&cm_ven=Google_Product_Ads&mr:ad=13566440033&mr:adType=pla&mr:filter=42353731793&mr:keyword={keyword}&mr:match={matchtype}&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=FA0D09D4-7CC6-DF11-B003-002219319097&origin=pla

I was happy to represent the "anti-social/privacy advocate" audience in your survey. Hoping Facebook goes the way of MySpace/AOL and the dinosaurs sooner than later. I will celebrate the day when their stock is in the single digit range.

Similar issues here. Started about a year ago with all the cut-backs. Had a package stuck in NY from August until LAST Week. Had a $$$$ watch (US Transaction) take 3 weeks (Priority), was quasi-lost, until I started making waves. Had a Daytona (rep) stolen out of a Priority Small Box. However, EVERYTHING from China seems to get to me fine. Go figure....

Yep, another parallel to the auto industry. Laws have been passed to protect the consumers rights to have their vehicle serviced outside of the dealer, and also not to have warranty's null and voided for aftermarket part installation. I actually think a savvy Lawyer or Class Action could succeed against the Rolex "alternate reality" based on that precedent. (I laugh every time I see the bottom of a RSC receipt where it tells me (paraphrasing) "my personal property [Rolex Watch], that I paid $$$$ from a Rolex AD will ~magically~ turn counterfeit with the installation of a non-Rolex part". Total Bull$hit that would never stand up in a courtroom.) I fail to see how my particular watchmaker could lose his account "if the customer approves the installation of say a Clark's crystal". The burden of proof is too great for Rolex to will-nilly pull the account on what would essentially boil down to "he said, she said". I also don't see Rolex running stings against Indies. I could be wrong. Sounds like you have better inside sources. The way I obtained my information was using a similar approach to @correctime above. I was trying to score a Bezel/Insert back when I was doing my 1675 project. Went in with the "lost bezel" ploy, and thus the aftermarket-vs-Rolex discussion was had. (I wound up NOT getting a bezel from him, and he did try and push what was essentially the same product WSO sells. )

+1. A very well respected local watch shop in my area, that actually has a Rolex Parts account-- often fits AFTERMARKET parts to Rolex's he services. It is easier and cheaper for the non-WIS customer, and less paperwork for him. He "Gives them the option", but surprisingly most of his customers take aftermarket crystals, inserts, and hands. Again, we, and the guys are VRF/TRF are probably not the 'norm' when it comes to keeping it 100% Rolex. Your options: eBay, VRF & TRF and the thrill of the hunt if you want the real deal. So, next time "you think" the guy next to you at the bar is wearing a Sub "rep" because of a bad pearl on the insert-- just remember, maybe he took the aftermarket option from an Indie Shop. The "Rep", "Franken", "Gen w/aftermarket service parts" line will be one nice muddy mess.

In theory, you could use a 32mm 12 point socket. Put some electrical tape or plastic wrap on it to prevent marring and hand press it. (I do this with a 36mm socket on Submariners crystal retaining rings.)

Helpful hint. The following Press Set-Up works great for pressing JMB Bezel / GEN Bezels for 1000/1500/1600 series. The top die is 32mm inside and 4mm deep/hollow. The bottom die is 36mm and fit the 1601 case without case back perfectly. Finally, to make pressing life super easy. Put your mid-case in the freezer. Go boil some water for a cup of tea or coffee. Place Bezel in a cup and pour boiling water over bezel. Let sit about 3 minutes. Grab Case out of Freezer and set in press. Grab Bezel out of hot water. PRESS.... Smooth as butter!