lanikai

thank you ,, but look at the images after chiefs treated xtal was installed .. the clarity is much better.. no debating that..

Going with some Blue ChiefT Dial love .. time to get more xtals to Cali

Those "kind words" have been Earned .. these are the crystals from 2 runs ago.. so the 2 that came out will be going to Cali this week No BS.. I could not really get a ggod look at the center of the convex.. and put the xtal; in upside down.. it would of been the end of the dial if I left it like that... some of the draw backs from an "invisible" xtal..

No doubt that having you service my movements have made a HUGE difference in performance.. thank you Ziggy,.. that was a whole lot of time just to post this.. but worth all of it us.!! Cheers L

Much has been said about AR (antireflective) coating .. the very high tech AR is used by the Armed Forces for such components as over head screens in fighter jets and tanks etc. It is used also, (as you know) on Luxury watch brands ... it's to the point where AR coating is just as important to the buyer (US ) as any other spec.. This post is mainly for all the new members that have come on board that have not experienced what I am about to compare (first hand).. and for the Vets.. I hope you enjoy the images.. as we all know the best AR is offered by RWG's Chief (Bulldog) Tang.. some like the blue tint on the genuine and rep crystals.. but for pure dial love .. well, nuff said... the images will tell the "Tale of the Tape" I thought it would be a waste not to do this since I am rotating Chiefs AR'd xtals and sending the ones I just removed for his current run the only word that I can use to describe Chiefs AR Coating is : MAGIC .. . . . . . . . . . View The Magic Factory AR .. the second pic has a little more light on the watch .. notice how the crystal is still reflecting it's light onto the dial,.. distorting the colour of the dial. After swapping the factory crystal with CT's Coffee ~ Chocolate .. this is what the dial is meant to look like, and yes there is a xtal on the case!! The dial is a little blurred , I wasn't focusing on the dial.. I purposely smudged the dial to illustrate that there is actually a crystal in place, so my focus on low F# is on the crystal.. I had to do a manual.. the auto setting was getting confused .. it could not find the crystal it's not the full on sunlight outside that has the most reflection.. but the light that enters at an angle through say.. the window.. and this is maxed out light on the watch ! Not enough? .. How bout Blue Factory AR.. Here's that unsightly Lume dust.. I realized from the IWC Ceramic dial that what I alway's thought was sloppy handling from the factory is actually the lume flaking off the hands.. thsi was not present a year ago.. you would think that some sort of sealer could be applied.. but regardless,. I now know that these specs are a result of the factory lume. .. but back on point .. the light is intense.. Ready???? . . . . . . . . Taadddaaaa Cleaned the dial and hands .. no Photo shop Tricks.. no nothing except the same angle and light, some lume dust fell again.. oh well, can't have it all .. until it goes to Ziggy that is Now that's BLUE ~ Pure Dial Love .. without the distraction of "Glare" As a side,.. I posted this also without Chiefs knowledge... 2 of IMO the best "Old School" members are the usual targets for either jealous members that want to "be them" .. I believe you know the the other member of whom I speak, hint .. (Horology)..... people who only "wish" they could be as knowledgable and talented, as RWG's Horological genius... and the top AR service.. bar none.. at least in the "known" Universe.. So if you are new here... be advised.. there are no words that could convey the quality of the modders and our Horologist here .. so stay with RWG... learn as I am trying to do.. and "Believe" RWG is the very best in all aspects.. and more than just watches Aloha~Cheers Lani

let me know if you want a Chief Ar'd crystal to go into your Spitfire .... I may be able to work out a swap with your existing crystal.. you would not believe the "invisible" quality of Chiefs xtal.. it is by far better than any genuine article.. there is a HUGE Problem with chiefs crystal in your watch though... edit add:.. gotta crash.. talk later.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .You won't be able to stop looking at it ... to admire it.. so don't wear it whislt driving

Copy .. thanks MP ,.. will fill out the delaration slip as "gift" and declare 30 usd Thanks for your time L

did you post pics ?? if this was mentioned before , I must have missed the thread,.. regardless, at least now I know where all the "dust" comes from

Dear All ~ I am preparing to ship a rep to the UK ..members have noted that customs has not been a problem .. (both sender and reciever). I would like to ask members who have actually sent watches to the UK .. "How did you fill out the declaration paer?" Was it "gift" or "watch repair?",.. and what value was claimed .. I don't want the reciever to have to pay customs duty either .. Thanks in advance L

"hemorrhaging"... hehe .... no, that's the reflection of the sun..

This is going to be going on a trip to the UK.. but I'll post a pic before saying Aloha ~

. . Like many other members I do this as a passion for our hobby and community .. if I had to make a living doing this it probably would not be as enjoyable. But I try and involve as many members as possible for brands that I know they are very knowledgeable in. and in the case of the Ceramic Pilot.. Dani and Theo threw in .. so giving the props to them for their contributions to the community ! And Chad posted his Ceramic first, which gave us all a peek at what the ceramic case looked like .. from a members viewpoint !! thank you for your gracious words.. Aloha~Cheers Lani

Fantrastic !!!!111!1!1111111111 so with that said.. any members reading KB's announcement .. are you a "Suppoter".. or a "Coat Tail B_ _ _ _ ?" with the added usage the monthly fee is sure to rise !!! Yup,.. I'm being the NAG !!! let's see more Orange of better yet... Platinum memberships to support the growing family... lotta mouths ta feed Aloha~Cheers Lani

here is the link for the straps.. the price must have gone up,.. swear I payed under 20 usd.. not much more though.. it's worth it http://www.google.com/products?sourceid=na...=1&ct=title Cheers edit add; .. again I stand corrected there are 22 mm straps.. but I have a 20mm and it is perfect..

the Lug width on the Ceramic is 21 mm as most of the IWC Pilots are.. if not all of them, however the 20mm Zuly strap I have in the pic fits perfectly.. I was told 22 does is not made.. maybe it is availble in EU.. dunno,... but there is absolutely do gap with the 20 mm .. I remeasured the strap last night to be sure, and it is 20 mm Giving credit where it is due ~ Theo posted in the pictorial that he has his Zulu Strap on it's way.. and it is a thicker 6 ring (I beleive) .. that is why I mentioned him in this thread... too many times IMO.. others try and take credit for someone elses work... I just had ordered the standard Zulu for this model.. I like the Zulu over the Nato.. thicker and the rings secure the band much better IMO.. thank you ! Yes, it is traditional AmS. .. I think an all black stiching would go nicely.. perhaps a distressed buffalo edit add: @add .. you will not be dissapointed.. may as well order a Zulu Strap while your at it.. Theo has the 6 ring .. there are 5 ring black Zulu's on ebay now.. coming out of New York .. under 20 usd.. that's with shipping.. he also has 24 mm that I ordered for other watches.. may use the 24 on my BR PVD

Thank you Ray, Theo and Mwee !! gotta condense this .. running out the door.. the Zulu in the pics is a 20 mm it works the lug size is 21 mm but there is no telling with the 20 mm zulu Theo .. what strap ??? enquiring minds wnt to know ??? And Ray, Good Luck with your studies, post when you can ma man... alway's a joy to see you !! As a Valuable member of RWG.. I always enjoy reading your posts !!! Aloha L

thank you Dani, .. the reason I never showed my Sharpei's .. was the arrogance and snobby attitudes of what the Owners have become .. especially when they believe if the Breed is impure .. those animals should be "Put Down" I cannot stand to see dogs suffer because of inbreeding etc. ... the Sharpei used to be larger and was bred down for "Standard" which caused a rash fo illness and allergies... I miss them so much.. but with my schedule it would be selfish to bring a dog home.. I would not have time to give them the attention and care they need... I cannot stand to see dogs chained up all day and night.. The Socialites at the Westminster don't even really know their animals .. they are there for the Prestiege of the "Trophy" Sad really what some will do for Glory .. thanks again.. mixed breeds in Hawaii are called "Poi dogs" and are the healthiest and sometimes the smartest Aloha~Cheers lani

Cool pic and gorgeous Strap Kupuna !.. Omni ~ some thought went into that image.. Friday ~ I had this on in the AM .. still on the fence as far as choice of bezels Put this on for the PM ~

Yup,, Thank You.. Dani.. for pointing the gap out !!.. I posted the buffalo pilot strap to illustrate more the proper hole in the strap.. as Aaron's specs are spot on !! OK.. ma bad.. sorry .. I better go eat.. getting knarly..

Chief !!!!!!! All the way .... !!!!!, I think I can make his upcoming run !!.. then off to Ziggy !! and I stand corrected , this is not the same dial as the V1 .. after putting them side by side this is a brand new dial.. the finish is 100 times better and the font size like the genuine on the Ceramic !! already done.. Joshua will inform the Maker .. but hopefully it is an isolated issue with my rep .. I hope so

Roger that !!! the thicker Zulu will look GREAT !! and thank you D !!

Thank you.. please READ .. the reason for the gap.. it's not the lug holes !! .. anyway.. please read.. thanks

I thought I would post a variety of straps so you can view what the potential is for this Replication .. I was so frustrated by what I thought was the factories sloppy methods (dust on the dial) that I could not take any decent pics for the pictorial.. well, I believe I discovered where the "dust" came from and I believe it happened after the watch was assembled and closed .. view my explanation in the pictorial thread.. so a somewhat cleaner dial and some wrist shots for your viewing pleasure thanks in advance for viewing.. Lani In direct sunlight you can view the dials texture much better ! and relatively free of "dust now.. the specs you see around the 7 appeared about 20 minutes after I assembled the dial/movement back in the case.. it's the Lume dust it cannot be seen with the naked eye though. This is the rep strap that comes with the rep.. Dani pointed out the large gap from the strap to the case.. this is a result of the strap not the lug holes You can keep spare change in the space... This is the strap from the PVD V1 version.. notice the gap is closed a little.. this strap is actually a little better as far as feel.. V1 Strap.. this watch will "appear big" due to the size of the dial/crystal and thin case sides in relationship to the dial/crystal..IMO Traditional Pilots Strap.. And finally my Fav.. the Zulu,.. Theo brought up that he has already ordered the 6 ring pvd Zulu .. that will be by far the best strap ..IMO .. can't wait to see that one Theo !! A little stiff.. it's new .. it is snug , although it does not look like it is.. Aloha~Cheers Lani

ok moved the hands one full rotation.. and there is a couple of tiny specs again on the dial,.. that only can be seen through a loupe... I hope it's just my rep that is like this.. good luck to those who have it on the way.. if it's any consolation.. it is invisible to the naked eye.. edit add: I'll post some wrist shots with the Zulu strap.. I cannot find ma PVD'd black.. arrrghhh ..have to use the regular black for now..

Ok.. finished cleaning the dial.. and very interesting.. the results: that was not dust in the common sense that you saw, after using radisco and the blower,.I reinserted the dial and movement .. then to my surprise there was more "dust" when viewed the dial through my loupe.. impossible !!!! .. all the windows are closed the AC is off no draft.. WTF ? I noticed the "dust" was in line with the minute hand .... yup ...... you guessed it ! the "dust" is a by product of the Lume material.. now I don't want you to think I know lume... but my "guess" would be the "lume dust" is a result of ... I guess my layman's term would be equating it to a bad mix of resin and catalyst (hardener).. as when I repaired surfboards.. the mixture of resin to hardener was key.. so, maybe I got a bad lume batch.. it's all good now, .... but the lume may be brittle and the top layer not cured or hardened ergo.. the lume dust flakes off onto the dial.. so, the dust was not evident when the maker released the watch,... but the dust came (IMO) from the hands after the fact. btw.. I have the V1 PVD version.. and it looks like the maker used the same dial.. different hands but the markers are the same.. not like the 3717 where the markers were solid blocks.. on this dial the markers without a loupe looks nice.. with the loupe .. you view how it is attached .. Regardless of all that is said.. it will be taking "The Trip" to the Master of Lume and modding !!!! so all hope is not lost And I will state: for those who view my reviews as "being in collusion with any dealer" ..... NOT!!!! my dealer knows I calls um likes I sees um.... and will relay these defects to him so he can in turn alert the maker. also.. if you do remove the movement.. no need to undo the screw tabs.. they are fastened to the case spacer and the whole deal comes right out.. ******* DON'T FORGET THE TINY PUSHER INSERTS ON THE SIDE OF THE MOVEMENT.. FOR THE CHRONO PUSHERS.. OR YOU WILL BE ON THE GROUND.. DOING THE 'CARPET PATROL ' THINGI and no I didn't forget..