Timepiece

WOW !!! I have a continuously changing list of 10 reps that I consider represent a balanced list of brands, styles and dial/strap colors. ...most of the watches you own are on my current list! Just love the velcro strap on the moonwatch. I think you finally helped me narrow down my pick for a PAM. I can now see myself buy a 112h, 183 and/or 063. Still do not see the need for a PO though. IMHO it looks to much the same like my Sub and SMP divers. I would love to see the HBB on a decent wristshot. Do you only wear it casual?

Thanks Dutchy, it has all been a Dutch treat I guess... on myself... So you're into the blue stuff now?! Well it's like my slogan: some reps are just great in blue. Or now I come to think of it... maybe collecting watches is more like getting married: something old (vintage), something new and something blue... Congrats on the gen parts! Please post your pics of any of the Breits on a brown strap. I'm all druelling over the Andreas Sports Breit straps on the Sirtoli site.

THANXX The Zigmeister. I'm just inspired by you (and Pug, Thor, Rolli, etc ...) VIP members ...and my new home made soft lighting tent and Canon 30D SLR helped a lot! Next time I will try other orientations than head-on. Darn, I need a clear plastic watch stand... Any home made tips?

Hmm, just noticed that as well. I can't tell if Picasa played a trick on me after 'sharpening'... Thank God the letter is only 1mm in height on the real thing, so nobody can tell. Damn my Canon 30D / 17-85 lens...

This is my story of what happened after I saw a friend wearing a gen Chopard Mille Miglia and stumbled on the RWG forum looking for a nice deal on such a watch. I found this Walhalla of watches I always dreamed of owning... My first order was almost a drama though. My Omega SMP Bond ETA ordered from Trusty got lost in the mail and two other watches arrived with defects. Andrew made it all come to a happy end by sending me another SMP, repairing a defect and shipping a new watch. When I thought I wanted to sell the SMP last year I found out that it has some much sought after qualities: correct HE-valve position, bracelet with pieced links and after a relume by Palpatine it became one of my favourites. An AR treatment could make it perfect for me. I wear it preferrably with a casual jeans outfit. When selling my IWC Pilot UTC from the first order on RWG I made a deal with another member and ended up what I wanted in the first place: a Chopard Mille Miglia. It has more sentimental then other value to me and it is my favourite watch for summer holidays. The Asia movement is accurate but chronos don't work, seconds hand is unstoppable etc. I do own a gen dial, but I have no shop or contacts around the corner to swap that in. My next watch is a classic that needs no introduction. My first ETA version of it was previously owned by Dutchy. After I got over my Rolxx hesitation I was helped by a RWG member to determine which one I should order. It is again by Trusty, has crisp white characters, nice rehaut and good CG's and curves. I only sanded the edges of the bracelet a bit to make it feel more like a gen. The deep black of the dial still fascinates me and it's a watch that I wear both casual and dressy. Next is my most comfortable to wear watch with ETA quality: a TAG Heuer Link GMT from Joshua. It just slides smoothly under any shirt or sweater and goes with everything. It is my favourite daily beater. Now it was time for a more dressy watch with leather strap. I could not resist the IWC Portuguese with the pleasing noisy rotor movement. I swapped the OEM strap for a genuine black alligator. My latest treasure is a Breitling Steelfish Superocean with white dial. Iwear it on a black rubber Breitling strap (from ebay). I purchased it from Precious Time with the camel leather strap. It is a super strap, but not my colour. So if you

Question: what's the width I should order for a gen rubber strap on the Steelfish rep: 20, 22 or 24 mm ??

I'm thinking about following Pugwash with the additional leather strap, but also for the summer I would like a rubber strap. Could you post pictures of the steelfish with a black rubber strap. Thanks! Timepiece.

I just sold my earlier model ETA Sub from Trusty; a beautiful watch but not enough rehaut, so I'm looking for a 'higher league' model. Now I saw your beauty (from Josh ;-) as well in the 'Perfect Submarineers' post. What's the big difference with Andrews' new/improved model that made that investment worthwile for you? Is it the professional overhaul, the rounded edges, ... ??

Hmm, you're probably right. I'll consider a Casablanca with SS bracelet. BTW where did you find that 18K gold one and is it a rep anyway?

Yeah, there are even 'experts' on the net trying to rationalize that! SMP versus Sub comparative review I've seen the gen SMP last week. From say one meter distance it has a deep dark blue effect; must be due to AR... Now I'm wondering if I still like my SMP Bond as much; the dots on the dial and the bezel do look so much like my Sub. But I like the Bond bracelet better and the blue goes so nice with jeans... If the SMP rep would have AR I would seriously consider a purchase!

I would like to treat my wife on yet another rep. After a beautiful two-tone Omega Constellation (as worn by Cindy Crawford) and sharing my IWC Portuguese (like Sophie Marceau), I think she would like a SS Franck Muller Conquistador with white dial. These days bigger watches seem to be OK fot the ladies. Does anybody have a partner that wears his SS Conquistador for man? If so, was it easy to adjust the bracelet and please include a wrist shot!! (any wristshot of a Conq for ladies would also be appreciated!) P.s. yes I know the PP 24, Cartier Tank Fr. and some Rolex or Tags for ladies are also great...

My SMP was not lumed 100% on the 9 hr marker. Now I'm thinking of sending it to a trusted RWg member that can relume the dial and hands. Besides The Zigmeister I found the name finepics in some reviews. Who can give me a good tip and indication of the costs involved?

Yep, I've been there too! Thought that Rolex was too notorious as a rep mark in the world (outside RWG anyway!). Looked at look-alikes from lesser notorious brands but these didn't stare back at me like the (deep) black beauties from Rolex. I thought I should start with a nice one previously owned by a RWG member, to keep costs of a possbible disappointment lower. Now it has become one of my daily favourites. And I'm looking for a RWG member that will part of his/her modded Sub with more so called 'rehaut' and re-lumed markers/hands. Only disadvantage if you already own a SMP (Bond or classic): your environment generally won't notice the difference when you're wearing them! Actually here's a nice review on the minute differences between the two gens: Comparative review: Seamaster versus Submariner Enjoy!

Thanks guys!! Special thanks to retep who pm'ed me a very complete listing of dealers and sites (something to be pinned in the Newbie section)!

Looking into the Breitling Navitimer forum discussions I came across dealer name: Ruby. Who can enlighten me with a 'guide to the RWG dealers' web/e-mail vs. aka/name. Thanks!

Thanks!! Now I also have an idea of the comparable sizes of Pannies, IWC GST and Omega Moonwatch.

Pug, can you take pics of the Navi next to the Porto? I love the IWC but am wondering about the looks of the the Navi compared to the Porto. ...After that I still will have to choose between a black (Andreww's) or white dial Anyway I also prefer a thick black strap. (Like Dutchy who recently had a real good deal!) Dutchy's Gen Breitling strap

Thanks! OK, I miss at least a PAM and a Breitling and a nice Tourbillon, but there must be something to desire, right?! I will try to reshoot the TAG, cause this pic is not serving it. It is a great 'goes with everything' watch. The curved top slides smoothly under dress shirts and in bright light the edged markers sparkle. Also the black wavy dial and the special TAG link bracelet w/o holes/screws is magnificent! My Porto, Link GMT, SMP and Sub battle for daily wristtime!

You're absoluteley right! Actually last couple of days I have been trying to find some info on a PAM050. I don't have a big wrist and this seems to be a model that I like AND would fit me!! Any tips or links?! For the Breitling fans: oh yeah, that's also on my wishlist: Black-bird Chrono, Ti Avenger or black strapped black Navitimer Serie Speciale.

I think I agree with you on this one: old over new (sorry Rolexman) and try it on with a black strap. Great wrist shot with that bomber (like) leather jacket sleeve!! Nice AR shine. What rep do you think, comes closest to the blackbird; an Avenger Chrono?

Ever since my last post on a mystery Breiting (an out-of-production Crosswind model), I've caught the Breitling virus. I just must have one... I found this beautiful model: Breitling Black-Bird Chronomat stainless-steel Automatic Chronograph with date. Black dial with luminous hour markers and hands. Mens size ~ 38mm case with uni-direction rotating bezel. This is a special edition model with matt-steel case. Dial is also signed "Series Speciale Blackbird". Black resin band & buckle by Breitling. Sapphire anti-glare crystal. Screw-lock crown. Would you want this one as a rep too??!

Hey Dutchy, Did your Crosswind ship finally come in ??!

Hi Yellowhat, I mainly raced J24, Laser II Regatta in Europe and some dutch classes (Valk, 16m2, ...).

I used to do some match and olympic sailing. In sailing it comes (count)down to a 10 minute, 5 minute, 2 minute and finally one minute signal (horn and flags) from the starting vessel. The red/blue markers are for quick glance reference if you are busy as a helmsman in a tight field of competing ships. For that reason I would like the rep for it has a more precise 2 and 1 minute dial marker, but it lacks the 10 minute signal (stops at 6).

My Trusty has no AR. I have seen a gen up close, but never noticed the AR. I think AR shows a lot more with black dials.