kramerica2

Up until today, I've been an Omega and Breitling person. My favorite watches are the PO and the SOSF. I'm looking to expand the collection, and try other brands. I'm basically open to any brand except Rolex and Tag. If I ever get a Rolex, it would after I could afford a gen one, and Tags just don't do it for me. Anyway, after some research, I have my eye on 3 watches: 1. The new PAM 250 (does it come with a tan strap?) 2. AP ROO 3. Ebel 1911 discovery "panda" I know that I'm the only one that can make the choice, but I'd like your opinion. Assuming that eventually I'd get them all, which would you get first? Excluding Omega, Breitling, Tag and Rolex, is there another watch you would get before those? Bear in mind, I plan to buy a watch once or twice a year, not more than that. Thanks a lot...

The 4th gen had a terrible pearl, and a mediocre dial. You had to replace both of them in order to get a nice watch, and some would say that the endlink gap was a deal breaker. The 5th gen has a mediocre insert and dial and assuming it takes gen parts and doesn't have the gap problem, you can replace the dial, and leave the insert as is, or replace later on. Build your franken one piece at a time, and still enjoy a very nice watch during that time. It is also quite nice for most ppl out of the box, which you can't say about the 4th gen (I don't see how anyone could enjoy their watch with that pearl). It is indeed an upgrade, but not the one most of us anticipated. I really don't mind most of the flaws, but the logo position is very annoying and probably quite obvious to the naked eye.

Adding to my list, keep in mind, I'm well aware to the fact it's a rep and willing to accept imperfections. I just want to keep track, and hopefully be able to fix as many as possible.

Thanks for those pics. Flaws spotted so far (by me or other members) and how will affect real life use: 1. The Omega logo is indeed sitting a bit too low. Too bad, it's worse than the happy feet, since it's easier to spot in real life. 2. IMO the He valve should be just a tad higher. Extremly hard to spot and I could be wrong. 3. The number on the endlinks is upside-down. Not really an issue while wearing the watch. 4. The pearl. Factories still can't nail this one. It's just awkward. Not exactly in place, should be more recessed, etc. The easiest tell in this rep, I believe. 5. The crown is sticking out more than it should. Quite hard to tell without a gen reference next to it. 6. The endlinks might have the infamous gap. If true, it's a big problem. No doubt that this is the best we've seen since the 4th gen, it's a bit better than the 4th, but we'll have to wait and see if it takes gen parts.

Indeed it is. take a look at the post just below this one (at time of posting):

No, it's an ip range block by that website.. probably someone from the same ip range as mine tried to hack or something...Like I said, nothing that VPN didn't solve. Anyway, the watch looks amazing. Can't believe it took them that much time to get it done.

For some reason when I try to access that site, I'm automatically referred to google.com. I think that website is blocking me for some reason... VPN and problem solved! Now I'm interested to find out why am I blocked...

Could someone please link the picture or something? I can't see it for some reason...

I've been waiting so long for this one... Why can't I see the image?

I've considered a decent service before, but I decided not to for many reasons: 1. Price. If you include the shipping and the service, the price is close to that of a new rep. 2. No warranty. It could fail even a month after a service, so money totally wasted. 3. Out of country risk. I don't really know anyone that will deal with reps in my country. It's either totally amatures or serious watchmen that will only deal with gens. Therefore, I have to send it out. Most watchmen I talked to, told me they won't accept out of EU/US jobs. Even if someone would do that for me, there is always the double customs risk. Looks like that at current situation, gen is the way to go...

Every now and then, a rather new member posts a topic about failing reps... Now it's my turn. My last rep died today and it's the one that has lasted the longest out of all my reps, only 1.5 years young. Funny thing is that it was also the cheapest... My first rep died after a month. Bad luck I thought, so I got another one right away. It survived 6 motnhs. In the meanwhile, I got the POrikka which is the one that survived until today, and a SOSF that died after 1 year. So, from my short experience (4 reps): Avg. Life Span - 9.25 months Min. Life Span - 1 month Max. Life Span - 18 months Avg. Price - 250$ Total Price - 1000$ I know some of you will dismiss that as bad luck. But comeon... 4/4? No correlation between price and quality? I also know that many members here have reps that keeps going after 3 years and more, but maybe in those times the factories had better QC? Now, my dilemma is simple - should I get another rep for ~250$ and keep spending that amount every 9 months or so, or should I just spend the same amount ahead of time and get a nice gen, that would have a warranty, and would probably last at least 10 years if not more than that (My last gen was an old Seamaster that still works after more than 20 years).

Nice list, and since I'm planning my franken, I was wondering what bezel mod you are talking about? Thanks

The dealer doesn't make the watch, he buys it from someone just like you. He can be the most honest guy in the business, it doesn't mean he can't be fooled too.

It's funny, like many I was looking for one watch. I registered here, and decided I want the PO. This was just 4 months ago. I figured that I'll buy it, and that's it. Just think that for the last 10 years or so, I didn't even wear a watch, so one nice watch is all I wanted. After a month or so, I started thinking: "Ok, this is nice, but I also need a simpler quartz chrono watch for my sports activities". So, I got a quartz Tag and really thought that it would be my last purchase. But, as I got more involved with the community here, and started supporting it too, I couldn't resist getting at least another one, and along came the SOSF. I already know that my next one would be the Ebel 1911, and who knows what's next.... I should've known that this would happen. Every thing I get into becomes like an addiction, especially when there is a great community behind it.

I join you in condolences for all the people that suffered from this tragedy. As an Israeli I know what terror is. 11/9 wasn't an attack against the US, but against democracy and peace and around here we felt like it happened in our own country. I can only hope that some day, we'll remember this day as a turning point that brought peace to this world.

Could you tell which pen exactly (a number could help) are you talking about?

Do you mean Hangover?

Tried that method.. the answer I got from the dealer was that he had no idea, but they use generic cartridges. Does Montblanc (for example) have standard refills? Is there a standard in that field?

How could you know that before the purchase?

Could be quartz... Anyway, awesome photos and a nice looking watch. If only it had an AR, I would've bought the quartz version myself.

Funny, I asked a similar question a couple of months ago. I have a 6.5-7 inch wrist, and didn't like big watches at all. Since then, I've changed my mind a bit, and got the SOSF. It's a bit thick, but stunning, and overall blends well.

Never owned (or will own) a Rolex. Neither rep nor gen. I can't explain exactly why, but I have very little respect for this brand.

I've mentioned in the review. The only one that carries the model you refer to, is Time4direct. You can find him at RWI.

No need to rush to the optometrist... I didn't mention specific flaws on purpose. The thread I linked to does a very good job at pointing those out, including the tiny square.

Thanks I've mentioned the third version, and the arrow hand is the reason why I didn't get it.... but that's just me.