kadakn01

One fact that most people do not know is that Swatch Group (ETA) produces over a million Valjoux 7750's per year. Since 1969 (the year the Zenith El Primero movement came out), including the supply to Rolex, in pre 2001 Daytonas, and Panerai, and other brands like Concord, they have only produced 600,000 movements (appox.) in total! So when you say $7,000 for a watch where the movement takes almost a year to make is too much, I have to respectfully disagree. That is ofcourse if we are comaparing to IWC or Panerai and other brands also in the same price range. They make every component themself, and I recently met the new Preisdent of the USA, at a inside basel (sponsored by WatchTime magazine)event here in Los Angeles, as they were displaying thier new line of vintage looking timepieces. Having 4 gen Zeniths in my collection (Grande class in Rose gold, 2 Zenith Defy classics in 18K/ss, and a Zenith Defy elite xtreme) I can honestly say they are the best quality I have ever owned. For referance, I have traded about $400,000 in gen watches on EBAY the past 10 years. I have had almost 15 differant brands in my possession at one time or another, like a Panerai 250, Rolex Deepsea (which I have now), Girrard Perregaux, IWC, and many others. When looking through a 10X loupe for fit and finish I have yet to see a spectle of dust on any Zenith I have had, on the dials or the hands. The hands are always dust and mark free, and the finish is incredible. The presentation box puts many other comapanies to shame. It is one of the most under rated brands out there. I think, now that the reps are on clearence, they are a screaming buy, if only that they may not make the reps since thier is hardly any demand anymore, and especially now that they are discontinued.

The reason is that Zenith since late last year stopped producing the Defy and the Defy Xtreme, as they are going back to vintage style watches. This happened when the new CEO Dufour took over after Nataf left last year. All the Gen Xtreme's are going for 66% off retail on EBAY now. Prowroth.com bought the entire ramining stock from Zenith in Switzerland. I just bought 2 gens, a Zenith defy classic in 18K/SS and a Zenith elite xtreme in SS/kevlar.

I agree with the premise of owning the reps leads to owning the gen. I went through 4 DSSD, 2 Euro Timez V5's (one I even sent to Vac for relume and HE valve mode). I finally own a V3 with the bezel of the V5 and the dial of a V5 (vac lumed). The crown guard on the V5 is too far out from the case. Anyways to make a long story short, I sold my GEN panerai Pam 250 and used the proceeds to buy a Gen V serial Rolex Deep Sea!I got a awesome deal on 10 month old watch still under Rolex warranty (and additional 1 year Tourneau warrenty as well). It is amazing! However it was running 12 seconds fast dial up! So off to the Tourneau store here in California to ship to Rolex Dallas, for regulation. I just got the call it will be 5 weeks! I had to send a detailed letter (per Rolex) to specifically say "it is ok for you (Rolex service) to wear the watch to test it", and detail exactly what I wanted done. As soon as it comes back, i will take pictures with my macro lens (canon T1i) of both the rep and the gen side by side. I agree with everything you said about the roughness of the inside clasp, where the engraving is (like a sand paper on the gen. What surprised me the most however was the lume! After sending to Vac to make it very blue, I thought it was perfect! Except that on the gen the lume is not nearly as blue. It is actually way off! Not to say Vac did not do a great job, as he did! In a strange way I actually like the bluer lume on the rep than the gen. In any case I will take these shots as well.

I ordered a DSSD V5 last Monday and was talking to Chris via email, but then no response since last Tuesday, June 30. I then got an email from them on July 2: Hi, I got your message and all will hopefully be replied to today, I was without internet for 72 hours as I moved to my new house (as some of you might know already). I have people as well working on the new house, painting and refurbishing it, so I got to be present at all times (lots of valuables, such as ehm real looking genuine-fake WATCHES). So without internet was a real real pain. I was living in boxes for awhile, but I basically have everything unpacked and new furniture has already been put in place. Living on the Beach now It will inspire me to get you even better watches and make new reviews for your enjoyment. I hope that the house will be totally done refurbished by the end of today or otherwise tomorrow. In the meanwhile, while keeping an eye on these workers (it's amazing they work for 1 usd a hour, yes it is no mistake "one" us dollar a day! Can't beat that!) MOST IMPORTANTLY! I'll reply to all your messages, that has been dying to answer now I got highspeed wireless internet at my house. Please spread the word about the internet thing if needed on the forum, as I'm be working full-time on replying to your e-mails. We would also apriciate that if your question are already answered or you DON'T need our assistance anymore that you let us know as well. With thanks in advance for your patience. Warmest Regards, Chris

where did you get the tool to take off the caseback? The white plastic looking tool you have works perfectly. I have to use a ANCHOR watch case opener with the 3 adjustable bits, as my bergeon tool does not hav the bit large enough, I believe Rolex is holding these until 2 years passes from release date. Regards, Nick