txcollector

I keep reading folks boast about their lumes and how they last for hours, what a non sense. You will get a decent amount of lume for about 15 min with any good gen. After that it's a foolish exercise of locking yourself inside a dark closet so you can pat yourself in the back that you can make out the dial from the very very faint lume. If you want to read a dial in the dark get something like this

I always tear my watches apart, grease all gasgets and carefully put them back together. Reps have no warranty so why risk it?

No offense but in what planet is Seiko classified as a high end watch? and $45? Not even Canal st. stuff is so cheap. Kind of a non sense article, isn't it?

I searched for more than 1 year on eBay to get it (NOS nevertheless) but I have not seen another before or since.

Both are the regular reps with OEM dials, chief AR and relumed hands. Very simple. I'm also working on the crowns (the gen has a different thinner profile) and I may try to upgrade the DWs and caseback engraving.

I love these Overseas frankens.

one word: money. Jay-z is a businessman (that's how he got filthy rich). Hublot is all about marketing (not haute horology) and paying for exposure suits their business model. In a sense they complete each other

005

not really needed. The AR is good enough as it is. It doesn't photograph that well but it doesn't bother me either. I stay away from gold reps. The color, weight, etc just creates for too big of a nightmare to deal with. I bought it from Tony at asian7750 (like most of my watches). But you need to be very specific on the movement (send pics) and make sure they get the correct one.

to be honest with the N-factory 243 coming at the same price I have no idea why anyone would buy the H one.

no way. Waiting for the N release.

Going 29

H factory issues: CP - that horrible old squared non flushed CP of the old ultimates - really? would it kill them to pay attention CG lever - tip incorrect Bezel markers - incorrect bevel Bezel - not flat enough For me the bezel on the H factory killed the watch. It doesn't have that gen feel. there are other small issues like the crystal thickness, cyclops, spring bars, HE valve. The H factory really dropped the ball in terms of paying attention to details. The N factory is doing laps around them.

Not even a contest. The N factory is miles ahead of the H version. Don't even think about it.

that's what watchmakers use on movement parts. If the wood is soft you will be fine. You might want to buy a specific tool for that.

xmas time, be patient. I hope it is insured.

If you are in the US check the reseller value. From what I've heard it's not holding up at all. Sales are not impressive either. This is what Edmunds had to say: "Fiat had high hopes for the 500, which was extensively re-engineered for the U.S. and went on sale here in March. The Italian automaker — now the corporate parent of Chrysler — had anticipated it would sell 50,000 Cinquecentos this year in the U.S. Instead, the little hatchback has sold only 17,444 units through November and will likely fall below 20,000 units, according to projections by Edmunds.com. In December, the 500 received one more bit of bad news — a disappointing overall safety rating of three out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fiat has made several aggressive moves to bolster its brand image and presence in the American market, replacing its U.S. sales chief in November and hiring celebrity Jennifer Lopez to be its spokeswoman in a series of splashy TV ads."

the dealer that sells this model that can be contacted via that website

asian7750 is Tony's website

Then it's not OEM. Be careful also that some folks try to fool others by calling it GEN alligator Panerai just to defend it later as clever marketing since the strap is made from an alligator hide and fits a Panerai watch.

if you just Google OEM you will get a list of very reliable definitions right on the first page To answer one of your specific questions, ALL OEM straps would have some form of Panerai's trademark on it. No exceptions.

well the major flaw in his plan is the price tag. $800 for that? he must be high. You can get that strap from Angus for $40.

in one word, yes, at least for the higher end reps. There are some dealers that deal with cheap stuff that may have access to different suppliers.