Thklinge

+1 I LOVED my Aquaracer Day/Date to death, but daily use was just too much. Had some intermittent problems with the chrono, and after dropping it once (from the nightstand onto wood floor) the frame around the day/date-window fell off the watch face. Was too tired to check it out until the next morning and by then it had jammed the hands pretty good. Another example is the Porsche Design Flat-6, again problems with the chrono. Got it fixed one time, and now I just don't use the feature. As for daily use, I've beaten around an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean SS for around a year now, still looks fantastic and runs like.. err, clockwork. Simple rule of thumb: Keep it simple, stupid. Fewer features = fewer things that can go wrong.

I ordered a Planet Ocean SS Orange in may, got it out of customs last week(!!) The watch passed customs in Oslo (Norways capitol where the main postal hub is), and was ready for pickup at my local post office. But before I got there the local customs office had been on an inspection, found my "toy doll, value 1 usd", scanned it with x-rays and found the watch inside. They confiscated the package and left a note for me. I got the note when I tried to pick up the package, and called the number on the note. The fellow at the other end was a grumpy one. I didn't know what the contents of the package was, it could be the watch, something from DealExtreme or other items I had ordered so I was a bit confused at the start of the conversation. He probably thought I was trying to play the old I'm-innocent-routine. When he finally explained what was in the package I said: "Oh, it's arrived, great!". He then asked if I admitted to importing a fake Omega watch and I again confirmed happily. Then thing is, IPR-goods (Goods that break Intellectual Property Rights) or "fake goods" aren't illegal in Norway unless you order in bulk and sell it off. For private use it is completely legal. The idiot at the other end said that was "my claim" and sounded ready to arrest me, the fool. He said it was sent over to the legal department so he couldn't do anything anyway so we ended the call. I got a letter a few days later explaining that the watch was seized, then taken to an Omega AD for inspection. The AD confirmed that the watch was indeed a fake. Why they did it was probably due to Mr. angry customs officer. Luckily the legal department still had some braincells intact and was able to read their own regulations and conclude that the product wasn't illegal to import into Norway. The next problem was that the watch wasn't properly marked. The contents description was wrong and the value was WAY wrong. They asked for the invoice so that they could calculate VAT (25% of the value including freight). If they concluded that I had specifically asked the seller to hide the true contents and value they could charge me with a 100% added tax as a fine. I sent them all email correspondence with the seller and they agreed that I wasn't guilty of trying to smuggle the watch into the country. After paying the VAT of about 100 usd I got the watch back. I took months though... Anyways: Norwegians: For personal use, fake watches are NOT illegal in Norway but you do have to pay VAT.

My understanding was that most replicas use stock movements that are also found in brand name watches. The price differential can come down to not using the more exotic materials (like real gold, titanium, magnesium, carbon fibre, etc), manufacturing with a lower level of QC and less precision (for the casing & strap, not the movement itself), and without the most expensive part of it all: The brand name. Repsites should start selling watches for 300 usd instead of 250 with service included, or at least inform the customer that the watch you're about to buy is broken before you even use it. Buying a product marketed as new when in fact it is already broken? Sounds like a scam. Mods: Feel free to branch these posts out to a separate thread, it's pretty far off topic by now.

Serviced? A brand new replica watch needs a service before use? That's just silly! My first purchase was the Porsche Design Flat 6. I bought it from Tony at asian7750.com, it was 243 usd. About the fifth time I used the stopwatch, the whole watch stopped. Sent it back and waited forever to get it back. When it eventually got back I didn't dare to use the stopwatch. After a few months the date-wheel got stuck, I used it only occasionally and it did run out of spring-power between uses but I don't think that would matter. The second watch was the Tag Aquaracer. Not cheap that one either at 288 usd. The date-wheel stopped after a few months just like the Flat 6. I continued to use it sporadically until one day the frame around the date and day just fell off. I've worn the watches with care and have in no way abused them. I use several watches, most of them gen so the replicas doesn't even see daily use. I find it veeery difficult to fork out 348 usd for the Grand Carrera Calibre 36 if the experience will be the same as with the two others. Have I just been incredibly unlucky or can you only expect a 250-300 usd replica to last a few months? If the latter is the case the gen will be cheaper in a very short time.

My girl of course, also this:

Wow, fantastic pictures! I've lusted after the Calibre 36 but buying one is unfortunately useless. With the poor build quality this advanced watch will probably have a lifespan measured in weeks instead of the usual months. My very beloved Tag Aquaracer Day/Date blue/blue with steel bracelet was my absolute favorite, that watch just looks fantastic, but first the day-wheel got stuck, then the frame around the day and date fell off and now dangles around inside the casing. My Porsche Design Carrera Flat 6 also got a stuck day-wheel. I now have a 42mm PO with hour, minutes, seconds and the date. I hope that is basic enough for it to actually work more than a few months. Most of this is posted in the wrong thread I know, but just had to vent some frustration... Perhaps I should just fork out 4700 usd and buy myself a gen Aquaracer? Anyways, congrats on your Calibre 36, let us know how it runs! Also, pics are always fun, here is the Aquaracer:

He asked Lloyd to get the SS Rolex before meeting Andrew Klein, an old friend who didn't end up as successful as Ari. Ari didn't want to embarass him showing up flashing an expensive watch.

Guess this isn't 1/10th second precise so does the inner bezel ring move at all or?

This is more likely to be repped than UrWerk-watches but still a long shot. Looks awsome though: