magnusson_r

Consdiering that, after 2010, ETA will be severely restricting the distribution of its blank movements ('ebauche'), does it make sense to stock up now on a particular movement? I understand that it will be very difficult to source whole movements after Dec 2010, and that parts will be difficult to source, and more expensive. But then again I suppose the Asian factories will step in to fill that role. Any thoughts?

I order stuff from ebay all the time for many years and have never ever had a bad shipping experience. Canada Customs, on the other hand, does open about 30-40% of the stuff, which is rather disconcerting. I mostly buy laptops and pc equipment on ebay. But the last item was a mesh laundry bag I bought for $10, shipped in a bubble envelope. Sure enough, Customs checked it out! (And didn't bother to re-seal the envelope!)

Two such cases of non-arrival! This sounds very suspicious.

A question I've often wondered about: Is courier (High Priority, whatever) actually safer than regular mail, when mailing, say, from US to Canada?

Hi all--Just wondering if there are many Canucks on the board. Cheers!

1. But the examples of the artists you cited point to a unique talent. To continue my specific example, I don't think a stock 3135 cal. is unique at all in the annals of horology. Why pay $2500 for a commonplace movement that has been around for many, many years? If you were talking about the new Seiko SpringDrive, or (relatively new) Omega Co-Axial, then I would heartily concur with you. Those represent unique and inspired technology and are not easily duplicated; 2. The examples you chose were purely aesthetic, but a good wristwatch must be *functional*. And on that score I maintain that a well-tuned 2824 is every bit as functional as a 3135 cal., at a true fraction of the cost.

Reminds me of an old joke. My father's watchmaker (back in the 1980s) used to say "The Rolex is an excellent $800 watch." (He was talking about Stainless Steel Sub, not TT or Gold.) At that time a SS Sub would set you back about $3k, so you may adjust his comment for inflation. I think he was right! You look at the 1980-era SS Sub and, apart from the movement, the quality of materials and craftsmanship can easily be duplicated for $800. Right down to the plastic crystal. And hell, I'd take a well-tuned 2824 over a 3135 cal. any day, for that matter. It is every bit as robust and capable of same accuracy. Will it last as long? Very likely yes. So my answer---It depends on the quality og the replica, and the model being replicated. SS Sub yes, TT Sub no. Precious metals and proprietary complications (ie--Seiko Spring Drive) are different matter altogether.

Hi all--Don't people *importing* a rep. watch run risk of importing through the regular mail services (which may be opened by border)? Or even through Fedex, UPS etc.? (maybe that's safer, i don't know). I know that it is illegal to import for commercial puproses, and so unless you're importing more than one watch the RCMP or US police probably will not prosecute over just one watch(but who knows--they might! and why risk it!) Anyway, I just wonder how people buy and sell so many of these rep watches through the mail, cross-border. cheers