PeteM

I think you already answered your question by using the phrase "pretty much" but here are the pics to show. But also consider the rest of my post before response !

Thanks Rob mate Have a good one mate to you and yours And thank you for all your help in the past mate...its much appreciated

Sorry mate, I wasnt pointing all that at you it was more you triggered it as I dont want to say this watch is perfect but its head and shoulders above anything else comparable... Thanks mate I wish you and the family the very best mate I hope you have a great time. Thanks for all your help and advice this year, both personally and on this forum.

Glad to hear it mate now you can enjoy Crimbo !

Great scene but you can just keep going on like "Trigger? Why do you always call me Dave? My names Rodney!"......

Thats interesting you mention that as when I got it in reasonable daylight the colouring looked good but in artificial light its defintely slightly darker shade, I would really want to see it tomorrow in good daylight but we are getting anal here so on I go... As the experts mentioned from the pics the cutouts or rather the top plate is thin but the shadowing that gives the depth perception isnt too bad but its not right thats for sure but I would rather have this dial to a DSN dial thats for certain. The CP is not as pointed or tippy as I thought it would be from the pics but it does need a slight rub to flatten it. O and the texture of the dial is just off but again very slightly I am talking here The case is pretty, no!! very good but when put up against a gen and for most of us here that would be the only way to tell, the lugs are slightly shorter and sit lower on the case, the feet are slightly bigger on the base, the case is slightly higher than the gen and the edge slopes are slightly off the gen the bezel lower rim is wider by a mil but the angle of the top part is pretty close. The crystal sits slightly higher and the shape of the crystal especially the edge doesnt follow the gen shape. The CG is definitely smaller in the curviature and against the gen looks a little like a mini me, the way the gen curves around the top edge to the case is pretty well copied this always being the worse aspect of any rep CG, the thin to thick look of the CG isnt as good as a good LH but again its something most guys here would need up against a gen to notice! The crystal distortion is damn good but the overall look of the crystal doesnt say corundum OEM but again it is better than most DSNs I have seen and its pretty close to a good EL crystal. The crown is SL but is wider by a fraction to a gen crown though teething is very good. The lever sits very flush but isnt snappy or even tight but its better than rep standard. The curve of the CG feet to the case is excellent and I get the feeling the size of the CG was created by trimming the template too much to get a good fit against the case so when production kicked off and the crown went in the closeness issue was created, though fixable as we are talking a hairs width! The material itself is good quality !! It marks just like a gen Ti the weight is comparable and the noise from the movement is veryu hard to hear dispite it being Ti. I really like this watch for the money and I think this is a great watch for the majority of collectors and a great step forward, I really believe this watch would stand up to a wrist check without any issue But also lets get this watch in context...If I offered a watch 6 months ago with these specs I would of expected to see it for no less than $500 Best version real Ti case with accurate lugs T48 Ti crown LH dial and hands Best TB/LH Ti version CG (OK he never made Ti but you get the idea) Thick Crystal with slight AR (colourless) Good version 6497 with better version plates and non sticjkered OP Relumed with SL High CP mod CG modded with flattened and polished pin Correct and individually marked millesimation Best version rubber strap with Ti Buckle Well you get the idea !!!!

AR is weak but colourless in the majority of angles at some acute views its a slight greyish. The DLs I have a slight purply hue at the edges in some light so I would say its comparable to the 288 I have the 288 and overall for accuracy the 288 shades it but really it only comes down to which you prefer the look of.... for me I never took an interest in rads and never liked them I still dont but I like the 288 as it feels gen like...I never liked Tis I tried a few even with gen parts but again couldnt get on with them however given the price of this and the fact its only an option in my rotation I like it

I recall reading here recently that a few people had been stung by the new set up.. I would be very careful if you do find a way mate !!!!

Your not wrong Doc..Total parts fest!!! Of course the guys are right but its negligible and to be honest never noticeable unless you study macros or hold the dial up close...

My kids would love that look out the window Now can you just tell me from your front room where do I head for your watch collection... !!! I hope you and your lovely family have a great xmas mate I will have a drink to you mate

Good question mate I reckon if he will still sell them and to same standard, if you remember he used a fair bit of modded parts including replating and that ......then yes I think it would be a more sensible approach to using a gen. I will PM you his Email

Thanks mucker Thanks SF too Yeah the crown is very good only a fraction off gen compared to my hex crown gens (though non are a 177) The guy is very slow mate He can take up to a week !! I think the movement on this isnt half bad, the pics we have seen dont do it justice. Clean edged plates, OP is no worse than LHs font, the plate engravings are better than nearly all I have seen. The one thing that I do notice but this is being really picky...is the crystal, it distorts like the gen but you just know it aint gen. I think I will definitely put LHs movement in this one and I will put Barts crystal in it. The lume is without doubt the best I have ever seen straight from factory easily better than the DLs and better than the 288, the charge really lasts too.... The case shape is very good and the profile on the top side of the CG is excellent even the lever is flush!!

This arrived today

Its like Only fools and horses! You think of one clip and then they all come flooding back !! Just when you think you know the best one you remember another cracker !!

Dont take in the interchangeable bit mate Overall this loks like another great rep OK it has flaws...Older movement, 12 and 6 shape CG, mineral glass etc etc but for the money this is another good show My 253 and 212 should be here next week so I will let you know

I recieved my 177 today and took a few phone pics with the JV style strap though Mario has made me a Burgundy Croc strap with Ti stitching which is on its way to me !! I must say despite all the hype I wasnt expecting such a great rep especially for the dosh, it truly is a great buy and there is no need to mod this its good enough as it is though if you guys know me I really cant help myself !! So its booked in with Rob!! But blimey this watch really does mark a change in direction for the factories, I am very pleased with this buy and for $200 including shipping I have absolutely no complaints. I am now really looking forward to getting The new 253 and 212 next week I am sure you guys know all the points picked up and yes I could pick up some flaws but overall I have to say these are no issues for this sort of money !!

Happy Crimbo to you too mate Thanks for al your great work on here and your contributions !! Most of all thanks for your willingness to help and your patience !! Its much appreciated

Congrats mate Heres to another couple of years Its been good to know you round here !!

Bah !!! Humbug where I live !!

I was watching some old clips of The Morecombe & Wise Show at Xmas and was reminded of the sketch with Andre Previn. I thought I would share it, as to me it sums up what their humour was all about, I hope this humour translates to you guys across the globe but not matter what I hope you have a great Xmas with a lot of laughter http://www.youtube.c...h?v=mTAcbsKZlcE

Just in time for the new version 253s !!!

Dont forget the candles !! Thank God for lume !!

Congrats mate But did he do the work !!!

Very nice guys Just remember mate it is a very small watch - just in case your GF would prefer more wrist presence. Originally I liked this for my Mum because although it looks really nice it doesnt create attention - Of the unwelcome kind....if you know what I mean

Absolutely lovely mate Congrats a very special sub indeed For me the gen bezel really makes this a step above