Nanuq

Libby is back! How ya doin?? Long time no see! Anyone have a reference for her?

It was way back in the Fall of '97 or '98 when I got the bug for a really good fake Rolex. I'd bought a few from street vendors in Puerto Rico and for the most part they didn't go "tick tock" they just went "tick" and died. So I knew I needed something special. I eventually stumbled across the early boards and did a LOT of reading. I sniffed out a small and secretive undercurrent of people with bad German accents and cigarette holders, and knew I was onto something good. You had to do it right... make the right approach, utter the passphrase, place your order by leaving a slip of paper under the correct rock at midnight, keeping it brief and succinct, pay the man with small nonsequential bills, hope against hope that you didn't screw up, and then wait. It was hellish. Eventually the day arrived when The Package landed on my step, replete with cognac stains and smelling vaguely of sauerkraut. Inside lay the love of my newly hatched rep collector life, a real, live, genuine, honest-to-God Maria Best 1665. And it was running. I eventually worked up the nerve to post a photo on the rep board, and their jaws dropped. They didn't know something like that was available (???) and several asked me "Is that a real DRSD?" Man I was tempted to lie, but I didn't. I said it was from Maria, acting like I was part of the Inside Cadre, like "Yeah me and Maria ... we're like this" (holding up two crossed fingers) when in fact I was a pathetic newb. Things picked up after that, I put Paul on speed dial, and the watches started rolling in. It was about that time CrazySaleMan was born, and the giddy freedom of inexpensive, fairly high quality watches took root. I experimented with contemporary "flat crystal" models and hated them all, ultimately resulting in The Test. Did you know a mineral glass crystal would melt? Neither did I. And now here we are! Gone are the days of sneaking around with passphrases and false moustaches (except in the case of TT). We're a much more refined and educated group now, and MUCH more accepting of newbs. And that's all good.

"Summer"? What're you guys talking about? Is that the "S-word" I hear people mention? We got SNOW right above my house and 36 degrees out! YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Get out the snowshoes and skis!!!

I've been toying with the idea of trading my gen 1675 GMT for a high end Martin guitar. So I asked several fine members here to write a review of the watch to set the other party's mind at ease. And each review I've received began with "ARE YOU MAD??!!!" So I had to stop and think, and think some more. And in the end, I realize that things that are HARD to obtain should not be traded off for things that are easy to obtain. So I've canceled the trade. I'm keeping the GMT. And I owe you fine gents a big thank-you for giving me a well timed and much needed kick in the pants!

Here's a blast from the past... I remember when ehtolcad decided to change his ID and write it backwards. TRL anyone??

Mwahahahahaaaaaaa!

Pfffffffft. A buck and a half? I can go cheaper than that! 1) Prepare your grungy watch parts in a cleaning solution on a convenient table. 2) Buy a sparkly new gen Rolex. Make it real flashy. 3) Bring it home and stand next to the table, and call your wife. 4) Say "Look, Honey! I bought a new Rolex!" and show her the watch. 5) Cover your ears. Presto! Ultrasonic cleaner.

Hey Mike... right back atcha. I've thoroughly enjoyed sharing fine meals with you. Your wit and character and depth... your amazing generosity is humbling. I'm honored to know you. Some day I hope to meet more of you lads! Una inuuq aaniqtuuq. Think I'll stick around awhile.

Sitting here in the dark watching the stars come out with a cat purring on my lap, watching the alpenglow fade off the flanks of McKinley, listening to some fine acoustic guitar and mandolin, reading about my friends at this great place we call RWG ... It just doesn't get any better than this. We are blessed, guys. I talk to my Scouts about "sweet spots" where everything is just perfect, if even for a moment. This is a sweet spot. Savor it.

Great thread, Lani! Me? I just moved this weekend up into the mountains and while it's not the middle of nowhere, you can see it from here. It was 39F this morning and the biggest bull moose you've ever seen was in my yard. I've been married to the delectable Ms. Nanuq for 25 years this June, and have two awesome kids. I've been in Scouts since dirt was invented and my son made Eagle. You guys cemented that in my mind as one of my most significant life events when I posted it here. I've been in Alaska all my life and I'm staying, thank you very much!

Arrrrrr, lads and lasses, 'tis again the big day! Blow me down! NTLAPD Site

Yep, I bought that "mini" dial GMT as an investment and it paid off, I've doubled my money in under 3 years. I love it, but it's never put down roots in my heart... that spot's already taken Dems knows what I mean. So off she goes, in trade for a very, very fine hunk of firewood. Naught but kindling, but I like it. Again, an investment but I'm gonna play the hide off it!

This is mine for one more week.

This is what makes this place great. Thanks gents!

Well said, Freddy. You took the words right outta my mouth.

Great topic! I'd have to agree about the Planet Ocean, I gave both of mine away. Now I'm down to one rep, and that's only so I have something to beat to friggin' DEATH. The rest are all gens and I'm happy as a clam at high tide.

Hey Doc, that's right you were the photographer at the last Admin Team GTG. Nice snapshot! And people thought TwoTone's smile (lower right) was over the top? Pshaw says I!!

Hey, I'm a Lumberjack and I'm all right, I works all day and I sleeps at night.

Ohhhhhh BABY!! That thing is niiiiiiiiice.

Pfffft! Buncha girly-men. I wear 37mm watches and DARE anyone to say anything but peaches and cream about 'em to my face. But seriously, isn't there a mid-size SMP? Maybe that's all there is to this mystery?

There's a Sub 300 with domed crystal on the 'Bay right now. The movement may be junk, but really it is just an ETA, and I'd think any other ETA of the same dimensions would work with the case and hands. The dial is discolored, but I bet it can be cleaned. The crown is missing and there are even solutions for that from other sacrificial dive watches like a LeJour Superman. The good news is, all the impossible to get parts are there, the case, back, bezel, crystal, dial and hands. To my eye it would be a fairly easy build to franken up some guts and bingo, you've got a vintage domed Doxa. 110429698637

You mean *gasp* there's someone here with more dive watches than me??!!! Seriously that's a fine collection! Verrrrry nice.

Is that a reverse printed clear Bakelite insert?

The point is, all original bezels are some soft brassy alloy, plated to look like steel. And HIGHLY desirable. All currently available aftermarket bezels are machined from a harder steel and not as authentic looking.

Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that a plated brass bezel on that case??!!