RobbieG

Not sure who, but I remember there was a member here that liked to restore and/or build up pocketwatches from vintage parts. Here are a couple vintage Vacheron pocketwatch movements that I found browsing The Bay if you are interested - whoever you are... http://cgi.ebay.com/VACHERON-CONSTANTIN-PO...%3A2%7C294%3A50 http://cgi.ebay.com/VACHERON-CONSTANTIN-18...%3A2%7C294%3A50

Many of the gens look and feel really cheap in person and are more than a bit overpriced at 30K+ considering they have unmodified base movements. The rep will never get called out though.... Especially since the gen is built on a fairly unmodified stock 7750. The caseback of the rep therefore looks really close to the gen...

Really, you like it Samu? You don't think they look cheap like they came out of a cereal box?

Anybody guessing whether they will rep it or not? Materials cost may prevent it as Ti watches have fallen out of favor with the factories because of that. But if it is true that the regular MMD is coming the movement is the same (gen too) so that would work well...

Just when I was starting to applaud my beloved underdog brand for restising the temptation to make wrist clocks, may I present the new 45MM Maxi Marine Diver. The watches are unique at least in that they deal with the size/weight issue by using a creative new material - a polished titanium case. The gold model is actually two tone which is a first for UN as well. Cool enough I suppose... Personally , I feel the composition of these new pieces is a bit muddled in that the wave pattern on the dial is sort of un-crispy, which is what I think has always distinguished the brand. I'm sure it will appeal to a younger crowd though so hats off to them. Seeing this makes me want the 40MM one to compliment my 42.7MM version more than ever which is plenty big enough. I actually can't wear it sometimes for fear of having too much wrist presence and being "loud". Word is they will keep all three sizes for now though. A word to the wise, the current Maxi at 42.7MM wears much bigger than its actual size - about like 44MM really due to the narrow bezel relativity making for a kind of "all dial" expansion effect. At 45MM, this new watch will wear huge - more like 46-47MM, so if that is your thing you will love it, but others be warned. It will be a very BIG 45MM... PS: Personally, I hate it like poison and I think it makes the line look cheap. The 1846 line is so pivotal to the brand and I think they took a big risk and are going to wreck out with this. How do you go from this to that?

Not to worry though. I hear that alot - "I paid extra for an ETA movement". Please understand that it isn't your dealers fault. The factories offers two versions of may watches, one with a lower quality and one with higher that the factory claims is ETA. So what they really should be saying is "You paid for the highest quality movement available for that watch..." Even dealers usually have no idea any more what is in there - other than that you DID get the highest quality version of the watch. What I mean is that complaining would do no good as you have the highest "ETA" version that can be had. It is not as if you draw the dealers attention to it he can go "Oh, sorry, let me tell the factory to make one with a real ETA this time... Just look at it this way: If there isn't a real ETA in your watch, there isn't ever going to be unless you fit one yourself. This is the oldest scam in the industry and it ain't the dealers doing it. The factories have been repping ETA's for years and passing them off as gens - and why not? They rep everything else. Thinking that they wouldn't rep them is naive and pointless as the quality is still the highest available for whatever watch in question. I give you the same advice I give everyone. Buy the lower quality movement in every watch you get. See if you love it. If not, sell it. If so, fit your own ETA movement in it for a bit over a hundred bucks. That way, you have probably paid less in total and then you will be sure. From now on there is no being sure about ETA in China - other than being sure that they are all fakes...

Ah yes Vienna, the venerable vomiting veggie vagabond. He returns. Good to have you back my friend. +1 on what JTB said. You will love what we all have done to the place - better than ever. Welcome back...

That strap was from Banda, but I highly recommend Sirtoli for the most luxurious dress straps. Great stuff. Simply world class.

When in doubt - assume clone...

Complications?

Ahahaa - once you see it work, you can't help but become a champion of that GMT. Oh and close on the pronounciation, but just so as there is no confusion: You-lee Nar-dahn

Alright, not as many responses as I would have hoped for, but here goes mine. Let's have some more of your guys - great reading and very interesting to see the differences: -Best non-blingy sports watch on bracelet: Rolex Submariner (ceramic w/new case in SS/blk which isn't out yet!) -Best blingy sports watch on bracelet: Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver -Best sports watch on leather/croc/gator: IWC Vintage Jubilee Aquatimer -Best sports watch on rubber: Omega Planet Ocean -Best tool/work/rugged watch: IWC Ingy (yeah, it really is rugged - even if it looks like the bezel fell off) -Best braceleted dress watch: Rolex Day Date on President Bracelet -Best strapped dress watch: Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionelle -Best sporty chronograph: IWC Aquatimer (any variety including Cousteau versions - the internal bezel and bracelet is what makes it IMO) -Best dress chronograph: Vacheron Constantin Malte Chronograph -Best GMT: Ulysse Nardin Dual Time -Best aviators watch: Breitling Navitimer (it's the slide rule man...Plus, I would have said Big Pilot, but then you would crash the plane from staring at it instead of looking ahead!) -Best pure dive watch: Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Pro Geographic

Having Bob as a partner would be like being in a train wreck in slow motion, not like watching one...

Great reponses guys. So interesting how different we are in some categories, but spot on the same in others. Hopefully more will come and give more different responses.

You all know lately I have been into categories as a way of defining my collection, but I thought I would pose the same questions to you I ask myself constantly to try and figure out what fills the shoes so to speak. It works like this - real simple. I'm going to list some basic broad categories and you fill in your absolute favorite watch for that category. Doesn't have to have an available rep. Just assume you could put whatever you wanted in there - rep or gen. But again, nothing crazy. Just real world type watches for us regular type guys. No minute repeaters, tourbillions or grande complications please. I think you will find my categories pretty comprehensive. Just copy and paste the list into your response and fill in the blanks. I'll reserve mine for a bit and wait for you all to chime in. Of course, Best is subjective, but beyond Favorite it kind of implies that we have given some thought to some of them in terms of real achievement and not just purely an aesthetic preference: -Best non-blingy sports watch on bracelet: -Best blingy sports watch on bracelet: -Best sports watch on leather/croc/gator: -Best sports watch on rubber: -Best tool/work/rugged watch: -Best braceleted dress watch: -Best strapped dress watch: -Best sporty chronograph: -Best dress chronograph: -Best GMT: -Best aviators watch: -Best pure dive watch:

Seems like they did a good job with that one. Looks really accurate on the dial side anyway. Happy with it? Caseback? Sapphire front and back? Did they do the rotor sort of like a gen GO or no?

Yes, thanks for posting those guys. The rep is fantastic - in fact Adrenalin has that very watch now. Great movement and really reliable as well as quite accurate to the gen which has a very similar looking column wheel chronograph based on a Lemania Caliber. The movement is a copy of a Venus 175 which is a copy of the Lemania caliber used in the gen. All it is really missing visually is gold eteched logo work on the horseshoe bridge. I have worn that very watch to some serious black tie functions and got tons of compliments on it. Nobody would ever call you out with it - assuming you aren't really young and/or have some sort of professional/white collar type career. Go for it. You won't be sorry. You may want to upgrade the strap though as usual, but the buckle is great!

Congrats V! It has been a pleasure knowing you over the years and here's to many more. You are a great asset to our community and I'm sure I speak for all when I say we are lucky to have you.

Yeah, DJ's sometimes get a bad rap from being a little cheezy sometimes in past years, but anyone who has felt or seen the new GMTIIc for example knows what I'm talking about when it comes to quality. The new solid center link bracelets and rolesor clasps on all models and bracelet types are TO DIE FOR nice. Just feel like a million bucks in your hands. Big step up from what they used to be. Gone are the days of the cheap and flimsy rattling Rollie parts... And I am the pickiest human alive when it comes to bracelets - a real hot button for me and I'm spoiled by the best. Plus, it isn't said enough as far as I'm concerned but Rolex having its own founddry and making alloys really is showing in the past very few years. Both the feel and look of all the metals is the best in the industry IMO. Nothing looks and/or shines like Rolex steel, gold, or platinum. Rolex patina is IT as far as I'm concerned! And the 904 steel in this pic I agree has been captured in that respect so thanks for noticing!

Gen, from late 2006 I believe...

The only hope would be that they will do it now since the new Bond movie featured the 42MM size, but I doubt it. The rep industry operates on momentum, and at this point there is no momentum for the Planet Ocean in the industry like their was with Casino Royal and prior. You can always save up and get the gen. They can be had pretty reasonably used as there are always plenty around. Agree with Whitestripes as well. Seems like what ever I want repped is either at the bottom or not on the list as my taste is in the more conservative designs. That is a big reason why I ended up with so many gens. As an example, the 45.5MM PO rep is really great, but it was too big for my taste so I sold it and bought the gen in the smaller size. Hey, another PO thread. Sound like a great opportunity for....pics! LONG LIVE THE MIGHTY PO (and cut the crap with all the 7750 watches Mr. Rep Factory Guy. Lets see more 2892 clone stuff!)

Then again, this one is up there on my favorites list as well...

BTW, man BT, you really have the best of the best now. What more could a guy want for a modern Rollie collection. And you are right, the new reps you speak of are just blindingly good. Good show man!

My humble collection. Just one at the moment, but you never know what may be coming (steel ceramic Sub in 2010?).

Same theme...