RobbieG

Thank you. I have worked at keeping my collection refined yet covering a lot of ground. Less is more. It is also my pleasure to take as good photos as I can. This community is an asset to me and my love of watches.

All natural light. I wait for overcast days - preferably mornings. Always with a tripod. Always with the autotimer. Never with a flash. Minimal image processing in Photoshop other than using the clone stamp tool to take out dust and dirt which is very time consuming. Everything else is usually just slight color, contrast and brightness adjustments but not much. Hope that helps.

Yeah, best you drop it Tub as what you are after was really just an understanding of what is obviously a dynamic issue between you and them. But I'm afraid that is not going to work and I'll tell you the very simple reason why: The problem is that Rob/The Zigmeister is one of those guys who is so worshipped on the forum that whatever your alleged offense is that they have committed is going to fall on deaf ears. It is kind of a "Side with your homeboy" when in doubt thing - so if they know him and don't know you, he couldn't possibly have contributed anything to this and it must be all your fault right? Right. Well at least that is what is going to make sense to a good number of people. I'm not criticizing that either BTW. It is a very common human trait. Side with your own no matter what. Not my thing, but to each his own. Personally, I'm not going to do that unless I knew what the shot really was from all sides. I don't and I never will. But ironically enough, the norms of the forum are grounded in that because of the trust factor in this industry. People are always going to rally behind the known entity. This process is sometimes flawed in that those known entities are more that capable of being just a wrong and full of mistakes as the unknown ones but the pecking order will always prevail nonetheless. Obviously, there is more to this than can be seen here and an automatic hanging of you is not what I would choose, but then who am I and who cares anyway really because it is only a watch right? But if it makes you feel any better I for one see that the issue is not all that cut and dried. So many emails were answered by them and none of them (or did they? - you see we don't really know - it is dynamic and between you and he...) told you anything about stopping emailing him so much from what you are saying. Or maybe they did and you aren't telling the truth. See guys, we really don't know. Maybe by answering all your questions they may have been enabling you to think all was fine, and then surprise, it isn't. So I get it, I really do. If it were me and you were emailing me that many times I would have saved the drama of firing you as a customer and just told you to shut the f*ck up or I would never fix your watch. We would have had a laugh and then I would be spending your money on dinner right now instead of refunding it. But I digress... Look, I'm just not a guy who is going to take anyone's side - your or his until I know all the facts and I for one don't stick up for anyone until I do. That said, all that is really important here is that choosing this method to try and sort it never had a chance. Trying to call this forum's attention to a potential mishandle of an issue by someone like The Zigmeister is about like trying to get a bunch of big oil executives to listen to why you think George Bush was a bad President. Even if you are 100% right and The Zigmeister did do you ugly, nobody will ever know (or care) because you won't get past the torches and burning crosses. In other words, the whole thread is a waste of time. But I thought I would jump in and at least tell you I get that you must be miffed so as you don't think we are all burining you down. I confess I would be miffed too given the circumstance. But as the others have said, he works for himself and he can do whatever he wants to and for whoever he wants and so be it. Try not to take it personal. As I said, its just a watch and he is just a watchmaker. I'm sure you will find someone else to accomplish what you need done. Bravo to the membership again for not making it ugly. Tub seems a nice enough guy to me and I know The Zigmeister is widely considered as such too. Not everyone can get along in this life. Thank God for that. Who wants to love everyone anyway? There isn't enough time to do them all right. LOL...

It amazes me how often I am interested in the Day as opposed to the Date. Maybe I'm just old and barbequed. Actually, I know why and it is because I routinely lose track of days because I basically have a 7 day work week and they all run together. So I'll second CC's Slevin comment. I find it extra pleasing to be wearing my AT due to the Day and Date function as it is the only one I have with it. But I can't say I am partial to Date only watches any more than without. Come to think of it, every watch in my collection has a Date fucntion, but I don't look at them much - just the day when I have the AT on. This also makes me think more and look forward to one day trading up my DJ for a DD. Hmmm another excuse... When I took this photo, I'll never forget I cut the session short at the last minute realizing it was Saturday and we were meeting friends for dinner in a half hour. If I wasn't shooting this watch I would have left them waiting for us at the restaurant.

IMO this policy doesn't say much for the iconic nature of the brand when they have to completely shut models down and redesign them every few years. One of the very dime store fly by night qualities of the brand that keeps it from getting respect from many WIS and certainly the rest of their peers. These policies are mistakes for any luxury brand seeking staying power...

It was +80F at 4PM here yesterday...

They must all run in coffee shops, because I have the exact same guy in my shop here. He wears a gold YM with an aftermarket gemstone bezel and drives a red Vette. He wears long sleeve pullovers and wears the watch on the outside like fuc*ing Criss Angel. What a piker. Plus, he asks me to race every day regardless if I have the Mini or the Porsche and he looks to be in his early 50's. And he always says MY VETTE loud enough for everyone to hear it. His car, his watch, and his personality make me want to throw up. I should just call his bluff and smoke him - and with the Mini too after I secretly put a bottle in the boot... I never got the prestige factor in things I'm intereted in. I don't know about the rest of you but comfortable or pi*s poor and all stops in between, I have never once bought anything with the thought that I wanted it because it was a prestige item and I cared what others thought of me or it - or me with it. It is one thing to share your nice things with others known to have similar interests as we all do here, but mentioning your prestige watch or car just to name drop the brand or make other wonder how rich you are is pretty lame. And that is coming from a guy who very genuinely loves to talk and share about things that excite me which happen to be mostly watches and cars. I guess it is all in the delivery

I've never been the biggest PAM guy, but I do like naturally aspirated Porsche's - like GT3RS's for example... Do you regret giving that one back or what? But then you scored something good in its place as I recall so its not so bad right? OK back on topic, that PVD job is great. Pretty close to the real color and sheen I would say...

Yes, the rubber for the 42MM will have to be gen. The only rep rubber is for the big watch. There was one at one time, but it was incorrect and had a metal pin in it that had to be ground off. You might check ebay though. There are some that are exactly like they gen sans logos for real cheap, but the shape, etc of them is exactly like the gen...

Yes, great idea for Lani. Send it to Rob for service and get him to take some pics for you of the process as well. That will be quite rewarding for you I'm sure. I know whenever I send a genuine watch for a REAL service and spa treatment with a great watchmaker the experience is very rewarding. I remember the last time I sent my original Sub (gave it to a family member as an heirloom gift) which had become old and tattered and it was like getting a new watch back. Insert replaced, bracelet rebrushed, polished surfaces redone, fresh movement parts that were badly worn (forget what now), crown and tube, etc... I find it actually fun to spend that money and experience that part of mechanical watch ownership. Many would think that it would kind of hurt throwing hundreds at something like that in that it wouldn't really seem like anything was done, but it isn't the case really. Try and enjoy that process every five years starting now. It is a big part of gen ownership and a right of passage...

Toad is right in that it is most likely the pushers. I personally would never shower with a rep until I checked all the seals and lubed them myself. Actually, I don't even shower with my gens as I can't find a reason to. Easier to just take it off for me. You should now be a bit concerned though now that moisture has gotten into the movement man. You never know and it can be the kiss of death. I think you may want to consider having it serviced - or you could buy my 7750 I have for sale and then you kill two birds with one stone. Seriously though, funny sales pitch aside - just looking out for you. Make sure that movement didn't get wet or you are going to have a problem. Such a great watch and everyone I know who has one - rep or gen tends to keep them for the duration. Coolest chrono around IMO. The braclet and internal bezel design makes for a really functional and fantastic looking timepiece. Can't think of another chrono in its class I would rather own.

Not really a hook really, just a cylinder that has its own groove in the middle so when it is pushed the groove sits perfectly around the post of the link bar so it can be pushed through. You should NOT be able to push it through without the cylinder being depressed unless those are defective in some way. The tolerances are VERY tight so even if the machining is a hair off it won't work right I'm sure. Hope that helps!

With regard to the rubber, if you get the 45.5MM watch there is a rep version as well as the gen as an option. Most any dealer can get the rep version for you. I bought my gen rubber from a guy on TZ, but Otto Frei sells them and has the best price. I had the 45.5MM rep and I have to tell you unless you love really big watches you will be happier with the 42MM. The rep is less accurate but just know that the 45.5MM wears bigger than that. It is huge and keep in mind that all the pics of my 42MM are on my fairly large 7.5"wrists. Food for thought. Plus, be aware that the watches wear much bigger on steel than the rubber. With regard to the AR, I know I preach about that alot, but being a guy who had the UPO 45.5MM first and then got the 42MM gen, I can tell you that without the strong double AR and to a lesser extent the lume it isn't the same watch. Still nice but the whole vibe of the PO is about how the AR creates massive contrast between the matte black dial and bezel playing with the polished steel case parts and hand edges. Another member wheaton has both the gen and rep 45.5MM version and this comparison pic pretty much sums it up. Whichever watch you choose, put Chief's double AR and a re-lume on the list of must do mods. You won't regret it. But even in this pic you can't see how the AR makes the watch pop in indirect light. It is staggering really...

Not sure what you mean Corgi. Abandoning it why exactly?

Nice. Hublot's never really did it for me, but I must admit they are starting to grown on me the more threads and pics I digest...

The GMT was origianlly from PT and was modded in a few ways. First the insert was replaced and the channel was recessed like the gen by BK. The CG's were trimmed as you can see from the original photos mixed in. The stock CG's are very triangular. I don't know if you can get this version any more. Ask Bytor or BK. It is a noob factory version that has the best dial (don't get the one with the small fonts too close to the center of the dial) and a datewindow that isn't overmagged. The gen is 2x not 2.5x. This version also has a cyclops which isn't too far to the right like many of them. The only real issue with the watch once the mods are done is the too thick GMT hand. The movement is also an incorrect hand stack but of course noone would ever notice that. The CHS movement is more accurate but completely unreliable...

Isn't it funny how Rolex purists - I mean the hardcore would never put anything on a Sub but steel or nato? But I must admit, anything but always looks funny to me too. Meanwhile, take the PO, a black bezled, black dialed sports watch that is essentially Omegas answer to the Submariner "class" and that looks fine on steel, croc, and rubber to me in a variety of colors. I think the Sub is just flashy enough with the shiny crystal that it doesn't want to be dressed too far down. Strangley enough I wonder if the Sub had AR if it would dress down easier? That is the only real difference to the PO besides the more sporty hands on the PO that could explain why nothing "looks right" on a Sub but steel? To be honest, if I still owned a Sub I wouldn't put anything on it but steel.

It doesn't matter. There is a notch in the middle of the pin that click into place. You need only push in once and it will stay in until the pin pushes past it. The pin "picks" the pusher and when it is past the pusher snaps back out. I have had the GST rep, the Slevin rep, and now the gen AT with this system and the reps are really just like the gen other than maybe some machining tolerances. Non-perm Loctite is great. If you have a slightly loose one just LT that one and it will fill in the gaps. No worries... This is the only pic I have of my AT that shows it pretty well:

Nothing but the white would do for me. I LOVE them all, but the other two aren't versatile enough for me. This watch had to fill the ONLY black bezel/blak dial sports watch slot in my collection. I also recommend having both bracelet and rubber for more versatility. Makes for two watches in one really. Very different... PS - and whichever one you get, send it to the Chief for double AR immediately so it will pop just like the original. The AR is the key to this watch...

Yeah they are more than a little top heavy. They don't balance very well do they?

No worries. We can still share in it with you brah. No different really - other than you missing the process of sending it to Canada. But please do post photos of it and talk about the details. We love it. Even the raised indices and their exclusion to a few manufacture years is a matter of interest. Rep or gen, I think I speak for all in that we all like to share in the joy of others when they get something new. Shoots, I have all gens in my collection now and I spend most of my time in the Other Brands forum studying and trying to help with education on UN and the first rep that I have no intention of getting myself. Likewise, many members who have no interest in getting gens always rally behind me when I get somthing new. So take it from me, don't let the difference of this first experience fool you. We are "sharing" in it with you and whether it is rep of gen makes no difference to us. If you belonged to a Corvette club and decided to get a Porsche because you always wanted one, I would hope that if the Corvette club members were worth a rip they could still be happy for their brother if he got any new car that he was excited about and shared it with them - even if it wasn't a Vette. Food for thought. But the modding? Can't help you there. For me it is freedom as I never enjoyed that process, but I can understand where that would leave a hole with you given that you love it so much. Anyway, enjoy it my brother. Looks great!

Thank God someone said what I wanted to but couldn't find the words. Yes, the whole thing with mechanical watches is that they are dominated by the high end market based on exclusivity. If something isn't a challenge to make or expensive, it will never be exclusive. Hence digiatl watches will never take over for mechanicals or otherwise phase them out. The failure of the MP3 watch is a good example. Another certainty believe it or not is the iconic nature of certain brands. As long as there is Rolex they will always have competitors and that means there will always be an industry. Even before the watch boom, Rolex has been experiencing their own boom for decades - selling watches to rich people. The "boom" was just when rich people started buying other watches besides Rolex's because they needed more ways to spend their money. LOL. It may not look like it sometimes and I'm sure many here think that because of the current state of the economy there is a serious damper on riches. Not true in any practical sense. Where I live, there are no less than a dozen communities with hundreds of homes each where the average net worth of those living there is 10M+. There is one neighborhood where the average net is 25M+ and another still where it is 50M+. If you haven't been exposed to it, sometimes it is hard to believe that there could be this many insanely wealthy people around - but there are. It is dizzying. The point is that even if they were all doing as bad as they could and were invested in only in big cap indices and their portfolios are down 40%, it has made no real dent in their lifestyle and I can tell just being out and about in town and in restaurants, stores, etc. on a regular basis. Not much has changed with the rich here - watch wise or otherwise. My firends the jewelers and AD's are still doing fine too. And the Swiss have handled it well by essentially just decreasing supply to pump up demand. The only brands that are suffering are continent specifi ones like certain brands that appealed to Russians. But the arabs are still buying everthing in sight. I know that my area is the exception in the US (there are others though - Socal, NYC, Napa, Aspen, etc.), but it is a good gauge as there is a inordinate amount of wealth here, and that is valuable information for this discussion. The kind of wealth that these luxury item buyers have does not really get affected by booms or busts or the state of an industry. Why? Because compared to other stuff they buy watches really aren't all that expensive, except the highest complications. So as long as there are rich people there will always be a luxury watch market. I have spent a lot of time in these neighborhoods and if EVERYONE in them doesn't have at least one Rolex I'll eat my UN. LOL. And they always will and there won't ever be a time that they will choose a digital watch for accuracy over a big hunk of shiny yellow gold that loses 8 seconds a day...

Whiskey is always a welcome gift around here - although I would enjoy it more if you hand carried it and drank it with me.

I'm bringing rubber gloves - no seriously, I'm not kidding. Nothing worse than wing sauce and beer to ruin a WIS's day...

I'm really a neophyte when it comes to this stuff, but how exactly could someone do that if you have both the Windows and aftermarket firewall on your machine? And how would they get your password to PP, and then once they had it how would they withdraw money other than sending it to themselves and if they did you get instant verification and then can't you reverse it within a certain amount of time? I would like to hear all this, but anyway, this is why I don't keep any money in PP ever. It is a pain, but I always transfer in just as I know I'm going to need it and if I sell something I take it right out the same day...