RobbieG

I had one for a bit and they are not up to gen quality IMO, but for an inexpensive rep I think they are fine. The AR is not reallt that big of a deal but of course Chief can fix that if it bugs you. But then again, if I am to be truthful, the gen watches are not really that nice. Interesting designs, but like a lot of their newbie brothers of that era (Dubuis comes to mind as another crappy brand), they are kind of cheaply constructed. Which is a big disappointment since they are wildly expensive. The other thing I don't like about that whole camp of "new" brands is that they all use too much rhodium and the metals when polished have that watery wet look which makes them look like costume jewelry. BRM's are like that too, BTW. Not to pick on them all though - and sorry I'm OT now, but by contrast another modern brand, DeBethune are really, really, really, nice and well made. World class. I just think that if Dewitt is going to charge what they do they should have more substance. But of course, the market is always right and resale values have plumeted compared to the old guard. WIS know a fad when they see one and that is apparent in the sales figures. One AD that sells them near me can't get rid of them.

@involt - this is exactly the type of thinking that should prevail but doesn't. I have ranted similarly on another tangent about those who are certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt that replica watch makers are above making replica watch movements. I was one of the first to ever make that arguement and was ridiculed and now of course it is a known fact that ETA movements have been repped. But even though that has been discovered, a new dispute will start because rep factory is not yet known to have repped another ETA movement or someone says this ETA in this watch is gen (even though that could be just one case) but yet, and so...it starts all over again. It is as you say, in the face of certain uncertainty, some will still be certain beyond a shadow of a doubt. I just don't get it. The best truth is usually to be found in the economic corner of analysis. Everything leads to the money. If looking for an answer to any uncertainty start there. Reps probably don't have gold because the numbers don't work. Reps probably have repped ETA's because they know how to do it and they cost less. A so called genuine ETA DJ can be bought for $200, and yet the movement even in "raw" bulk form is worth more than half the price of the watch? Even the raw parts have been increased several times according to The Zigmeister. But wait, it says ETA on the baseplate it must be ETA right? It also says Rolex on the dial, but...They can 1:1 a Ferrari PAM dial but not an ETA stamp or rotor or parts, right? Yeah OK, go ahead and believe that if you like as they take your money. Not that it changes anything anyway. We are going to pay regardless, but don't kid yourself. So and so says he uses solid gold even though it would have no bearing on sales and the cost of it would come right off his bottom line which he will gladly give up for no other reason than to differentiate himself to his competition? Yeah, and I own the rights to the Disney catalogue - wanna buy them for cheap? The point being at least admit that we don't know anything before knowing anything and err on the side of economy to the maker. Could Hyundai put an Italian race motor in their car? Well sure, but why would they? It would be a waste of money. So if they ever say they do, start there and work backwards, instead of believing it first and defending it as if it both makes sense and you know anyway. At this point unless I have it on good authority that the poster works at the factory and watched the alloy get melted and made into a bracelet, I don't want to hear it...

Yes, congrats. Just celebrated mine not so long ago it seems. Kinda creeps up on you doesn't it?

Go for the gusto and get the PT one. I'm a loser. I swear I will upgrade when I think of it (hey why not now?) as I literally chose the lower level due to how much money I had left in my PP account when I became a supporter. Anyway, don't be lame like me. As an old schooler around here it is pretty much a disgrace for me not to be a PT member. I'm sure they will forgive you if you want to stop at the lower tier for a while though Spidey.

Stephane, that Coke GMT is just one of a kind...

Love the always classic Explorer Urabus. Never out of style.

Just sitting here marveling at the most elegantly finished dive watch I have ever seen at any price. It is just scary how well designed and finished these things are. I am also Vice President (Phoband is the President) of the UN MMD lobbyist organization to persuade WM9 to do a 1:1 replication of these in every dial variation. I would like to add a few colors to the arsenal.

Just my .02, but Josh is on the square about that obviously as he has already done it for you 2 times already and he has made good. You have nothing to worry about with his word on stuff like that and I have 4 years of experience with every problem imaginable with him. The customs issue is another story. Why don't you voice your customs concern to Josh and see what he says? In other words, tell him you will ship the head and bracelet seperately or something a day apart so at least one figures to get there. Then try and make a deal with him that if customs seizes one of them he will know it wasn't you that burned him and then he will feel better about sending you a free watch. Trust me, he makes wheelbarrows full ofmoney and could care less about the watch - standard stuff, but if he doesn't know you real well he doesn't want to get burned for a free watch. He would send you one in every color if he knew you were on the square. That's just the way he is. Try it out and I bet he will come to a customs compromise with you. Just express your concern as you do here. He is more than a reasonable man...

Kurt we should be asking if there is anything we can do for you. I'm so sorry the hand life has dealt you at the moment, but it will get better. It always does. Man, I grew up poor trash with no running water, terrible stepfather, eating grown tomatoes for days on end and splittng wood for heat to survive in the far north. I used an old down coat for a pillow cause I didn't have one. No joke. Somehow, I got lifted up and out and ended up in college in a big city, got educated and eventually owning a successful business. YOUR miracle is out there man. I'm living proof. I'm supposed to have no teeth, a drinking problem and be living in a tent if my past had anything to say about it. I only wish I had something for you to do in my company and I would hire you in a second just for the hell of it. I mean that I really do. But what I do is so specialized there is no way I could make it work unless you were already a great trader or programmer. But just know in sprirt that I am pulling for you and I'm sure many more are here too. You have a good heart and are a giving person and we can tell you love your family. Something is going to break for you I can feel it. Just be creative and keep at it. Knock on EVERY door and forget the paper. Press the flesh. Kind spirits find other kind spirits that way. If you need to vent PM or Skype me and I'm usually within earshot and I'll be happy to listen. Happy New Year brother. Chin up. R

Right. Interesting they did that as the hands are still tipped with paint, but it isn't Luminova paint. It was a surprise to me when I first saw it on my gen. I thought something was wrong when only the seconds subdial was done. Also, on the Ti model like I have, the minute hand is yellow like the 15 minute countdown ring. Because the yellow lum is much weaker, the hour hand is WAY brighter than the minute hand - not that even that lume on these is particularly bright as I mentioned, but visually the steel version looks way different in low light than the Ti version...

Truer words have not been spoken. Very well put Rangers. It is sort of a toss up due the inherent low cost of reps. To fix or even service or to just replace? This is further exacerbated by what you speak about substandard watchmakers and service costs. If you can get a guy to work on reps, then the question becomes how good is he at his job and/or is he the real deal. You get what you pay for in life. You can find guys to service chronographs for under a hundred bucks, but you have to ask yourself, what is he really doing to it. So many are just doing the "dunk" and not even disassembling it. So that was kind of the point of my OP - sincesomeone doing it right is going to charge you at least half the cost of the rep to do a high level service, do you do it or get a new watch - or at least a new movement which most dealers will sell you for cheap? With gens it is easy to justify higher service costs relative to the watch cost, but most reps - I gotta tell you for my money, I had better really love that rep and have a lot of faith in that movement or the is just no way I'm going to spend half its value on service...

"Win the hand of fair Corgi..."? Holy Christ, I love this guy. I'm going to try and be Spidey's mistress, er...Him-stress.

I'll brew some coffee and get back to you R...

Yeah brother I had one too quite some time ago and the AR was nilch then too - not that any so called single rep AR is ever anything more than purple haze but that is another thread. After having the gen, the stock UPO is not even remotely close to being in the ballpark. The WHOLE deal with the Planet Ocean is the AR and the lume. It is what ties the whole design togther. You know, I honestly can say though that I never knew it and was even somewhat satisfied with it until I knew those two facts about the gen. I have no bone to pick with the UPO, but if anyone wants it to resemble the gen at all, the AR and lume are "must" mods. Just not even an option without IMO. The watch without the AR is a tell too from a mile away and your pics, as striking as they are, as you know don't even come close to how drastic it is in person. Another member, I forget who said he wouldn't dare wear it into an AD once he noticed the difference. When I got my gen there was a brief overlap before I sold the rep and I stared at it in disbelief for hours. Hard to believe AR and lume can change an otherwise essentially 1:1 replication. Of course you already have the gen, but anyone considering getting one of these watches (and if you don't have one yet - you should) must put a trip to the Chief for STRONG double AR on the immediate must do mod list. And not just any double AR will do either - the gen is REALLY deep AR. Strongest in my box from a visual perspective by far. Makes the dial look so black it is almost purple and has a deep rich purple cast to it. But don't get me wrong, the UPO is an AWESOME replica with these mods. No need for the gen if you have the patience and inclination to get these simple things done. If so, you can save a lot of money and have something really close to the gen. Just look at dluddy's. His has gen hands and crown, etc. which is even better, but he would tell you too that the AR makes this watch probably more than any other "famous" watch around here. I have never seen a watch before that I felt so strongly about AR before. It's like this watch just can't live without it... I always liked this pic of my 42MM version that shows the depth and color of the AR at the same time:

Finally, a more intense personality than - um - some people we know. We need some new crazy fu*kers around here. Welcome to the crew of lovable watch wackos. Zoinks...

I just wanted to thank RWG and the great membership for providing me another fantastic year of enjoyment. For this middle aged workaholic (that is not a bad thing - I love my work) the interaction here is a Godsend for what can sometimes be an intensely boring game of waiting and playing cat and mouse. I have 10 active monitors in the three computers and three discrete connections here at my trade desk and one of them is permanently set to RWG - THE ONE SMACK IN THE MIDDLE! Guess that says where my priorities are. LOL. But in all seriousness, I hold my membership and my freindships here very dearly and I just wanted to say with all my heart what a pleasure it has been getting to know many of you over the years. I know, I know, kinda mushy - and I haven't even started drinking yet. New Years Resolutions? For me there are three: -First is to continue to travel more with my lovely wife to be and turn the reigns over to my #1 more and more so I can enjoy the fruits while I'm still alive -Second is to continue to refine my watch collection and remained settled on just a few world class pieces -Third is to make my RWG posts even longer than ever... I wish all of you a healthy and happy and wealthy 2009. Now let's hear your resolutions too...

Maybe not, but you has a bucket...

Anything will be an upgrade to these lume-wise. As you know, I have a gen and neither the lume or AR is its strong suit. These watches are all about the coolness of the internal bezel and the greatest and most comfortable/innovative bracelet design. The other bonus is nobody executes Ti like IWC in my experience. But the lume is pretty lame. Especially since there is the huge strip between 12 and 3 and even that is weak on the gens. Go figure. Anyway, not knocking the watch really - wouldn't trade mine for the world, but just saying anything you can do to make the lume more interesting and powerful would be cool in my book.

Yeah, not me and TJ Lani. Never anything but a brothers with us - just like you... And BTW Lani, you can bust on me whenever you like. I'm not wound tight like that and you know that. Brothers till the end for sure. On the other side, although TJ isnt one of them, there certainly are those who very clearly don't like me (really only one actually) and that are wound too tight for jokes and anything else for that matter. But they aren't really part of our "regulars" crew on here anyway so when there is a battle with I kind of enjoy the intellectual sparring of it anyway. Breaks the boredome once and a while and keeps the mind sharp. That is what makes this place great though - even the bad blood doesn't taste too terrible.

C'mon TJ, that was only 9 words? I think we have both disappointed here. How about a response with 9 paragraphs? Serioiusly though, you and I should have a contest to see who has the highest average post word count.

Boy isn't that the truth. When I became a serious gen collector and my piece count started to get up there I started sniffing around TZ and other forums as I thought maybe I should be there as well as here. Man was I wrong. What a bunch of boring snobs. The real watch nuts are here, but more importantly, the "real" people and life long brothers - the class act we all know as Lani ("R" to his buds) being just one of many. RWG is the best kept little secret on the web and its true strength has very little to do with watches. It is the melting pot of different personalities that are all welcome and who learn from each other by sharing (and caring) with and for one another...

For me the fond memories are from the classic Duncan Imperial and Butterfly models...

Thanks Sam - I had no idea. Figures though. Singapore is known to be a pretty tight ship. So what will the sentence be if he is caught? I assume theft is a big deal over there?

Of course the question here is did he use false credentials when submittting the equivalent of our W-4 and I-9 forms here in the US when he was hired? In other words, did he use his real name and has already been found and questioned and will just deny it, or is he a ghost as his name and address in the paperwork are phoney?

Despite being long winded, I'm not sure quite what to say here...