RobbieG

Yeah these polls come up quite frequently. Quite simply, if a watch has a crown on the right side of the case, it is supposed to be worn on the left wrist for both comfort and the abilty to adjust the time or date and/or easily work the chrono pushers if the watch has them all without ever removing the watch from the wrist. Some watches are desgned for hardcore divers have been designed to be worn on the right wrist instead with the crown on the left side of the case, such as the destro PAM's. There is only one reason for this in modern times other than dominant hand orientation - the invention of motorized "scooters" or propulsion devices. Because it is a motor and has magnetism it can interfere with a diver's compass. So since scooters are rigged on the right typically the compass has to be on the opposite hand - the left. So if the compass is on the left, the depth gauge and timer (or watch) will be on the right. These are supposed to always be visible no matter what you are doing. And the theory is if you are holding anything it will be in the right hand so your eye will never leave the right domination unless purposefully, i.e. you can always see the timer and depth. You can even see the depth gauge when reaching across with the left hand to operate the dump valve while holding the scooter in the right. Of course the whole thing reverses if you are left handed - but most dive equipment is ergonomically designed for right hand orientation and lefty's just have to adapt unfortunately. But up here on the ground being left or right handed has nothing to do with anything really and the only real consideration is the crown position really. That said of course there is nothing wrong with wearing the watch on either wrist with any crown orientation if you find it comfortable. But I sure like being able to easily make adjustments without removing the watch. BTW, I'm not a diver, but for years I always wondered about that and quite some time ago I researched it by doing some reading and asking some friends of mine who dive. Pretty interesting stuff...

I just stopped back to look at this again and I can't help but wonder if someone made this as a one-off or if there is actaully a high enough demand for co*kmonster suits so as to warrant tooling up for mass production. I just can't see these flying off the shelves at the costume store. Moreover, I wonder how he got to wherever he was going on Halloween without getting lynched by some parent who's kid happened to lay eyes on him. If you think about all the angles of this it gets funnier and funnier as you go...

Yeah I thought I made that clear. I have all the respect in the world for cops, just not that one for two reasons. Remember, I KNOW the guy. First, he was well aware I was joking with him and he burned me because of that. He knew damn well I wasn't being disrespectful to him or his department. And second, I know he is a co*k who likes to burn people down and abuse his power - hence what he did to me for just joking with him a little. But I'm really done rehashing all that... On another note ( no pun intended): You are a guitar maker then (or some other stringed instrument)? What is your specialty. Do it for a living or a hobby?

Homage on distressed Louie V leather today...

You outdid the gens on this one Toad. I have a gen AT as you know and I have been meaning to take a lume shot of it. The gen lume is as weak as most standard rep lume believe it or not. Really marginal. Not that I care, as I have a few other torches in the box, nor do i dive with it, but the Aquatimers lume was ceratinly way less than I expected it to be. . Actually the double AR is too. Kind of has a slate blue tint to the AR and it is nowhere near as powerful as the PO or the UN. A relumed rep Slevin or Cousteau will actually have both stronger lume and AR than the gens. Hahaha. Is yours the only one to ever get that shaded section done? That must have been one tough job to do that.

Geez Robert. You and I are like studying for our SAT's again. Words are fun though. And yes, my wit is without a doubt quite virulent. As is yours my friend and I appreciate that very much. All in good fun...

Yeah, me too. Notwithstanding that I happen to not love the dial on this one. I wouldn't have bought the one with the 007 second hand either for just that reason...

I also got lucky and scored some great straps to go with my finally completed Ti Marina homage project. An old friend made me a trio of beauties that covered most of the ground I wanted for the watch. A creamy Louie V leather which I distressed. A vintage tan camel suede beauty. And the old standby, a distressed chocolate brown bomber leather with off white stitching. All three make a nice, simple watch jump right off the wrist...

Here is another fond memory of 2008 for me. The last of the project watches for me. This started as a regular old ETA 2836 version IHS Noob factory GMT. It ended up getting its insert channel sanded down to recess the insert like the gen and got a nice OEM quality insert as well. Although the pics didn't get the colors right at all. The red is a real nice maroon color just like the gen. This version had really bad CG's so those got done too. The watch always had a near perfect magnification as compared to a gen I had at the same time and I got lucky in that the datewheel was pretty much perfect and centered really well on all the days. I have to say (and Bytor will agree as we had both exchanged views with each other about this) that this rep was every bit as nice as the gen. The only real notcieable differences were the end links and the Rolex steel is definitely whiter and brighter. I don't think the pics do it justice, but it was a fond memory from this year just the same...

Out for an early dinner this evening and sporting the DJ again. As I gaze at it I realize I've had one DJ or another - gen, rep or both for probably 15 years now. And I never tire of them. I can only imagine how elated I'll be when I finally surrender to middle age and graduate to a DD. Then I'll be all grown up - or officially an old man. All I'll need then is to start wearing pink polos and get a golfers tan..LOL...

Pithy. Good word. I'm feeling a little brusque, laconic, and curt as well myself...

Now that makes sense. Funny.

Well to each his own and that is why we all learn so much from each other here. The watch not only does nothing for me but it also makes me uncomfortable when I look at it. I find the pattern and texture to be very distracting and unnerving. I would even go sa far as to call the dial cheap looking. It actually reminds me of the rubber straps on the Breguet Marine watches. The straps are really high quality actually but that diamond relief moonrock look makes it look cheap in my eyes too for some reason. Come to think of it, there aren't many heavily textured dials that do it for me. I like things a bit more subtle. I'm also never a big fan of printing on crysals or the 3-D effect it has. UN has done that on some new watches and I don't like it there either. Anyway, I can see why people will like this watch though - especially younger guys. It is very "in your face" for sure and is certainly unique and interesting in its own right. I think I'm shaping up more and more to be a bit of a traditionalist I guess and for me, the plain old 42MM PO is perfect. Wouldn't change a thing...

Another one of my favorite quotes: "Iceberg is stone brutal. He posts random pictures and we have no idea what he is talking about. We hope one day he will let us all in on the joke." - RobbieG

Speaking of unclever how about this one... "It is wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago." - Dan Quayle

Does the pic have to be of a watch from 2008? Do unbranded/steriles count? So we just post them in the thread?

You are most welcome D. I just wish I could get as much pleasure out of the process as you because you are right, there is nothing fun about buying a gen. More fun ordering a rep and waiting for it to clear customs in the early days. Remember that - speaking of rememberance? In your early rep days being so excited waiting for your order to arrive? Those were the days...

Yeah, I think the other two forums are both a little clicky.And I'm not knocking them. Nothing wrong with being tight knit I suppose. Every place, virtual or other wise has its regulars. Although RWG is not clicky at all. We welcome just about anyone here. Take me for example. I am more than a little successfuk at irritating the crap out of more than a few members, and in the end they just smile, shrug it off and move on. Iv'e been here since the first year and they haven't run me off yet And I think you are right. There are a lot of tremendously successful people on all of these forums. Being interested in these watches shows a certain level of sophistication I think. Oafy people aren't going to ever encounter anything like a nice watch anyway. They are usually never going to be motivated enough to even try to run in circles where people might be wearing one. To that end the folks here are quite knowledgeable and obviously successful otherwise they wouldn't even know what these things are or be visting AD's. When one thinks of a replica wearer in the outside world they might think of something quite contrary to the truth which is that most people here are probably professionals and many are either in managerial positions or even own the company. That is pretty common. Just off the top of my head I know a member with an Aston Vantage, another with a 997 GT2, and several who drive S500's and AMG's and M3's and 5's. Not that cars really have much to do with anything - just an example. But I think the average replica collector is doing more than alright professionally.

Great quote Robert. That pretty much sums it up. Speaking of which, here are three of my all time favorite quotes: 1. "It's always darkest just before it goes completely black" - H.G. Gibbons 2. "Stand by to stand by" - Christopher Clive Tremmlet III (AKA "Animal") 3. "Fu*k You" - Tennessee Williams Hey, let's morph this into a favorite quotes thread. I'll change the thread name...

Patek designs never did much for me, but the Patrimony's are all really nice. I do prefer the small seconds date version though - but any would do. I have really come to love that whole series - and all the Malte's too. Even more than Lange. And I think VC is more in the running with them for fit and finish (including movement finishing) than the Lange snobs would have us believe...

Yeah, the enamel dialed homage would fit the bill - although a little large for my taste in a dress watch at 42MM. I just sold it actually. Amazing, but I never wore it so given the new credo off to the gallows it went...

Good point. I'll certainly have to take that under consideration. Although I have never really been taken by the tonneau shape before. I'll give them another look...

Man D, that is a really enviable collection - of just this years stuff. I always say to myself when I look at your watches that your collection is pretty much what mine would aspire to be if I were a guy who enjoyed to process of doing projects like you do. Instead I have my own method where I use reps as an inexpensive way to learn and to evaluate what I like which ultimately just fuels gen purchases lately. But I wish I enjoyed the process of modding and waiting and hunting more than I do. I think it must be much more rewarding than just buying something that you know is going to be perfect. I look at your watches and the first thing that comes to mind is there is absolutely no reason to ever buy a genuine watch if you take the time to fix a few things on most any high quality base watch. Again, congrats on a great fleet of accomplishments.

Nice - and along the same lines of what is interesting me lately in this category. Very, very simple and elegant. How much are those? Retail? Street? Is it steel though? The only thing is I'm kind of picky about that. A strapped dress watch kind of needs to be gold or PT for me. In steel a small watch can feel really flimsy and cheap in the hand and on the wrist. Sports watches are the opposite. They are so substantial that you don't really want them in a heavy metal - steel is plenty heavy enough for those...

Agreed. But of course realistically I'm never going to buy a world class tourby so I trying to evaluate some of the more basic varieties. You are right though, the VC openworked tourby is stone amazing. Nuclear. On fire. Smoke city...