panerai153

After looking at the reviews, all the photos on Eurotimez Website, and their review center comparison,I decided to order their DSSD V5 I was pretty concerned about the different labels, "Best, Ultimate, Upgraded, etc that appeared in the watch comparisons on their website. However after reading on several threads, posted by Eurotimez that anyone ordering one would receive the very latest version, I felt like this would be a good version to own. At any rate, I went to the website and ordered one with the ETA 2824 movement. Haven't gotten the confirmation Email from EuroTimez yet, but I suppose it will be forthcoming shortly. This is my first rep purchase in quite a while, as I have been more interested in genuine dive watches. I really like the contemporary Rolex Seadweller models, and with the cost of a genuine over 7K, I would never be able to justify owning a real one.For me the only reasonable alternative was to go with a rep. I hope this was a good decision on my part. We'll see. Arthur

That looks great. I hope that you can get it to fit. It is much nicer to see one of those bezels on a really nice Doxa rather than sitting in my watch parts drawer, gathering dust. As Nanug said, these were probably replacement bezels for a very early 300 Sharkhunter. If you want the correct color scheme, look in Dr. Pete's book. Also if you want more help, I wouldn't hesitate to go over to the "Orange forum and send him a PM or Email. He is passionate about the vintage models and is always a source of help. Not to come to the defense of the guys over there, but in actuality there are very few members there who are into the vintage watches. Most of the members have never had a 300T from the 60's or and Aubrey 600T in their hands. they are only interested in the newer contemporary models. That's OK, everyone has their own taste when it comes to watches. I like both the vintage and modern. I certainly wouldn't dive with my old 300T, so the newer ones have a place, they just don't have a story to tell. Arthur

A Response from EuroTimez on another thread "NEW MEMBER SAYS HELLO- DSSD V5 From EUROTIMEZ" Just down the page a ways, seems to answer some of the questions posed here, and some that concerned me. Namely, the confusion with labeling "Best, Ultimate, Upgraded" Etc,on the Eurotimez review of the DSSDv5. It's one their home page . The flash player pull down menu

Welcome to the forum. I to am looking really hard at this watch. There are a couple of very good reviewes on the Rolex forum here. I'm waiting back to hear from them about the latest Upgraded version, as their review photographs on the Eurotimez website are very confusing. Different watches are labled "Best, ultimate and one is labled upgrade V5.There are lots of difference between the ones shown in the review. Several glaring problems have been addressed in the "upgrade V5" version. Before I put down the money, I want to be sure that the watch I'm getting is the latest "upgrade" model which incorporates the needed upgrades.What is really confusing is the watch pictured on the catalog page is labled Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA 116600, Best version V5. So is this the "old" Best version or the new upgraded V5. When you corresponded with them, was it clear that you would be getting the upgraded V5? Arthur

After looking at Gio's photos and very comprehensive review, as well as thinkbachs great pictorial on the genuine DSSD, I've pretty well decided that I'm going to spring for one of these V5's. I'm going to get the ETA 2824 engine with it, not because I need to spend the extra 85 bucks, but I have a bunch of Dive watches with ETA 2824's and they are pretty darn bulletproof, plus if they break, parts are readily available. Let's face it, reps are getting really, really good, but they aren't perfect. If the rep manufacturers had the CAD programs from Rolex to feed into their machines and were truly able to produce 1:1 in every dimension, them they would be perfect. Of course, then folks would have no need to constantly upgrade watches every time a new "version' hit the market.We would only need to buy another when a totally new model was introduced, such as the Deep Sea replacinig the "conventional" Seadweller.Great for us, but not for the dealers. Considering I bought my first reps about 25 years ago when the Rolex Reps were all quartz, and the Gold plating practically washed off the first time you cleaned the watch! And Forget water resistant. Probably about as watertight as a window screen. I've gone through a lot of the later stuff. Daytonas, DRSD's 1680's, etc. None of them were anywhere close to the V5 in accuracy "out of the Box". I spent tons of money on modding cases, crystals, Crowns, tubes,Bracelets, redials, Etc,etc., just as most of you folks here have done as well. Buy a MBW 1680 for 350.00 and 1000.00 later you have a pretty good rep, but not perfect.Lots of time spent, lots of money and the ever present risk of losing your watch to customs every time it was sent to someone out of your country for work.I sort of soured on reps for a while, mainly because every time I got a project finished, I felt like I needed to start planning another one. Usually this meant selling one to start another. I don't know what the price penalty is now for used modded watches, but in 2007, if you spent 1000.00 getting a 1680 "almost" perfect, you were lucky to get 600.00 when you sold it.I thought my wife was going to have me committed!! She thought I was totally crazy, which I probably am. A little older and maybe not quite so crazy, I'm looking for something that can be worn "out the box". Not to say that I wouldn't let my friend The Zigmeister do a quality relume, pressure test and clean and oil the movement, but that's the extent of what I want to have to do. I want to be able to wear and enjoy, not have it sitting in my watch box waiting on parts, or off to the watchmaker for months waiting to be worked on. By the way it's good to be back here. Lots of new names , but a whole lot of the old members are still around. Quite a knowledgable group. Just my dos centavos Arthur

I've been searching, but can't find a review. has anyone written a copmrehensive review of the Eurotimz Deep Sea/ Thanks Arthur

I just took a look at Eurotimz V5 Deep Sea, It looks pretty good, but not having a good photo of a genuine to compare too makes it really difficult. Also, all the photos were of the watch from top, crown side and caseback. NO views of the HE valve side. Impossible to tell if it is correct or not. I would like to see a review of this one by one of our resident Rolex experts, before springing for one. Arthur

Chris, I don't want to hijack your thread, but thought you Doxaholics would enjoy a photo of my past collection. unfortunately, desires for other watches as well as financial things came along, and most are gone. Still have the 300t Professional (My first Doxa, and one with a good solid provinence),The Black Dial Doxa Pre 300 Dive watch(Provinence by Doxa SA as genuine and in Dr. Pete's book, The Coralline(Wife's)also in Pete's book, and the T-Graph has been replaced with a 40th Anniversary 2 register T-Graph Professional.

Actually, the MKII Tournek-Rayville looks exactly like your DSN. Bill Yao owns the Tournek-Rayville Name so that is all that appears on the dial. I saw a photo of one that Bill had at a NYC get together to preview the MKII "Kingston" which is a homage to the Bond Sub. Both of these, the TR and the kingston are beautiful watches. Unfortunately the TR is a sold out limited edition of 15 with more to come in early 2010 and the Kingston preorders are all sold out. 100 more to come later this year or early 2010. Arthur

Ubi, The MKII is a great buy, unfortunately, the Tornek-Rayville was made in a limited edition of 15 watches and those are all long gone. I've been communicating with Warren at MKII and they are going to have a 2010 Edition with more watches available, but time frame is some time in the future. I will probably wait for one of those as I had a MKII Stingray and it was a really nice well built watch. I Hope to be around a little more, lots of non-watch things going on and my time seems to be more limited. take care Arthur

LHOOQ, thanks very much for the information. I have been away from the forum for a while, and have lost track of some of the dealers. How does one get in touch with Davidsen. thanks Arthur

I've seen several Tournak-Rayvilles on the sales forum, but they were all sold. Does anyone know where these can be found? Also I have seen reps of vintage Fifty Fathoms.Are these available? Lastly, Reps of the modern Fifty Fathoms are available, but the only ones I have seen are the chrono versions in SS or Rose Gold. Does anyone make a rep of the modern non-chronograph Fifty Fathoms? Thanks very much Arthur I posteed this on the "other brands" forum as well.

I've seen several Tournak-Rayvilles on the sales forum, but they were all sold. Does anyone know where these can be found? Also I have seen reps of vintage Fifty Fathoms.Are these available? Lastly, Reps of the modern Fifty Fathoms are available, but the only ones I have seen are the chrono versions in SS or Rose Gold. Does anyone make a rep of the modern non-chronograph Fifty Fathoms? Thanks very much Arthur

Lani, Let me look through alll my Doxa stuff. I have several Bezels, possibly one is a "no T" 300 Bezel. I bought 3 or 4 bezels several years ago, but only one would fit one of my Doxas, and that one already had a very good bezel! If I can find one, I'll send it to you and you can give it a try.Another suggestion if your "hooked on Doxas" buy a copy of Dr Peter Millar's book "Doxa Sub Forty Years 1967-2007" It is a great reference source and also let's you easily check as to what's correct and what's not. PM me your email address and I'll see if I can turn up the bezels. Arthur

WOW! That's a really nice example of the "No T " 300 Sub. It's very hard to find one in really good condition, because these were used by divers as serious tool watches. Remember guys, when the Doxa 300's were introduced in the late 1960's most folks didn't have but one or possibly two watches. They wore the same watch every day under every condition. The only problem I can forsee is with the bezel. Obviously the one on the watch is incorrect, as all Doxas of that era had the non-decompression dive table bezels which were all metal. Here is the dilemma. Doxa made around 35 different bezels over the years that fit the various 300t models. Doxa was owned by three different entities, and every one made changes and modifications.Unfortunately, Doxa did not have a parts numbering system for bezels, so it is almost impossible to tell if a bezel will fit without trying it on the watch.I have had three different bezels that appearance wise were almost identical, but the internal dimensions were just different enough that they wouldn't fit. Lots of luck with your project. These old Doxas are great watches,and I'm sure if they could talk they would have a Helluva story to tell. Arthur

I think you will be very happy with the 300T. I had several over the years, a Pro, Searambler and two French army issue 300T Divingstars ( which strangly came with Tudor "Snoflake" hands. You can't beat Jack @ IWW for work on the vintage Doxas. He really knows his stuff. If your going to be diving, I would certainly stick with the modern watches. Even after restoring the old models, they can still leak under pressure. one of the problems is gaskets and seals are practically impossible to find. Then,if you do find them, they are now almost fifty years old, so no guarantees.Wear your Doxas with pride. The old ones for sure are great watches. Arthur

Seems like there is an inexhaustable supply of these fake BP Fifty Fathoms coming out of Vietnam. I would never buy a vintage FF without lots of really detailed photos that I could post on the Military Watch Resource (MWR) Forum. Several different models are faked, but the Plain dial seems to be much more common than the no radiations version. If you see on the back engraved MV7705 Run like hell!! Someone mentioned this guys wasted talent. Remeber guys he is reselling to dealers in Europe, primarily in Germany and Switzerland, who are passing these off as genuine NOS Military issue BP's. He is getting at wholesale, probably 2-3X what he could get if he was selling these as Reps. How many of you would pay 1200-3000 USD for a rep? That's what he is getting for these by selling as genuine. Just go to Ebay every few days and search Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, see how many show up there and how much they sell for. If you want an honest quality watch that looks just like the PB FF without the name,but with a warranty and resale, get a MKII Stingray. Bill Yao does incredible work, offers several different dials, several hand sets and three bezel configurations. And all for less than 600.00 USD. I have a great deal of respect for reps and rep dealers that are selling their watches as reps. I have nothing but contempt for those low life scammers who sell someone a rep as a genuine. Just my Dos Centavos Arthur

Enzo did a super job on the dial. Unfortunately, he is out, with no plans for more. If you drop that dial in a MkII Stingray, you will have one really nice watch. The great thing is the watch itself is really great quality. It will be water resistant, reliable and a great looker. Actually, that was my plans to source a dial, and eventually drop it into the MkII. Maybe one day Enzo will come up with more BP "no radiations" dials. Arthur

Thanks a lot for the info. I have a MKII on order from Bill Yao. Probably won't be here until March, as the lead time has stretched to almost 6 months. I'll try Enzo and se if he has or can source any more FF dials. That in a MKII Stingray would be a great rep/homage.

Hello all, It's been a while since I visited, been pretty busy, and my watch collecting has been mostly focused on vintage Dive watches. Question for members who have been around for a while. Is their now or has their ever been a rep of the Blancpain "Fifty Fathoms" vintage dive watch available from any of our trusted dealers? I know that reps exist, because their are no less than 3-4 on Ebay right now, of course all posing as genuine NOS ex-military watches. thanks for any help. Arthur Would look like this:

I read Mahler post below about FedEx and Italy. I have some similar questions, but I did not want to Hijack his thread, so here's mine. I just got a couple of PM's from a fellow in Italy that wants to buy one of my watches. He is obviously using some sort of translator program and his emails are pretty hard to decipher. That not withstanding, I have heard of lots of problems shipping to Italy. I know lots of Ebay sellers will not ship there as the Italian Post Office has a very high "pilferage " rate. Lots of packages get "lost" or arrive opened and the contents missing. Does anyone have any experiences shipping to Italy, from the USA or other countries? What shipping method would you use if you did ship. I know some Ebay selelrs will only ship FEdEx. I'm pretty reluctant to ship a replica with FedEx as they have their own customs clearing and they may scrutinize packages much closer that US Customs. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks Arthur

Here is my small collection of Rolex Sport models. Hard to believe that a year back, ididn't have a single Rolex. All have been modified all are MBW's & DW except the GMT which is a genuine 16750. Here's what the mods were to each MBW 1665 White Dial SD Singer dial Ubi Bezel insert Genuine Crown/ tube OEM hands Crown guards modified lugholes drilled Vintage Re-lume Riveted bracelet MBW 1680 Red Sub Genuine Bezel insert Genuine crown/ tube Swiss ETA 2824-2 Movement genuine Tropic crystal Vintage re-lume Crown guards modified Lugholes drilled Genuine springbars DW 6263 Daytona Genuine Crystal Genuine Crown/tube Genuine Rolex Bracelet Rolex GMT 16750 All genuine!! ]

I believe that they will not hold up popularity wise over the long haul. It looks like the market is softening a bit already. All trends have a life expectancy and a pretty predictable growth and decline curve. I read somewhere, and have had this reinforced by comments from folks that are in the know as well as personal observation, trend life cycles are around 6-7 years. Be it an upsurge in popularity for a sport, tennis, golf, running,etc. (clothing follows a shorter life cycle). I saw this happen several years ago when I was involved with one of the sporting breeds of dogs. we established field trials and even a National champoinship. Some of the consultants told us that we had better have enough growth and new participants to sustain the momentum, because after the magic 7 years, very few of the original participants would still be around. We found this to be very true. People's taste change as they get older, wealthier, poorer, you name it. Their taste in watches changes as well. Panerai may buck the trend and stay very popular, but I just cannot see it as popular 10 years from now as it was a couple of years ago. I think that the big watch fad will slowly lose popularity. We had this same discussion a couple of weeks back on the Doxa Forum. Rolex is still the gold standard of "tool watches" with the SD and Sub. they are 40mm watches, and Rolex can't make them fast enough. Maybe there will always be "big" watches like there will always be "Small" watches, but over the long haul, the standard will continue to be watches in the 40-42mm range. Just my Dos Centavos

WOW, I just saw the thread, I've been busy the past day or two and didnt realize Rob had posted the photos. I have to credit Eric for the genuine bezel insert that's the one that came on the watch.The pearl came from Ubiquitous (Thanks very much Randy), it put the icing on the cake!! I sourced the crystal from an Ebay auction (Astorlive) and of course Rob furnished the gen crown /tube and the fantastic skills to make it all come together. This turned out to be a really beautiful watch. It's going to give my 1665 and genuine Tudor sub a serious run for wrist time. Thanks to all who commented and we should all thank Rob for the wonderful job he does making our reps beautiful and ticking happily away. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Arthur

Joe, Very good advice. Nothing beats a drill press for precise drilling. As to burning either the metal or the bits, the secret is lots of lubrication. plenty of cutting oil or any light oil. we use cheap motor oil on the farm for cuttinng oil and it works fine. If you ever looked at a video of a machine shop, or visited one, most have automatic oilers that run a steady stream of oil on the bit. It serves two purposes, keeps the bit and metal cooler and floats the cuttings away from the bit. Holding anything metal in your hand and drilling is dangerous. If the bit hangs up, that drill will spin the object being drilled and could cause some pretty impressive injuries to your hand or if your holding it between your legs, OUCH !! Won't even go there.