mezzanine

I was really close to buying one of these until I saw this thread. I feel fortunate to have caught this in time. I hope that there is an adequate solution to this flaw, as it would be a shame to have such an impressive rep fall prey to a design flaw as simple as this.

I know how annoying bumps can be, but I am hoping to make a purchasing decision if I can get an answer to this, so shame is out the window. If anyone can help me out, I'd appreciate it. I actually measured both cases- the Tag and the Omega Seamaster, and they're surprisingly similar in length, even though the Tag seems so much bigger.

Yeah, if it was SS then it would be alright by me...but even then, I can see why some wouldn't like it. I think it would be a subtle 'nod' to the Bondness of the watch. To make it red, though....it just seems so unnatural to the neutral colors of the watch. If it was the orange-numbered version of the black bezelled PO, then *maybe* you can get away it...but even then.

My whole understanding of watch dimensions has been thrown for a loop. I got a Seamaster that I *believe* is supposed to be 41mm, but then I also just got a Tag Link Chrono, and that's supposed to be a 42mm model. The thing is, the Tag's case is significantly bigger than the Seamaster's, which is on the small size of what I like. The difference is significant...definitely more than a millimeter. I still want a Planet Ocean (rubber strap be damned), but if the smaller one is the same size as my Seamaster, I would go for the 45mm. BUT, if the 42.5mm is closer to the Tag in size, then I would definitely go for the smaller of the PO's, as the Tag is about as big as I feel I can get away with, with my smaller wrists. Can anyone settle this relative sizing inconsistency for me? I would go to an AD to get a real-life feel for the size difference myself, but I don't have one close to me that carries Omega.

It's not just the 45mm version that you can't use a rubber strap with. *I believe* that unless you're going with an asian automatic version of the PO, you can't use a rubber strap with the 42.5mm version, either. This has been a somewhat confusing issue to try and sort out, but that's what I've been able to gather. And I agree with you and others who feel that the PO looks best on a rubber strap. Whether just for authenticity with the Bond theme, or just in general. The leather alternatives don't go all the way to the case, in terms of how they sit on the lugs vs. the rubber strap- which is something I don't really like with the PO's, whereas I don't mind it on Pams.

You're right about the tackyness of the black PO with the red '007'. I hadn't noticed the color initially- but if it was silver it wouldn't seem as tacky to me, personally. It would be more along the lines of a cool novelty that was subtle enough not to seem overly transparent...but then again, I get off on that, where I would imagine others wouldn't. It does suck about the lack of availability of black rubber straps for EITHER the 42.5mm or 45mm model PO on a good quality rep (ie: not the asian automatics). I would have that watch if the rep makers were to get going on that. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

The big thing I noticed was the cool little '007' thing on the end of the second hand. That's kinda neat.

This is a good thread. I think the Pams are probably the most obvious answer that one would give. For me, I didn't really understand the fuss initially, but am warming up to them. I would like to have atleast one in my collection. The watches that are becoming more appealing to me are the IWC Ingenieur and the VC Overseas. It's not so much that they were visually unappealing to me initially- but rather that they're somewhat unknown to non-watch people....and as a result, me being the type of show-boaty younger person who is interested in watches as a semi-obvious status-symbol, and therefore wanting whichever ones I choose to be somewhat identifiable even to non-WIS...those watches didn't really carry much appeal. But now, I like their styling and their more upscale and yet tool-ish appearance (I know these are probably not standard perceptions of these two watches among WIS). I'm not sure if I'll actually purchase one of these...but they're starting to grow on me. I don't know whether I like the white-dialed Overseas better, or the groupbuy IWC Ingenieur better. I guess the IWC is probably the more accurate rep...?

Sorry to be bumping this thread- I've been looking at Paul's site, and think I *might* be closer to having a way to solve my dilemma, but I want to see if it is simply a case of wishful thinking. Just to refresh, I'm trying to find a way to get a black rubber strap on a 4/5th generation orange PO. I noticed that Paul's got 45mm PO's with rubber straps. However, he appears to have 45mm PO's with and without the correct 22mm lugs. The 22mm lug versions do not come with a rubber strap. Am I correct that Paul has two separate versions of the 45mm PO on his site, one with the correct lugs, and one with the 20mm incorrect lugs? If so, would it be possible to have the same rubber straps that are on the incorrect 45mm PO's switched onto the 42.5mm Orange PO that I am interested in buying? Are the cases different, in terms of where the hole is drilled for the bracelet/rubber band attachment, depending on whether the case is originally intended to be used with a bracelet or a rubber strap? If not, then it shouldn't be a problem to do the swap, should it? Am I forgetting something here that we've already established?

Try to wait until there are two watches that you want, preferably from the same dealer, and then say that there was a "two for one" deal. Or if you order from two different dealers, but keep the times that you order the watches close in proximity, you could say that it was a two for one, but that he has to send them separate because of customs. I dunno....I'm wondering the same thing...ie: devious methods of getting it by.

Narikaa- I believe the same problem associated with the rubber strap applies to aftermarket leather straps as well. Atleast where the 42.5mm model is concerned.

No kidding. Believe it or not, I'm not as sure which PO rep I like best anymore. At first it was a total gimme that it was the orange bezel version, but after seeing the black bezel on black rubber, I'm not so sure anymore. The black on black looks very sharp. The one constant in all of this is that I'm pretty sure that I want a rubber strap version of whichever watch I decide on. The one possible exception is the black bezel, brown aligator leather strap version which I find quite sharp as well. Of course, if I'm going to go black bezel, I might as well go full-Bond and go with the rubber. For the people that are going to go black bezel, black rubber strap- are you planning going with orange numbers or not? I guess that would be less authentic to the Bond watch. The whole size issue is eating away at me. I don't have an AD that is readily accessible in the area that would have the watches for an actual comparison, and intuitive it seems like the 45mm would be too big- but I understand what some are saying with regard to hand size and all that.

The feedback is much appreciated. I wish that there was a 42.5mm PO that came stock with the rubber strap. I haven't been able to find one that does on any of our dealer sites. So it's not even just a matter of deciding to go with the rubber version, and settling it that way- there's no rubber version available in 42.5, and even if I could buy an aftermarket strap, it appears that wouldn't be an option anyways, due to the gap between the case and the lugs(?). The issue of the case size is one that I am not clear on. If you guys had a 6.5 inch wrist, you would seriously still go for a 45mm PO? I like the appeal of the bigger watch, but I can't help but wonder if it's only 'reasonable' for someone who has atleast a 7 inch wrist. Part of it seems to depend on 'how' I measure my wrist- because if I measure it one way, I get 6.7, if I measure trying to absolutely get the smallest measurement, I can get 6.5. God, I never realized I had such girl-wrists!! *edited to include: I just had the image in my mind of those african tribal cultures where people will wear those neck rings to elongate their necks and those freaky earrings that drag down their earlobes, and I started to wonder about the socio-anthropological phenomenon of watch size among our members.

I can't believe how complex all this stuff can be for a noob like myself. I thought I was going to be able to swap my asian 7750 for an ETA should it die on me. Damn.

Sorry, I *maybe* had a little too much to drink when I posted that last night. What I was asking was whether it worked on the 42.5mm Omega PO's to swap out the bracelet for a rubber strap. I know that there was a problem with the 45mm ones because of the incorrect lug size- but the 20mm lug size of the smaller planet oceans caused me to believe it would be no problem. Unforunately, I then read some ambiguous informtion suggesting that it was possible that even the 42mm PO's couldn't have their bracelets swapped for rubber straps because of incorrect positioning of holes in their casings or something? Anyways, my question was two-fold: 1) Can the 42.5mm PO have it's bracelet swapped for a rubber strap without there being a gap or fit issue with the strap? 2) Is there a place to get such a strap that does not require me to buy the genuine or to buy some crappy variation- meaning is there something in the middle? It sounds like Silix and Josh might have decent rep straps, but I *think* they're only for the 45mm model. At the risk of overloading with questions again, why do you guys want the 45mm version? Traditionally it's been poorer, but even if that's been rectified, it would seem like it would be a little big. I guess that's only my take, though, coming from someone with smaller wrists and who does not yet own a panerai.

I've been trying to figure this out, but I'm hoping someone can fill me in. I am interested in buying a 42.5mm Planet Ocean (probably orange) from one of our dealers. I've been tempted to give Wo-Mart a whirl, but have heard some questionable things about him. Silix seems to have a solid deal going on for their Omega PO as well, so maybe I will go with them. Suggestions on that? Anyways, the big thing I'm curious to find out, is whether I can swap the standard bracelet that comes on the rep for a rubber bracelet. I've read that there a problem (?) with using a leather strap on the PO. My understanding is that there is too much space between the lugs and the case. Would this apply to the rubber strap that is also available with the watch? None of the models I want seem to come stock with the rubber strap. That has left with me with the need to source a strap through other means. I also would like to have the bracelet as well, so that I could switch things up if I wanted to. Therefore I'm trying to source out other means of getting a rubber strap (black) that does not include Ofrei or paying close to 200 bucks on Ebay for a genuine. This is what I've come up with: http://cgi.ebay.com/OMEGA-SEAMASTER-RUBBER...1QQcmdZViewItem It doesn't look very high quality, and the deployment clasp is not exactly inpiring, both in terms of it's likely future reliability, but also due to the lack of 'genuine' markings. Is there an alternative, perhaps through our rep dealers that do carry black rubber straps for other Planet Ocean models, and then just buying those individually? Problem is, most of the PO's that come with rubber straps are 45mm models, and those conceivably have the 22mm lugs...which wouldn't fit on the 20mm lugs of the 42.5mm PO. Of course, nothing is ever that simple, and I've read also that the 45mm PO's have been using 20mm lugs up until recently. Anyone want to sell me an authentic or even replica rubber strap that they're not using for cheap? Provided that's even possible, of course- as I'm still not yet clear on the issue of swapping bracelets for straps. While we're at...what do you guys think of this model that Wo-Mart is offering: http://www.wo-mart.com/product_info.php?cP...roducts_id=1208 I really like the brown gator (?) with the black dialed version...but I can't help but question whether Wo-Mart's Gator strap quality would be up to Joshua's strap quality...which actually looks to be quite good. I'm not sure if I'm going to go with the brown leather/black dialed version as I kinda want this to fill my 'sports watch' element of my (future) collection. 1)I've got a Tag Link Chrono (blue dial after much vascillation between Blue vs. Grey), and with this I'm thinking I've got the 'sophisticated/sporty/mainstream' genre covered. 2) With the PO, provided I got a black rubber strap for the Orange bezelled version- I'd have the pure sports watch covered. I sail, so I feel like I've got to have an Omega for the collection somehow, and this would fit that ideal. 3) That would leave me some time to prep up for my ascent into Panerai's...whereby I would get my classy watch (111h), and could let my leather fetish run absolutely wild. It's the leather band on that PO I linked to that has made me put things in question. Originally I'd been looking for the black leather strap with orange stitching, but I've been hearing mixed reports on those. Bah, there goes the OCD again!!

How would she find out you gave her a rep? I'm assuming here that we're talking about a high end rep. I also don't know if I agree that passing off a rep to a girl is an active process, in the way you're implying. If you give it as a gift, and don't get into a discussion about cost or any of that stuff, I don't see why it would have to come up. Again, I'm talking about reasonably priced watches...Tags and that sort of thing. Not Rolex or Panerai. I just think that the whole issue has a lot more to do with perception, and pre-conception about what it 'means' to be a rep to the average person than maybe we're aware.

I agree with you that if it's your wife, or someone you're very close to, then you should go ahead and tell them about reps....not just the one you buy for her as a gift, but your own. Other than that, though, and this is only my perception, but I would play up the idea that it's a gen. That's based on my own values, though, and why I enjoy replica watches. I realize it's not the same for everyone. For me, I like the idea of being able to go beyond my means and get something that reflects quality and status...without there being any significant discernable difference in the perceptions of others. If there is no difference in their eyes, I don't see why I should burst that bubble. I feel clever for having found ways to get something of high value for less- so I don't feel guilty about it in any way. That being said, if I thought that there was the potential they could mistakenly attempt to sell it at a future point as a gen, that would be an issue. Bottom line...to me, there really is no difference between a high end rep and a gen, except in people's perceptions. Functionally and aesthetically, they're identical. I don't see it as black and white.

If it was a Tag, or something reasonable, I would probably let it slide and not say that it was a rep. That's predicated on them not being your wife. If it's a girlfriend, I absolutely wouldn't say anything. I mean, that's the beauty of this, right? That we could actually get away with it.... Otherwise, why not buy her a cheap gen? I don't know. For someone outside the community, I think there's a different thought process you have to look at.

This 'new' movement doesn't come serviced, I'm assuming, right? Does a new movement like this need to be serviced? I'm guessing yes...but want to be sure. Also, in terms of the *average watchmaker's* pricing, what would it cost to have this type of movement swapped into a watch?

I want to get a PO and replace the bracelet with a black leather watch with orange stitching- the only concern I've got is that I've read that there is often too big a gap between the case and the strap. This isn't a problem with the rubber straps, but I think it's a potential problem with the leather ones. This is the type of strap I'm referring to... http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-20mm-ORANGE-STITCH...1QQcmdZViewItem

I think this is the grey dial. I think what you're referring to as the 'grey' dial is in fact the white dial. I agree that it's a little confusing, because I saw the Link Chrono in the for sale forum today, and it looks damn similar to the 'real grey' dial that we're seeing in these pics. I'm still hopeful we might get a comparison wrist shot of both the blue and grey versions- but I don't think I've seen anyone with the grey one yet. I'm still leaning towards blue, but I don't think I'll feel comfortable with the decision until I've done due diligence and seen the grey one in a real life wrist shot. These Tag's are said to be highly variable as far as the product of attempts to photograph them- so I'm hesitant to base a decision on just this type of photograph. I swear to god this place is giving me OCD. Or maybe I like this place cause I've got OCD? I'm not quite sure

I could see the grey dial more if it was on a titanium version of the watch, maybe. I dunno. I'm trying to get a feel for why people like the grey version better. Is it because it looks better in person? I know it's all personal preference- but going purely off the photographs, I think I like the blue better just because of the 'electric' more contrasting aspect of the the reflectiveness of the dial. That being said, getting a pic or two of a wrist shot of both watches would be really useful. The grey looks more subdued, which I could see looking better- but I'm hoping to dig up some more pics of actual wrist shots of the grey. I wonder if I could get down to an AD? I haven't seen any nice ones in my area...

Hmm... I wish we had some wrist shots of the grey dial vs. the blue. Are you guys saying that you like the grey more because it looks more original, or because it actually looks better? I guess the two could be viewed as the same thing- but I kinda like the flashier aspect of the blue. That being said, I haven't seen either in person. Why have the dealers been slow to get a hold of the grey dial?

...aesthetically identical to the Asian 7750 movement version, minus the obvious difference in the movements of the watches? The reason I ask is that I've been mulling over the idea of taking a flier on the new 7750 movement for weeks, but am no closer to feeling comfortable that the reliability of the movement is up to par. I want a watch that will give me a better than 50/50 chance that it will last for atleast a couple of years. Therefore, I'm curious whether the quartz version of the Tag Link Chrono is of equal quality, in terms of the construction of the bracelet, dial, bezel, etc... as the more expensive automatic movement version. I would even sacrifice some of the more minute detailing- for example, in a visual comparison of the cheaper version vs. the more expensive version, there appears to be different markings on the cheaper version. I'm guessing these markings are less accurate (the cheaper version markings). I've contacted one of the dealers in the hopes of getting a clear answer to this question, but the result has been somewhat unclear. The obvious differences seem to be in some of the markings and the use of synthetic sapphire. I'm doubtful that anyone here has actually seen one of these cheaper, quartz-based versions to even be able to say. That being said, it seems as though there are identical-seeming versions of the same watch that differ only in terms of their movement, which thus accounts for the price difference. There are numerous examples of such watches on most of the dealers websites of all the major brands. For example, you can get a Pam with a swiss unitas or an asian unitas, and my understanding is that the difference in price is *purely* a function of the choice of movement, and other than that, the asian unitas is the same watch with a cheaper movement. What I'm trying to determine is whether that price difference accounts for more than just the 'improved' and therefore more expensive choice of movement in the Tag Link Chrono? p.s.- I'm including the obvious of disclaimer with regard to the blasphemous element of considering a quartz-based watch....I am aware, and if this bloody Asian 7750 movement could inspire faith in me that it would still be ticking a couple of years from now, I wouldn't be considering something so 'drastic'. Problem is that I really want this Tag....