promotersf

Yes, I was actually prepared to drop $17.5k on gen AP ROO or a IWC Big Pilot, but leaning more toward the AP ROO. It's one of those watches that "calls to me" and trust me, i've tried it on several times. Angus has convinced me to wait...the fact that the factory spent the money on TWO gens to replicate makes it all the more interesting. I'm not one to bad mouth any of our dealers(I think they all are offer a redeeming service), I've made 1 purchase through the cartel awhile ago and never paid much mind to all this talk about the cartel...but the reality of the situation is that they are not looking out for our interests. there have been many situations where angus has been "penalized" due to the cartel's dislike for angus pushing the envelope and not agreeing to price fixing. More importantly, I appreciate a dealer like Angus who is making the effort to get the factories to make a better product. Sorry Angus if you are getting more emails my friend Ceramic bezel on HBB...definitely coming from the same factory as the real deal holyfield. Several new offerings coming soon...I need new projects after clearing out 20+ of my best reps. He's a 2 man show with his partner, an older gentleman that is friends with River and Eddie Lee. Angus was hoping his new website would mean fewer emails since all the info is on the site, but he's actually getting more emails...the night we met, he was answering emails for 14 hours much to the chagrin of his girlfriend. He's a great fellow, I may try to get his ass drunk when I head back to China later this year. I was gonna take a pic of us both with my iphone, but I thought it would be better for him to stay anonymous. dave P.S. awesome dining in Hong Kong and Macau. so many great meals from top of the line fine dining to hole in the wall noodle houses, great brunch at the Intercontinental as usual and Peninsula. P.S.S. casinos in Macau kinda suck...biased since I've been going to vegas since I was 18(20+years) 6+ times a year. Venetian is nice, rooms equivalent to vegas, the Wynn in Macau is pretentious as hell, did not really enjoy my few hours playing BJ there. people gamble different in Asia, ALOT of surrendering, and total disregard for BJ strategy...case in point, if you're betting $5000, dealer has a queen showing, you do not split 2 Tens...this kind of comedy happened all weekend. P.S.S.S. hey watcher, the Santos 100 chrono swiss 7753 is very good, i was at the Cartier boutique next to the Panerai boutique in Central and tried it on again...off white cream dial looked close, crown looked good with proper dark blue, the movement is like gen with functioning datechanger @ 10:00 position, the only thing that might be off was the date font...the cartier gen looked thin and weaker, where the date font isn't really bold, but clean on the rep...the rep date font looks better. its an impressive watch that looks and feels solid. my first one that got "snagged" had a replacement gen black gator from HKtan which also got snagged, so i'll be swapping out the rep strap(which isn't bad) with the HKtan after I order it. i would rate it as excellent, one I will be keeping in my collection. i'm tempted to buy a gen for a day to compare, then return but I hate the hassles of the return process. thanks dave

Just got back from another biz trip in Hong Kong and it's always a pleasant surprise. Great dining, feels like NY on speed since everyone walks fast, talks fast, eats fast, shops fast, maybe F%#s fast...BUT fun nonetheless. There's basically a fine watch store, sometimes several on every block which makes us watchaholics salivate..and on many wrists. Many gens but also many fakes. I was shopping for a gen AP ROO rubberclad w/black dial, but I wasn't getting the deals I was hoping for...but there's an interesting wrinkle on that. ROLEX is king in HK, but all the brands are represented. I probably hit dozens of watch stores, the highlight being the Panerai boutique in Central, and comparing several HBBs at the Tourneau in Macau in the Venetian(the SF and Vegas Tourneaus don't carry Hublot so it was a pleasant surprise). Also almost pulled the trigger on a IWC Big Pilot, but decided that I shouldn't be pressured since i was on a long biz trip and shouldn't make an impulsive buying decision just because they had it in stock. All dealers will ship to US no tax, but I think you would still be hit with the US customs tax at a later date. Several people have commented on HK trip reports so I wasn't gonna even post anything BUT I had a chance to meet Angus and he shed some light on things. I emailed Angus about possibly hooking up for a dim sum lunch, or dinner or just drinks. He had a Cartier Santos 100 swiss 7753 which got "snagged" so he offered to meet in person to meet and also avoid another "shipping issue". I was busy in meetings, but was able to meet on the evening of my last night in Guangzhou. I was hoping to grab dinner, but it was late and my GF was having "tummy issues" do to the adventurous eating adventures we were going on in Guangzhou...so we met at a local Starbucks. Angus showed up with his sweet GF and we enjoyed some refreshing frappacinos. First off, Angus is young but I like that...reminds me of me when I started my first biz @ 23. He had recently graduated from the university and is now focusing 100% on his business. I've only worked with angus on a handful of watches, under a dozen but he has become my go to guy since Eddie Lee is now "retired". Angus has always shown excellent customer service, has always been honest with me like EL used to be, and isn't part of the Cartel. Angus broke down the rep game so I now have a better picture, let's just say that I believe in free trade and competition, and don't like price fixing so Angus will always be my dealer going forward. The Cartel is more interested in price fixing and without pushing the envelope with making the best. There are 2 schools of thought here, making something the best from the beginning(like the HBB) which Angus pushes for, or coming out with something good, then improve upon allowing the dealers to sell generation after generation and lots and lots of reps(cartel). I prefer doing it right from the beginning. The best reps come from 2-3 factories, and we have more exceptional ones coming...one being the AP ROO secs at 12:00. 2 gens were purchased to go off of, and we can expect this in the next 3 months...hearing this, I decided to hold off on the Gen purchase. it's supposed to be amazing. there are several other watches coming out that I had agreed not to disclose on...i think the coming reps will be BETTER but fewer, which i'm okay with. i always prefer something close to gen as opposed to having more models to choose from. So for all of you who are waiting for the ROO seconds @ 12:00, it is DEFINITELY coming. If you're ever in Guangzhou, hit up angus...his plan in the future is to open a billiards parlor in a couple of years and I not only know it will happen, but I'll be throwing back a couple pints there one day. Thanks for taking the time to hook up Angus. dave

My main computer is my Macbook Pro 17" which has a flat screen, then my little road sidekick Macbook Air has a glossy screen. Not sure which i like more, the shiny screen makes the colors just POP which is great, but there are the issues with reflections.

I'm walking the earth like like David Carradine in Kung Fu drinking wine along the way...but I own 2 businesses so that American Express doesn't send a hit man after me.

Wow, just got back from Hong Kong watch heaven and I stumble on this post...just bought this 28 as well...I have my 027 at The Zigmeister's spa right now, but the PVD hob dial would be awesome. good find guys!

I agree, I've seen the other generations of the 3717 and the first batch was the best that I got from Eddie Lee 1+ years ago. I used to think that getting the first generation was a mistake since things should always continue to get better, but that's not always the case. In some instances like the Planet Ocean, the later generations were better, but in other situations, 196 old case, Omega 007 bond, etc the first generation is the best.

WOW! I'm trimming my collection but I LOVE a MOD PROJECT LIKE THIS. Congrats and enjoy!!!

I have one that i will be letting go. I'll be posting in the trading section tomorrow. dave

Hey Jim, I'm on the fence but i may be letting mine go. I gave first dibs to another member, if he falls through, i'll let you know!

Friggin awesome show. There's so much garbage on TV these days, I find myself watching Ramsey, Anthony Bourdain, and Top Chef more than anything. Funny thing, the overseas version is so much better with Gordon swearing up a storm. Classic.

I think Kruzer summed up the stages of our hobby well... when i first found RWG1 and eddie lee, i went nuts and bought 30-40 swiss reps, it was like a kid being in a candy store...i figured since i was buying swiss eta movement watches, i was buying the best of the best but we all learn that all watches have their flaws...and the flaws that didn't bother you when you first started to collect definitely bother you as you become more educated. so you start to sell/trade your reps holding onto the ones you like most. then you become inspired by looking at your fellow members and their project watches and you look to start modding them...our membership has WONDERFUL members who offer their talents, insight, skills, and love to offer things as part projects, AR services, relumes and services...so you start to mod your favorite watches and your collection gets smaller but better. for me, this is when i started to notice that i never wore more than a handful of reps even though i had several outstanding reps, so you go through another stage of selling off more reps. i'm now at a stage where i'm going the genuine route for now. i have my 2 tone submariner with blue face, SS cartier santos, breitling skyland on pro bracelet, PAM 024i submersible, and a PAM 212j on its way to me this week. thinking about grabbing a base PAM or a 88 GMT, i'm really feeling panerai right now. i think i'll have another final sale of my modded reps soon, and keep a handful of my modded reps that i truly love: reps i'll keep for sure PAM 196, old case, swiss 7753 movement, superlume by The Zigmeister, gen crown via kruzer, single chieftang AR, lello datewheel on oem black gator Breitling Evolution, swiss 7750 swap, eta datewheel, superlume by The Zigmeister, lello datewheel Breitling swiss SFSO, superlume by The Zigmeister on oem black rubber IWC 3717, swiss 7750 swap, eta datewheel, superlume by The Zigmeister, double ar from chieftang Hublot Big Bang ceramic, The Zigmeister superlume and service Omega PO, swiss movement, superlume by The Zigmeister, double ar via chieftang Cartier Santos 100 SS swiss 7753 movement, HKTan strap(once i get it back from angus) last project watch, my PAM 027A-2892 power reserve, tritium superlume, gen crown from kruzer, lello datewheel, chieftang new cyclops I think part of my attitude change is the lack of new models coming out, i remember when i first found RWG1, there was always a new and exciting rep every week...now they trickle out. I do know that they are definitely getting better in terms of quality. 6 months from now, i may right back in the saddle, but as several members have noted, we DEFINITELY go through the stages

Nice one Warren, amazing project! I figure you always have a "project" in the works!

Thanks Slai, I'm taking off for an overseas trip in April for 2.5 weeks, so you might be a possibility since I haven't found anyone. The Partida Elegante Extra Anejo is a special bottle so I definitely don't want it confiscated by sending from our side to Rob. Any other members? membership bump

VERY NICE!!!...mine is waiting for Chieftang's new cyclops but is also getting the full spa treatment: gen crown, lello datewheel, tritium lume via zigster, cyclops swap...can't wait!

bump for rob and jen!

I love BMWs but have had so many problems, especially as they get older. Definitely make sure you have a warranty, my convertible and 540i definitely spent way too much time at the dealer and shop, especially when an electrical problem arose. The truth is the bimmers are so fun to drive and that's what kept drawing me back. My biz partner has an 04 745i and he's having electrical issue with his. Owned an A8 for a couple years that ran like a champ, currently driving a CL500 and loving it...no issues with the benz.

Quick lousy pics from my iPhone, a party of 2 today. My first gen was my old grail watch, the TT Blue Face Sub...how I lusted after thee during my college years while I had my Tag. Treated myself on my 30th birthday. The other is the Breitling Skyland Black Face...I saw Dani's pics of his new gen and I figured I needed a fun SS chrono so this fits the bill. Cartier Santos is hiding because he's so small compared to all my other watches. First gen Pam happening this year...once I figure what I want first. dave

VERY nice rob...I thought I was excited to get the one sent over back, now I'm fiending to see it when you're done! I can't even imagine how you do it, my hands wouldn't have a chance!

I am down for two of each, two 1As and two 2As...that's four. I'm so close to pulling the trigger on a gen Base at this point, and probably will, but would love to put together a couple nice projects. I think we could EASILY hit 100 units, maybe even 200 without much effort if it can happen.

Lock and load on a 2824 datewheel as well. Thanks for the 2892 DW lello, my 027a project thanks ya!

Great post, I'm heading out there in April for the Canton Fair on biz for a week. I'll be with company, but hoping I can make a mission impossible trip to check out some watches(if so, photos to follow)...more realistically, I'm hoping to have lunch with Angus since he's out there. I'm very happy with our solid dealers(although I miss my Eddie Lee) so not really looking to find any bargains, but it would be nice to see a mecca of watches to pour through.

hey lello, tried to PM you, i'll be leaving for a trip to new orleans so if one of the 2892s are for me, let me know so i can shoot out a paypal. thanks for another awesome offering! dave

Nice one! I was happy to sell my old EL Taiwans best sub to Chieftang awhile back, but if I still had it, I would definitely try this. very nice

hey lello, i'll take a 2892 datewheel when you have everything sorted out! dave

ohmygod...i must have! The Zigmeister's working on 6 watches for me right now, but i may have to have one of these beautiful babies. looks fantastic, congrats! which dealer did you get your 024A from? i'm gonna email angus right now! dave