mjmurphy926

The dent looks light. It could be fixed easily. If you don't have the tools and are in the US, I would gladly do it for you. In any case, if everything else is right about the watch, I would not return it. If it really bothers you, I would try to buy another bracelet from Andrew. I am sure he would discount it for you.

Marty,

Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll try. If I ruin it, I'll buy another bracelet.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll stop bugging Andrew (except maybe to ask for a deal on another bracelet). It is a very nice watch.

I just received my SMP chrono from Andrew. Overall I'm very happy with the watch. However, there is a small dent on one of the SELs. In some light it's hardly noticeable, but in other light it's very noticeable. It was the first thing I noticed when I unwrapped the watch.

I've emailed Andrew asking if he would swap out a new bracelet if I sent him this one. So far, he has just laughed it off saying it's "SO SMALL".

Am I asking too much? What would you do? Would you live with it, or ask for replacement?

Thanks,

Mike

I had trouble capturing the dent it in a picture. It does look pretty small in this shot.

Personally, I think its worth it (although I think it was $388 not $488). THe movement is great, it accepts gen parts and looks perfect. Many movements, even the ETAs, are not in "tip top" shape. Also, there are quality control problems as some here have said. The extra money gets the movement taken apart, cleaned, lubed, put back together and gets the who watch tested to be water resistant to like 30m (or maybe 30 ft), either way, I believe the extra money is WELL worth it, if even just for peice of mind.

Supermoves, I believe we are talking about 2 different watches. I believe the one you refer to is:

http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...products_id=796

Whereas the watch the OP (and I) was referring to is:

http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...roducts_id=1234

Am I right?

I'm very interested in seeing pix and reading your thoughts. I have Andrew's $218 sub with serial#F520117 (same as noob) mounted on a skunk NATO strap and get tons of compliments.

I've often wondered about the "correctness" of the case and rehaut on the ultimate. $488 is a lot to shell out for a ETA copy sub. I'd be interested in knowing if you think it's worth it.

reported to eBay.

Thanks takashi. I was going to do that before the auction ended, or as soon as someone bid on it, but I thought I'd wait and let everyone enjoy it first.

...pretty nice, huh?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...y0%3D%26fvi%3D1

I don't know what I did wrong with the link, but it's item #120196415170

Essentials.

1. Camera....resolution....no more than 5mp....if it's all web stuff you are shooting....!

2. Tripod....heavier the better...!

3. Remote shutter release...!

4. Light box...or some method of diffusing the light....light diffusion is what it is all about.....that's why it is bad to use flash...!

5. .Reasonable knowledge of PS...!

6. Plenty of practice,....!

Always try for extended depth of field....not necessary...but preferred...experiment with light....you don't need lots of light.....use the tripod properly and you can shoot at very slow speeds....!

Go here for some of my stuff....!

www.photobucket.com

Username = keyserszose

Password = letmein

TTK

Thanks TTK,

I have all the above except 4 and sometimes 6. I'll work on acquiring both.

BTW, Very nice work. If you don't mind, I may go back to your Photobucket gallery for inspiration from time to time.

I wish!

I'm using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 (5MP with a Leica lens). It's amazing if you have enough light and a liability of you don't. Stuff you don't need for general watch photography: Flash or Macro. A light tent and a tripod will make up for poor light, but a couple of table lights and manual white balance will get you out of too much trouble.

Oh, and mastering Photoshop is an excellent idea, but as always, it's best to get as much as you can in the lens and use Photoshop to turn the picture into what you saw, not what the camera captured. It's a balancing act, but look at TTK's photos for what can be done if you have both time and talent.

You can see some of my stuff here:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?automo...um&album=38

WOW!! These are great!!

The FZ20 is an excellent camera. That's what I started with. From there I went to a Canon 20D and now a Canon 40D. I have a summer gig shooting my local MLS team (Colorado Rapids) for an online soccer mag. Shots from the first half of the 2007 season:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v202/mjm...p;paginator=top

Here are some of my favorite 2006 shots:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v202/mjm...est%20of%202006

Anyway, sorry for straying off the watch topic and thanks again for your help. I'll post more watch shots soon.

Thanks for all the advice. You guys rock!!

And Pug, I just found your "How to's" in the photog section and I'm reading through them now.

I'll try again tonight with my 300 f/4 lens and circle polarizer.

If you guys are using DSLRs, what setups are you using (body and lens)?

As always, thanks,

Mike

I dabble in photography a bit (mostly sports and land/cityscapes with a little portraiture thrown in), but I tried to shoot my SSD last night to ask all you wonderful people for an opinion on the pearl I swapped from an old aftermarket bezel, and I came to the realization that it's pretty damn hard to shoot a watch.

Now I'm even more impressed by all the wonderful shots I've seen in this site!!

Now I have an excuse to buy a new lens and maybe even a ring flash!!

This is all I was able to produce:

Sorry for another noob question, but how is this pearl?

I'm loving this forum and all you wonderful, helpful people.

Thanks again,

Mike

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showto...rce+for+inserts

Thanks gioarmani. I didn't realize these were the same people. I actually ordered 2 inserts from these guys on 11/25. My order status on their site is "Not yet shipped". I've sent them 2 emails asking for a status, but have yet to receive a reply. Since they haven't charged my credit card yet, I'm not sweating it, but it would be nice to get an update...Oh well.

Thanks again,

Mike

Glossy is correct, and Raymond Lee inserts are OK as aftermarket inserts go- decent pearl, look fine. You might check Helfands, they also have aftermarket inserts- maybe the same as Raymond Lee. BK, the sub cannibal, likes the pearls in the www.watchmaterial.com inserts. The pearl is the biggest feature on these aftermarket inserts. Stay away from the "zit" pearls or the domed pearls on cheap inserts- they're a dead giveaway.

Thanks alligoat. I can always count on you.

I'll order a 16660 from watchmaterial for the perl. Does Helfands have a web site? I checked their ebay store and they have no SD inserts, only subs.

Thanks again,

Mike

I just received a 16660 SD insert:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-SEA-DWELLER-BEZE...VQQcmdZViewItem

It took a little sanding on the outer edge before it would snap in, but now it fits perfect. The finish on this insert is very glossy. Is this correct? I always think of a gen insert as being sort of matte or semi-gloss. Am I remembering correctly?

Thanks,

Mike

1. Yes, it's better to remove the bezel I think.

2. Yes! Remove the pearl first, then you can pull the insert with a toothpick out.

3. A gen Rolex insert can be used, but you have to grind the inlay on sandpaper, on the side and the underside. It's a very long act, I can tell you!

I also have a aftermarket inlay with gen pearl, and it click's it in the bezel without modifications, but the inlay is unter tension! It can click out everytime...

For the CG's I used a "Dremel", but you must be very careful!

Thanks Omega. Great information.

Today I made my new SSD wearable!

CG's:

gen inlay and pearl:

Thanks for looking!

Omega,

Looks great. I'm pretty much a noob and want to swap the insert on my SSD. I have a few different inserts on the way. I've addressed this on another thread, but...

Did you remove the bezel to do the insert swap?

Can the insert be removed without removing the bezel?

If you removed it, what did you use, and what was your technique?

I may even want to tackle the CGs. I only hope it turns out half as nice as yours. Great job.

Thanks,

Mike

I love this watch so much that I'm really afraid to remove the bezel in fear that I'll mar the case or bezel, but I want to install a new bezel insert.

I've also seen a high dollar ($180 I think) tool to remove the bezel. Has anyone used one of these? Seems REALLY expensive, but may be worth it?

Thanks,

Mike

Hey Bi-Tor,

Is:

http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...products_id=254

the same watch but $120 cheaper and without the "Full service" wink wink?

Thanks,

Mike

p.s. Your name and avatar bring back very fond memories of high school for this old man. Rush was my #1 band in the late 70s (followed closely by UFO, Pat Travers, Bon Scott's AC/DC and of course Zepp). I don't suppose you have a dog named "Snow Dog"? huh?

Looks like alligoat answered my question. Thanks.

That's the "Noobmariner" with ETA. Good Sub replica, but ridiculously overpriced.

338$ + shipping. Come on...

I would be skeptical with the "full service" claims, as these claims are very hard to prove. And you don't really have to service a new ETA watch. I've had dozens of ETA watches with zero problems, ever.

Hey Bi-Tor,

Is:

http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...products_id=254

the same watch but $120 cheaper and without the "Full service" wink wink?

Thanks,

Mike

p.s. Your name and avatar bring back very fond memories of high school for this old man. Rush was my #1 band in the late 70s (followed closely by UFO, Pat Travers, Bon Scott's AC/DC and of course Zepp). I don't suppose you have a dog named "Snow Dog"? huh?

...from Trusty?

http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...roducts_id=1529

Other than the pushers being symmetrical, it looks like a pretty good rep of my all time favorite Rolex.

Found this on the web. I think it's gen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/mjm...26/image010.gif

I've had my Trusty 2001 Daytona http://www.trustytime88.com/index.php?main...products_id=313

for a few days now. It seemed pretty small to me so I decided to measure it. It measures about 38mm across the UNITS PER HOUR bezel. Is that correct, or should it measure 40mm.

It's a really nice rep, but I'm wondering if it's actually full size? I believe this is supposed to be the same supplier and watch that By-Tor borrowed from Stephane recently for his wonderful review. He mentions it seems small compared to his Tag, but doesn't actually say he measured it.

I tried a search to see if I could find anything about gen actual size, but came up blank.

Does anyone know?

Thanks,

Mike

Sorry mjmurphy926, for the rant/hijack. I'm just astounded that I the term super could be attached to any sub that has anything but correct CG's.

The photos are identical. You can overlay them and nothing moves but the watermarks.

No problem Greystash, I certainly understand your point. I kinda get a kick out of the "SUPER, PERFECT, ULTRA PRIMO, MONDO FANTABULOUS" descriptions they use in the watch names. The only name that might be better would be something like "PRETTY DAMN CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE PERFECT." But I doubt we'll ever see anything like that.

To actually answer the OP's question; yes, they are the same.

Thanks Sporty...I was wondering if anyone would get to that.