Fireman_Fred

Oh well, guess it must just be me then.......

I have just received a 007 Special Edition (ETA 2824-2) from Paul to add to my "collection" of James Bond SMPs. Paul has not had it in stock for a while so when I saw he was advertising it for $189 I ordered one to add to the other skeleton hand, blue dial SMPs I already own (SMP, SMP Chrono and SMP 007 2006 SE). Although the watch case, dial etc is great, the s/s bracelet is not what I'd expect on an ETA version. It is flat, thick with "sharp" edges. Of the SMPs I own, there is a wide variation in the bracelets and none is the same and this one is the worst! I know I paid less than Josh and Andrew charge for the same watch but I was under the impression that the majority of the watches offered by the "reputable collectors", came from the same factory. Has anybody noticed that the current crop of SMPs are are being sent out on crap bracelets?. The best bracelet I have received to date is the one that came with the SMP Chrono but that was some 6 months ago.

That gen is stunning but I guess I'll have to wait for the rep which I might just be able to afford !!

What kind of noise? In my experience, the asian rotors are often quieter than the ETA versions but that could be cos they're more cheaply made and not so solid ?

I bought an Asian SFSO (white dial) from Jay and was so impressed with it's quality that I decided to order the "Swiss" ETA version with A/R. The asian movement version keeps absolutely perfect time and the movement feels smooth when you wind it by hand or change the time. On the other hand, the ETA version feels like a bag of nails and the crown will not screw back down without changing the date !! Jay has asked me to return it to him for repair/replacement, which I will do shortly. However, I'm a little disturbed to hear how many bad ones Feta1 has been sent. It sounds as though there is NO QC at all (despite what Silix claims) and there seem to be a lot of rough SFSOs being sent out. I paid more than twice as much for the "Swiss" ETA version so I am not impressed !!!

I agree absolutely - there are many contenders out there but, as I said in my last thread, the "secret" of the SFSO is it's simplicity. Many of the watches you have listed are great reps but the more "complicated" the gen, the more chance of a flaw appearing in the rep. Having said that, the flaws often appear to be things that could be easily rectified (bad pearls, misaligned bezels etc). The thing that always amazes me is that the factories are able to copy the more intricate details (sub dials, patterns/waves/swirls etc on dials...) and then they go and stick the pearl on wonky !!!

Another very newbie question: Going by what mil_sub has said, I am I right in assuming that a $300 ETA SFSO, (for example), is a far better buy than the $150 Asian equivalent and will it last more than twice as long?

I have to say, I'm with Pug. The SFSO is a simple, sturdy design that has been replicated to an extremely high standard. IMO the standard ss bracelet that it comes with does it no favours but as soon as you put it on a (brown) leather strap it transforms it. The fact that it is relatively simple in design, (much like the ever popular SMP or Sub), it is going to remain a favourite for years to come.

My new "lovely" !! Nice watch - Crap picture !!

I've also just watched the Tech. video and if that's what it takes to produce a genuine watch, I'm damned impressed that anyone can be bothered to copy them to such a high level !!

If you think getting the bracelet off is difficult - wait 'til you try to get it back on !!

Mmmmm, I'm in the process of buying a Blackbird from another member and it's coming on a Croc strap...

This happens all the time and there have been endless posts about it ! There is no pattern to the mail system between China and the UK (and other countries as well, I'm sure !). I have had watches arrive on my doorstep in 3 days and others I've had to wait nearly two weeks. The biggest problem when a parcel arrives via EMS is the hand over to Parcel Force in the UK. I had a watch arrive in the UK in two days having travelled thousands of miles from China and then it took over a week for Parcel Force to get their act together and deliver it 20 miles from their depot to my house !! I'm waiting for a Yacht Master to arrive from Andrew (posted a week ago) - EMS tracking tells me that it is still en route from China... I have now got used to sitting tight and waiting... I know it'll turn up - eventually !! Keep Smiling !

That was my reasoning for having mine run all the time. @Stephane: Sorry to ask, but why would one want to run the chrono permantly ? As I said when I started this post, I prefer to have the large second hand running, it makes it look more like a non chrono. That's just my preference, but if some informed person who knows more than me, (and there are plenty out there !!), tells me that it is better to leave the chrono function "off", then I will do that for the sake of preventing any extra wear on the 7750 movement.

Can anyone tell me how much Josh is asking for the Blackbird SS bracelet as I can't find it on his website. Is anyone else selling the bracelet on it's own? Thanks.

I have two or three chrono watches with Asian 7750 m'ments and I wear them with the Chrono function permanenly "On". Is this movement designed to be used in this way or should I stop it for normal day to day wear and is it causing damage or wear leaving it running? I personally prefer to see the large chrono second hand going round...

That's weird, the "Rolex" has disappeared but a new watch has appeared in it's place !!??!!!

This guy used to regularly sell on Ebay but suddenly stopped - he had a very good rating and many happy customers. I was just about to go for one of his Pams when his listings stopped. To try and get round Ebay's rules on selling counterfeits, he used to "airbrush" the names off the photos of the watches he was selling (with photo editing software). I guess he's been kicked off Ebay and decided to go it alone...

Sent him an email to ask if he'll accpet $3450 !

:lol:

Thanks Italiano - they say a picture paints a thousand words and your photo has certainly done that - Cheers !

This might be a silly question but don't the BCE and Blackbird share the same bracelet? Or is the Blackbird on a brushed bracelet as opposed to the shiny BCE bracelet?

She's rotating perpetually clockwise - Bugger - I'm Gay (and I never knew !!!), now Ill have to start wearing my Pam on my left wrist ! How am I going to explain this to the wife and kids ??!!

:lol: You leave our bloody weather alone - without it, we'd have nothing to talk about !!