Finepics

I would like to post another response, in general, to some of the further question/remarks made and then I would like to hope that a line can begin to be drawn under this issue finally. All oustanding issues I hope have now been responded to and resolved one way or another. rsv123 - please email me. Having read through more of the posts about me from earlier in the year I see how certain remarks have been able to perpetuate the general mood of ill feelings towards me despite the fact that they are innaccurate and have never been corrected. In one example a post reports, among other things, that a gen gold Rolex crown was not returned and that he'd have to write it off! Future readers will understandably assume that I "stole" his gold crown and that's that! (actually I never had a Rolex so the crown would have been worthless to me anyway!). The truth is that the crown was there all the time - the poster had not realised it when he made the remark but failed to follow up his post to amend it so the original suggestion remains. Had I not disappeared from the forum when I did I no doubt would have challenged it so the only reason I mention this now is just to bring to your attention the dangerous side of forums where mis-information can easily, and sometimes unfairly, give a false impression. So members do need to show a little caution when posting negative comments about anyone in future (and I don't mean me!). My references to my eyesight problem was poorly worded. I emphasised this point specifically in response to the remarks about my lining up gen Risti owners to send me their watches instead of going to an AD!!I was merely trying to explain that I have made a concious decision to give up any future watchwork on a regular basis because the strain of wearing loupes day and night was having a detrimental affect, the problem is perhaps overstated but certainly genuine, but that's not to say that I couldn't ever wear loupes occasionally outside of my work. With regard to my gen purchase and members money - I actually made a net loss on the DW's and much worsened because of the refunds that are being given for wheels which didn't arrive (one member bought 3 in one go so for them to go missing was a big hit!). I purchased my gen from the proceeds of the sale of my rep collection. I had over 25 watches in total all of which were modded to the max, with swiss movts and genuine straps etc. I sold 5 of them in one go to a dentist colleague who gave me

I had said that I doubted I would read any of your replies but I have because, despite what some of you still seem to think (and what I said in my initial response), I actually do care very much and I do feel very guilty. I'm human and I do have feelings and some of the comments made were deeply hurtful even if I fully deserved them. I have done my best to give as honest and as full an explanation of my situation and as best an apology as I could possibly give in the circumstances. I hoped I'd made it very clear that I was not making excuses and made a point of saying that I'm not expecting any sympathy or apologies, all I had wished for was a little more understanding and perhaps a little more acknowledgement of the positive contribution I made here, and at the old RWG, which I'm sure that most, if not all, of you benefited from at some time. Some of the earlier projects I was involved with were very successful and I did countless re-lumes and other small mods that were equally successful - many more successes than failures overall and I'm still saddened that some of you still seem to completely overlook that. That said there are several of you who have offered me some support and I'm deeply grateful to you. However I realise that an apology alone is not enough, deeds not words, and I have replied to all the emails I have received so far (actually surprisingly few) and have offered to make the appropriate amends to those individuals. Some of you have asked some questions or made further comments that I would like to reply to. I love watches and always have since my early 20's. As I already mentioned I signed up to Risti at about the same time I joined the old RWG and have always answered the odd post here or there and bought and sold the odd strap from time to time as well, although always with a little caution because of owning reps, so I wasn't doing anything that I had not already been doing and really didn't think anything of it. I suppose all that changed more recently was that I didn't feel quite the same need to be as cautious as before. It really didn't occur to me that I risked being "outed" because I was completely oblivious to the level of ill feelings mounting up against me here since my absence. If I had been worried or really wanted to re-invent myself (as some have suggested) then surely I would have re-registered with a completely new identity. Yes I did go to a GTG (if it could be called that). In response to the post about the fake market an Aussie risti emailed me to ask something. In the subsequent exchange of emails that afternoon he told me that he was actually in London on business and was going to a meet that same evening (I had no prior knowledge of this) although it was short notice would I like to come. Normally I would have declined because of my being a rep owner (I didn't have the gen at that time) and told him so but he said that did not matter to him and not to worry about it. Because I rarely go out these days other than the very occasional drink with colleagues, and because actually I'm very bloody lonely here by myself and because it was only a 10 minute journey from my work I decided to go. There were 4 present inc me, 2 were from Aus (one is actually a mate of DW) and 1 from UK. None were at all judgemental about the rep I had with me - in fact they were very impressed by it. They were extremely nice people and it was a pleasure to meet them. I don't have the slightest regret about going. There is one thing though that I want to make expressly clear as there still seems to be doubts about it. I have given up watch work specifically because my eyesight has recently deteriorated quite significantly because of wearing loupes in my day job. Loupes do this because they weaken the already weak muscles that cause my close vision to be affected. This does not mean I'm going blind but it does mean I cannot focus on anything close up (I'm actually long sighted) and the nature of my work means I have to be able to do this. It's a catch 22 situation - the more I wear the loupes the more my eyes will suffer - but the catch is that I can't do my job without them. My day job is my living and my eyes/hands are my job. When you get to my age things start to go downhill more rapidly and I need to retain my eyesight for as long as possible so that I can still hopefully have a job until I reach retirement. So stopping the watch work was the only answer. There is one other reason which relates directly to the question about my doing work for Risti's instead of sending it to an AD. One of the major risks with doing work on someone else's watch is what if something goes wrong (part of the reason we are here). It's very very easy to scratch something or cause some minor damage no matter how careful you are. Sometimes it's possible to get a spare part from Angus or someone and make good the damage to a rep but imagine this happens to a genuine watch worth several $$$$ - I can't call Panerai and ask for a new dial or new set of hands. I'm not a professional watchsmith and have never professed to being one and don't have any insurance against such an event either. If Panerai damage something in service (as they certainly have done) they can just go to a drawer and get a new one. So no, I have absolutely no intention, and have never even contemplated it, of ever doing any work on any genuine watch ever and the very suggestion of it is frankly preposterous. I have given it up for good (and that goes for reps too). Finally - just for your amusement and something of an irony - in Sept 2006, on the recommendation of a dual member RWG'er, I paid $1800 to a well known, but then unbeknown to me, Risti who is supposed to be making a few 1:1 "homage" pieces. I still have nothing to show for it and no progress reports unless I pester him. Make of that what you will.

Well gentlemen here is the reply that you no doubt have all been waiting for following my "Outting" on the Risti. I have been reading what you've posted about me, some of which was frankly shocking and deeply upsetting as was the Risti post. I did email the admin team informing them that I would post a response but so far I have not had a reply from them so I have chosen to go ahead and do this by taking specific comments and answering them directly. I hope that this will pretty much address and clarify all the issues raised about me and my conduct, but before I go on I'd like to draw your attention to some of the RWG forum rules which don't appear to have been strictly adhered to: [7] - Be nice to each other and respect the RWG admin team and moderators. No personal attacks. In particular, malicious comments that insult others based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or sexual preference will not be tolerated. The fastest way to get removed from the community is to turn a discussion into a personal confrontation. [8] - No cursing, particularly if the words are directed at another person on the board. These words generate bad blood too easily. There are ways to get your words and phrasing across without typing the cussword. Remember, some people swear all the time and others don't. Cuss less -- and think more --before posting. [20] - If you have a problem with another member turn to the respective moderator and if the moderator can't help you send a private message to Admin or one of the co-admins. OK here we go, it's a long one so please bear with me and take the time to really read what has been said before you cast any final judgements: "Never spoke to the guy, never had any dealings with him except for the time he demanded money before he'd let me have a look at a PAM DW scan laugh.gif Personally I don't care if he's got out of reps. His choice. But this is different. To purposely go there and try to sleazily ingratiate himself by 'spilling the beans' is out of order - also quite pathetic and sad, speaks volumes about his character. (DocblacKroc)": Did I really ask you for money to see a DW scan - no. Comments like that will stick in the minds of people even if it was meant as a joke. Far from trying to ingratiate myself by "spilling the beans" my post on Risti about the rep market was simply an attempt to dispel some of the myths that fly around there, and it was in response to a post about a rep that was being sold as genuine - someone was about to lose a considerable sum of money. You will all be aware that the layout of the Risti forum is such that posts "disappear" after a very short time - here there are specific categories and sub categories which are far more easily read at any later time. I'm saddened that you cast a judgement on my character when, as you say, you have never had dealings with me or spoken to me. "His constant excuse of "personal issues" preventing him from being able to stand up and post on RWG, and give members the goods and money he stole from them, was just that - an excuse. Now it looks like he's going to try and get in as a "fake" turned "I only own gen's now..." expert on the other forums. His excuse for not being able to give everyone back what he stole from them, would be easily fixed with a good kick in the groink. I think there are still a number of members who's property was never returned, as well as a number who paid in advance for datewheels and never got them, or their money. Then to the mix, add the many watches he ruined, including a ETA 7753 powered 188 that was destroyed by his incompetance (and you can't buy 7753 parts, so it's scrap, $1k down the drain). I hope someone from here or TRC puts up a show and tell on Paneresti to show who Mark really is, and the truth behind him. (The Zigmeister)": The dictionary definition of stealing is: 1.To take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, esp. secretly or by force. 2.To appropriate (ideas, credit, words, etc.) without right or acknowledgment. I have not stolen anything. Any members property that I have is still here and will be returned to them. I have already contacted all but one of the 4 people who's watches I still have. If there are members who did not receive DW's then why have you not told me. Things can go missing in the post and unless you tell me that you have not received it how am I to know? As for the many watches I ruined - is that really true? Did I ruin many watches or just a few - did I in fact do many more very good jobs than I ruined? Yes Kruzers 188 was something that I am ashamed of and he knows that (this was quite a long time ago) and it's a shame that you choose to bring this up again now. From what I recall you actually fixed it and there were no damaged beyond repair parts. Can you hold up your hand and say you always get it right? I can think of a couple of your re-lumes that I had to correct. My "personal issues" were and are not an excuse, they are genuine but I will come on to that later. But I admit one of my big mistakes was to get involved with the more complicated movts as you are correct when you say my skills are not what they should be in this area. "If he's outted, he can start naming names, and it wouldn't be pretty. Me, I'm buying a gen PAM next year, and it's not like I'm going to be showing up to Risti GTGs anyway, so I'm not affected in that way.(vbarrett)": I have absolutely no intention of naming any names or directly attacking anyone other than the few counter comments I may make here - life's too short and there are far more serious things going on in the world - I'm not seeking any form of revenge. "As for FinePics, utter scumbag for trying to reinvent himself thus. A bit like former burglars who then become Security Consultants... He'll no doubt be up to his old games there, and I doubt they'll be as forgiving of his behaviour as folks here have been. One way or another, be it in this life or the next, he'll be getting his comeuppance...(teejay)": What exactly are my old games and what do you think I will do "Over there" - do you think Risti's will be sending me their watches for a re-lume!! Really - be serious. Far from re-inventing myself I have never made a secret of who I am and my login name is the same here as there. "Wow.. I feel lucky not to have sent any money for those CG's that Mark was vouching for.. at 100 usd I could have lost a good bit of change.(lanikai)": That project was a serious one but was nothing to do with me, I simply vouched for it because I knew the person doing it - he wanted to remain anonymous because ironically he was worried about Risti finding out who he was as he had dealings there. However it ran out of steam due to the difficulties of finding someone to do it right and the usual RWG problem of getting members to commit then honour the commitment, something that those of you who have undertaken manufacturing projects will know all about - my DW's being a perfect example. What did happen to all those RWG'ers who pledged to buy then never actually did. No money was ever paid for the CG project and as I said I had absolutely no involvement in it so I resent the fact that this is raised now, it's an unnecessary post. "The initial concern I have here is that Mark seems to working at winning over their confidences, could this be because he knows there is a lot more margin in working on gens than reps?(Kenberg)": This is just such a ridiculous thing to say, it's even more thoughtless than the above CG comment. I have actually been a member of Risti for almost the same time as I have been here and I often added a post/reply here or there over the last few years (as have some of you). I don't need to win anybody's confidences thankyou very much - just what work is it you think they would be flocking to send me? "Never cared much for Mark, even before he was outed as a hack scammer, if I'm being honest. The I taught myself watch making bit is great. What a joke. And I love the line about not owning reps any more. Yeeeeeaa RIIIIIIIGHT! He might have one gen now (I'm sure he could afford at least one after raping so many RWGers), but I guarantee he still has his reps. Oh well, good riddance. But I think I've said that before.(Chieftang)": Thanks Brian - how nice of you. I seem to recall helping you out with some answers to questions you asked about AR coats before you started doing them so what axe do you have to grind with me to say what you have? As for my reps - I have sold all but one of them to friends and colleagues. At no time have I ever attempted to pass any of them off as the real thing although I could very easily have done so and raised a small fortune. The prices I sold them for reflected the mods done to them. This money and monies raised from ebay selling of my personal property (nothing at all watch related) allowed me to purchase a gen. It's surprising how much 30 or so reps adds up to even at face value - try counting up your own collections and see what I mean. But when could I ever wear 30 watches - one of several reasons why I actually sold them. The one I kept - fiddy with the well known 177 serial so would not fool anyone who knows their fiddys. It was always my favourite and I could never afford a gen - that's why it stays. "On Mark, I continue to have mixed feelings. It sounds like there are plenty of people who have outright been ripped off. In my case he did his best to make me whole by returning everything he had and doing what he could. Unfortunately he also tried things that he could not handle. It was not a happy ending but I felt he had done what he could to rectify things and even did some extra polishing and things that he was capable of. The few forum members who I am close to think I am nuts and was simply taken advantage of. I will never knowMy feelings have now turned more to the negative now that I know he has moved on to Risti but more importantly is now buying gens and people here are out money. I will always believe (perhaps I am an optimist) that he did not join our form as a scammer. He got in way over his head. What is disappointing is that he ultimately fled. He is not the first and will not be the last.(Kruzer)" Kruzer - you of all people are the one I feel the most ashamed about having let down. You were always, and I hope will continue to be, someone I could call a friend. I don't blame you for your comments but I do think you know me well enough to know I'm not what some have said I am or what you have hinted at - I recall we spoke only recently - if you really thought me a scammer why didn't you say so in private. "I bought one of his date discs, and he shipped it to me. Was I ripped off? Techincally no. Ethically, yes. Was I [censored] off, yes. It took over 6 months to get it, communication was terrible. He was very easy to get in touch with and answered my emails promptly right up until I clicked send on my Paypal account. The disc did show up, but it was not the quality I was expecting especially after paying 60 pounds. A few of the numbers had small bubbles in the printing, not noticable except under the loupe, but still noticable. I suggest that if he still owes you anything, send him a message on the board. or email him. His email is published on there.(stilty)" This whole DW project was really the final straw for my membership here - none of you have the slightest idea just how much effort and time were put into this project. I really wish I'd never started it. Every week for 8 months I was calling the printing company to hurry them up only to be told of this problem and that problem (my cell phone bill was huge due to this). This one thing caused me more stress than I could ever have imagined - not to mention Lello's re-appearance at a critical time. I lost a lot on this project (and I don't particularly mean financially), If you feel I sold you out then this is one thing that I can say some members sold me out on. Finding companies to make things for fake watches is hard enough (for obvious reasons) and then you're completely at their mercy - the company doing my DW's let me down very badly but what could I do? It had come too far down the road to scrap them and start again. My advice to anyone undertaking any projects for the so called greater good is don't, just to do it for yourself. As for the small bubbles under a loupe - well some members expectations for perfection is another reason not to undertake projects - they cannot ever be perfect. I think most of you that had the DW's were more than satisfied with the overall result and the only time your watches would come under such close scrutiny that a loupe would be involved is if you were trying to sell it as the real thing, which none of you would ever do - would you!!! This perfection issue is another reason why I've given up on reps. "If it's decided someone approaches their Mods, I'll take the fall. They know I'm a rep owner already, and even when I become legit next year, they won't interact with me, or very little. So let me contact their mods and lay it out about what happened on RWG.(vbarrett)" No need for this - as soon as Simon_uk submitted his post on Risti I approached the mods there and explained the situation. I did not go into specific details, suffice it to say that I fully admitted that some of what was posted was true but much of it untrue and grossly distorted. I voluntarily offered to resign from there as I have no wish to involve their board being used as a vehicle to settle scores. To sum up their reply; they appreciated my coming to them but felt that as the situation was largely of my own making (which I don't deny), and in order to maintain a harmonious forum, they would prefer me not to post again (although they have not forbidden me totally). They have also said that they will immediately remove any such further posts made about me. "In outing Mark on risti, what would the objective be.... Retribution.... a form of punishment? I seriously do not buy into the fact that he is a scammer. He got in over his head yes, but I refuse to believe his intention was to scam this forum. Things went wrong, he fled. Not the wisest of things to do, but it has happened. Before we go outing people through our own anger just consider first of all what would the objective be for doing such a thing, is it to warn the risti's or would it to be a form of punishment. If it's the latter, then I would hope we could all think about it first before lowering ourselves to such an act.(b16a2)" Thankyou - someone who has not let their emotions run riot and given a sensible comment. As has been said I had not attempted to disguise my identity and my email address was always included in my posts there so I was far from hiding. But - in fairness perhaps this was the kick in the groink that I needed to properly deal with the outstanding issues that I have buried my head in the sand over for too long. "Ok i own 2 gen watches myself that cost me alot of pain and money(over 4000$ each) to get so yes i understand but i DO NOT understand why people on risti woud like to have a scammer among them and look down on a person that admits he is a activ poster on RWG to try help them of that fact that he is innded a scammer amongs them. I will never be ashamed of being a member of RWG and neither shoud other people.(Dani)" Well I was an active poster here but not for a very long time - partly the reason we are all here now! I'm not or never have been ashamed of my membership here nor have I ever mentioned that over there. My passion for Panerai would not have been what it is were it not for this place. Actually not as many Risti look down on reps as you might think. "As for Finepics.... ....out him and fukk him....he's only concerned with himself.....he 'fled' that's shorthand for 'fukk this... I'm outta here"......and then pops up elsewhere as an 'expert'on fakes....and these stupid lemons are all over him like wildman's shyte.....he's just currying favour.....at everyone here's expense.....someof you guys need a wake up call..... get fukkin' real....!(TTK)" Thanks TTK - wouldn't have expected anything less from you and almost take your words as a compliment! "Ok so here is how I am thinking......If someone doesn't at least get in an Admins ear about Mark on 'risti and he goes on to actually scam a few over there do you think they will love us more for not coming over and dirtying up their board or do you think they might say "Fukk why didn't the bar stewards tell us he was a scammer?"(Kenberg)" Definition of Scam: 1. a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle.

Ladies and Gents - many of you will have noticed that I have not been around here for a while and some of you are getting somewhat anxious waiting for watches to be finished so I need to let you know what's been going on. After having had the flu initially nearly 3 weeks ago I have been very ill with a viral infection that has left me with both ears badly infected . My ears are still blocked now and my hearing has been severely impaired. Also this has been rather painful so I have been unable to do watch work during this time. I have returned to my day job but am still tired when I get home and don't have the energy for the concentration needed. This is further complicated by a few other events that happened just prior to and during this illness - my car was damaged by a neighbour, so that had to be dealt with, then my hard drive packed up on my PC and I was unable to fix it until last night when I finally got i booted it up again. This has meant that I had no internet access for quite a while. Finally, as you know, I am living on my own for the next 12-18 months and trying to run the household has also had to take a back seat while I've been unwell and these are things that I need to attend to urgently. So this is not meant to be a melodrama, and I don't need any posts of sympathy, but really to highlight that it's not a case of me not bothering. I would also humbly ask you to be a little more patient while I recover and allow me time to get things back in order again. The last few datewheels will be posted tomorrow - my apologies to those of you who are waiting for these to arrive. To anyone that emailed me recently I am trying to get around to you but the loss of my PC has meant quite an accumulation of emails and PM's etc that all need answers.

RC Tritec actually told me that they exclusively use C3 from them but they do apparently also source luminous materials from other companies. I also rang Panerai UK and asked them about it and they said C3 as well.

Bertie - will clear out PM box after weekend as I am going away and don't have time now to sort through them. Should be done on Sunday evening when I get back.

Well here's a good example of how the majors can apply pressure to something. allofmp3.com (a particular favourite of mine) have been allowing users to download music legally as far as Russian Law goes. The only problem is that they were not paying the royalties to the RIAA (technically not necessary under Russian law) so they have put pressure on Visa and Mastercard to stop accepting payments for illicit goods/services so the only way to pay allofmp3 is if you have a Japanese JCB credit card as their laws are different. This also applies to reps. No bank or financial institution is allowed under international law to do anything that promotes or endorses illegal activity of any kind. It's not PP's fault as such - it's the LAW!!!!!!!

Nice find but the majority of the movts are quartz. Price for the 2892-A2 is not bad though!!

Not quite true - my fiddy is about 2 years sold and is the 0117 serial and has the movt coming out from the front - I would say it is the newer versions that come out from the back. I have a more recent 0117 here from a customer and this has a spacer for the movt, and a caseback that is a different size (will not fit the older case) and has the same problem with case/bezel size that he was called out on. I remember a long time ago now that one of our dealers was selling fiddy's with a gen movt for about $3000

Thanks Retep - it's a bit strange in an empty flat and it's only been a week today that she left. I am going out there in June so at least I have something to look forward to. I have to do this for her sake as it is essential for her to get this experience with a major bank on her CV so that she can get a better job back here in the future - and who knows I might end up out there!!

Guy's-n-Gal's I am now back after a most horrendous week!! After waving goodbye to my most precious love massive PC failures at work, short staffed for a week due to holidyas and then my own PC decides to go bang and I was only able to get it going again yesterday so hence my slightly prolonged absence! So now I am back on board I am trying to catch up with works in progress - thanks to all who are patiently waiting - I hope to get all things back on track asap (am away this weekend and next weekend) but I cannot get back up to full speed straight away. Datewheels are done and in my hands after all this time. They should have been here in the middle of January so here we are now in March. Sorry again for all the delays but anyone who has done projects like this themselves will know that dates can never be adhered to especially when dealing with parts for fake watches!!!!!

30 for me so that's 2975!

Guys - I am back and the wheels have arrived in my hands this morning. I am away for the weekend so will start shipping them next week. Please bear with me as it will take quite a while to sort, pack and address all of them so they will not all go at once.

As always your support is so much appreciated - I love you guys (and Girls!!).

Just a quick note - you might be worried about watches or datewheels as I have not been around much lately or replying to PM's as quickly - this is my last 4 days with my girl before she leaves for Hong Kong - I will not see her again until the 1st June then October so I'm trying to spend as much time as I can with her - please allow me this. the datewheels will be shipped very soon - there have been very stressful delays on this as the printers have found problems with the metal printing plates and have had to get them re-made several times so this has delayed the actual run but I'm hoping this week they will be ready for shipping out. All members with work waiting - as soon as my GF has departed then I will be able to concentrate (this work requires immense concentration - something I'm not fully in the right frame of mind for right now) on finishing jobs so again please be patient with me. Thanks guy's and gal's.