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seanf

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Everything posted by seanf

  1. Just a word of warning for any RG members posting in this thread. On RWI, we've have a consistent problem with RG admin coming on to RWI, reviewing threads in which an RG member says something negative or raises a question about something on RG, and then banning that member on RG permanently. In other words, the RG admin will ban you based on what you say on a completely separate forum. This happened as recently as two weeks ago. Just an FYI.
  2. Actually, there's been a fair amount of discussion about this watch. But, bear in mind, it's about a year old now. I think it came out in late 2007, so it's been around for a while. Here's the best review (with a side-by-side comparision with the gen) I've read about the TW chrono: http://www.replica-watch.info/phpBB3/viewt...=10&t=44315 I just ordered one for myself with the PVD/SS bracelet. It's technically a fantasy, but it's not like you couldn't get PVD coating done on the gen aftermarket. Great, great rep. Lots a wrist presence.
  3. I agree with you 100%. There's something really classic about the bi-compax. Once you put three subdials on there, the dial gets cluttered, particularly when you have a lot of color on the dial like these. Plus, I like the cushion case better on the Style I bi-compax.
  4. Funny you should post this just now. I just finished up a review of one of the coolest retro watches I've seen. It's an homage to the Heuer Camero and Autivia chronographs of the late 60s and early 70s. Very, very cool vintage looking watch (with vintage parts, no less).
  5. Cut and pasted from the GUG (Gens Under a Grand) section on RWI: Even if you haven't heard of the company Chronodeco, there's a pretty good chance you're familar with at least the look of the Chronodeco 1968. Why? Because, in one respect, Chronodeco has taken the art of legal rep (or homage) making to a whole different level. I first heard about Chronodeco in an article in the Aug. issue of International Watch. Chronodeco (http://www.chronodeco.com) has been around since about 2001. The main guy behind Chronodeco, S. Craig Bergsma, began as a watchmaker and focused primarily on servicing and reconditioning old chronograph watches (and he still services watches today, and for pretty reasonable prices). Bergsma had an interesting idea-- he had come into possession of a lot of old cases and movements from the 30s and 40s. So he built a very limited run (as in 35 watches) of watches using nothing but NOS (New Old Stock-- that is, old stuff that is new in the sense it has never been used) based on Art Deco designs. So, beginning in 2001, Chronodeco put out their first watch. After an article in International Watch showcased his stuff, he sold out in a month. Since 2001, Chronodeco has put out several series of watches, all with limited numbers, based on the 30s and 40s Art Deco period. But in 2008, they did something very different. And very cool. They decided to go with a retro watch again, but this time, based on the chronograph look from the late 60s and early 70s. And the Chronodeco 1968 was born. Using the famous "cushion case" from the late 60s Heuer Autavia and Camero, Chronodeco came up with a watch that is, in my view, one of the most beautiful pieces out there. And again, everything in the watch is authentic from the 1960s. They have two different "Styles" available. Here are the pics and specs from their Style I watches: Style I: - Limited to 30 pieces - New Old Stock cushion-style cases purchased from Germany. Heavy polished chrome finish with a stainless steel screw on back. - Valjoux cal.7733 movement, one of the best ever built. All rebuilt with new mainspring installed. - 5 different dial styles available. - Your choice of small hand colors in red, white, black or day-Glo orange. - Black, perforated high quality leather strap purchased from France. - 6-month warranty. And here are the pics and specs of the Style II watches: Style II: - Limited to 5 pieces - New Old Stock tonneau-style cases purchased from Australia. Heavy solid stainless with a stainless steel screw on back. - Valjoux cal. 7736 3 register movement. I would have liked to have built more of these but the movement is nearly impossible to find today. All rebuilt with new mainspring installed. - 2 different dial styles available. - Your choice of small hand colors in red, white, black or day-Glo orange. - Black perforated high quality leather strap purchased from France. - 6 month warranty I told you that you'd seen these watches before. In case you're wondering, these watches are patterned on a couple of different chronographs from the 1960s and 1970s. The most obvious reference is the Heuer Autavia, as you can see here: And the Heuer Camero, like this one: One other source, at least in terms of the design of the dial, is likely the Wakmann Chronograph (made by Breitling): Today, a Camero or Autavia in good condition retails for around $3,000 to $4,000. If you can find one, that is. Whereas you couldn't have given a Camero or Autavia away ten years ago, people have rediscovered them in a big way today, as they're one of the few vintage designs that cater to the modern trend of big watches. Although sizes varied, a watch based on the Autavia or Camero design (and there were LOTS of knockoffs of them in the 60s and 70s) could range from 38mm to 42mm. So they've become a very popular collectors' piece today. Back to the Chronodeco 1968. Since all the parts are from the 60s, these are very limited production pieces. How limited? Try 30 pieces of Style I and 5 pieces of Style II. And two of the Style I models are already sold out. Given all this, I would expect that these things would retail for well into the $4000 or $5000 range. But shockingly, you can get a Style I for $895 and a Style II for $1195.* Now, in full disclosure, I probably won't be ordering one of these myself (because $900 is still a lot to spend on a watch, anyway you want to look at it). But the Chronodeco 1968 inspired me to start trawling the Web for a good deal on an authentic cushion case Chronograph from the 1960s. And the coolest thing? If I do get one, I can send it to Chronodeco for a full servicing for $125. But if you're tempted to get one of the 1968s, you'd better contact this dude like right now. Methinks those things are going to go fast.
  6. Wow. Great review and pics, Ztech. I'm still really tempted to get the PVD/SS combo. Sorry you didn't like it. Hope you got most of your money out of it.
  7. Hey Ztech-- did you get a chance to review the watch? I'm dying to see some pics and hear your impressions.
  8. Cool. Thanks, man! In doing some research on my own, I found that Hirsch strap (the Principal) at this website for people based in the States: http://www.watchband.biz/pd-2037749166.htm...p;categoryId=10 Not a bad price, considering. And you can buy a special tool for that band at the same website for about $11.
  9. Man, that is exactly the strap I'm looking for. Do you have a link to purchase?
  10. I would remind you of the two of us, only one of our avatars feature a closeted homosexual scientology espousing fruitcake.
  11. Thinking seriously about picking up this DeWitt Academia Chronograph: Only problem is that I really hate the rubber strap. I'd like to try it out on a brown croc, kind of like the one in this model of the gen: And yes, I know the new 1940 from Angus and Jandrew has a brown croc strap (it's here: http://www.puretimewatch.com/index.php?pro...ture_id=215803), but boy howdee, that thing is awful. Three questions. First, does anyone know what size strap I'd have to get? Since the watch is 43mm, I'm guessing a 22mm width strap would be OK, but I'm not sure. Also not sure of the thickness. Second, from that picture of the gen and Angus' 1940, I can't tell if the leather strap ends are curved or straight. I know the rubber strap is curved. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I've ever seen curved leather straps like that. Anyone know if a curved leather strap is available? Finally, any recommedations for a good brown leather croc strap that would fit the Academia? I'd like it to look like the strap in the pic above, but not, you know, sucky. Or eleventy billion dollars.
  12. Sure, you've got 2000 posts, but how many of them concern the merits of midget-flavored lollipops? Yeah, not too many, I'll bet. So color me unimpressed until you get a few more of those posts under your belt. Newbie.
  13. Sorry to hear you didn't like it, Ztech. You may have just set a new record for in-and-out. Any pics?
  14. Nice rep, TT, but I seriously question whether Breitling could fit one more line, number, dial, letter, or doodad into that thing without it imploding under its own density. I'm telling you, man, you should really think about a nice Rado or Movado for a change.
  15. Ditto on JohnG's post. That being said, while there isn't a social stigma attached to wearing Russian watches in the States, they haven't been that popular here because (a) up until recently, they weren't easy to get a hold off; ( the quality of most Russian watches was very, very poor (and made our reps look like gen Patek Phillipes by comparison); and © they were impossible to fix, as the parts weren't available. From what I've read, all three of these things have begun to change in the last few years, particularly with respect to (.
  16. Not sure, but since it doesn't specify on the website, I'd guess mineral. Ztech, can you email your seller to confirm? And bTrizzy, I wouldn't be upset about this purchase. Everything I've read about this watch leads me to believe it's going to be awesome -- check out that International Watch article that was previously linked, and then tell me it's not a cool watch.
  17. Welcome to the club, baby. Which one did you get?
  18. True about the HKTan strap on the Santos, but man, it ain't cheap. I looked into it once, and the price of the strap was periously close to the price of the whole damn watch. But because of the double deployment clasp design, you're really limited to three choices for Santos 100 straps: (1) keep the rep strap (which is terrible; (2) get a gen Cartier strap (not sure if you can even order it from Cartier without a serial number, but if you can, I'm sure it'll be between $500 to $1000); or (3) go with HKTan (Santos Strap is between $100 to $200).
  19. Ever get confirmation that you'll get a free crappy watch with your order?
  20. The Tank is beautiful but way, way too small if you're looking for a good sized watch. The Santos 100 is huge and thick, so you may want to take a look at the two-tone version of that one. In fact, it's so big and thick, that I'd put it in a borderline category for a dress watch. The Roadster is a great watch, but you're right-- the reps aren't all that accurate. The case and bracelet are good, but the dials are pretty awful. Still, you're not likely to be called out. Between the Roadster and Frank Muller, I'd go with the Roadster because even with its flaws, to me, it's still a much nicer looking watch. Ever thought about the Cartier Tortue? It's a cheap rep, but a really gorgeous watch. Hand-wind too, so a lot less prone to problems. I've got one, and I absolutely love it:
  21. Sorry, Robbie, but I think that's pretty awful. So awful, in fact, that I think you should probably just get rid of it. Hey, I've got an idea-- why don't you just send it to me, and I'll throw it away for you. Seriously, man, that thing is stunning. Really gorgeous. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you have to put into it all told? I'm guessing more than $25.
  22. Ztech-- if you're looking for a really great looking dress watch that's a good size, you may want to take a look at the 42mm Ballon Bleu: NOTE-- I'm not recommending you buy it from Josh or Andrew-- I'm just using that picture to show you what it looks like. I bought a Ballon Bleu when it came out a few months ago. I've gotten more compliments on that watch than for any of my other watches put together. In fact, it's been so popular, that I've had to buy 5--count 'em FIVE--additional Ballon Bleus for friends and family. This is a great looking watch. The cool thing about the Ballon Bleu is that it's one of the few dress watches out there over 40mm. And because of the design of the crown guard, it actually wears larger. Pretty close to a Luminor in terms of size (albeit not in thickness, obviously). If you've got your heart set on a square or barrel shaped watch (and you still want a large size), then I'd go with a Cartier Santos 100, an FM Conquistador, or a Cartier Roadster. You may not be able to tell from pics, but the Roadster is actually much thicker than you would expect.
  23. The owner of russia2all just posted that the watches have arrived and will be shipped out today (Aug. 15). http://www.bdwf.net/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=42231 Can't wait to see a review of these.
  24. I seem to recall a thread a few months ago where someone confirmed that the whole OEM bezel thing was never accurate, and it was just a marketing gimmick from Jandrew. Does anyone else remember that? Or is it just the seven martinis that I had for lunch talking?
  25. I was looking at the prices of the current Breguet line, and it looks like median price for a Breguet is around E17,000 or thereabouts (around $20,000 to $25,000 in US): http://www.thewatchquote.com/List-Price-an...tches-No_47.htm With the exception of the Type XX and XXI (which don't even look like Breguets, imo), the Marine Big Date is just about the cheapest watch listed. It's about the same price at their Simple Classique.
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