seanf

I don't know what game TWP is playing here, but I don't like it at all. I understand Victoria's reluctance to come down too heavily on TWP (since he was doing this as a favor for her), but this issue goes beyond her and the mods to her watch. TWP posted these pictures--here and on RWI--presumably to advertise his (not inexpensive) modding services. As a result, this is something that impacts every person who has used--or is considering using--TWP for modding. And so this raises two issues. First is the quality of the work. Which, I think we can all agree, is pretty poor. But the second, and more troubling issue, is why TWP felt the need to delete not just this post, but several others showing his modding skills. And notwithstanding his claim to Victoria that this was a joke--which is simply nonsensical--I suspect the only reason we're seeing this resurrected thread is that he couldn't delete a similar thread over at RWI (and none of the mods would even consider deleting it for him, had we been asked).

Could someone explain why this thread disappeared from RWG yesterday and is somehow now back today?

Reading this review reminded me of how much I love this watch, so I decided to wear it today. One additional follow-up to spooky's review. Of the two Tortues I own, I had to fix the deployment clasp on both. It was an easy fix-- I just had to bend the connecting tang a little bit with needlenose pliers. But if I didn't do this, the watch wouldn't have closed at all. Also, if you buy this watch, be aware that it will be nigh impossible to source a new leather band with a single deployment style clasp unless you're willing to fork over quite a bit o' cash. The problem is that the design of a single-deployment band is unique (one short band with a completely covered endpiece, one long band with no holes). I did ask HKTan if he could do a custom, and he said yes, but for about $100. Didn't feel right about spending more for the band than I did for the watch. And truthfully, the band isn't awful. Not great by any means, but slightly above average as far as rep "leather" straps go.

FYI. G35Mann tried to sell this same watch over at RWI with his very first post. We politely declined his offer to enrich the forum membership with his mad sales skillz.

Just to let everyone know, the RWI main index page is down at the moment, but the individual forum pages are up. So if you get an email notification in a thread you're watching, you can still view and post in the thread, but you can't go to the home page. Hopefully, we'll be back to full speed within the next day. We've got some people working on the problem now.

Well, after some looking, I did manage to find this: hXXp://www.watch-clone.com/hublot_watches/Hublot-Unisex_Quartz_hublot_5.html NOTE-- replace the hXXp with http. And before anyone launches into a "YOU'RE JUST A SHILL! ARE YOU A MORON?!? WHY DON'T YOU JUST BUY FROM ONE OF OUR FANTASTIC DEALERS?!?! I PLACE A POX UPON YOUR HOUSE!!!" rant, I am not saying I'm going to buy this thing from whatever shady dealer resides at watch-clone. I just provided the link to show that someone has actually repped the smaller Big Bang, albeit badly. And, honestly, if I could get this for its true value (say, $40), I would think about it, glaring flaws and all. A Big Bang ain't like a Sub-- I'd venture to guess that only 1 in 1000 have even heard of Hublot, and 1 in 100,000 could identify a Big Bang.

Just curious. Has anyone ever done a rep (even a bad one) of the smaller 41mm Big Bang? Here's a link to the gen: hxxp://www.lacotedesmontres.com/Hublot-341-SB-131-RX-PdN.htm As always, replace the hxxp with http Still not sure about the whole Big Bang thing. It's one of those watches that I can't make up my mind about. First time I saw it, my immediate reaction was that someone vomited on an AP and decided to market it. But, I have to admit, I continue to be drawn to this ugly watch. And let's face it-- it is ugly. I think it's kind of like a car wreck-- you know you shouldn't be interested in looking, but you just can't help yourself. I do know, however, that the 44mm is just WAY too big and ugly for me. Not even tempted on that one. But if there was a 41mm out there.... man, I dunno. Just not sure I'd be able to respect myself in the morning.

With the possible exception of hanging your watch on your left ear, that has to be the stupidest way to wear a watch I've ever seen.

@pug-- Did you ever have the 42.5mm PO with a rubber strap? I'm curious to know how that would compare with the 45mm for those of us with dainty and delicate wrists. My own wrists are 6.5", and I've got on a 42.5mm PO now. Love it, but the thing is huge on me. I just ordered the 20mm rubber strap, and I'm hoping it's not going to look like I borrowed my dad's watch.

I have no idea why the RWI Admin asked to removed the monitoring thing, but, if I were him, I would be concerned about it. As everyone knows, RWG was recently targeted by some "unfriendlies" and forced to make some changes to the site. It's my understanding that RWI was not similarly targeted (at least for now). Given this, if I were the RWI admin, I'd be hesitant to have RWI listed with a green flashing light down at the bottom of every single page of RWG. But, as I said, I don't know if that was the reason or not.

@Pug-- your information proves that there were misrepresentations. So, the site is a scam, no question. You're getting something that is different from what you thought you ordered. But my point remains that I think this is the type of information we need before we start the drums and sound the battle cry of "SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!" Understand-- I am not for a minute defending bluefakes or any other rep site out there. All I'm saying is that if someone asks "Is xxxxx.com a scam site?", I think we owe it to them as members to do more than just shout "SCAM! IDIOT!! WHY AREN'T YOU USING OUR OWN DEALERS?!?!" If we have specific information, like you and jawo have provided, then by all means, we should share it. But if no one has any idea about the site, I think it's fair to express concern based on other sites like it, but it may be jumping the gun to call it a scam site.

@Jawo-- this is exactly the type of information that is helpful and informative to all RWG members. And it is precisely this type of information that is lacking in many of these types of posts. As I mentioned, I have no knowledge of bluefakes or any specific sites. My concern was--and remains--directed at people who have a knee-jerk reaction to any dealer who is not listed on this forum. Your post shows, I think pretty definitively, that bluefakes is a scam site. You showed this with real evidence and real information. This is in complete contrast with the majority of posts like this I've seen. So thanks for providing this type of specific information.

Just to echo one of the points TeeJay raised. I think there is a tendency for a lot of people on the board to immediately pounce on any dealer or site not listed here and call them a "scam site," regardless of whether anyone has any real information about them. I can't even recall how many posts I've seen from someone asking a question like, "Has anyone ever dealt with xxxxx? I'm thinking of buying one of their reps," only to have it turn into one post after another saying, "Are you stupid? You want to get scammed? Why don't you just use one of our dealers?" Understand, I'm not saying anything one way or the other about bluefakes or any specific site. I think the majority of rep sites out there are probably scams. The issue I would raise--and, if I understand him correctly, it's one shared by TeeJay--is that if you're going to bash the site or dealer, then do it with some real evidence. Not just because they aren't listed as a dealer here. All that being said, I think $800 is way too much to spend for a Sub, as you can get one of very good quality for about $100. But I don't know that I would necessarily say that's a scam. I think it's bad decision for the buyer, no question. But if there isn't a misrepresentation about anything concerning the watch (i.e. calling it ETA when it's not), I wouldn't necessarily call it a scam. But, as I don't have any specific information about TeeJay's purchase, or, for that matter, bluefakes, I can't really say. All I would say is that, for me, there is a difference between a scam site--where you don't get what you think you're getting--and just paying too much for a rep.

Very slow from the US.

Just to follow up on what TeeJay said-- I know it's been said many times on the Board, but it still gets my goat (metaphorically speaking that is. I don't really have a goat. And even if I did, I don't think I'd give up it for the sake of a metaphor. Sorry. I'm drifting) everytime I see one of these stories about ADs threatening to take away a rep. Without getting into how stupid it is for people to take a rep into an AD for servicing, it is NOT illegal to own or purchase a replica in the US. It is, however, illegal for an AD to threaten to impound or steal someone's rep. If an AD were to do this, they would be committing a crime. Pure and simple.

Yeah, this thread effectively delayed me from starting work this morning for a good twenty minutes. What we really need is a list (with pictures!) of all the Bond watches used in the movies.

This thread has to be one of my all-time favorite reads on RWG. Man, and I thought I was a Bond nut. Great deduction from TeeJay on Bond's watch from the novels.

TeeJay, with all the time and energy you've put into these things, you could have designed and built a PO from scratch, including the time it would take to mine the metal. Still, congrats on your project watches.

TeeJay-- see? I told you sacrificing a chicken would work! And to think you didn't believe me.

Chronus, that thing is so big, you and I could do a time share. Provided you bring along that woman in your avatar, that is. I don't mind sharing space.

Mods, I think we should sticky this thread under the heading, "Notwithstanding whatever encouragement you get from some members, some watches really will be too big for your wrist."

What I like about it, apart from its cereal-containing-abilities, is that if you look at the top left picture on Blackrain's post, it also apparently has an old style rotary phone in there. Good for calling the emergency room once you break your arm trying to hail a taxi.

So if you continually lose, will a couple of minature thugs come out of the watch and threaten to break your knee caps? Because if not, you're not really getting the whole Vegas experience.

What I like so much about this watch is that it's practical, as well as stylish. If you take the crystal off, you can use it as a bowl! And who amongst us hasn't gazed longingly at our PAMs, Rolexes, Omegas, etc., and said to ourselves, "You know, this watch is great, but what I'd really like is to be able to eat some Lucky Charms out of it."

Say what you will about TTK, the man sure knows how to use those ellipses for dramatic..... effect.