ninjagaiden

A rep

Folks Saw a gen Pelagos in the AD today. Compared to pictures from Josh it looks like the rep is pretty darn good. Anyone got one? N

I have theLMTi from Joshua on a Ti strap. As has been mentioned it really is impressively light and hasn;t picked up scratches. If you are wanting a rubber strap because of the weight, you may be pleasantly surprised how well the Ti bracelet wears. N

I'm thinking about getting one of these. I keep vacillating between thinking it is awesome looking and likely to appeal to my fondness for all things made out of carbon, and on other occasions thinking that the variegated finish of the case looks like a cheap Swatch from the 80's.

Are any of these out in the wild yet? Joshua said they were coming in last weekend...

Josh has quoted me $75 for replacement of existing strap, plus the Classic Fusion stainless steel strap, plus the H screwdriver, plus shipping

Folks, So the next step in the saga of my seized Classic Fusion & Sinn U1. Joshua reshipped them using DHL and they cleared customs and arrived today. Sadly unboxing the watches the top strap on the claasic fusion has snapped in transit. I'm guessing that trying to superglue the end back together won't work. I can't see how to release the strap. Do you need a special tool to release the hublot screws? Anyone recommend a source for aftermarket straps that will fit the CF. Thanks N

The thing is the volumes going to the EU from the TDs must be small (in the larger scale of things), and would not justify the risk and expense of setting up an EU warehouse. There is a Chinese RC model company called Hobbyking that has done just what you said, but the motivation is to reduce shipping costs and times for customers. This increases uptake of their products and in turn gives them better buying power. I don't think the model applies to the TD's. I suspect the TD's margin must factor in the replacement of seized items from time to time. N

With the Selly movement you mean? Well I guess that might well be the case. I have an SW200 in my PP Nautilus and I have to say it's buttery smooth and given me zero problems. I like the finish and styling of the Makaira, and to be honest, rep, gen or homage, that's been the key thing for me. As for what is Gen and what is not, Maybe I'll try telling my wife that calling her IPhone 5 'gen' is funny, as it has Foxconn parts made in the same factories as Baidu reps. N

Well Josh has kindly agreed to re-send via DHL. I have asked him if he can send to his UK agent and then mail UK to UK, and also said I am happy to just receive the Sinn U1 as the Hublot is an LVMH trade mark.

I don't know to be honest. The letter from DETAIN UK had 3 reference codes on it, one next to my address, one which was the parcel tracking no, and one which started HUBxxxxx which I took to represent the protected mark (Hublot). I'm waiting to hear if anyone else has had letters from DETAIN UK recently (or anyone who has received items from a GZ dealer whithour interference). N

Yes it looks that way. Maybe two watches in a box was the tell tale. May not even need an x-ray machine. Most folks on the forum could spot a polystyrene box wrapped completely in yellow adhesive tape coming down the conveyor belt. The company must be small as the letter was sent with a colour logo printed badly on an inkjet printer, a reply address which was a hotmail account, and the envelope had a stamp on it rather than being franked. Could be a single guy. One of the watches was a Hublot. I wonder what would have happened if there had been, say a Rolex and a Sinn. Would they still have destroyed it? Who knows. Will see what Josh says. N

Folks, Just got a letter from an organisation called Detain UK saying my two watches have been seized and will be destroyed by UKBA in 10 days. Says they are working on behalf of LVMH. Got that sick in the stomach feeling of being caught with my hand in the sweetie jar. I've told Josh what has happened but I don't know what he can do if Detain UK noe have me on their books. I don't know what impact Detain UK will have on UK shipments and UK to EU trans-shipments. Right now, it feels like it's time to cut my losses and go Gen. I've ordered a nice Christopher Ward diver with a Sellita movement, and gone back to my watch box to gaze lovingly at all the reps that have made it through over the last 3 years... BW N

Dad Gum. Just pulled the trigger on a Christopher Ward Makaira pro 500 which was 20% off on Ebay. At least it isn't a quartz! N

Folks, I ordered a Hublot CF and a Sinn U1 JR orange from Josh a month ago today, and the watches have gone into a big hole in UK customs. Josh has been great about it, and advised waiting until the watches clear out. He says if they are to seize the watches, they would send a letter to that effect, and I haven't had a letter, so I am holding out for my orange Sinn in particular. Whilst waiting, I was looking for a similar high contrast dial with simple black hands and numerals, and came across this for £120 on Amazon, but with a rubber strap. It's not as clean and minimalist as the U1, but it should keep me going for a while, and the lume dial is quite fun. Then I starting looking at those Bulova Precisionists, and some of those are really nice too. Point is, if I can my U1 by now I would have been bathing in its orange glory instead of hankering after quartz watches I shall go back to being patient - God help me! N

Ooh that Nassau is really nice too. I love the no date / cyclops and the red triangle at the Bezel apex. I have been saving for a Christopher Ward Makaira Elite (the Ti COSC one): http://www.christopherward.co.uk/le/c11-cosc-mak-tky-si.html Buth the Apollon and Nassau are both real tempting

Nato's don;t normally do it for me, but that looks like a really nice combo on the end of your arm! Lume looks impressive too.

That's a nice looking watch. Just looked up Steinhart - seem very good value watches. I am loving that Apollon with the interchangeable bezels. Group buy would be v cool. N

Me too. Josh has a good workaround for Ebay payments. Using a Debit card for online payments is probably not the best thing to do...

That's good to know. I've had no update on the tracking now for 13 days. I am not known for my patience at the best of times and it's doing my head in. It's has also put me right off further orders from GZ TDs, because I order quite a lot of diecast models, and RC electronic components from China. If I get blacklisted by customs I am worrying that I won't be able to order these any more. What's worse is that whilst I would happly forgo the white Hublot Classic Fusion as I have other light coloured dial watches in my collection, I am really pining for the U1 with the orange dial and black numerals. I just love the aesthetics and I can't find a gen watch that would stand as an alternative. There are some minimalist quartz Alessi's but they aren't the same! Anyone know how long it takes for customs to contact you, if they are going to contact you? Thanks all Inpatient N.

Yes. My TiPo came through super quick just last month. Will wait and see what happens...

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I am worried my items have been grabbed too. What happens when you get the letter? N

Folks, I think I may not get to see my Sinn U1 and Hublot Classic Fusion. I've been watching the tracking details and they have been stuck for 8 days on International Hub received and processed. I rang up the call centre today and they told me initially it had gone to the recovery centre, who they would contact. However when I rang back they said the items had been held in customs recovery. The tracking details have not been updated. What do you think will happen? N

Oh Man. You just made my day. I'm hoping they rep it soon! Hope to see a Gen next time I am in Geneva. N

Stunning watch. Thanks for sharing the pics and wear it well!