By-Tor

Hey, I'm not a huge Beemer fan, either. But I wouldn't mind owning one of these (vintage BMW's rule):

Thanks for all your positive comments... appreciated.

Just don't bring the old Christmas theme from RWG1 back. That brings bad luck.

No... Link isn't as thick. It's about the same thickness as the old standard non-chrono SMP. PS: Thanks r11co, I'll give it a try.

My "reduced" version had this same clasp... even with the diver's extension. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=10733

Who were you again? Just kidding of course. Welcome back mate!!!!

Let Ziggy take care of it. He's simply the best and most trustworthy option you can find. PS: $700 is a fantastic price for a gen Aqua Terra. For that price it's obvious that there was some sort of problem.

It's like with some Rolex models. I could never wear a Rolex Yacht-Master. Just not my style. Or Omega Constellation, which is almost feminine watch. Or something like Rolex Cellini... God forbid! I can still appreciate the beauty of these watches... and I can perfectly understand that some people like them. PAMs certainly aren't feminine, but perhaps they're just too radically different from the conservative and standard sports watches that I like. It's like music taste... how can you force someone to like anything? I don't generally like Jeff Beck's music (in his solo projects) but I can still appreciate and respect his talents and skills.

Thanks r11co. So... your micro adjustment springbar just popped out. But is there a safe way to take it off without breaking anything. No matter how much I look at it, I can't figure out a logical way to do it.

I don't understand why people should like PAMs. I don't particularly like them... but it's just me, so what's the big deal? And yes, I've tried on a genuine PAM. Did nothing for me. I can't really explain why, it just didn't. Some PAM fans are like pushy salesmen. I've heard these about 30 times: "Hey, what's wrong with you, you don't have any PAMs?" "You absolutely HAVE to get one... you don't understand the craze until you get your first one." etc. I don't see Omega and Breitling fans "pushing" their favourite watches like that. I can perfectly understand that someone doesn't like Navitimer or Planet Ocean. I feel PAMs (watches and fans) are important part of the community... and PAMs sure are interesting and original watches. I have many close forum friends who like them. Actually most of them do. I even think some PAMs look nice... like the blue Regatta Chrono... or generally all the models with a bracelet. Panerai is among the few watch brands that became successful and prestigious without copying anybody else. Now that's something to admire. Personally, I have ZERO interest in owning one. If that makes me "lesser" watch guy in someone's eyes... sorry guys.

I shoud be working in marketing.

Now that we have Chronomat Evolution I hope we'll get more TAGs. Aquagraph, Aquaracer 2000 Chrono, Carrera and Link Calibre 31 come to mind.

Thanks Ziggy. Actually I thought this was going to be my last review for quite a while... but then the Chronomat Evolution came out. They keep dragging me in... etc... Thanks guys. Yeah, entirely forgot that. IWC GST is up there among the best as well. New batch of Navitimers aren't too far behind, either.

Thanks for this info. I should actually adjust it for myself... I'll give it a try. Really weird solution, that...

Good one.

Thanks guys. Forgot to mention that SMP Chrono is my second PoM watch from *Eddie Lee*. Big thanks!!! To people who might have missed it, I already reviewed the other beauty (Breitling) HERE.

Originally I was going to make a typical, standard review of the Omega Seamaster Chronograph, but since chrgod already made a remarkable overview of his chrono and standard SMP I decided to do something else. Lots of members have been asking whether they should get the TAG or Omega, referring to these two models. I think it's safe to say that these two watches are among the best 5 replicas that got released in 2006. Both have the same (new Asian 28.800) movement and the original 12-9-6 7750 subdial arrangement with perfect spacing... so I guess they're natural competitors also on the replica fields. There has been many comparative reviews at the places like TZ. And I never did one myself, and it sounded fun. So why not? Let's place these two best replica sports chronograph side-by-side. Both of these watches have excellent non-chronograph rep versions. While the SMP has always been a huge seller and "RWG Evergreen classic" the standard TAG Link has been going virtually unnoticeable. Wonder why, since the rep of non-chrono version is very good. Of course it's a newer model, but it has been completely overshadowed by the chronograph version. (TAG pic by Joshua). The Seamaster Chronograph surfaced just a while ago. The community literally begged the factories to do this watch and they really answered the bell this time. The replica is nothing short of excellent, no question about it. TAG Link Chronograph is a bit older model, and it came out in the summer. It was so good that it literally "robbed the bank". While TAG isn't as popular "WIS brand" as Omega, Rolex or Breitling the members have been buying this watch like hotcakes. It has been among the top-10 bestsellers in Andrew's and Joshua's rankings all through the second half of 2006. I wrote a detailed review of the TAG in August, 2nd. You can read the review HERE. 1. OVERALL ACCURACY IN OUT-OF-THE BOX CONDITION: Seamaster has the typical flaw: misaligned bezel. In theory this is very easy fix, and you can read the instructions HERE. In practice it was much tougher than on the standard SMP. The bezel is very tightly attached to the case, and I couldn't take the bezel off without using extreme violence. So I decided to deal with the alignment later. The pearl isn't perfect, either... although it's much improved from the previous versions. TAG has only one problem: Too small date window and misaligned datefont. I find it hilarious that the problem is worse with some date numbers, while others look properly centered. Easy to give the win to TAG here. It doesn't really require any modifications and it's remarkably accurate. It deserves 2 points from this category. It's totally beyond my comprehension why the factories always screw up the Omega Seamaster bezel. It's a small and fixable flaw, but extremely annoying. WINNER: TAG Points: 2 2. DIAL: Seamaster dial is outstanding. It has much improved wave pattern, very crispy and clean print and perfect date font. Actually the datewheel appears to be about 0.1mm too right in the window, but unlike TAG it's perfect on the Y-Axis. The hands, hour markers and pearl are luminous. The luminous abilities can't compare to the genuine but the watch has a good replica lume. TAG dial is very good as well. The dial print is crisp and clean. The "electric wave pattern" on the middle must have been quite a challenge for the rep factories, but it has been replicated flawlessly. Very impressive. Just like on the genuine watch only the hands are luminous. Unfortunately the rep has very weak lume on them. And as stated above the datewheel alignment problem is worse with some numbers. 13 is never anyone's lucky number. Conclusion: This is very close but Omega takes the win here. One of the best dials I've seen on a rep and the date alignment and luminova are better. WINNER: OMEGA Points: 1 3. BRACELET & CLASP Omega has the familiar Seamaster push-button clasp with diver's extension. Unlike the old standard SMP (and genuine) it uses screws instead of push-pin arrangement for resizing. Lots of members complain about this, but personally I find this method much more comfortable... and the "inaccuracy" doesn't bother me. Who the hell would check your watch bracelet pins to verify its authenticity?! But since it's not accurate we'll lower the points here by public demand. SMP doesn't have micro adjustment on the clasp but it has half-links which makes quite easy to find a comfortable fit. The "Bond" bracelet has brushed finish with polished stripes and it's been replicated very well. Quality is just as good as the "old SMP" bracelet. The clasp looks identical too, and the print is crispy. TAG has the famous Link bracelet, and it has the best quality satin finish I've seen on any replica watch. The bracelet is perfect (at least by the rep standards). The resizing method is quite "original" but can be done easily with the right instructions. Download the pdf file HERE (You need to have the Acrobat reader installed). The micro adjustment (surrounded by red box) has two positions, but nobody has figured out how to adjust it yet. Conclusion: These two are BOTH my favourite watch bracelets, but TAG still takes the cake here. The design is innovative and original, and as stated above the replication is superb. It's perfectly accurate, it even copies the original resizing method. Quite possibly the best quality rep bracelet there is. WINNER: TAG Points: 1 4. AESTHETICS: Seamaster Chronograph is not a "pretty" watch. Although the diameter is only the standard 41mm it feels a big watch. It's macho, thick and bulky bastard, very masculine. Personally the appearance of this watch is perfect for me. I have always loved the "Bond" SMP line, and Seamaster Chronograph has the looks of a extreme sports chronograph (which the genuine certainly is). The thickness of the case actually reminds me of the old hardcore Omega divers... and watches like Doxa. Suits perfectly for my large wrist. The standard "Bond" Seamaster is thinner and more dressier. Actually it's Pierce Brosnan's favourite watch with a suit. The chrono version is a pure sports watch. TAG has larger diameter (42.5mm) but it feels much smaller watch. It's thinner, has more classic lines and it's WAY more dressy and elegant. It's kind of a watch that goes perfectly with a suit. Makers of "Queer Eye for the Staight Guy" might say that Seamaster is perfect only with a wet suit. Conclusion: Apples and oranges. Although the watches are technically very similar aesthetically they're very different. Like I said Omega is a hardcore sports chronograph and TAG is a "dressy chrono"... much like Navitimer, Broad Arrow and Daytona. And these things are always in the eye of the beholder... highly subjective. WINNER: NONE Points 1-1 OVERALL WINNER: TAG Points 3-2 I think TAG takes the edge by very narrow margin here. Seamaster Chronograph is a remarkable replica watch, but it still has some minor (although fixable and almost unnoticeable) flaws. Despite the date window/font problem TAG is virtually perfect. It's possibly the best chronograph replica watch ever made. Personally, if I had to choose just one I'd probably go for the Omega. I'm a big, tall man and I usually wear "sporty" wardrobe... so the thick, rugged appearance suits better for me. But then again I'm still on a honeymoon with the SMP (I just received it), so it might affect my judgment now. Ask me again next year and I might answer differently. I'm really glad I own them both and don't have to make that decision. My best advice is to get them both while they're still available. Thanks for viewing.

While we're all waiting for the first Chronomat Evolution review I updated the Guide... added the TT Navitimer link... and special thanks to ***Andreww*** for his remarkable review of the Chrono-Matic. Awesome work Andreww!!!!

I think the watch has a light AR coating. Not as strong as on genuines though.

Very cool. But look what Angus posted at TRC: http://www.replicacollector.com/members/in...showtopic=27211

I took the first pics of this handsome, rugged and thick Real Man's Macho Chronograph. Rolex, Breitling, TAG etc. All great but Omegas are always something special for me. I try to squeeze a review out this week. And yes, that's snow in my backyard.

Thanks guys. And it's true Neil. If the watch is beautiful it's difficult to take ugly photos. It was difficult to choose between the dial colors. Blue and white are equally gorgeous but I chose black because it's kinda traditional... and of course a classic Navitimer dial color.

Sure. The rep is excellent. Here's gen: Yep, amazing shots (as usual). The white one is gorgeous.

Great white 1680 Azgjav!!! I'm naturally wearing this (my new watch)

It doesn't necessarily have to be gen. I got lucky and got a "gen-alike" pearl for my Noobmariner.