jj69

Yes, I have a set like that with the spinning thumb handles on top. Unfortunately, the one I already have is philips head. Do you recall how much your Stanley was at Home Depot? Or is there a model number on the case?

Can someone suggest a good all-around screwdriver kit for basic work on reps? I just got a Vacheron Constantin Overseas and I need to remove the half link for a better fit. If you know this model, there are screws in the bracelet link and they're VERY small (and supposedly very fragile). Is there something available at Home Depot? I'd like to pick something up tonight. Thanks.

I know. But on the gen, it's all polished and shiny without the white film. Maybe I'm being too anal about this, but if there's a simple way to get it more acurrate, I'd like to give it a shot. I suppose starting with a Cape Cod polish can't hurt anything.

I would post a pic, but I doubt it will show up with my 2MP camera. You can see this clearly in most of the close-up pics of the crown shown on dealer sites and here on the fourms. Keep in mind that to my eyes it APPEARS to be a "white film." It may not be a film at all. It may well be the result of etching the letters on the crown, or something else entirely. That's just the only way I know how to describe it. The top of the crown just looks like needs to be given a good, hard polish to make it shine like the rest of the watch. Has anyone done this successfully? I certainly don't want to do anything that could damage or remove the lettering that is etched into the surface of the crown.

I don't think the gens have the white film on them, do they? If they do, it's not visible in any of the photos I've seen (never seen one in person).

Yes, it's the etching on the head. What's the best way to do this? Do I buy a power drill, polishing dremel and the Mag polish Flav suggested, or is there an easier way for a noob? BTW, it this stuff I can get at Home Depot, or do I need to find a speciality store?

Thanks Flav. I figured it was normal. However, I don't have the tools you mention. Are they costly, and where do I get them? Where do I get the Mag polish? Is it also possible to do this by hand? Are the Cape Cod pads a waste of time?

Does anyone have any suggestions for polishing my Ingenieur? Are the popular Cape Cod polishing pads safe for this rep? On both the case and the bracelet? I noticed that on mine, the top surface of the crown (where the markings are) looks like it has a milky white film on it. It may be someone else's polish residue, as I am the second owner. Is anyone else's crown like this?

The seller informed me post-sale that he purchased it from another member and had never worn it himself. He suggested I post here to see what the experts have to say. Splitting the cost of repair might be a fair solution, but to be honest, the cost of movement replacement is more than I paid him for the watch.

Thanks for the tip, Corgi. The tools in that kit look VERY similar to the tools in the kits listed for sale on eBay by other Hong Kong sellers. The eBay prices appear lower, except they don't come in a fancy box. I'm assuming they're the same thing, but I could be wrong.

I searched the archive and found only one short thread on this subject from May. If there are other threads or FAQs I missed, please feel free to provide a link… Does anyone have a list of all the basic tools every rep collector should have handy? I have no intention of working on movements, but I would like sufficient tools for bracelet sizing and disassembly (for cleaning/polishing). Ultimately, I would like to be able to remove a movement from the case for hand and dial removal/replacement. I’m assuming basic things like small screwdrivers, a link “pin pusher,” tweezers, etc. would be on such a list, but are there specific brands and models I should look for? Perhaps there’s a good basic watch tool kit out there someone can recommend? Can someone suggest a specific inexpensive link removal tool/“pin pusher”? There are lots of them on eBay for $5 plus an arm & a leg for shipping. Do I need a case back remover, or is duct tape good enough? Again, can someone suggest a specific, economy model? What about polishing? I noticed someone mentioned a “Cape Cod” jewelry polishing cloth. Would that be sufficient for all polishing needs? Would the same cloth work for steel and titanium cases? Should brushed steel be polished differently? How about more advanced cleaning of steel and titanium bracelets? Is there some kind of solution you can use? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks The Zigmeister. I'll check the tension when I get home tonight. If a Miyota will fit, that may be a good option. My Invicta 8926 has one and other than the fact that it's non-hacking, I've never had a problem with it. Just out of curiosity, what would be the cost of a movement and installation? I'm assuming it's not something a novice can do. If this is an inappropriate question to post on the board, feel free to PM me.

I checked it this morning after leaving it on the table face-up overnight. It lost another 4-5 minutes, and the seconds are now 10-15 seconds off. So I think my original theory that the seconds hand is unaffacted was incorrect. The Zigmeister, I'm assuming that would change your diagnosis? I don't know what movement it has, but it's clearly not ETA or anything expensive. It's definitely Asian. The rotor is decorated. This is the version of the Memovox with the correct seconds hand and without the alarm (I believe there are only two Memovox reps out there). The dilemma here is that this is a nice looking, but clearly inexpensive rep (cheap crystal, Asian movement, etc.). It would likely be more economical to buy another one than have it serviced.

The loss is definitely not restricted to any specific time of day. The amount appears to be a maximum of 25 minutes or so, but it seems to build gradually. For example, earlier I noticed it lose 7 minutes in an hour.

I'm rather new to this forum, so I hope I'm posting this in the right place. I purchased a nice JLC Memovox from another member here on RWG. I received it a couple of weeks ago. After a day or so, I noticed it was losing time. On average, it seems to lose about 20 minutes a day. Sometimes it will run fine for day or two. Other times, it won't run for ten minutes without losing some time. The problem appears to be getting progressively worse, with the watch unable to hold the correct time for any reasonable period. Oddly, it seems like the seconds hand is keeping accurate time. I set it an hour ago and it's already lost 7 minutes. However, the seconds are still spot on. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? It's a basic Asian rep with mineral crystal, so a professional service is not worth it. Do these symptoms indicate anything for which there might be a "quick fix"? TIA

I just got the same version of the Memovox pictured above in the posts from Robertk and Highflyingclive. I really like it. My primary gripe is the mineral glass crystal - one wrong move and it's history. The flaws in it are fairly obvious. The crescent-shaped window in the dial for the time zone should be larger, beginning closer to the 7 mark than the 8 mark. The red alarm arrow on the dial at the 12 mark is also in the wrong place. Only the prototype Memovox had it in that position. It should be at the 10 mark. I think that's it for obvious flaws. There is another version out there with a larger, more acurrate, crescent window, but it misses the red arrow on the seconds hand, which bothers me even more.

I believe the "Black Magic" version has red seconds hand and red markings on the dial. The "All Black" version appears to have no red markings on the dial at all. You can see both versions in the "HR Pictures to Download" section of the official Hublot site. Click on "Big Bang Novelties 2006" to see the "All Black" version. The "Black Magic" version is listed below in the regular "Big Bang" section.

Angus, Rather than the "Black Magic" verison, are there any plans to make the "All Black" version???

Wow. I'm glad I found this thread! I too am desperately searching for a Mark XV rep. I'm considering the $198 model currently available at Trusty Time [iWC0017A], Perfect-Clones [iW10020], and WO Mart [W-2323]. The problems with the rep are obvious. The second hand is silver rather than white, the hour hand is too fat, and the lume on the minute hand is not quite correct. Also, the case is supposedly 12mm thick, rather than 10.5mm, and the case back doesn't have the correct markings. Is anyone aware of a more accurate version out there now, or on the horizon? With the (unappealing looking) gen Mark XVI already on the market, I sort of doubt anyone will bother to make a new rep of the Mark XV. I've been waiting a long time for a Mark XV. Should I just pull the trigger, or would it be worthwhile to wait for a better verison??? TIA