jj69

I spent some time reading up on the various Skyland rep versions. Everyone (including Yodap's guide) seems to be in agreement that the white color of the subdial hand tubes on the V2 version is incorrect, while the black hand tubes on the V1/V2 is correct. But why are the hand tubes in every gen photo I see actually WHITE like the V2? Here's just one example on TZ: http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=4867986&rid=0 Is this just a normal variation in the gens, or has Breitling updated this model?

If you bought a quartz rep, be careful. Many of the parts on the quartz reps are not interchangeable with the 7750. The quartz reps are all different (different makers), so some parts will fit, some won't. I tried to swap a bezel on one of mine and I realized the inner diameter (as well as the diameter of the crystal) was actually smaller than the 7750 version.

I hear people say this all the time, but this hasn't been my experience. The going rate for a used large case SMP seems to be in the $950 - $1,250 range right now, unless you're willing to take something that is seriously beat up. The prices just seem to be climbing ever since the red logo dial that nobody likes was released. I recall just a few years ago when $700 - $850 was the typical used range for an SMP. Considering this rep is under $200 and quite good out of the box, I don't see much need to consider a gen at $950.

Thanks for the quick reply! Just for my own edification, how can you tell? What are the telltale signs in these photos? Inquiring minds want to know...

Sorry for yet another thread on this same topic, but I want to be sure. Can anyone tell from these photos if the movement is gen ETA or the Seagull clone? Judging by the holes in the reverser wheels, I'm guessing it's a clone, but I'm no expert. Anyone?

Are you the power reserve is working? I thought it was faux, like all the other Senna reps? I really like this one. I just wish they'd added a faux split-seconds hand under the chrono seconds so it would like just like the gen.

When I first saw this, I thought it might be gen just like the Versace watches they were selling some months back. I would not be surprised to learn that the component parts of most Cartier watches (and many other brands) are actually made in China, then "finished" and "assembled" in Switzerland. As we all know, the definition of "Swiss Made" is incredibly lax. These may simply be assembled in China from gen component parts that have not been fully hand-finished by Cartier. The movement is likely a low grade base ETA movement with some basic decoration added by Chinese watchmakers, rather than the Cartier-assembled version of the ETA movement.

It's super easy to solve the deployant comfort problem on an HBB rep ... SIMPLE HBB DEPLOYANT CLASP MOD Unless your clasp is really awful, no tools should be needed to mod the clasp. All you need is your thumb and a bit of pressure. You want to find the part of the deployant that is lightly engraved "SWISS MADE." It is a highly polished smooth surface on the inside part of the deployant that comes into contact with your wrist. You want to apply pressure to the backside of this part. You want to bend it slighty upward (i.e. towad the inside where it touches your wrist). The point is to have this smooth, polished (i.e. comfortable) part of the deployant come into contact with your wrist RATHER THAN the two sharp points on the sides of the deployant. By bending this smooth middle section slightly upward, it will be raised above the two sharp edges on the sides of the clasp and only the smooth part will be able to touch your wrist. It sounds too easy and too good to be true, but this simple "mod" solves the comfort issue on 9 out of 10 HBB deployants out there.

Ditto what NaviChief said. I've tried every dealer to source a Skyland datewheel for my Navitimer SS. It's impossible. None of the dealers can source them. One dealer even went to several different factory reps to try and approach it from different angles. The factory just won't give up the datewheels. A group buy is another possibility. I wonder what the factory would say if I offered to buy 50 of them? How much demand do you think there is in the rep community for these datewheels?

Okay. I just realized that the leather strap version on Josh's page does indeed have the "Swiss Made" missing from the dial. However, that model appears to be from a different factory, and appears to be lower quality than the bracelet version also shown on his site. My comments above apply primarily to the bracelet version.

The best dealers for HBB parts are: Tony (asian7750.com), Mary (InternationalWatch) and Hont.

Exactly how is this an upgrade? (1) It appears completely identical to the common V2 version we all own already, right down to the lame Maltese cross on the dial. Exactly how is the case any different? (2) The movement appears to be a decorated Asian clone of the 2824 (making it a downgrade). (3) No AR on the crystal - isn't that why so many people bought the (otherwise inferior) V3? As far as I can tell, it's the exact same watch but with an Asian clone movement. Besides, the case never needed an upgrade - it's the godawful bracelet with its tiny butter soft screws that needs upgrading! BTW - It clearly has the "Swiss Made" printed on the dial in all of Josh's photos. It's the exact same dial as the old V2. Am I missing something?

This entire site has "SCAM" written all over it. Every photo is of a gen, and there is no known rep in existance for most of the watches shown. You'd have better luck flushing your money down the toilet than sending it to these guys.

Don't be so sure. Have you seen his Mark XV!?

It's unfortunate that they seem to have botched this one. I sincerely hope it's not just the old Mark XV replica with a new bezel and hands. If that's the case, avoid it at all costs. The way the Mark XV rep is constructed is a joke. The whole watch is held to together by the case back. Unfortunately, I fear this is the same case. The Mark XV rep was 39mm (the gen was 38mm), which oddly makes it the correct size for the Mark XVI (gen is 39mm). I think it was just too tempting for the makers to re-use the old case.

I see. I actually bought a gen bracelet for my Flat Six 7750. The bracelet is very nice, but it could use some half-links or a fine adjustment mechanism in the clasp. Note that the 7750 version of the Flat Six (both rep and gen) uses a different bracelet (the end links are much thicker), so they are not INTERCHANGEABLE with the bracelet from the quartz version. If they're closing these out in the UK, the closeouts in the US can't be far behind. I like the automatic version they're selling and I'd love to get one of those for $499 US!

Is this site legit? The prices are good, but I'm not sure if I'd call them rep prices - at least not for potential buyers in the US. In US dollars, these come to about $833 on strap. The rep is now under $300, uses the exact same Swiss quartz movement, and is pretty amazing quality overall. Still, if these were $499 US, that would be pretty tempting!

Bump for my friend

I've now got 3 of these bracelet HBBs from Hont. Aren't they amazing?!?!

Anyone know a good source for a sapphire crystals for the Monster? What do they go for with AR? How hard is it to install one? I've always seen the cheapo glass crystal as the major flaw in the Monster.

I actually need one of those PVD coated bezels! I just sent you a PM.

Why not get something with a little bit of class like an Invicta 8926 or an Seiko Monster? They're not quartz, but they're very reliable. I'm on my way to an outdoor festival next week - 5 days rain or shine. I wear my Orange Monster every year. Never had a problem.

Wow. Unless those are gen pics, it looks quite good. However, the $380 asking price is outrageous. Let's hope they didn't use the old Mark XV rep case with a new dial and hands. Although it was the proper diameter for the Mark XVI (ironically), that case was very poorly designed. Anyone know more about this new rep??? UPDATE: There is something VERY fishy about this seller. He is selling several older watches that he claims are gen, but they are all priced at exactly $380 shipped. Something is definitely wrong. I have a feeling these are all gen photos, and after you pay him you receive an empty box, if anything at all...

Has anyone ordered a Vertu Ascent Ti rep from this site? They have the Ascent Ti starting at just $163.00: http://www.oelec.com/products_detail.asp?id=1447 Is this the best quality Vertu Ti rep out there? It appears to be the same phone. I read in another thread that there is only one factory that produces them and they are all the same. If anyone has bought a phone from this dealer, please let me know about your experience. What do they charge for EMS to the US? Any other advice on Vertu reps is greatly appreciated! TIA