scoobs1971

I love your PAMily!!!

Both Asian versions have mineral glass (i.e. 'synthetic sapphire' ). I think I've read somewhere that (aftermarket) AR on mineral glass doesn't work as good as on sapphire. The 'Swiss' version seems to have genuine sapphire glass. Although the movement is not as Swiss as you want it to be, I wouldn't be bothered with it since these days the Asians are just as good.

Yeah, you have a problem! But admitting it is the first step to take. The second step is ordering something new and you will feel better. Welcome to the club of watch addicts!

Top 3 problems in watch repair: 1. messing up the keyless works 2. on your knees searching for that missing part in the carpet 3. having to reopen the case to remove dust under the crystal - again So what about having to open the case again and reinstall the hands of your beloved chrono, because you've noticed too late that the date changes at 4am ?

Maybe one hand touches the other hand or a hand touches the dial or glass?

Sorry to hear this . But you're not the first Dutchie experiencing this: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=75660&hl Good luck!

I know what you're feeling. Since I've recently bought a gen and are saving for another one, I'm sizing down my rep collection. My search for perfection and accuracy for some watches is so high, that in the end only a gen can make me happy. However, there will still be other watches of which I would never buy the gen. And for those watches high quality reps will serve my needs. Having said that, I've noticed that while my interest in buying new reps has decreased the community feel has grown at the same time. I've made some friends here who I've had the pleasure with to meet in person ( ) and that's what is binding me to this forum.

For me the 7 days power reserve doesn't need to be actually working as long as the hand on the PR subdial moves back from 7 days to less and winding the watch will get it back to 7 days. More important will be the proper positioning of the PR subdial and the date @6 without sunken datewheels. And off course a dial with lume on the (thinned) 3, 6,9 and 12 markers. So we'll see........

Bonjour Lucas, welcome aboard and enjoy! Nice TAG

Good story .

Great topic, Lani! Like Ubi I'm not thinking of myself as a watch maker. I'm not even close... I just like to mess up my own watches trying to repair keyless works, swapping movements/dials and fixing non-working autowinders. Completely overhauling and servicing a movement takes real craftmanship and should be done by a skilled watchmaker only. Let me think... most of my mistakes are not particulary funny except that just recently Yellomen found out that I put a PAM strap on inside out... But it didn't look that bad . Other than that I've experienced a lot of parts jumping from the table and vanishing in the Bermuda triangle. Or screws jumping from the tweezers into the balance hairspring like CBR just experienced. I've also learned the hard way that black dials (especially PAM dials) are easily scratched or even damaged with permanent fingerprints. With the IWC 3717 dial I've learned that the quality of rep paint sometimes really s#cks and can fall off the dial. Keyless works are another thing. I messed up a lot of them. Most of the time when putting the stem back. All movements have their own way of putting the stem back safely. Still the most frustrating part of working on watches is finding out there's still some dust under the glass and you need to open the case again. As for screwdrivers I use the red (1.2 mm) and black (1 mm) ones the most. I use the yellow one (0.8 mm) to take off the plates of the keyless works and calender works. Rodico is the most essential tool for about anything. To clean parts and dial, to hold the hands when pressing them back (I never use tweezers for that), to hold springs from jumping off and much more. To prevent scratching the case back use a sticky ball instead of a metal caseback opener. Also basic tools are: movement holder, tweezers, dust blower, silicon grease, parts tray, hand remover tool (be extremely careful when using it), hand fitting tool (different sizes), loupe, brushing tool, cape cod polishing cloths and a bracelet resizing tool. Only work on watches when you're in a relaxed mood with plenty of daylight and using high quality tools. Trying to cut corners by buying cheap tools will only damage your watches. Don't be affraid to mess something up, since that's part of the learning process. However, make sure that you have access to spare parts .

And don't forget HikeUSA's signature

The JLC Master Hometime is a holy grail dress watch I would actually buy if I would have the money. The other two are dream watches and should only appear in dreams

It's always the combination of drinks and girls that get me to give things away to people around me

You just won the Micro Wave! Up to the second round

Finally some watch pics from you... What took you so long? Great pic, beautiful watch and nice complementing strap!

Welcome aboard and enjoy!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Pete! Very nice collection

Welcome aboard! If I'm not mistaken all members have access to the Watch Collectors-forum (dealers are also called 'collectors'). But more important is to read through the different collector reviews to learn which one wil fit your needs best. Most Asian collectors have a very userfriendly website with lots of choices and low prices, but sometimes the quality control is below expectation and aftersales have to make up for it. Some collectors are specialised in certain brands (Davidsen = Panerai, BK = Rolex, Narikaa = dress watches), others are based in the US or EU and can deliver without custms hassles. If you're based in the EU you might check PT (Precious Time), Narikaa, Homer and Eurotimez. Some collectors accept Paypal, others only Western Union or Moneygram or other methods of payment. Before you buy from a collector you'd also better check their policy on seized or lost packages.

That's why I don't like it at all For me subdial spacing is also a part of the design. Still can't get used to the off spacing on the Moonwatch either. But I know I'm terrible,

Does look cheapo. Also the subdial spacing is way off.

Looks very good on you, my friend

Nice story