poretl

Thanks, that exactly what I wanted to hear. Was that so difficult?

Comment #3: A couple of months ago, while I was changing the strap on my rep U-Boat, I lost one screw. Went to a couple of generic repair shops and all I got for a reply was 'this is so unique, I guarantee you you won't find it anywhere'. I ended up taking the watch at a store in the mall that sells expensive watches. Tag Heuer, Panerai, Hublot etc. I asked 'do you have U-Boat?". One guy said no but he held up the watch after I told him what my problem was and he ended up giving it to another guy. Mid 50s. He held the watch, he looked at it front back, turned it around a couple of time and he said something like "That's a big watch, nice!". He then went on the side and sat on his desk and looked at it under the loupe to see what screw that was. And while he was playingthere with the watch he said "I may be able to get a screw like that but it will be silver. But then it won't look good. Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer, is it still under warranty?" and the convesation continued. At some point I even said I paid $4700 for it, too. He even tried to find U-Boat's phone number to help me but he finally couldn't get it. And this whole thing took place not in the dark. Plenty of light. The guys is a guy who kbnows what an expnsive watch looks like. He sees them, he touches them, he repairs them. Of course I didn't ask him to check it and double check it if it was real but he surely even looked at it unde the loupe (at least part of it). And it never occured to him it may be fake. Now you can see where I'm coming from when I say I don't buy the "I can spot anything in uder 1 sec and not only that but in the dark too!" theory.

First, when I said put the Panerai markings on an best quality aftermarket one was only to show how under A2 you can be wrong about your guess. I think you missed something. The midnight bit is not my bit. It's www_wolf's bit.

that's not what I'm saying at all. Not looking for the perfect rep. I know there is no such thing. And if you put a gen and a rep next to each other 1000% there will be differences. At least some very minor one. But they will be there. So one has to conclude that one os fake and the other is real. Now the question is: which is which? In general, there are 4 possibilities: A: You have 2 watches side by side, there are visible differences and: 1. you know which one is the gen then then other has to be the rep. Simple as that. That would be the case when you walk into a store, for example, and they have that model in stock. 2. you don't know which one is the gen, but you know for sure one is gen, you will still (probably) be able to tell by picking the one that shows the most detail. The best craftsmanship. 3. you don't know if any of the 2 is a gen. Then they may both be reps. One probably better quality than the other. B: I only give you one watch. Hight quality. So no comparison. In the middle of nowhere. 1. Is it a rep or a gen? I never said I am looking for the perfect rep. It does not exist and we established that. (Of course I want to say here that the prerfect rep not existing is only in the sense of not being 100% identical to the ge and NOT necessarily not being of the same or even better quality when you look at them- See A2 case above). What amazes me, however, is that everyone, under all 4 sceanarios I described above, can spot a rep in under 1 sec. THAT, I don't believe. I'm VERY sorry. Edit #1: Actually not just in under 1 sec. but in the dark as well. And no, not because of the lume. Edit #2: On A2 above I wanted to make a comment. How many of you guys said one million times that aftermarket (non-OEM) straps are 100 times better than OEM? Many. What if they also put the Panerai markings on them? And what if I saw you on the street (around midnight- complete dark) and we were under scanario A2 or B1? Still spot the rep in under 1 sec? Just curious.

I was looking at the new arrivals over at Josh. I saw this one: http://www.1-pc8838.com/0349-p-11825.html Super watch. But searching by the name could not find anything in Google. Actually for 349 I could find a different watch. Which watch is this and is anyone else looking to purchase this one?

So you are that of an expert. How about that 005 that everyone is talking about being probably the best rep ever made? Still one second on the street without the gen to compare?

Oh, let me understand. You identified the rep by the method of elimination (simply because I told you one is gen and the other is rep)? Then how many seconds would it take you if I found you on the street and handed the rep to you with no gen to compare against? Still 1 sec?

teach me dude

which one is the rep? How may seconds does it take you to identify and, say no modifications to the real were made and the other is guaranteed a rep, how much would you be willing to bet on your answer?

but what's the website? Even though their watches are the same often times the product presentation is different. One may include (uselful) information that the others failed (not necessarily on purpose) to include. Plus, you get to see more pictures of the same watch which is always good.

link? Just to make sure I go to the right place.

Mary is Pure Watch? Because so far I kow Andrew and Joshua.

Yes, all that is good. But the question remains. If someone is selling an OEM (or they claim it is) and I'm in the market for an OEM is there any way of knowing other than doign my reserach on the seller whether they can be trusted or not? I know I can go and pay $400 to an AD but one may be selling a (perhaps used) one for half that which happens every day.

I guess let me put it this way. If I showed you this strap ans told you it's OEM would you have any objections? I mean the marking are there, supposedly it's genuine croc leather, the craftmaanship looks ok. It costs $100. http://www.puretimewatch.com/product/pam177-m-11-ultimate-edition-on-genuine-brown-caiman-crocodile-leather-strap/

Buy guys say a strap is indeed gen alligator leather with the Panerai markings on it (I suppose that would be the easy part) how on Earth can one tell if it's indeed OEM? Now I assume the quality would be super as many actually argue that aftermarket straps can be better in quality than the OEM ones. So how about it?

So NO EXCEPTION? That's where I wanted to get. A guy sent me pictures of an alligator strap and he called it OEM. No Panerai trademark was to be found anywhere.

Hi guys, what's up? Here's what's up with me. I got confused again. When one says these straps are OEM what does that mean? They came out of the Panerai factory? Or someone else made them for Panerai at Panerai's request? Is it possible that a so called OEM Panerai strap has no Panerai logo or name on it? Is it possible? Thx!

Guy I have a question. I know the 3 top three trusted dealers. My question is when we choose one over the other are really choosing them for their customer service and policies or for the quality of their watches as well? I guess what I'm asking is do they all get their watches from the same factories (H and N) and therefore their watches are identical or do they have different supplies. I'm not very clear on that. Thx!

I'm not sure. I suppose it's a couple of screws? But man this website looks good for straps: http://www.network54.com/Forum/353393/ I'm buying mine from here.

thanks for the info!

anyone else has any opinion about the watch in the picture above? Any experienced eyes? I'm trying to learn. Like if I told you it was real would you ever have a moment of doubt?

yes. Exactly. Inference based on his statement. That's why I wanted to see what gives it away and that would be my only question. But I had to ask if it's a rep or gen since it also looks so amazinf, at least from this picture.

I think it's a very good decision. Take your time with the strap. Because you area going to have pay some good money make sure you do your research and make sure you don't get ripped off. They can sell you a replica for a gen. They even rep the plastic bags that the gens come in. Be careful out there. Make sure you trust the source and ask for advice from someone who understands if needed before you buy. Yes, invest in a good strap. Just don't get ripped off.

100% sure? how do you know? Can one more person please confirm this? Also, what's the name behind this. I know Joshua and Andrew from the other 2 sities. How about this one?

I don't know if you noticed but both claim that the other one is not the real thing. One says make sur you are on .com and the other says make sure you are on .org. But they look identical.