olivia

Yes...remove the three screws. That worked for me just fine. I could not see any other way of removing it.

A chinese patented product on a chinese replica watch!

Ah...But, does this holiday apply to Taiwan?

I have ordered three times from him and transactions were perfect. No complaints. I think he has two stores on Ebay.

It's just a style issue...like button down collars on shirts, pleated pants, etc.The 1940s-1950s watches were small styles. I have a number of Hamilton vintage watches and they are around 30MM. Look like unisex watches, but the quality is superb. Who knows...small watches might come back, then what would we do?

Looks like a watch easy to rep for about $ 100.

I can see me spending lots of nights in the garage filing that bezel to the right shape!

Be careful about filing that bezel....it may be silver plated brass, and not solid stainless steel.

Did you mean me or the OP? If you meant me, then yes, I'd totally agree, he would've done it even if I was wearin a gen Rolex. I could afford one if I wanted to buy one, I just refuse to pay an overinflated price-tag because of brandname.

To make it easier, just consider it as making a donation to a non-profit organization for which you get a watch as appreciation.

I have worked on a number of SW200's over the past year, and they are indeed very nice.

But the parts although looking like an ETA, are not interchangeable.

RG

Is that no parts are interchangable or that some parts are not interchangable?

It is swiss( but not ETA...could be FHF,AS) or possibly PUW(german) movement. There should be a marking under the balance wheel area.

It may look like an ETA, but it's totally opposite an ETA, none of the ETA parts will fit this model.

It's not a "Knock Off" or bad movement, it's just an option, since ETA is slowly getting out of selling their movements outside the SWATCH group.

I have seen and serviced these for over a year now, and don't see any issues with them.

RG

So, how do you get parts for them?

Generally..no. They won't do it.

Any updates on Kirk Rich?

" lie on the bed with the watch upside down over your head "

And will work even if you are not in bed ...just get the watch upside down over your head>

if you really believe that your watch will be "serviced" (to a level even CLOSE to what The Zigmeister offers; or serviced at all, while servicing meaning actually opening the watch and putting at least one drop of oil on a jewel and not just eye-ballin with it) if you pay them 120$, you are a fool!

you will get the SAME watch anyone else gets for 120$ less. if it beaks or whatsoever they will tell you "OHHH, how could that happen? me sooo sorry! me send you new watch, okay? but you send me watch first, ok? you pay 20$ for postage to xanchinluaning!"

Yep..that sums it up very nicely.

Changing the model of the dial to something more valuable is akin to counterfeiting, so I'm really eager to find out if a legitimate business is willing to do this work.

Generally..no. They won't do it.

Here is what I do first with a stuck screw. Put a little penetrating oil around the edges of the screw head. Tap it a little with a screwdriver.....let it sit overnight. Then try it with the correct size screwdriver. Good luck

It seems that it will be interesting to watch what happens in France. Maybe he will be good for the country...I hope so. The French people have given him a chance. Good luck to France.

Thanks for your response.

I've also heard the very best refinishing companies are out of Europe (specifically Germany). I just happen to have a genuine Rolex dial, but not of the 1680 Red. As I don't feel like sending it out to Germany, I am going to send it in to KR, and have them wipe it clean and (hopefully) do their magic! I'll post picts when I get it back along with price.

Please share your experience with them. Communications, and time taken to refinish, quality and cost, etc. Look forward to reading your posts about this. If you know of any dial refinishing companies in Germany, either post or send me a PM about them.

I am looking to find the best refinishing company to make me a 1680 Red Sub dial. I will be putting it on a gen Rolex Sub Dial. I'm leaning towards Kirk Rich (unless anybody has a better company besides International or Classic Watch Parts). If I may, can I get some input from members that have had Kirk Rich (or someone better) do refinish work for them? The latest refinished dials I am seeing on eBay for $350.00 are fair I guess but still off if one knows what he/she is looking for. I know refinished dials will never be perfect, but I'm trying to find a decent dial that does not scream fake!

Interestingly, Kirk Rich will not supply a photo of their work? Soooo...if anybody has a pict or two of some of their work it would be appreciated along with a cost factor.

I have never used them, but I have heard they are the best and most expensive in the US. I doubt they will do anything regarding R*lex, except refinish a gen dial. The very best dial refinishing company, Southern Dial, in Texas went out of business. They were the best I have seen and the Swiss Watch Technical Center put me onto them several years ago when I was restoring an Omega Constellation.Don't know who they use now, but it would be interesting to get their input on where to send a watch dial for one of their brands.

I am also interested in hearing about Kirk Rich Dial Company in California or any other dial refinishing company that does really good work.

@The Zigmeister

You can't go wrong with the full disassembly.

Maybe The Technician made a bad start but please don't forget that he can contribute a great deal to this forum in the future..... in the end all he is trying to do is share his knowledge with us. Cut the guy some slack. In 2 years he could be the next The Zigmeister. He can learn from us and visa versa.

Isn't the pond big enough for two big fishes

Just my 0.02.

I agree. They are both right but to differing degrees. I have repaired watches for about 20 years for friends and NAWCC members only. Have done it both ways. There is no question that the full disassembly performed by The Zigmeister is the best method and especially important for very dirty and well worn watches. The partial disassembly, but removing the dial side parts that The Zigmeister shows, is okay for watches that are not too dirty but may have dried oil. However, in the partial disassembly approach, there is an additional ( 3rd) rinse that I have found to be needed in order to eliminate the residue shown by The Zigmeister's pictire. I use One Dip for the 3rd rinse and none of what The Zigmeister shows as left over rinse residue will appear.

So, BarbieGirl was right all along..huh Kneel!

I can access RWI from home, but no longer on my work computer. Seems as if they are using port 60 for the login data and our network blocks port 60.I can reach the Home page...just the Login port is being blocked by my network.

The point is it is not even fake ETA. Cloning means to replicate exactly. The PTS DG movements might provide the functions of a watch but in that respect they are no more a clone of an ETA mechanical movement than a Miyota or Rolex movement is a clone of an ETA movement. They are completely different in design.

ETA clone infers that the buyer could easily substitute a real ETA movement into the watch if they have problems with it in future, or use ETA parts to repair the movement. The reality is they cannot.

Is that good enough reason to be concerned?!

Well stated r11co...you hit the point right on the head.