seagull11

Nostalgia! Three years down the line, the 1665 and 1680 Tommy modded for me (both MBWs) probably remain my favourite reps, and he remains the person I most enjoyed dealing with.

DW is a different story and if you have to ask... How many folks's movements are still working? Mine is. But then again it came by way of Ubi before he amassed the 16520 collection. It took me years to get over the fact that I would have to live with a dead hour subdial to get the correct pusher placement.

My DW Daytona is comically unreliable, thus living up to its near-mythical notoriety! Twice my watchmaker has solved a problem with it but each time another reveals itself. It's probably one of my favourite reps but, since it invariably fails to tell the time, it doesn't get a huge amount of wrist time!! Still, at least I know I didn't strike unlucky and get a dud one; it seems the majority are!

I'm tempted, but I really got small wrist...

I have to say that going for the full Gerald Genta collection is growing all over my wrist, but each time I see a RO or an Ingie on someone's wrist (I live in Paris, you can see those 'quite' often), I always end up saying "Great watch, but too big for me"...

I wish they made the boy size ingie and a decent 38" APRO...

I used to worry about case sizes, as I have possibly one of the skinniest wrists on the Boards (6.25"). But now I wear the Ingy, a 44mm PAM and will soon add both a RO Jumbo and PP Nautilus Jumbo to my collection. They'll look big on my wrist for sure, but my feeling is - if you like it (and it feels comfortable), wear it proudly .

I visited Marcus today in Bond Street, London, which must be one of the best watch shops in the world. The layout, the collections, the aroma of serious money - amazing. A very friendly sales guy there was commenting on how watches are getting bigger and bigger, and that the trend shows no sign of slowing; apparently AP are planning a limited edition watch that comes in at 48mm! He also pointed to some Franck Mullers that make PAMs look small, and said that they're the most popular model with women at the moment.

So all power to big watches on small wrists - it's the future!

Yes, it's a shame we don't have a Euro The Zigmeister to answer our modding and servicing prayers. Finepics did some good work, mainly on PAMs, before the well aired recent history and Palpatine did many of us proud until he bowed out of this game.

As Pugwash suggests, and I think Mark (Finepics) discovered, the work can consume you, particularly if you're doing it on top of a day job. And we as a community are very exacting and demanding: in short, very high maintenance!

I don't want to put any prospective start-up modders off though (I have a number of projects just waiting for their business to open!). For someone with the right skills and sufficient time, there's a sizeable potential European market around these boards.

Donation made. And I'd like to upgrade membership when it becomes possible again.

Paul

I'm off to Beijing next week on business and, like any self respecting RWG member, will naturally be hoping to go rep hunting while I'm there. If any fellow members with previous experience can suggest good places to go, I'd be really grateful. Free time will be limited (work can be so incovenient!), so places within striking distance of Tiananmen Square (I'm staying near there) would be ideal.

Any tips on how best to seek out (and negotiate on!) the high end stuff would also be gratefully received. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

After searching several strap web sites I have yet to find a 22/18 listed. Have I searched every possible strap site in the world?

Sirtoli (sirtoli.com) do a gator in this size. It looks very nice but is $149. Can anyone vouch for the quality?

This Friday was the one date I couldn't make. Definitely in if it's rearranged.

16 Feb's ahead at the moment and it's the one date I can't make. Please vote for other options! Perhaps we should organise a Brighton splinter group at some point. I'm a Brighton boy too (Forum name's a clue!).

If the date works, I'm definitely in. Steak and watches: what's not to like?

Thanks for all the thoughts. Decisions decisions......!

I've shied away from gold until now but it makes a nice contrast to all the SS. It appears that the plating is pretty good on many reps.

And gold watches are coming back into fashion: the London watch boutiques report that they're selling more than they have for years!

I want to treat myself to a more dressy watch for Christmas (well that's the excuse I'm conjuring for another rep purchase!)

I like the VC Malte Chronograph but wonder about the long-term life of the crown & tube with having to unscrew and wind every day (it will get a lot of wrist time I hope).

Two other VCs look nice on Josh's site: Perpetual Calendar and Malte Classique. They have the advantage of an ETA movement but I've not seen much discussion about them on the forum.

Anyone have any experience of these and can vouch for their quality and comment on their accuracy v genuine (I'm not a VC expert as you can tell)? And can anyone who's owned the Malte Chrono for a while, and used it regularly, advise how it's holding up?

Many thanks

I have a couple of spare links if anyone is in need. PM me.

Watch is looking very good (from EL). Like everyone else, no papers with box set.

An "early adopter" on the EL list and now done and dusted (cleared with RT first). Donation on the way to the board.

6,000 views - that's more than watch my favourite football team! If Group Buys have just become a spectator sport, are we too late to lobby for them being included in the Bejing Olympics? China's the perfect place for them after all

5. Seagull11 (Paul).

I'm a skinny wrister, so probably able to donate bracelet links to someone in need.

Great to have you back Palp!!

+ 8 = 1268 (glad that was an easy one!)

My current favourite. Mine's on a riveted bracelet

I really like how you did the insert... nice matte finish!

I like it too! What technique did you use?

If you can hang on and get the money together for a WM/MBW (and the mods already suggested), DO. The Red Sub's one of the finest vintage Rolex reps. Quality over quantity!

As Ubi mentioned, the white SD is also an excellent choice and the MBW's dial is excellent Not as rare or expensive in the collectors' market as the RR so you may feel more comfortable with it. White SD's remain relatively affordable in vintage SD land at the 7K price range.

This is why I went for the white SD over the Double Red (on its way through the air even as we speak I hope!). It just feels a bit more "believable" on the wrist, at least for someone in my income bracket.

Also, there's a strong awareness in WIS world that the DRSD is widely faked. Are there as many rep WSDs around? Not sure.

Well I guess I have to make a first post somewhere! I never thought a new forum could bring so much pleasure. I mean, it's kind of exactly like RWG1, except somehow it feels different, cleansed, with a renewed sense of adventure and camaraderie. And it's good to be part of it.