SportsterRider

Ouch! Man, there's that aweful slam again! At least this lurker is a RWG supporter. You? It calls into question your credibility, numbnuts. I know you're not so stupid that you can't figure that out. Umm, no, I didn't have a go at 'other peoples opinions'. I took issue with you and you alone, TJ. Also, me being a cheap SOB and you being a hypocrite are two different things. I tried to explain that in my last post, but it appears to either have gone over your head, or you've conveniently chosen to ignore it. Either way, your attempts, once again, at deflection are admirable, but not good enough. Nice try, TJ. The information is readily available and the topic has been discussed many times before. If you don't know how to look the information up, that's your problem, but it doesn't invalidate what I said. Just to give you a hint, try looking for information about Homer (exclusive watches on E-Bay), for one. He's known to have Panerai, Rolex, etc, non-branded reps. There are others as well, but I'll leave it up to you to find them (interesting that you never looked into it before since you loath the idea of buying a genuine, and surely a branded replica will give off the impression that you DO own a genuine). And you're a tool to be devoutly ignored. SR

Indeed! It's just that my experiences seem to differ from popular opinion where rich folks are concerned, but I also allow that I'm not an expert, and as such, wanted to be sure that was understood as well. I find your posts quite informative, actually. It's interesting to talk with someone that has such a different perspective on social issues like this. SR

Looks very good to me. Thanks for the quick review and the pics. Hopefully, we'll see this version being offered by our 'regular' dealers soon! SR

Umm... Ya, I have no idea how to reply to this. Seiko is wrong, but a replica is 'giving credit'??? Just what color is the sky in your world, TJ? Much like you, I have no desire to retype what is readily available. Look it up. Yep. Got that. The conversation, however, went into a hypothetical of whether or not you would buy a gen, assuming you had gobs of money to spend. I can't afford any of the Gens I want either. But if I could, I would in a heartbeat. You've been going off how no matter how much money you had, you would never buy one out of principal, but you're okay with a rep that makes folks think you bought one. Makes your 'principals' seem ambiguous, at best. I don't recall ever saying that. Nice attempt at deflection, though. Observing inconsistencies and saying your opinion is wrong are two different things, TJ. I posted the former, not that latter. Lurking? Oh, since I don't post 10 times a day, I'm a 'lurker'? Another nice attempt at deflection! You ought to go into politics. You've got the fine art of BS'ing down quite well. I comprehend you all too clearly, TJ. Oh I don't think it bothers you at all, TJ. In fact, I think you enjoy the opportunity to express your contradicting 'views' on topics like this. Again, this isn't about your 'opinion' as much as it's about your inconsistent stance. You have said that even if you had the money, you would never buy a genuine version of the watches you own, out of some kind of desire to stick to a 'principal' (not worth the money, right?). How you can't see that the product, AND the brand, are one and the same, is beyond me. You say you appreciate the product, want the product, but won't pay for one and never would. But you have no problem wearing a replica of that product, with that products name on it, that will clearly be interpreted by anyone looking that you DO own a genuine version of the product, and that you DO support the company. THIS is where you and I differ, and THIS is what I've been talking about. Not your opinion - you're entitled to have as many as you like! It's your BS double standards that I'm talking about. Anyway, it's clear that you can't see that, and it's clear that I'm wasting my time here (and everyone else's), so I'll just leave it at that. If you feel you must continue this, feel free to PM me. SR

The 'obvious' part comes from the fact that your watch(s) says Rolex, or Panerai, when in fact it is neither. Seems pretty obvious to me, at least? Ahh, so do you wear a sign that points at your watch and says: 'Not real, but you too can own one of your own by visiting this website!'? And tell me, why would it feel good to be recognized for wearing a brand that your are principally opposed to owning? Never said that you did, or do, go around telling people that you spent 'stupid' money on the watch you're wearing. You just allow them to think that you do. Clever! There are dozens of labels that make very close copies of ALL the major brands. Invicta, Seiko, Sandoz, etc, ALL make copies of the more popular styles. None of them say Rolex or Panerai on them though. There are also many dealers that sell unbranded versions of their replica's. If it's simply 'getting close', why not choose one of these options and demonstrate fully your high ideals of not supporting these 'overpriced' genuines? Why does it have to say Omega on the dial if not to fool someone into thinking it's the genuine article? And how convenient, too! I bet that wouldn't happen as often with an unbranded watch, or with a Invicta. Hmm... I see little reason to own a replica if not to 'pass it off' as genuine, either to yourself, and/or to others, beyond simply not being capable of affording the genuine article. There are many reasons to own a replica, most all of which are just a valid as the next. Can't afford the real one. Appreciate the detail of the duplication. Whatever. But for someone to say that they won't own a genuine article, such as you, because of some high moral standards of commerce, but have no problem wearing a replica that will make people think that you do, smacks of contradiction. Personally, I think you're just a cheap SOB who tries to deflect that fact by taking an economic 'moral' high ground. Problem is, your moral high ground is dubious, at best. If you really were so much against these companies, and were truly put out by their business practices and prices, you would never wear a watch with their name on it, whether it was to fool someone or not. If you don't appreciate these comments, perhaps you should be more careful with how you express yourself in a public forum as eventually, someone is going to disagree with you. SR

Well, that could be the difference then, eh? I don't socialize with rich folks on a daily basis, but the ones that I know and the times that I do illustrate a different mindset than 'cheap'. Perhaps it's an 'old' money versus 'new' mindset? Or maybe more accurately, old person versus young? I can't speak to this as I'm not a Brit. Again, perhaps this is a cultural thing as I don't see much of this here in the US (certainly not in the circles I'm familiar with, anyway). This is what I'd call cheap, for sure. Below, however, not so much.. This is where I see a difference between 'cheap', and 'smart'. Patching up a 50 year old bed sheet set is cheap. Having your lunch partner, who is likely pretty well off as well, pay for your lunch? That's smart! I also make sure I tip, but I tip relative to the service I get. I've been called 'cheap' for leaving little or no tip in the past, but I don't see it that way.. C'est la vie. My comment wasn't meant to be an endorcement of any kind of behavior, one way or the other. But I don't see the illustration between cheap and extravagant where buying an employee a coffee is concerned? That's not an obligation, 'nor is it an example of being cheap, IMO. As I mentioned above, there seems to be a palpable difference between old money and new (and perhaps UK versus US?). Anyway, I only replied as I see topics like this come up, from time to time, on all my various message boards. Rich folks are dumb. Rich folks are cheap. People that buy BMW's (seen as rich folks, at least here in the US) are all stuck-up and stupid. Etc, etc, etc. I may not hang out with the Queen of England, but I do know my fair share of well off people and I find these generalizations to be inaccurate, at best. SR

This isn't being cheap, it's being shrewd! Cheap, as this discussion implies, is buying a $120 replica Submariner when you could buy a genuine with the cash in your pocket. Cheap is buying a 1972 Fiat when you could easily afford a new R8 for every day of the week. By and large, rich people don't do this and as such, aren't 'cheap'. What does a rich man get for buying his chauffeur a coffee? Nothing of any value. So making him pay for his own isn't cheap, it's simply a choice. Just because a person has money doesn't mean he's obligated to give it away. It cracks me up when people lament the 'outrageous' prices a genuine Rolex, Omega or Panerai fetches, but they have no problem wearing a fake with these names painted on the dial with the obvious intent of fooling folks into thinking they DO own one of these pieces. If you're really going to thump your chest at the outrage these theives perpetrate with their crazy prices, why not buy a Seiko and support a company that sells something you can afford? I could even respect a person like this if he/she wore a non-branded 'copy'. But wearing a replica while getting preachy about the costs of a genuine? Hmm.. Now ME, on the other hand... Ya, I'm a cheap SOB!!

+1 There seems to be two types of replica owner: The folks that buy replica's because buying gens is simply out of the financial equation, and people who like to sort of create their own stuff (a kind of tinkerers gene). Part of the enjoyment with replica collecting is that 'search' for the perfect piece. You get a kind of high waiting for that delivery and you get hooked on that anticipation. Will it meet my expectations? Will it match the photo's? Is it truly 1:1, or will I have to make it that way. Some replica collectors go even further and buy a watch with the intent of taking it apart and sort of creating their own personal version of said watch. Whether it's a strap(s) change, modifying crown guards, attempting to fit genuine parts just to see if it can be done, etc, etc, etc. For people like this, owning a genuine is simply far too boring as it's already perfect. I'm like you insofar as if I had the disposable cash, I'd never look at a replica and would buy the genuine article of the watch, or watches, that I fancy. Why bother with a copy that, no matter how good, will never truly be 100% exact? I've had the good fortune of owning a few genuine watches over the years (a pair of SMP's, and a Datejust). I've had to part with all of them due to finance's, otherwise I'd still own them and never bothered with a replica of one. To me, a copy/replica/counterfeit is never as good as the real thing and I will always go genuine when I can afford to. In cases where I can't, there's some darn fine reps to choose from that I CAN afford! SR

Went with the 111H today.. SR

The first one has an incorrect pearl, whereas the second one is about as good as it gets on a rep. Also, the second one has MUCH better sub-dial print, much more correct looking sub-dial hands, better looking 3 and 9 dial markers and as Andreww pointed out, a better date font. Neither are correct, but IMO the second one is a much better looking piece. SR

Took a couple shots this morning of my SMP Chrono, and a couple more showing the UPO and the Chrono on the wrist. SMP Chrono: Planet Ocean on my 7.25 inch wrist: SMP Chrono: SR

A couple recycled pics of my UPO(L). Cheers! SR

Got this yesterday from a friend... I love how he walks in casually ... then, speeds up on his 'getaway' A seagull in Scotland has developed the habit of stealing chips from a neighborhood shop. The seagull waits until the shopkeeper isn't looking, and then walks into the store and grabs a snack-size bag of cheese Doritos. Once outside, the bag gets ripped open and shared by other birds. The seagull's shoplifting started early this month when he first swooped into the store in Aberdeen, Scotland, and helped himself to a bag of chips. Since then, he's become a regular. He always takes the same type of chips. Customers have begun paying for the seagull's stolen bags of chips because they think it's so funny.

Did some quick digging for US/State laws concerning 'counterfeit' goods. Found a couple intersting articles. These deal with a relatively new Federal legislation aimed specifially at counterfeiting: http://tinyurl.com/3x5t4l http://tinyurl.com/2sy9d9 I found this particular quote quite interesting: "In addition, H.R. 32 clarifies that the statutory prohibition on trafficking in such illegal goods extends to barter transactions in which no monetary consideration is exchanged, and to transactions in which the payment for the goods is either deferred or is made in the form of some future considerations." Here is an excerpt from the Pennsylvanie Crimal Code concerning counterfeit goods:

I'm not typically into PVD watches, but that is a SHARP combo! Dieter and Jack both would approve! SR

Not quite like this, but based on your posts from when you first got you 111H, this isn't surprising. You almost sounded apologetic about your PO when you were talking about your 'new' 111H. Just wait until you get a good one! The PAM affliction is a strong one and the better the rep, the stronger the pull... Now, about that strap... SR

Probably my UPO Lite. Since I picked it up a couple weeks ago, I can't seem to go with anything else! SR

I laughed so hard that I had to wipe my morning coffee off the monitor before I could reply to this! Great reply!! SR

I have got to get a new strap for my 111h. That looks fantastic! SR

Actually, you're correct that the news around here isn't planned around 7/7. But there was talk of 7/7 on 7/7 as it relates to terrorism. So it in that regard, your observations aren't entirely correct since there was a 'on this date in 2005' in the news about the bombings, as opposed to a documentary about French military atrocities. As far as Bastille day, I'm not sure how that relates? Do European nations make a news event about The Fourth of July? Anyway, I'm not all that surprised to hear about this as the American military, or more specifically, the current American political administration, isn't very popular globally right now ('nor here, actually). C'est la vie. SR

Don't sell yourself short. That 7750 is intimidating and the work you did isn't something just anyone could do. If I could get even as far as you did, I could probably venture into the movement further in an attempt to figure out what's wrong. But for now, this beast is out of my league! Again, well done! SR

Well, I've been into watches since I was 6 years old and my father gave me my first watch. IIRC, it was a Croton digital. What made it so unique is that the numbers were made of tiny little red 'bulbs' (most at the time used longer sections to make up the numbers). I still had that watch up until our last move when it was lost. Basically, for as long as I can remember I've had an interest in watches. Replica's, for me, started around 1983-1984 or so when my dad's buddy brought a briefcase full of Rollie replica's to the house. And yes, dad bought a full gold Presidents complete with quartz movement (very few had automatics back then). That was eventually given to me when dad ended up buying a real two-tone datejust with a black tapestry dial. I *think* I might still have the case and bracelet from that President laying around somewhere! I've also been into cars for as long as I can remember. I grew up on the old Detroit muscle cars of the 60's and very early 70's. My dad and my uncle were really into Mopar's, so that brand ended up being my favorite as well (still is). I've had over 50 cars/trucks since I turned 16 over 20 years ago, so much like the replica hobby I tend to buy, enjoy and sell cars as my tastes evolve. The last 8 years or so I've been into more modern performance cars. I currently have two Taurus SHO's (one is my wifes) that are a blast to drive. They don't have the straight line performance that some of my earlier stuff had, but they combine braking, handling and straight line beautifully. There is actually a national club that throws yearly conventions that are well attended (we have a number of folks from Japan, one from GB and IIRC, one from Australia). The club rents tracks around the nation (Mid-Ohio, Gingerman, Gratton Raceway, etc) that club members have exclusive access to, so it's a LOT of fun. Lately, I've been interested in the Subaru offerings - specifically the Legacy GT's. That will probably be my next car purchase with my eye never far from the M5 with my name on it. Off and on over the years I've also been into motorcycling. In my younger days, it was mostly dirt bikes that interested me. I've never been long without some kind of two wheeled machine. Over the last 4 years, it's been Harley Davidson. I currently ride a 2007 Sportster 1200 Custom that I picked up last September. During the summer months here in the States, motorcycling tends to take over all my 'hobby time'. We usually like to take at least one week out of the summer to travel on the bike. The last trip we took was from Pittsburgh to the Jersey shore. It was one of the most memorable events in my life as it was just me and my wife (then fiance') on my Sportster along with my father on his Sportster. Traveling on a motorcycle is unlike any other type of travel. The connection you feel with your surroundings and your companions is something everyone should experience. Beer has always been a hobby of sorts as well. Well, if drinking cheap beer in order to have a good time is a hobby, then I'm an expert! Lately though, I've started to expand my palate and have discovered beer again for the first time. The latest discovery is wheat based beer. A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine brought a beer called Franziskaner (Hefe-Weisse) that is just out of this world. Smooth, somewhat fruity and unlike anything I ever drank in the past. To think that there has been all these wonderful beers out there and I've been wasting my time and taste on Coors light, Miller, etc. I've got a LOT of catching up to do! Like a lot of folks, I also enjoy movies/TV. I tend towards Sci-Fi/fantasy/adventure more than anything else. I'm a huge James Bond fanatic, love Star Wars, Star Trek is an all time favorite, and lately I've been into the Star Gate series' on the Sci-Fi channel. There are two shows in the USA network - The 4400 and The Dead Zone that are also very enjoyable. I guess I like to watch on TV/Big Screen what you can't find in real life. Drama's don't interest me that much as they're usually based on plots you hear about on the news every day. For me, that's a huge snooze-fest. If I'm going to watch something on TV or at the movies, I want to be entertained by something I can't find in everyday life. Anyway, before I turn this into a Autobiography, lemme sum it up in no particular order of importance: 1) Watches 2) Cars 3) Motorcycles 4) Movies/TV 5) Simply being outdoors 6) Food 7) Beer Clothing 9) Audio (home theatre specifically) 10) Model Making I guess that about sums it up! SR

Well done! I've got a SMP Chrono that can't be wound manually any longer and only holds about 8 hours worth from the rotor. After taking the back off the watch I realized that the 7750 is WAY out of my league. That you were able to teach yourself what you need to know to perform your own work is impressive! SR

I read the new FAQ and found it very informative (which is typical of your posts, By-Tor). I've mentioned before that my watch hobby tends to take a back seat to my motorcycle hobby during the warm months here in the States, so I don't post much during the summer. That being said, I've also been crushed the last couple weeks with wedding preparations for my wedding this past Friday, so that put even more of a strain on my free time. I can't speak for others here, but I'm just as grateful for yours and others (like Pug, for instance) amazing contributions as I've ever been. Once things setting down around here and the weather starts getting colder again, my posting frequency will go up and I'll be sure to post a thank you under the appropriate reviews. Thanks!! SR

Yep. I ordered my UPO Lite on the 15th. It should be here any time now. SR