SportsterRider

Either way, it's a terrible analogy. There are people that buy cars from particular dealers that have terrible experiences and swear never to buy from them again. Others have fantastic experiences from those same folks and swear never to buy from anyone else. There are people out there who will never buy another Chrysler product again because they felt they were lied to about a supposed problem with the 4.7 litre V8 installed in the Durango. Others feel it's the best SUV they've ever owned. Just because someone has a poor experience with someone, doesn't mean that it will apply to everyone across the board. The child molester analogy doesn't work here and if folks can't see why, there's nothing I can say or do to change their mind. I'll buy from whoever takes care of me. I will NOT rely on word-of-mouth as my sole means of judging a dealer (or anyone else, for that matter). My experiences count first (there are more folks happy with these two dealers than there are folks unhappy with them. So who's opinion matters more?) If someone doesn't like that, tuff s h i t e. SR

What the..? SR

I can relate. Ole' SillyBalls tried to buy my hometown team very recently. The rumor was that he wanted to move the team to Hamilton, but when the NHL wouldn't give him a right-to-move clause in the buy, he pulled out. Consequently, the Penguins are now locked in for at least another 30 years, so they're not going anywhere anytime soon. The reason he couldn't get a right-to-move was due to the fact that there is great corporate support, as well as ticket sales in Pittsburgh. I read that Nashville does NOT have very good corporate support, and that they're only selling 14k tickets per game on average. Is this true? If it is, he'll be able to move the team and the only way to keep that from happening is to get the local business community to support the team. Without that, even selling out every game wouldn't be enough. Good luck, man. I've been through this and it's no fun. Pittsburgh fans are rooting for ya! SR

My friends and family know that I own replica's. But I don't volunteer that information at work, and rarely am I asked about my watch(s) at work. On the rare occasion that a co-worker does notice my watch, I've never been asked "is that a replica" and again, I don't volunteer it. So the few that HAVE noticed believe they are real. Hell, the last time anyone from work noticed my watch was a couple days ago. My buddy noticed my 111h and simply commented "nice watch". Before that was about 4 years ago when one of the consultants I was working with noticed my TT Datejust. He was also wearing one (that I believe was genuine) and simply commented that he thought it was sharp and how long did I own it. Again, not a situation where I felt compelled to say "it's a replica". When you wear replica's of watches that you can likely afford, you don't get called out for it (at least, I don't). When I was in my late teens/early 20's, I was asked all the time about my SS Datejust replica. I imagine that was due to the fact that in reality, there was no way I could afford a real one. Today it's different. The reps I own are in line with what I could afford to buy if I chose to. It's been many many years since someone asked me "is that a replica". SR

Heck, I think I could make an argument that the Tech's method of 'servicing' may actually be worse than no servicing at all! All those places where the cleaning/rinse solution was hidden under various parts can't be good for the movement, and may just serve to spread dirt around to other places where none existed before (not to mention the stripping away of existing oils that aren't replaced). Well done, The Zigmeister! Thanks! SR

Agreed! SR

Well, based on what Zed, Section8 and every one else has said, it would seem that this is SOP for Canada Post to the US (and vice versa). Guess I'll just have to exercise some more patience and wait! Thanks guys! SR

Sorry, wrong word. Here is what Canada Post says: 2007/04/11 19:00 THUNDER BAY, ON Item accepted at the Post office That's it. SR

Zed, Ya, that's the only site that shows anything. But it only shows that the package was received and nothing else. SR

That's pretty much how it's going for me as well. The Canada Post website shows that the package was received, but that's all. Hopefully the package will show up as yours did! SR

So I have a PAM 111h coming from Canada (Thunder Bay to Pennsylvania) that was shipped out on the 11th. As of today, there is zero change on the tracking site, and USPS still has no record of the tracking number. Is this normal? I mean, I've had stuff get hung up in customs many times before, but I've never had a package show no update for this long that didn't end up being lost. But this is the first time I've dealt with Canada Post, so I was wondering if anyone here who has dealt with them could comment? Thanks, SR

Looks like a Noobmariner, or a So-Called Perfect. Either way, it looks good! SR

I don't see how that quote lumps all Americans together. To admit that NA culture DOES have a segment (and a large one at that) that enjoy's hunting, fishing, whatever, is not the same thing as saying ALL Americans feel this way. For the record, I don't hunt. I never developed much of an interest in it, but I can respect the fact that others do. I have friends in Canada and the US that are avid hunters. I also have friends from both countries that have no desire to hunt. Anyway, hope that clears that up.. SR

I wouldn't expect it to be, considering that the New York metro area alone could account for almost half of the population of England/Wales in it's entirety. But looking over the report at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0207.pdf, it's clear that crimes relating to guns DO happen in the UK, despite the disarming of that populace years ago. This also doesn't study whether or not deaths/crimes, as a whole, dropped, stayed the same or increased as a result of that disarming. The bottom line is, simply outlawing gun ownership to law abiding citizens will not solve crime, whether it's homicides, thefts, rapes, whatever. And whining about the rights of deer to exist the same way I do is one of the most retarded strawman arguments I've ever read for the pro-gun control group, by TTK. Also, to dismiss the rights of folks in this country to hunt, at TTK did, is also demonstrating a serious lack of understanding of the cultural differences between the EU, Asia, etc and NA. It's simply not apples to apples. SR

+1 I've been biting my tongue throughout this thread when the anti-gun proponents start spouting off. I've been a part of, and watched, discussions like this on other boards I frequent (Auto's, Motorcycles, etc..) and it never ends well. You will NOT sway a pro-gun advocate over to an anti-gun view, 'nor will you make an anti-gun proponent decide to join the NRA. While I appreciate the idea behind an Off Topic sub, I've never seen a topic like this be of any value to any of the boards I'm on short of the political ones. Bikes, cars, sports and - Replica Watch discussions, are not served by this kind of debate. Frankly, I'm not interested in what any of you think about gun ownership and I'd rather not become hostile towards anyone here over that particular topic. This thread was originally intended to express condolences to those who lost loved ones at VT. If anyone wants to discuss the merits of America's gun laws, why don't you start a new topic? That way, I can be sure to ignore it in full ernest... SR

Starting out with this today: I'll probably wear this one tomorrow: Don't know what I'll wear on Sunday just yet though.

+1 I had a fair amount of beer last night watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so I'm admittedly a bit under the weather. But reading that is crossing my eye's! I have no idea what he was trying to say?

Back in the early-mid eighties, they WERE difficult to obtain. To start with, there was no WWW, and you had to know someone, who knew somone, who could put you in touch with the right people in order to get a look at a rep! And even then, many times they wouldn't sell to you if they didn't feel 'good' about you. First time I saw a replica was when a friend of my dad came to the house with a suitcase full of 'em. The only other source was a jeweler who had a 'back room'. This guy was VERY difficult to get a meeting with! I agree that there will always be replica's of expensive products. Always. The method of obtaining them will change with the current political/economic environment though. I have a suspicion that it will become more difficult again, soon, before it gets easier. SR

There are countless places that sell these. You can do a Google search, or check E-bay. For example, these whole inserts look pretty good: http://www.thewatchprince.com/s.nl/it.A/id.893/.f http://www.watchmaterial.com/viewitem.asp?...eRange=0x999999. This would be easier than replacing just the pearl. SR

My VIP also came with an uneven crystal. So you were able to correct this by re-installing? Fantastic! I was thinking that the crystal itself was cut crooked, but if it's simply installed wrong, it'd be an easy fix. Thanks for the info!

Here are a couple more shots. A couple more of the 2254.50: This is my Bulova Millenia. This is a pretty cool watch. Once it's set, the only thing you have to touch is the date on months that don't have 31 days. It accounts for leap year, shows the day, date and year and month. It also functions as a chronograph. These are my Seiko 5's. The first one my dad bought for me for Christmas. The Sports is one I picked up a little later. Both use the ubiquitous 7S26 movement, which IMO, is one of the best bangs for the buck going. It's super reliable, well constructed and can be regulated to within COSC standards. This is the VIPMariner I picked up from Drmmaster. This particular one is going back and will be replaced soon. But it's this base that I'll use for my project (taking the dial/movement/band from a So-Called Perfect sub, installing it in this case along with an aftermarket gen replacement case tube and a genuine crown). I'll take pictures of the project as I go along once the replacement gets here. This is a Titoni I picked up a couple years ago when I was into this particular 'look'. I still love the look, but these kinds of watches are just too damn small for my 7.5 inch wrist. This one was made sometime in the early-mid seventies and still runs great! SR

Thanks yt74!

Thanks Chieftang! And I understand what you're saying, but I think these particular pictures tend to exaggerate that effect. When you actually have the watch in your hand, it doesn't look like that. But as usual, it's not perfect. But I believe it's about as good as any others out there relative to rehaut. I think it's a great/cheap alternative to a MBW for a base watch to mod. I'm actually waiting for a replacement to arrive. Mine has an uneven crystal - it looks as if it was cut at a slight angle as it sits higher near the 12 o'clock position versus the 6 o'clock position. I checked to be sure that the crystal was fully pressed into the case, and it is. As soon as I get my replacement, I'll start the project and take pictures as I go along.. SR

I have a So-Called Perfect sub and the VIPMariner. From what I've seen, the So-Called and the Beginamariner look like they use the same case and band. Seems the only difference is Paul's sub uses an ETA movement in place of the Asian in the Beginamariner. The VIPMariner has absolutely nothing in common with either watch except for the Asian movement. The case and the band are completely different. Both watches have their good points and bad points and it would come down to which 'shortcoming' is more of a distraction for you when choosing which is 'better'. The VIP positives: 1) Deep rehaut that is NOT overly conical as someone else pointed out. This is definitely a strong point of this watch. 2) The case is slightly 'taller' than the SCPS/Beginamariner on the sides. This gives the watch a larger 'feel' to it when it's on your wrist. 3) A crystal that sits above the bezel much more like a gen. Unlike the SCPS/Beginamariner, the crystal not only sits higher (and appears to be a bit thicker), but it doesn't have the thick gasket issue that bugs a lot of folks. 4) It's only $80.00! Now, it does have some shortcomings (it's a Sub replica after all!) because as everyone knows, there is no 'perfect' sub! 1) Case lugs are too thin. 2) CG's are too pointy (along with the usual problems that most subs have). I think these could be modified to look very good, but overall they're not as good as an MBW or even a SCPS. 3) Crown is 'weird'. It looks like it made of brass and has a 'sheet' of SS stamped over it. Weird. But, if your looking to use this watch as a base for modification, you can always replace this with a genuine piece. 4) Dial isn't nearly as good as the SCPS/Beginamariner. 5) Band isn't in the same league as the SCPS/Beginamariner. It uses solid center links and an incorrect clasp that it roughly half a link too long(look at the last adjustment holes in the clasp and look at how much metal is left. Overall, the clasp is too long.). The end links are also not constructed correctly, BUT they LOOK great (and much better than the SCPS/Beginamariner). So again, it comes down to which shortcomings bug you the most. Overall, I think the VIPmariner has the overall 'feel' that is closest to Gen between the three. I'm going to use mine to start my first 'modded' watch project. Mine is going to get the SCPS movement/dial, a replacement bezel insert and a new gen crown (that I've had for three years originally intended for my Yachtmaster) and aftermarket gen replacement tube from Borel. Depending on whether or not I can swap end links, I'll either use the VIP's end links on the SCPS band, or the SCPS clasp on the VIP band. SR