Pix

During a wristshot I captured what I tried to explain yesterday. Normal lighting and conditions : hard to see Now in detail (This is after I removed the white fibers which were under the crystal)

So, after spending quite of my evening on this (it was my first 7750 removal, which worked flawlessly thx to the boards information) here are my conclusions : hairs and smudge on the dial were almost completely removed (I think coton cleaner or something was used, therefore presence of white fibers). Remain a few hairlines, only visible with a loupe and under certain angles + kind of rest of the previous AR at 2 places, fortunately on the edges, therefore not noticeable once the watch is reassembled. As I'm pretty sure the coating process was OK (I have received 2 other perfect crystals from an other run), I suppose (said "suppose") that prep work has something to do with it. Although not perfect, the Portofino ends up in being in a good condition and more than acceptable result. I may keep my Portofino eventually (still have to make up my mind, as I bought a Portuguese in the meantime). Disaster has been avoided, at least for this one. I won't post pics of the hairlines, as it's impossible to show it in normal conditions. End of the story for me. But I stay with all who are still waiting...

I can only wish you to recover rapidly : your and your words are being missed.

Got my 2 watches back today. So at least the wait is over. - IWC Portofino : has received a Chief AR. But I have smudge or other kind of traces on the inside of the crystal (or dial). Don't know yet if that can be cleaned. Also hairs? under the crystal. Otherwise all looks as it was before. I'll take pics and tell you more once I removed the movement, hoping I can fix these things. Depends if it's a question of badly prepped crystal or just smudge. - Breitling : crystal not coated, as expected. Obviously the bezel was removed with harming tools. That must have resulted in scratches, which have been removed by rebrushing the thing. You can see it obviously with a loupe, by naked eyes if you know it. Result : 5 monthes, 2 watches which are not in the same clean status as they were when sent. Probably all fixable. I'll sell the Breitling Asian SFSO later when everything has been thoroughly checked, as anyway I have an ETA one on its way. For the Portofino, I pray I can fix or have this fixed while servicing it later on too. I feel relieved, almost happy (imagine you're happy to get back watches that need a fix ) But it could have been worse. And I got 100% refund. I will not thank Rocketeer of course, just confirm he held his word this time. The only person I want to thank is ROOSTER, as he organized our complaints into something concrete. I don't think I would have got my money and watches back without him. And of course the mods (and admins who have let the thread run.) Roo, I owe you something. If you want an Asian SFSO, it's yours Any other feedback ? The matter should and will be followed until the end. @Flashman : try to PM Rooster, it seems he's able to communicate with Rocketeer. I just don't know until when...

Got a working Royal Mail tracking number today. Seems like Rocketeer held his word this time. I hope I get what I expect in the parcel, and all this story will be a bad souvenir and a lesson for me. Also the end of a too long disturbing presence on RWG : I'm conscious I have been here mainly with delicate threads and unfriendly discussions with established members. It would be good to gather here in a week again and check open issues.

Got a refund today For my very case, I'm half the way. Besides, some members (including me) got a mail confirming that their watch will be returned as requested... The fact that Rocketeer responded to our proposal is a sign he took a new direction. All this has not been useless : I want to believe it. Let's follow this carefully, maybe the end of a long wait ? Any other input is welcome

You don't want to hear the fresher news I'm sure... Ultimatum was not respected and it might last an other week until something is done : watches back... or maybe a new lie. Gentlemen : do what you have to.

Worth trying indeed. But the problem I see is that my bank accepts a complain when I'm paying on a webstore, once. Easy to say that the store in question was a scam. Now regarding Paypal : how will I explain that I made many other transactions in the meantime, with the same account and same card ? My answer would of course be : I've paid one croocked seller this way. And the bank might just tell me that it's then a problem with the seller, not with Paypal, therefore can't fill in a claim against PP. But I'll try. Could be one "clean" way of getting funds back.

No professional watchsmith would make what he did on most reps he touched. When you're not even able to reinstall a crystal flush, I can imagine how dangerous he can be for a movement or a dial...

You "lucky" guy... Paying him was a proof of too much confidence... So we were : confident.

Most payments were done in march. I did mine in february. You have 45 days to fill in a complaint. So it's too late. When I started complaining in april already, it could have been a good occasion... But it was not taken seriously yet, as most of us still had hopen, and Chief's crystals were not back yet. That will definitely happen or has, and maybe we won't even know. I know of one person who has been in M.K. 2 days ago, I was unfortunate enough to be too late to give him Rocketeer's address. Next time maybe

We all know there won't be any court involved. Now as we have not been able yet to have Rocketeer communicate, despite all the obvious evidences of his premeditation, customers' and watch hijacking, proofs of his absolute incompetence, there are not many ways. As Rooster mentionned it some pages ago, telling what you are going to do is a common behaviour, to force the other party to react, with the hope you won't go into materializing the threats. (so far I personally talked about kicking his ss, mind you, it's terrible... ) Illegal hobby, different means... I hate the idea of members like Guru saying that they just stopped hoping anything in return. As long as Rocketeer has not vanished from Milton Keynes, we have all chances to force him to send us our property and legally owned money back. There's a serious and detailed ultimatum running until 8th july... Not sure it's going to have effects eventually, as we're on 4th already (BTW Happy 4th july to our american members !). I have many hopes on that, as it's the result of a measured member's action (understand, not me) So the next step can only be more than letters or posts on a forum : it will mean actions in real life. Does anyone think we should just stop, sit and wait ? To be honest (as we are more than he is), it will start with all possible legal pressures. Then, it will, one day or the other, have to end into an encounter, which everyone wants to avoid. Ultimately, that's my proposal, but noone has agreed (yet), I wonder why

Sure, I know more about the whole story than you do, and about the involved persons, amounts and backstage actions... Thx for your advice anyway, sounds reasonable. But we're not into reason anymore with that scammer.

Rocketeer complaining to the Police sounds like Michael Jackson singing in London in July... Or Pablo Escobar complaining to the FBI... Can you imagine that this guy is sooo important that he will be under police protection 24 hours a day... for a watch matter ? What are you trying to suggest ?

Splendid pictures ! We miss you too for sure !!! For the Patek : I had both crystals AR'ed by Uwe. Ask Domenico how he removed the thing... It's a real beauty indeed. Now everytime I wear my Seiko Compass, I'm thinking about you laughing at this useless thing And you were right !!!

Anyone going there, please let Rooster and I know : something might be organized.

It seems they changed their provider recently and the access was impossible for some regions in the world. I tried this morning and it's working for my country.

And we know how he looks like...

@Roo : in all honesty, does the threat of a kick in the b*lls sound out of proportion, abusive or enethical ? Is there anyone here who would not be convinced of the efficiency of this cure ? (I mean for the one granting it ?) As mentionned before, I'm convinced that there are members less in a mood to post public intimidation (or call it as you want) than me, and who will (or have already) just act(ed). Which is sure, is that I won't sit as a duck and wait (I know you won't either) Eventually we can discuss any ethical, economical, legal or philosophical aspect concerning Rocketeer (should I add medical ?), in the end of the day, we've been blatantly lied, manipulated, taken for idiots, and are about to loose our property (I have a total value of more than 600 dollars in the game). In real life, you might get much more than just my foot in the *ss...

From my side, nothing veiled, Corner, it's very clear that if I don't get my watches and money back, I'll go there and kick his bl**dy ass. It's been clear in many posts. It's all the more frustrating that he's not only spoiling watches : he's spoiling the job which was already done on some of them. What about spending large money on a relume, then have your patiently modded rep screwed by Rocketeer ? And we should have understanding ? 2 weeks left, and we reach the 5 monthes...

I'm wondering about that point, as I'm wondering about his mental health. Again, let me reconfirm he's been doing what he wanted with our watches and crystals since the beginning. He knew from march on that he would not send most of our crystals to Chief, and prepared his blatant lies to make us pay full load for a greenish AR and/or screwed watches. Multiplied by 30-60 + the prepaid jobs, that's a bunch of money. Isn't that a scam ? Then what is it ? A simple mistake ???? Wow, maybe I should think about making mistakes more often... I'm wondering... Not later than last week, he again confirmed to some members he sent their watch back, with tracking number and so on... Tracking number which actually does not exist. Isn't that insulting his customers ? What's the purpose ? Once you tried everything, what are really the options ? 1) Legal dpt ? 2) Leave it and wait for the next scammer to steal our goods ? 3) Get back by any mean what belongs to you ? As most of us noticed, we're in an illegal hobby. There are not many options, and I don't think anyone wants option 2. One more thing : as long as we're gesticulating here (I'm thinking to my own case, as I'm also targeted by the previous posts), Rocketeer is safe, it means we're still expecting something to happen (I don't know if I should call this hope or naivety) These are only gesticulations. Once we stop complaining (or whining), it may mean Rocketeer has to worry about his business and physcical integrity... Look back at when that thread was launched (there were precursory signs in other threads, in Chieftang's section) : no single answer from Rocketeer (could have been time to do so, at the beginning at least). Isn't that contempt ? Is that a mistake ???

Rocketeer is in a much more difficult situation than we are : he is gathering counterfeit goods and offers different kind of services on it. If my reps were to be confiscated to enable him to fall, I would even pay for that. Most of his customers are abroad, I don't think it would lead to anything more than confiscation, honestly. In the worst case. Besides, he has a large part of his service done on watch crystals only. That's where he's going to have real problems. From my side, I don't intend to use legal means for now, not with a scammer, there are others.. Those who know his real identity will find immediately his face on the web, for easier recognition. Just google him.

Let's hope... My problem is that I'm as spiteful with foes as I'm faithful to friends : Rocketeer will not stay unpunished. He's crossed the red line since long

The difference with K2222 is that there is something currently organized, for members who have come here to explain their concrete case (the others, i.e. several dozens are unknown, so nothing can be done). We know his address and many private datas, and also Rocketeer has a legal business which might be directly threatened by his failure in his rep business. He's trapped and won't run far... As bad as this thread is considered, it seems to be useful. And I'm a bit more positive about some results soon, thanks to some members doing what they have to (and more for one especially) What is certain is that broken watches there are and will be, disappointments also, but at least the stuff which is by Rocketeer won't stay there. I encourage any silent scammed member to post here about his case.

Hi, surely none of my business, but the recent events with watchsmithes promising to be the Nirvana for our reps turned into a silly drama. It makes sense that the admins have a view on any person claiming he's providing services of any kind. Before a watchsmith or modder comes through, he should be approved, i.e. tested succesfully by several members, and somehow at least the Admins should have his full datas, just in case something wrong happens. We're not under the same regulations as any legal business, so someone has to protect us from our own enthusiasm... or naivety. I would love to have established watchsmithes or modders in the E.U., but the fact is that there isn't any, at least any able to have a large scale business for the boards members (you can be good at one task, it's more difficult to be good at many tasks for everyone). Take the example of AR coating : the day someone pops up and prooves to be skillful enough for such a job, he will be immediately flooded with dozens of job requests : he must be prepared to. I sincerely hope this thread could bring some new hope for the E.U. (here in this case U.K.) community. It would be well deserved. But we must be very careful.