Watchwatcher

... not sure which is more disturbing... the watch or the wrist...???

Neil, very classy... where on earth did you get that strap, just gorgeous.

ive been a member of trc for several years, at this point i'm not even getting to the logon page, just getting a standard error msg: Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage Most likely causes: You are not connected to the Internet. The website is encountering problems. There might be a typing error in the address. What you can try: Diagnose Connection Problems More information This problem can be caused by a variety of issues, including: Internet connectivity has been lost. The website is temporarily unavailable. The Domain Name Server (DNS) is not reachable. The Domain Name Server (DNS) does not have a listing for the website's domain. If this is an HTTPS (secure) address, click Tools, click Internet Options, click Advanced, and check to be sure the SSL and TLS protocols are enabled under the security section. For offline users You can still view subscribed feeds and some recently viewed webpages. To view subscribed feeds Click the Favorites Center button , click Feeds, and then click the feed you want to view. To view recently visited webpages (might not work on all pages) Click Tools , and then click Work Offline. Click the Favorites Center button , click History, and then click the page you want to view.

nope... any change in membership requirements... was i supposed to pay a fee or something?

oK... that is odd. i cleared my ie cache and still unable to get to the site. site address still www.replicacollector.com?

I haven't kept up closely with TRC, but notice it doesn't seem accessible over past few days. Is TRC still alive, down temporarily, or gone? THX.

hi rob, I tried emailing you yesterday, don't know if you got it or if your email address has changed. just wanted to ask a question or two on luming a sandwich dial. don't pay attention to the ignorant comments of those who know little or nothing about proper watchmaking. Hope you have a restful and joyous Christmas season. Kind regards, watchwatcher (Jim)

i have the 'accordion' style PAM silicone sub strap and it is the most comfortable strap i own. however, i have the same problems you describe when i wear a new leather strap -- particularly with a heavy watch body. consequently with the exception of the pam strap, i usually stick with bracelets. annoying isn't it.

zig -- now i'm tempted have my 27 relumed -- how about a swirl of both color lumes (?). Really amazing that you have such a steady hand for this work. congrats!

i picked up the 29b from eddie and the PR came from Josh back when they first came out a couple years ago. unfortunately the threading on the caseback of the 29 was jammed at the factory, so i had to have The Zigmeister do some work on it with epoxy. but regardless, i put the 29 on a silicone sub strap and it is by far my favorite. i like the 27 on a bracelet. both feel like the gens and i have been in ADs without anyone batting an eye. Shot at 2006-09-14 Shot at 2006-02-22 Shot at 2005-11-01

... answering your question... what should you do?... do the unexpected, show some kindness == why does everyone have to "deserve" kindness... is that what it's all about, weighing everyone up based on what they have or haven't done for you lately... isn't that what you were criticizing this poor schlub for in the first place... ???

I read that article too... and those guys dare call the rep trade a scam!!!

Neil... very nice piece, looks fantastic. One small request... i think your photos are borderline artwork and probably well ahead of the quality i've seen among commercial guys, but can you throw in one 'ugly' picture... maybe a completely raw wrist shot, so we can see what these babies might look like on a live human wrist??? thanks again for finding these gems.

my experience is that parts for PAM reps are very frequently NOT interchangeable. for instance you can pick two of the same PAM model reps from two different factories and find that the movement from one does not fit into the other case, not only due to the spacer issue (side to side), but also the manner in which the case is constructed to hold the movement depthwise (front to back). And as MANY of us know, don't ever lose the screws for your CG on a PAM as you may spend the next 3mos trying various screws trying to find a fit... because the machining of all parts rep tends to be fairly imprecise, the guys that assemble them, often have to 'make it fit' ... i'm thinking of how springbars on bracelets are sometime forced or bent to fit in poorly aligned lugs holes, so be forewarned.

Yes that helps. Very good to know about the hands, ridiculous stuff like that (i.e. replacement screws for pam CGs, etc.) can become nightmares. I'll probably see how well the asian 7750 holds up and if it fails or doesn't keep good time, i can come back to the idea of a swap out. thx again.

joe (or anyone else willing to chime in), i am planning to purchase the new ultimate PAM 092 arktos which comes with a modified asian 7750 -- i don't know exactly what the mod is, but the 092 has a seconds subdial at 9:00 and date at 3:00. Do you think it is a major project to replace the modified asian 7750 with an ETA 7750. Thanks.

IF I recall correctly the asia 7750 used in the new 092 arktos is a 'modified' 7750, I am wondering if it would be very difficult to purchase a swiss 7750 and replace the asian one -- anyone have any idea how complicated the modification is... i presume it is to allow for the single seconds sub-dial at 9:00. Thanks.

p4gtr, maybe i missed it, but did you indicate whether you live at home or not... if the answer is yes, then i don't need to reply.

The Power (reserve) Play on S/S...

the reps to gens comment is on the money... get the 'gold rolex' and submariner bug out of your system with reps, then as your tastes become more refined you can zero in on the gens that really are unusual, collectible and noteworthy... my interest has become unusual subs, one of which (a gen Sector DT1000 in Ti) i picked up this past spring after a couple years of looking... As for the Tissot pictured above... JUST NOTICED THIS -- What is the "5" preceding "FRI" in the day/date window... I looked at several pics on other sites and don't see that??? the pics are excellent and I really like the clean lines of the watch. Only thing i would change is the bracelet which is enough of a showstopper to not need the polished inter-links -- i think it would convey an even stronger classier look in entirely brushed SS. The polished parts are obviously to create some contrast, but just isn't necessary with such a unique design. Thanks & enjoy!

polexp, that site is one of the more interesting dealers i've come across... some very nice vintage stuff. here's my question... i'd ask this about any asian dealer, but i am wondering whether this dealer is selling ONLY gen, or if there are some 'franken items' interspersed. i notice that he refers to several of the gen dials as 'refinished'... quite frankly i'd love to find a dealer that can provide lower cost but authentic looking replica vintage parts... i'd like to build a few vintage watches from the ground up, but gen parts through traditional sources make that prohibitive... your comments? thx.

richard, i think it should be a simple 50/50 poll... if more than 50% of those polled for some reasonable timeframe (say, 10 days) indicate they consider a "mod artist's" skills to be worth less than the money (and hassle) paid, the mod-artiste gets knocked off the forums. I have not had any work done by Joe... but that is simply because his prices & services did not seem to be a good value and others who had a good reputation could do the work for what I considered a fair price. FWIW

neil, big thanks for sharing these pics... very cool selection. many of these have tricky face configurations which tend to rule out a good rep, however some like the first could be candidates. my guess is that unless it is a special run, the factories will be hesitant to do much with brands which are not immediately recognizeable to the hoi poloi. again, very very nice rundown of some exciting new models... wish i was in basel today for a firsthand view, but this is the next best thing...

while i cannot claim to have gotten to know dave as well as i would have liked to, i will add to the chorus of 'welcome backs' as we all have benefitted from dave's insightful reviews, excellent photography, brimming interest in this hobby, encouragement and the occasional superb watch trade. i bot a fantasy patek from dave which remains one of my absolute favorites and works like a charm... while it is not a daily piece, i always enjoy taking it out for an occasional dress occasion... all the best to you dave... rgds/jim

blackeyed orange monster on seiko rubber divers strap... these straps are very comfortable... the accordion style provides more flexiblility so it feels less like a tourniquet... great watch for the money...