BlackFlash

As a 5'10" woman (think Serena Williams body type), I know that some of the "ladies" sized watches are just a bit too small for me and get lost on my wrist. Easily, I pull off a 42mm and I don't veer towards pieces that are bigger than that. However, there is one exception: I bought a Crayo watch with a 50mm case and have a lot of wearing it as novelty more than anything else. 

Flash

I've gotten great information so far, thank you. 

When I read that it depends on the kind of watch I want, I thought there'd be more to it. 

Flash

Is there a rule of thumb?

For example:

If I want  ___ brand then I go to ___ trusted dealer to buy because they source from ____ factory.

I'm not trying to go round reading relevant posts. I've posted before -  made comments, asked questions. I understand the value of doing my own research, but I'm trying to understand the relationship between the three components of a replica watch.

So far, I've been buying from Toro, who apparently has a good relationship with noob factory, but what's the difference between the H factory and the noob factory? I certainly want to know the difference between what each factory has to offer, so I can make an informed decision and continue to enjoy the hobby of collecting.

The advice I've gotten before has been to buy the dealer, not just the watch. I've heard great things about Toro, he had the watches that I want and that was it in terms of my decision making process. Somehow though, I feel like I missed out on knowing if my watches would be better made from a different factory. (I just bought 2 Cartiers, the Ballon Bleu and Calibre and I'm in the market for a PAM 051)

I've read a lot on this site, but I still feel like I don't have a handle on the differences between the factories, their relationships with the TDs, and the quality produced for which rep. 

I love this stuff and I'm still learning, so please chime in or at least point me in the direction of a post I may have missed.

Thanks.

Flash

I'm new to all this, so pardon me for not knowing the model...

The last one in the set of three pictures is killer!

Let me know what it is and where I can get one...PLEASE.

Your wrist was the inspiration for my post! Though I prefer the white face, but yours is a very good looking piece.

Flash

It's been at least six months since this rep has been mentioned. It seems like it's been pretty elusive. 

I'm wondering if anyone has an idea as to who is carrying a proper Calibre de Cartier rep. It's a beautiful piece, but the few TDs I've seen who carry it don't have one that seems particularly accurate - unless I'm missing something. Perhaps the closest has been by PC. Unfortunately, he only has it with a brown leather strap (I'd prefer the SS bracelet).

Please chime in. I'd love to find and own one of these beauties!

Thank you both for the direction. Looks like the answer is the same as most: keep reading. Luckily, it's interesting material!

How do watches get there numerical assignment and where or how do I find out what number represents which model? 

I've scoured the site looking, but haven't been able to find the answer. Please forgive my rookie question, but I'm trying to get a better idea of which pieces members are referring to when posting in all numerics and without the actual model name of the watch.

Thanks in advance.

Flash

Again... decisions, decisions...

Interestingly enough, it seems as though I've seen both "buy the seller, not the watch" and "do your research to get the watch you want." (I assume that the latter is with respect to not only model, but also movement, color, etc.?)

I've been reading, learning, contributing (modestly) and narrowing down my purchase options and even which TD I would consider. However, I'm finding myself curious about how the more "seasoned" members do it. 

Generally, do you...

...buy from any TD because that carry the make/model you want?

OR

...stick to a TD because you like their quality/service/price point?

I know that not every TD can have an expert hand for every watch, but I also know that some of us are loyal customers - almost to a fault. So what's your method?

It's not a back door way to ask for the best dealer or where I should get what (I already know there are plenty of threads from noobs asking those questions). I'm just curious. 

Thanks in advance.

Great pics! It certainly makes me think that going with a link strap isn't the only classy way to go. I would say though, a few black straps in there would make it easier for me to change my mind. 

Thanks for the pics!

Wowzah!  This is beautiful! 

I love the white face, but have been holding out for a good looking 051 (strap with links). This is a great #2 though... Who knows? I just might indulge. 

Thanks for the pics!

When I originally registered on this site, I thought for sure I'd only look at Rolex and Cartier. Sure enough, I'm hooked on the PAMs like everyone else here. Unfortunately, I love the white faced 051 and it hasn't made the cut    ...

Thanks for the list, though! They all look amazing, but I do have a white face preference. 

Comes up to me at work after knowing him for about a year, he as a couple of Gen Rolex date just ( i've heard him take about them to his wife on the phone ) Anyway i have my vintage GMT-Master on yesterday and he says " i didnt know you had watches thats the 1st time i've seen one on your wrist, is it REAL " i say " well i can tell the time off it so it must be a REAL watch. He never spoke to me all day after that, peace at last, he is abit of a know it all and a [censored], he then kept swan necking all day to see if he could glimse it again.

Or... "If I told you that it's real are you going to try to steal it?"

*edited for spelling error

Thanks All - I feel so welcomed and so far, much more educated!

Thanks for the feedback.

I can understand that for some there would be no incentive to read much further than that one forum section if that's what you're really looking for. That's quite unfortunate.

I've done some paring down, made some additions and learned a heck of a lot. The watch I choose from the trusted dealer of my choice will be great, I'm sure. The lessons I've learned about movement, history, quality, accuracy, factories, dealers, assembly and the likes will be far more valuable than any watch I buy. (Though I'm still trying to figure out what "PAM" means - the "abbreviations" link is dead like many other links on this site.)

I'm still sweating from doing the work of researching reps and dealers. While it's new for me, I'm excited about whatever I purchase from whomever. I'll have that much more pride knowing that I looked it all up myself. Hopefully others will view this endeavor similarly and not give up just because the information isn't handed to them.

Cheers!

Oddly enough, there seems to be quite a bit of discrepancy between the TDs as to what an accurate Roadster would look like. I've seen widths at 10mm, 10.5mm, 12.5mm and a whopping 15mm. Sure the width vary between Asian and Swiss, but that's a huge swing in measurements.

Okay, so maybe the width isn't that big of a deal no pun intended. Based on what little there is to read on the Roadster, it seems like years ago, there wasn't a decent re out there. Times must've changed over the past few years.

I can't be the only one out here who has an interest in finding an accurate and reliable Roaster.

I've being doing my due diligence.

I've been reading posts - including Some Of The Best Watch Information Ever Posted On The Forums (7 pages of amazing info) - I'm learning how watches work, their history and I've been a witness to a lot of enthusiasm here. I've been looking at pictures/albums, I've visited site of dealers and I have a short list of reps that I'd like to own before too long. The list has evolved and has grown, but noticably, it's been influenced by the information I read here on this site. Thank you to all the contributors who are clearly educators as well.

In all my reading of dealers and in my visits to their sites, it seems that if I kept extensive notes, I'd have a better chance at identifying who specializes in what. It's clear that each dealer can't be stellar with all makes and models. However, I have a feeling the members here have information that could be helpful in narrowing where to go for what and importantly, why.

Would such content in one place make things too easy for people to "click here, buy there" without reading up first or would it be a review and credit to some dealers?

Perhaps it's both. Chime in and let me know.

I found a site that has the 116520 with secs at the 9 and Asian 7750 movement for $369.95.

What else should I be looking for? Why is it so sought after?

Has anyone ever done business with Watch Cartel?

I bought from them a long while ago before doing much research and I liked the Daytona they delivered. Again, that was before learning about how good a replica can really be. I'm curious as to what you experts think. Reply or PM me if you'd like to chime in on them.

Also, has anyone done any business with Replicaster? I came across their site and the site looks well done, prices seem reasonable, but I'm not sure [YET] what makes a really good rep.

Thanks for the great info. Obviously, it's incredibly valuable.

A very good summary, thank's a lot for doing the legwork for us noobs

Re. the ETA's and reliabilty - you state that they are extreemly reliable, whilst my impression reading threads on this board is that this is only true after they have been serviced. This due to big variations especially with respect to lubing of the movements when delivered from the factories. I also understand it the way that there are different scources or quality grades of the same type of ETA, but I may have missed something here....

Any comments?

PS. This guide should be pinned

PS2: Then next step - Who has the best Daytona ?

And I, in my noobiness, thought that Daytonas were the most sought after Rolex rep...

Boy, do I have a lot more reading to do!

I guess the next question is:

Where is the "Dealers" section of this forum?

Almost everybody has dealt with them. They are quite trustworthy, although often not the lowest prices. Joshua's customer service is generally excellent.

Just make sure you are actually on the correct web site since there are a lot of clones of their site, which aren't so dependable.

Oh no. I do see that there are a couple of different sites that claim to be Perfect Clones. How do I know which is the reputable one? Is it the one with numbers in the address or the one that ends in ".net"? Clones cloning clones. Ugh.