importr

I use the AF bezel remover (as seen in last pic). It is very easy to use, and easy to remove bezels. No need for knives or prying and damage! You just place the plastic tool around the bezel, grip as tight as possible, then turn it anticlockwise (bezel direction) and up from case; holding the watch by the straps with the other hand. Takes a few goes to get it off, but it comes off within 8 attempts

A couple of weeks ago i bought this gen Skyland bezel with a view to replacing the one on my modded Skyland v2 rep. I felt that the v2 bezel engravings weren't as crisp as gen, and nor as crisp as the v3! So here it is, I removed the v2 bezel and offered the gen up to the case. Externally the dimensions are the same. The case chimney is the same, but the position of the retaining clip Groove on the Rep, is higher than that of the gen - resulting in a bezel that is almost 2mm higher than it should be. Then i took a v3 Skyland, removed the bezel and compared the gen: You can see the the gen has a wider internal diameter and thicker retaining clip than the rep Here is the gen bezel on the v3. I would say that apart from the well known "1", the engravings are the same from the naked eye. There is no immediate difference. The v2 bezel on the other hand, is sloppy by comparison. The problem with the gen bezel fitted to the v3, is that the base of the v3 chimney is not wide enough, therefore it won't stay on securely, even with screws fully tightened. Click action is nice though. To summise: Gen bezel on v2 - a non-starter. Even if a groove was introduced to the chimney, it still needs a shoulder to stop the clip from jumping out. Gen bezel on v3 - Fits well and operates nicely, but not secure. Some sort of machined collar is needed to replicate the internal dimensions of the gen bezel, which can then be attached to the v3 case. Then possibly, the v2 pushers can be transferred over. A lot of effort for not that much gain. So it would seem that it is best left alone!

That is one awful fake! the gen is grey dial. fake is black or at least very dark grey gen has LEWIS HAMILTON in Red on the bezel. The fake says TACHYMETRE gen uses a calibre 16 (7750) fake uses faux chrono auto (you can see a escapement wheel bridge), it also reads Calibre 17 on the rotor! The date font & colour is wrong, subdial rings too thick and close together, subdial markings wrong. dial signature too thick etc etc here is the gen http://www.watches.co.uk/watch_pics/largepics/tag-heuer-carrera-lewis-hamilton-ta10811.jpg

3 words SELL TO ME!

THE MANLY MAN VS. GIRLY MAN TEST 1. If you're over forty, and you have a washboard stomach, you are a queer. It means you haven't sucked back enough beer with the boys and have spent the rest of your free time doing sit-ups, aerobics, and doing the Oprah diet...f a g.. 2. If you have a cat, you are a homo. A cat is like a dog, but queer-- it grooms itself constantly but never scratches itself, has a delicate touch except when it uses its claws, and whines to be fed. And just think about how you call a dog..... 'Killer, come here! I said get your ass over here, Killer!' Now think about how you call a cat...'Bun-bun, come to daddy, snookums!' Jeeez, you're so queer. 3. If you suck on lollipops, Ring-Pops, or any such nonsense, rest assured, you are a Gaylord. A straight man only sucks on BBQ ribs, crab claws, raw oysters, lobster backs, pickled pigs feet, or t i t s . Anything else and you are a Homo in training and undeniably a fa g. 4. If you refuse to take a dump in a public bathroom or pi$$ in a parking lot, you crave a deep homosexual relationship. A man's world is his toilet; he defecates and urinates where he pleases. 5. If you drink anything other than regular coffee, you're as fairy as Tinkerbelle. A straight man will never be heard ordering a 'Decaf Soy Latte'. If you've put a Decaf Soy Latte to your lips, you've had a man there too.. 6. If you know more than six names of non-standard colours or four different types of dessert other than ice cream and custard, you might as well be handing out free ass passes. A real man doesn't have memory space in his brain to remember all of that crap. If you can pick out chartreuse you're gay. And if you can name ANY type of textile other than cotton or denim, you are a peter puffer. 7. If you drive with both hands on the wheel, forget it, you're dying to tune a meat whistle. A man only puts both hands on the wheel to honk at a slow-assed driver or to cut the p rick off. The rest of the time he needs that hand to change the radio station, eat a hamburger, or hold his beer. 8. If you do not send this off to all the males on your email list because you are afraid of hurting their feelings, then you're definitely on the verge of being a salami smuggler.

I've seen that watch on Ufanta's website!

Is the crystal gen aswell, or aftermarket?

They really need to get hold of a gen (of all colour combos) to get this right. Too many times, they've imitated the press photos only for it to be a different shade or reflectivity.

There is a lot of fun in a GOOD franken. Because someone you know has put in some time & effort into it, it was made for you - to your spec. When I look at a good franken, I am amazed by the results. Is it all to do with kidding yourself that this rep is almost a gen? Maybe, but thats where the fun lies - knowing that some WIS will not be able to call you out! Gens are perfect, but they are boring in that there is nothing to do with them. The gens I had, I never polished or refinished them. Not sure why... but the reps I have, they get fixed up very soon afer i scuff or ding them! Go figure! This will be another awesome project worth seeing to build up to! >fingers tapping<

Nice! How does it wear, and what is your wrist size, if you dont mind me asking? I'm looking forward to getting my 5004 in the not-too-distant

Mine's been perfect in every way, to be honest. I just don't wear it that much, due to my work, it would get banged up too often.

Dude, i would if i still had either of them! The black went on ebay a few years back (since they were so common on these forums), and the white one went to my mate, who still has it and wears it often! I'm waiting for his a7750 to pack up and then I will take it back "for spare parts" muhahaha

Thanks for posting the pics! I see it has the cal.23 caseback, still, not a big problem as a gen dial can easily be got. Good to know that this version is still available too

Two very very nice pieces. Great pics too!

Interesting...was it a Serie Speciale dial, the non sunken one? And did it have the correct date font? If the answers are YES, I am thinking that this would be a good base for modding. Care to post these QC pics?

at Aldi http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_17130.htm I bought one yesterday, not used it yet. Might be useful for cleaning in between bracelet links (that you can't see), and watch cases, under bezels etc? Here's a few comments: http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/maintenance-servicing/102377-ultrasonic-cleaner-aldi.html

Ah-ha! A great improvement! I see you have the 4.5 datewheel fitted there... Looking good!

There is a fine line between a flaw that has to be accepted (ie. all reps have it) and a flaw that is a QC issue. The dealers must get sick of it. The buyers should recognise that. Imagine if you were selling something on a forum and people nitpicked over it. You'd probably withdraw the sale. I've had QC pics (from a non-cartel popular dealer) and received a completely different version watch! The same dealer sent me pics of a watch with a QC flaw which I questioned, he response was "they're all like that" Well i now have a similar rep without that flaw! lol Another dealer here promised to rectify a QC problem for me since December, well i wont push it since EMS has all this trouble, but I am still waiting for a resolution. You could say that posting QC pics are a PITA for dealers, but for noobs who don't know the flaws - this is what forums are for. I say we should let it roll BUT If you are going to critique a QC pic, you have a duty to make out what is acceptable and what is not. It isn't just Josh that may be dismissive now & then (we are all human), other dealers have been like that to me. I treat all dealers the same: with fairness and with respect "where due". Just don't expect them to work wonders for you just because you think you have a great rapport.

Hi AA Thanks for that, I did consider trying that technique, but since the watch isnt mine, i didnt want to mark the case! If it comes off easily then i presume a normal crystal press should get it back on ok. I'll contact the owner and see what he want s me to do.... cheers

Brilliant tuto that is, thank you

You are sort of right, but the cartels' 1:1 was correct for an Old Navitimer, but the bezel, sapphire (should've been high dome mineral) crystal, case lugs were wrong compared to the gen I also remember that it was an extortionate amount of money, plus the date wheel was the ETA type. $888, for what is basically a mildly modded rep? Andreww & ByTor may have already listed these, but AFAIK, these are the only credible Navi reps, in chronological order of release: 1) 50th Anniv & "calibre 23" arabic dial - Seagull manual wind, no date 2) "calibre 23" baton & arabic dials - a7750 tricompax low beat 3) Serie Speciale - a7750 low beat *sometime during this period, when asian 7750s were still very unreliable, the Cartel modded one was released* 2 & 3 then released as hi beat and proved to be more reliable 4) 2nd gen 50th Anniv - a7750 tricompax. Turned out to be a dogs dinner of a rep 5) 2nd gen Serie Speciale - a7750 with better case & bezel etc. but still had the wrong crystal (see URL at top) PolexPete's watch.

another bump for a classic super-post and great watch! I love my Swiss Fish

Thanks for the comments guys @HackR: As it happens, I do have a 7750 DW @4.5 spare, just waiting to get it serviced and DW fitted at the same time...my dilemma is, the gen date window being offset doesnt help the overall look? But as you say, an improvement any pics of yours? @Red: yes, a coincidence hey?! So the dial diameters are shown, just need the hole spacings for you *** Oh - i just thought of another way to trim the dial: Carefully tape up both sides of the dial centre, using at least 3 layers each side. Insert a bolt of suitable diameter to fit thru the centre hole (3mm?) Apply 1 washer each side Apply 1 nut each side, tighten - but be very careful! Insert whole assembly into the chuck of a variable speed drill Run the rotating dial against a file of various grades until you reach the correct diameter. In theory, this should make the trimming faster & easier, provided the dial is mounted concentrically.

My friend recently gave me his GC Caliper Chrono to Fix - the a7750 version. Its not my cup of tea, but is still a superbly executed rep. the finish and AR is very gen like. Unfortunately the hour hand dropped a little, catching on the 'caliper' detail applied to the dial. As most will know, this is a very easy fix, but only if you can get the movt and dial out! The GC's dial & movt is fitted from the front, then the bezel and crystal are machine pressed on. These are proving impossible for me to remove. I only have an AF resin bezel remover and it only works on rotating diver bezels. Any ideas? thanks

@HackR For case & bracelet brushing I use Artifex Wheel attached to a variable speed drill (clamped). I have 2 grades, both 150 (coarse) grain. The Hard compound gives a matte finish like Breitling OEM The Medium compound gives a satin finish like Omega OEM - also works well on Titanium, for the Breitling matte finish. using Scotchbrite pads etc. has it advantages for hard to reach crevices. I also use small patches of very fine wet 'n' dry for some edges. Those fiberglass pens are useful but only for tiny jobs, not scratches. This is part of my original Fighter modding post a few years back: First, remove the straps and case back. Use Blu-Tac in a big blob or (if its too tight) the correct Breitling-style caseback or Jaxa-type tools. Remove crown, take out movement and also the pusher buttons. Removing the buttons can be tricky as the tiny 'C' clips can get lost. I then removed the glass, especially if it has AR. I used a proper watchmakers tool, an abrasive wheel that feels like compacted soft sand...here's where I bought it http://www.cousinsuk.com/default.aspx?disp...roductid=456115 ...fitted to an upright variable speed drill. Have it on slow speed and press the case against it so that the brushing happens in one direction only. If you dont want to buy the wheel, it is also possible to use a new scouring pad. I would say that the wheel produces the most even and tidy pattern. Having said that, I used BOTH, to get the parts that the wheel wouldn't fit in. Try to get the same grain and direction all over the watch case, including the bezel. The wheel might scratch the glass, thats why I took it out. Next, you need to brush the crown and then the buttons. Try to have the brush pattern happen in one direction only... ...the genuine... Now thoroughly clean the case and glass, might even be worth putting the vaccum cleaner nozzle near it. The particles from the Artifex wheel get everywhere! Use the Blu-Tac to get hard to reach bits out. Refit the pusher buttons, mov't etc and crown. Finally refit the caseback. My Genuine Fighter Navi has a polished caseback. So I would leave it as is. Stand back and admire your work of art! (hopefully) Real on the left, rep on the right [/