rionrlty

Hi Rolexman, I have both an abyss and an abyss chrono. Both of them have great crown and tubes and seem to have more threads and a longer tube than most reps. I have had your problem with other Breitling reps though. PS the fighter is doing great.

Sell it to me. I have a fresh movement waiting to go in. It looks too good to retire.

I have a SO chrono 44. It wears small on my 7.5 inch wrist. It is heavy and thick but I like that.

It looks great on you db.

Both perfect clones and Trusty time have them.

This is a common problem with these. The trouble is, depending on which factory made the watch, both the screws and pins can be different threads and sizes. I ran into this same problem on one lately and as I had a couple of different spare bracelets though it would be no problem. When I tried one of the screws it would not match the threads on the new bracelet. Ok I thought, so I'll just change both the pin and the screw. Wrong! The pin was too large for the holes in the new bracelet. I finally ended up sanding down the pin to make it fit but it was a big job. Your best bet will be to get the screw and pin from the same supplier as the watch.

Can anyone out there help with parts for an old school blackbird? MD2020 is working on mine and needs a few things.

Nice catch db, it will make a great finished watch. Good luck with sourcing the 7753. I saw your WTB for the lea. strap. Did you know the TDs have them available?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

Hey guys I need some advice. I just purchased an AP RO chronograph in and M2M transaction. First the rotor action is noisy but I've experience this before, with other watches, without winding problems. I first noticed that the power reserve was very short but it would run fine while I wore it. Then I discovered that when I wound the watch manually it would get to a certain point and then I could hear the rotor turning by itself, as if it were winding down or something. Does anyone know what is wrong and why it is doing this? Any possible remedies?

Sure I will, but I'm not expecting much.

Thanks James, that's an excellent idea.

Don't I know it. The crown is the most urgent. Apparently it came off before I owned the watch and was glued back on several times. Soon after I got it, it came off again and I have now glued it twice. The last time it split in half and I imagine the next time will be the last. The crown underneath is just a small round cylinder the size fot he emblem end. Besides looking funny it is very hard (almost impossible) to turn. The bezel gasket is simply cosmetic, but as you say should also be replaced. The trouble is that none of the TDs can furnish the parts (I've tried them all). A gen crown costs more than the watch is worth. I could possibly make a bezel gasket out of sheet neoprene but I would rather not have to. For the crown I simply need a replacement. Has anyone out there got parts they can sell?

Try Joshua at Puretime. He just found me some parts but make sure you have a Visa card to pay with, The won't accept Mastercard.

It wasn't quite as heroic as that. I had an old rose gold 39mm with a worn out strap, a 21j movement that had died and half the gold worn off. the end links were about the right size, but attach to the watch and the strap different than on the Offshore. I had to drill both holes out to a larger size. They were SS under the gold and I broke 6 drill bits getting the holes large enough. Then I had to reshape the ends so that would fit the strap and the watch. It was tedious, but with the help of my trusty dremel tool they turned out pretty nice and fit ok. I still have to clean them up just a little but they'll do fine when all is done. The pictures were taken after a test fit and one of the links still has a little gold on it and also marks on the top side from my vise, but they will clean up nice and once on the watch will look like they should. I'd still like to find another set though and my other 39mm is too nice to part out.

I tried that. You have to buy the strap to get the links and I already have 2 straps. I made my own in the end. They came out pretty good too if I do say so myself

Hi steel, is M2M a member? I'm not familiar with him. I got a contact with an AR company here in california who actually does 2 million dollar radar saphire lenses for the air force. The price was very reasonable and the minimum was only like 5 crystals. It came in like 3 different colors and was going to cost $20-$40 a crystal depending on quantity. When I put it on the forum I got no response except for a couple of guys who made fun of me and said I needed to read and learn more as if I was being naive about it. I've got 3 crystals myself and plan to try it out eventually for myself. Thanks for asking.

Please, anyone out there with an AP RO parts watch. I need a SS crown. The rubber clad crown has lost its rubber. I've glued it back on twice but the last time it split. I have it glued back on now but the next time it comes loose will probably be the last. It has the A7750 movement Does anyone have a crown for this watch or even a non-rubber clad one? I've checked with all the TD's and they say the factory does not sell them out. Please help as I love the watch and want to make it right. I've included a picture of the watch for reference. rionrlty.

I checked his seller history and feedback and there are no negative, or even neutral feedbacks. This guy looks golden on his history. ???

Does any one out there have a spare set of conversion links for a Bracelet to strap conversion on an AP RO Chronograph? I got the straps and then discovered that I need the 4 links to attach it with. It's a seconds@9 version.

Hi guys and girls, I've been on the forum for several months now and am enjoying myself, but I have run into a curious problem. I recently purchased a Breitling Blackbird from another forum member. It is the older model with the date that goes all the way to 39 before turning to 00 and then 01. I also recently bought a 4 position watch winder and rotate 8 of my watches on it. My research told me that the A7750 movement, which the Blackbird is powered by, was unidirectional and typically wound in a clockwise rotation, so I set it up that way on the winder. I found it curious that when I would take the Blackbird off of the winder that it was often run down. None of my other watches with the A7750 seemed to have this problem. On a whim I decided to reverse the rotation and Voila! This seemed to fix the problem! Does anyone know why this particular watch with the A7750 movement would wind in the opposite direction to the others? Also, I am having a problem with the date change. For two complete monthly cycles of the date mechanism it will both skip dates unexpectedly and also sometimes skip ahead by 10 days like from 00 to 10, or 15 to 25. Then, on the third cycle will change correctly. Does anyone know if this is a common problem or how to fix it. Thanks in advance for any advice on this. rionrlty

Modification (Frankenizing) of my Breitling Navitimer Serie Speciale (Fighters) rep. by long time forum member rolexman. I’ve never done a revue before and apologize if this is too long and boring. I have a friend who always complains that my emails are too long and detailed. For those of you who don’t have the time to read my long winded revue rest assured that it culminates in a glowing recommendation for rolexman and that I am an extremely happy customer. For those of you interested in the details, read on. I am fairly new to the forum but have been buying and collecting reps for nearly 20 years now. At one point several years ago I had over 200 watches in my collection of both gens and reps. Up until joining the forum a few months back I had never even heard of the term “Franken” and, to be honest, I initially judged it to be a kind of silly, OCD type pursuit. One of my reps was the Navitimer “Fighters” rep referred to above. As I had owned the watch for close to 8 years it had originally come equipped with an early low beat A7750 movement. It proved mostly reliable but never kept accurate time, even after having it serviced and then calibrated twice, losing 1-3 minutes a day or more. Still, I liked the watch so much that I wore it more than any other of my reps and simply reset it every couple of days. A couple of years ago the bezel started loosening up and finally got so bad that I wound thread between it and the case to keep it from rattling around. I added a little superglue to keep the thread in place. Then, the stem broke near the crown. A cheap Navitimer parts watch donated its crown to a repair, but afterward it became stiff and awkward to wind and set. Then the stem broke again, and after repair would not stay in the watch. Little did I know at the time that this was all related to my crude bezel repair. I retired the watch finally, taking solace in the fact that I could easily replace it with a newer version for under $300. In fact I attempted this about 6 months ago, with “Alpine” a dealer I had never used before, and received instead a cheap 21j rep with faux Chrono dials, nothing like what I had ordered. Luckily Paypal helped get me my money back on that deal. Then, when I tried again recently after joining the forum, I was disappointed to find production had ceased completely. While I managed to snag a nice standard Navitimer rep from a forum member I still mourned the loss of my Serie Speciale. I then decided to repair the watch with a new movement and priced an A7750 with TT. At the same time I placed a WTB ad, on the forum, for a gen ETA7750. I got a reply from rolexman that he had a gen NOS and recently serviced Breitling caliber B13 that would fit my case. The price seemed reasonable, especially when compared with a new, un-serviced ETA 7750. Suddenly the term “Franken” seemed far less silly to me. As I did not trust my local watchmaker with such a project, I asked rolexman if he would perform the transplant. He agreed so I sent the watch to him. I’d been aware of the watch’s non-original features from the very start because I had owned a gen briefly with which to compare it. It’s shape and dial detail were actually very good but it had come with a brightly polished case, compared to the gen’s brushed finish, so I readily agreed when rolexman suggested refinishing it correctly. Per his original belief the hands, dial, and movement fit fine but, as the movement had been constructed for use in a chronomat, we needed to source a new gen crown and stem. The bezel debacle had damaged the finish at the edge of the dial and this was touched up also. Then, we reach our first real set back. My botched bezel repair had resulted in it setting lop sided on the case. This in turn caused the movement to set slightly crooked placing a bind on the new stem and crown where it exited through the crown tube. Although rolexman had at first been reluctant to remove the glued bezel, for fear of damaging the case, he now set about in earnest, not only freeing the bezel, but repairing it to its original tight fit. The watch is now much improved over its original flawed condition and with its new Chronometer grade movement promises a long and treasured life as a part of my now condensed, but much higher quality collection. As a result of this project I’ve come to hold rolexman in the highest possible regard. He clearly knew what he was doing from the very beginning and, even when reserved as in the case of my botched bezel repair, eventually rose to the occasion and figured out what needed to be done and how to do it, or as he put it “thinking outside the box”. He was honest and reserved in his beliefs from the beginning, refusing to make guarantees about fitment of dial, hands and movement, although his beliefs and opinions turned out to be spot on in the end. Most important was the excellent communication. These projects can take a long time, and as a result be frustrating, especially when parts need to be sourced and ordered and unexpected things, like the bezel, come into play. I was fully informed at every juncture. Prices of parts needed were submitted for approval and then pictures of same provided upon receipt. Excellent digital macro photos (many of which are provided here for reference) were supplied as work progressed, which in a way allowed me to be personally a part of the project, almost as if I were peering over his shoulder during the process. Just as importantly rolexman’s labor prices were reasonable and credible, especially when considering the excellent quality of workmanship. I did not know of rolexman before this. I didn’t even seek a recommendation from members of the forum. I simply took a chance based solely on the tone of his original PMs, and photos of the movement he offered, while it was still disassembled during servicing, not really much to go on, just call it a feeling. I am personally gratified that my feeling proved 100% justified and now I’m pleased to be able to pass on my unqualified approval and recommendation to all of you. Sincerely, rionrlty

Corum has always been a favorite of mine, right behind Breitling. I’m surprised they aren’t covered better here on the forum so I guess I’m a little out of step compared to other enthusiasts. Like jj69 I like the older version with the side striations better than the new versions.

I Love TAG Heuer and have a number of these reps. I'm especially fond of the Carreras and have 4, but also have a link 42, and an Aquaracer 500. I've also had several gens in past years. I have a 20 year old watch magazine that gives phonetic pronunciation for all Swiss watch brands. It claims the proper pronunciation for Heuer is "Hugh-er" My watch repair guy says the proper way for Heuer is "How-er" Another friend who also collect the brand thinks it should be pronounced "Hoy-yer" Is this one of those mysteries where no one know's for sure, or is there a definitive, correct way to pronounce the name? I suspect that the best answers will come from one of the members in Germany or Switzerland, but I would appreciate any input at all. If possible I would like to settle this question once and for all. rionrlty

Here are my summer rides but I live in southern California so summer is all year long. Eat your hearts out.