TeeJay

Double post

Yeah, but the replica makers don't have to pay for design, testing, certification, licensing, advertising, marketing, distribution, wholesale discounts, returns, warranties, duty, taxes ... and still have to sell it to their direct customers (the ADs) for half the retail price.

You think Josh, or any other rep dealer, pays income tax?

From what you've said about the organized crime nature of the rep manufacturing end of things, I'm sure he pays his 'tributes' to keep from getting his legs broke

As for those other things, I think it's safe to say Rolex have recouped their design costs a long[/] time ago... I think if someone actually wants to buy a gen, then they will do so. I don't think reps actually take away gen sales.

Sure, as long as you don't pretend the companies are happy you're promoting their brands.

That's never been a misconception I've labored under

It's not corporate greed, by the way, but I'll let you off that one. Rolex aren't overcharging that much if you sit down and do the maths.

I agree with the point you made the other day about modified movements being better than stock, so I admit, there is some credence that the movements are worth more than some of the basic movements in reps, but overall, I still feel the prices are artificially inflated. Of course, that's business, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it Fair Trade watches are what it's all about

There is such a thing as bad publicity. We are the exact opposite of free advertising; we're Brand Dilution. We're the reason Rolex need to reassure the public that Rolexes are the best watches ever. We are the ones that make people think Rolexes are all fakes and therefore not worth buying.

Don't think for one minute that Rolex in anyway like us or even respect us. We're a direct bottom line cost to their business. In no way should we ever think we're anything but a royal pain in their sides. It's depressing to admit it, but let's not kid ourselves about it.

Good Marketing isn't about getting as much publicity out there as possible, it's about getting the right kind of publicity out there. Let's say Josef Fritzl were photographed with a new-style Yachtmaster on his wrist, and that model were to be known as the Fritzl Yachtmaster, do you think that would help sales? Let's say the Rolex Sub were repped so much that sales dropped directly as a result as no-one wanted to be seen wearing a watch that was an obvious fake. Do you think Rolex would thank us as a community for raising awareness of the Sub?

It's time to get real about this and stop pretending in some way we're helping the big brands. We're not. They hate us and they're watching us.

I would have said "make people realize that *insert High End Brand here* are not worth buying", but that's just me

They can hate me all they want, I'll just keep on hating them back for their corporate greed, and carry on buying reps

Thanks for the tip about Cillit Bang, I'll remember that for when I work on my next insert I think combining that technique, with a very quick bleaching, could produce some fantastic results

It's a 'locally produced ETA movement...'

Interesting result What happened to the second sweep hand?

No, I have a damascus blade.. it is pounded from a single block of steet folded over and over.. like the swords were made in ancient Japan... theat's where you get the black wavy lines that run through the blade..

Ahh, I'll have a look online and see if I can find some pics Sounds fantastic though

@TJ: Gutsy effort man! Why don't you buy at least a decent set of mid range screwdrivers and a pair of twezers? You can even get a whole kit for under 100 bucks off the bay.

Col.

Thanks I figured with a return being a likelihood, I had nothing to lose by trying to re-assemble it, and as mentioned, it was as much a matter of pride in wanting to at least send it back in a reasonable, rather than disassembled condition I think had the other guide come through before, I think I could have fixed the problem, but, never mind, such is life I think a decent set of tools might well be worth investing in when I have the spare cash

Good for you T'J.

I have a lot of that; 'barnyard engineer' in my line as well. I don't think I ever heard of my grandfather sending out a small appliance or small combustion engine for repair. You just dug in and sussed it out. Cogs, levers and cams. Thay all have a job to do; turn, push and pull. Something is interupting the flow. Find it, isolate it, replace it, or repair it. Easy. Life is harder for people who are so inept that they have to send their underwear to the dry cleaners. You will do well in this world my son. 'Conservatism' has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with being self sufficient. Those bastard politicians just took a sound Anglo philosophy and ran with it. Are you sure there is no Scot in you?

An aside for no good reason; In '05 I bought my second watch from Joshua; a 6263. Upon receivng the piece I saw the crystal had been pressed on askew of the plastic spacer and bezel. No bother, send it back. But, I noticed the start/stop pusher was bent. So what? Not my problem. I made it so. I fiddled with it until fell from the case. Idiot! Embarrassed as this situation was not included in the email to Joshua, I opened the case back and messed about with it off and on for a week. No joy. I emailed Rob about how much would be fair to fix what had broken, on the already broken watch. He gave me the estimate and I included the cash with watch when I sent it back.

Joshua would have none of it and said he would discount my next purchase the same amount. He then opened his Perfect Clones store and I bought every watch full price through the shopping cart. Three years and a lot of watches later there was a CC secure server problem with PC and I did a deal by email to Joshua for the PO Chrono through PP. Joshua discounted the watch for the inconvenience and though three years had gone by without a further word on the subject he took off another $20. "I still owe you $20 for the broken Daytona". Wow.

No Scot in the family line as far as I know, but, it wouldn't surprise me if there was somewhere As you say, no need to get something fixed if there's a possibility of fixing it oneself As the reverser wheel is now well and truly lodged inside the movement (I left it 'free floating' in the back of the case to provide a nice 'rattle' for whoever gets it back, so they'd realize there was a problem with the movement), I simply don't have the tools to fix it, but it's very self-affirming to know that I can at least handle that kind of job without too much problem

That's cool to hear about the double-discount/refund as well

TJ! You bloody tortured that watch! Looks good!

Thanks, bro Looking back, I left the dial under the grill for 15 seconds too long, and I should've left the insert as it was after the first bleach-job, but it doesn't irritate me enough not to wear it, and I know I'll be able to order new parts very easily If anything, the watch which I can't stand to wear, is the 5177 case I have on the NATO strap.

It's wierd, when the bezel insert was in the vintage sub, the silver color (while obviously not ideal) didn't really bug me as it blended with the rest of the watch,

but on the 5177 case, I absolutely hate it I would have ordered a new insert, but used the cash to get the DJ for Emily instead Still, watch this space regarding the 5517, let's just say 'I have plans for it'...

let me see if I can find the extra "rainbow leak" blade.. it is heat treated titianium nitrate... the treatment causes the titanium to turn to a rainbow colour .. but it does not scratch..

L

That sounds gorgeous, I'd love to see it Is it anything like Damascus steel?

Yup .. leave it to TT to smoke em out.. since the spammer didn't have any posts.. he thought he could hide...

and thanks TJ .. I had a blade to send you faster than a swith blade, but the attachment is part of the blade so it's legal in the US.. in fact the designer of these blades lives in Hawaii.. "Ken Onion".. he designs for Kershaw.. but I suppose it would be highlyillegal in the UK...

A~C

Lani

Always good to know that TT's on the job when it comes to keeping the trash out

No problem at all, your posts really bring warmth and humanity to the forum, it just wasn't the same without you about, I hope your recovery is progressing well The thought's very much appreciated As far as I understand the law on blades, it's legal to own them as a collector, but they have to stay in the home. Carrying a lock-knife, gravity knife or switchblade in the street would definitely land the person in trouble. I forget if the legal length is 2 inches or 2.5, but I think as long as the person has a valid reason for having the knife, then it's not a problem

You're a brave man TeeJay !!

I'd have just thrown it all in a bag and sent it back to the dealer !! Actually, I remember doing just that once before - I bought a Pam homage from TWP and all the hands fell off ! He got it right back.

Had I known that rather than the suspected loose rotor, the auto-wind assembly had dismantled itself inside the watch, I would never have removed the caseback, and just sent it back as it was After that, it was pretty much just a case of 'clearing up the spilled milk', as I didn't want to return a watch for a faulty bracelet, only for the movement to be in pieces in the bag as well To be fair, the dealer immediately offered a replacement bracelet, but when I explained that the movement also had an issue and my wife wanted a replacement, the shipping address was right there in the next email

I think it'll be a long time and several stiff drinks before I try anything else with a watch movement, I think I'll just stick to 'kit-bashing' the parts together instead

The movement pictured is a Seagull ST6, not a Miyota clone.

Here is a good article on the ST6:

http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/WatchSchool/Servicing%20a%20Chinese%20AutoST6%20Movement/ServicingAChineseST6.htm

Thar's absolutely fantastic, thank you Had the reverser wheel not got itself lodged up in the movement, that would probably have enabled me to fix the movement Of course, it's going back to the dealer, but at least it's going back in one piece

TT sent the spammer who had 2 different user names into cyber space.. your too cool for spam TJ ..

L

That's good to hear they've been shown the door Good to see you posting again, brother

Oh man, I'm not cool enough for spam

Quick update

The perfectionist in me couldn't leave the watch as it was, so I had it apart again, and spent the morning trying to re-allign all the little cogs and bits, only to have the chronograph bridge disturb the last piece each time. Eventually, I realized that the 'last piece', was in fact the wrong piece for that place, so I swapped it for the smaller cog-like part, and got the chronograph bridge on without problem. This has left me with a watch which will still not auto-wind, but will at least wind by hand. It's still getting sent back, but at least I can say I did all I could to try and put it back together after it's self-destruction Very fiddly work, my appreciation and respect for modders and masters like the ZigMeister has shot off the scale (and boy do I need one after that )

In all my panic to get this re-built, it totally slipped my mind, so a huge thank you for all the help, I'd've been well and truly stuck without it

Gen dials aren't too terribly difficult to source

I spy a destro setup

I have a Tudor Sub project in progress, but not sure where to start looking for a dial. Can your or someone on this post provide me some possible sourcing options.

twon1212

All I can say at present, is 'watch this space'

Like there's ever much change in what I'm wearing

Okay, all the pieces are back in the movement. Possibly not in the right places though, as now, not only does the rotor spin without ratcheting, but the movement is jammed solid in terms of winding from the stem... Phase one, is complete... Phase two, will be to either properly identify each part, and re-assemble the watch so it actually winds itself, or, just ship it back to the dealer 'as is'... Pride has been partially satisfied, in that I have at least put the parts back (just maybe not in the original places) with the only tools being a pair of tick removers, and the screwdriver I used to use to change the straps on my PAMs. No loupe or magnifying glass either, so while not a complete success, certainly a good first attempt into the world of movement maintenance

That's looking awesome, bro, a fine project indeed

Excuse my ignorance but why does ANYONE need to carry a knife ?????

I USED to carry one as I was an operational firefighter and it was a "tool of the trade" (very useful for cutting setbelts to release people trapped in cars etc), but as I don't ride the trucks anymore I no longer need to carry one.

At the risk of sounding redundant, I carry my Swiss Army knife, well, incase I need to use it... There've been a few times when the screw-drivers have come in handy, as well as the bottle opener, and, on occasion, I've even needed to sharpen a pencil with the blade I'm not someone who carries a blade to add inches to his wang, but as a multi-purpose tool, which has occasionally come in handy As for the lock-knife, I bought it because it was a pound, and I thought it was a bargain for the next time I go camping I'd never carry that in public, as it's entirely illegal to carry that kind of knife in public, and, as above, I'm not someone who feels the need to carry a blade to add inches to his wang

This any better?

http://johnflynn.us/watches/movement_disassembly.php

Ish... It's certainly giving me a better idea of the gear arrangements, sadly, I'm still at a loss to identify the gears and 'tiny bits' which came out of the movement (which looks much nicer than other Asian movements I've had, and actually operates a heck of a lot better too well, when it's not self-destructing, that is )