TeeJay

As many of you have read, once my finances improve, I have plans to build a V2.0 of my GMT Submariner. Obviously, this involves buying several watches and swapping parts around. In some instances, all I want from a watch is a few parts, so from that point of view, I want to get the most for my money. Now, I have two options...

Option One: Vintage Submariner on a Rolex-buckled NATO-esque strap $108

Option Two: Vintage Submariner (as above) but on a bracelet $118

All I really want from this particular watch is the dial, second hand, and hour hand. The rest will be surplus parts.

Given the discussion about Rolexes on Tropic Rubber straps, I was wondering if it would be better value for money to buy the $108 watch, so I could also use the buckle on an aftermarket Tropic strap, possibly even for a different watch, rather than buying the $118 watch, which would only be providing the dial and hands (although it would mean a spare bracelet should the need arise...)

What do folks think? I'm thinking Option One would be better value for money, I just wanted to hear the thoughts of others

Strictly speaking for non-watch interested folks, I would make this my top five of recognition:

1. Rolex

2. Omega

3. Seiko

4. TAG Heuer

5. Breitling (visually, if not by name)

I'm thinking this is a phishing scam as TeeJay stated. I logged on to my eBay and I have to message like that. Are you sure that the message that was sent to you was from eBay? You didn't open the hyperlink and log on to the pop up, did you?

I didn't use the hyperlink, I just went direct to eBay and logged in, but there was no issue at all. I think it was just a simple case of simple phishing from Nigeria...

Looks like someone from Indonesia has your account information. You should change that immediately and consider using a better Antivirus and Firewall. I recommend Norton Antivirus 2009 + hardware router (with firewall).

It's okay, it's an old account which is no longer used, but thanks for the technical advice

I got an email the other day from 'paypal.co.uk' stating a 'security issue', and advising me to log in immediately... Of course, I wasn't falling for the phishing trick, so deleted the email and just logged in as normal, to find, as expected, no problem whatsoever Those Nigerian boys don't give up

The only thing that makes me weary about the Cosmonaute rep is the 24 hour function. There's the small dial at the bottom showing 24 hours. I'm wondering if the big hands turn at 12 hours, leaving the small dial to represent AM/PM. Or it might be there to track another timezone. Anyone able to clear that up?

I really wouldn't like to say for sure.... At a guess, I would think that the main hands make the 24 hour sweep (would make sense, given the 24 dial markings) and I'd guess that the sub dials are the day/date/military time markers often seen on low-end chronos Of course, if you shoot an email to the dealer, I'm sure they'll be able to give you a more accurate answer

[Edit to add]

Looking at the pinion for the main hands, there appears to be a 'dark ring' between the hour and minute hands... Looking at the GMT pinion of my own watch, which has both the 12 and 24 hour hands, this 'dark ring' is not present, so I suspect, that in this instance, it is a case of the 'hour hand' simply being fitted to the GMT section, rather than the 'hour' section of the movement. Probably not the most technically accurate description, but I hope it makes sense

what this say's is Emily will not have to wonder if you will stray .. it would seem in all likelyhood that you are devoted, and loyal.. a "One woman Man".. that is cool ma Brotha!!

Your marriage will last, and no need to change movements either.. that say's a lot about your character !!

Thanks for the vote of confidence, my brother I live by a very strict policy of "look but don't touch"

I've been very much the same with everything my whole life, watches, clothes, foods, movies, you name it, there might be 'something new' which might attract my attention, but it never goes beyond 'looking', and it's the old favorite which always wins out in the end In a way, my beater should be the SMP I bought with my inheritance money, but, that doesn't have the GMT function of my hybrid, so my choice is one of function over form, and, I don't think anything can top the satisfaction of utilizing something daily which I built myself, to look and function precisely as I intended (well, as much as is reasonable )

this is really a Cool image TJ.. saw it on wristi.. but was captivated by your 'Village pic..

my daily beater is my working watch whilst in my district.. it is now 6:43 am and I have swapped to my 16570 .. having breakfast of lox and bagel, waiting for the rest of the coffee shop gang to arrive.. then off to the gym in a few hours.. and maybe one more swap for a late lunch/dinner with friends .. then home ..

wow, you guy;s only wear one watch per day.. try getting up earlier.. more hours .. more timepieces to wear..

Thanks bro, I think it's one of the best shots I've taken, it's certainly the one I'm the most pleased with

Before I really got into collecting, I tended to buy a new watch every year, so would simply wear that watch constantly, and I think that habit is why I change watches so little. Special occasion or particular circumstances, sure, but for the most part, I tend to just wear one watch and wear it exclusively, so when it came to building this hybrid (and planning V2.0) I wanted to build something which would give me the most versatility in form and function... Lume, diver's clasp, GMT functionality etc... Okay, a date window would be nice, but, I do prefer the look of the dateless Rollies. I think what I've built gives me everything I need, V2.0 will just be to 'iron out the kinks' and improve on what I've already done (such as larger hands)

Still wearing it

That's the truth!! That's the beauty of reps...at least for $200-400, you get a mechanically sound machine with a beautiful design and build quality that surpasses most of the $400 plastic tripe made by Fossil, Diesel, etc. Just because it's gen doesn't mean it's quality or attractive.

That Timberland watch is one ugly beast.

Absolutely, and, to flip that around, as you said, just because it's a rep, doesn't mean it's not quality or attractive

Since the mental downsizing, and then forced sale of my collection, this one has really stepped up to the plate as my daily beater

It's got a couple of nicks out of the edge of the crystal, a scuff on the bezel insert, and will hopefully pick up a few more knocks before I get round to building V2.0 later in the year when finances allow Here's a few more pics of my hybrid

Yes, that list is pretty funny, even if I was looking a gen watch for less than 600$ i wouldn't consider any of those. At least there is Link Chrono, which to my mind is a pretty nice watch.

This list is better, I think.

You're not wrong there, bro

I like to think that there's a difference between 'affordable', and 'crap'. Eg. Tesco's generic brand cola (appx .50p) = Affordable. Sainsbury's economy cola (appx.20p) = Crap. Some of those watches fall in the former catagory, many fall in the latter

The thing that got me with that list, was they put the Tag on there as the 'money's no object' option, when for a thousand less, someone could by a perfectly good SMP

Yup, I hope whoever wrote that gets canned...

Top Ten Watches for men

Erm... Yes... Well...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Hey i'm new to the site and rep's in general. I found this site watcheden.com on RWG, except it's in the apprentice section. I'm not making any accusations that they suck, I was just wondering if anyone has gotten a chance to sample their rep's?

I very rarely (read almost never) buy from anyone else. If you have reasonable expectations of the product, I can't see you being disappointed

I'm looking for a 20mm rubber strap for a 42mm PO where can I get one of the Seamaster ones from?

Most of the dealers have the 20mm Seamaster straps, although I have to admit, having seen a 22mm force-fit into place, I'm pretty tempted to try a 22mm myself

Women....can't live with them, can't live without them.

Ken

You're not wrong there, my friend

I don't think you would like an Aussie reception then.

Ken

Well, that's not to say that I wouldn't like them, but I don't think Emily would approve

I think I'm going to cry... .... NOT

missed this thread little Bro ... but I do wish You and your Bride all the happiness and joy that life has to offer !!

it's incredible to be here long enough to see all this happening over the years

I am sure your Father Inlaw is very pleased with who his Daughter married .. and Proud !!

So I wish you and E

Aloha Pumehana~

Forever Lasting Love

Cheers

R

Thanks, bro, that's a truly awesome thing to say, and very much appreciated I'm hoping to get the album up at some point tomorrow, insha'allah

this 'Village" is so very COOL TJ . !!!!

it looks like something from a fantasy .. being from Hawaii I am taken by this image.. looks like a fairy tale setting..

You couldn't be closer to the truth, bro Portmeirion village, essentially, is the project build of an eccentric. A bit like my hybrid Rolex, he built it 'because he could' When we were there on the first day, it was snowing a bit (which sadly didn't capture on the photos, other than muting the light a bit) and because it's such a picturesque/fantasy setting, it really was like being inside a snow globe If you're ever able to make it over to the UK, I'd highly recommend visiting it. Many of the buildings in the village itself are available as self-catering accomodation, and there are also two hotels to chose from, Hotel Portmeirion, and Castle Deudraeth (which is just outside of the village) which provide breakfast and evening meals. Even if you don't stay as a resident, it's well worth a day trip

Your hybrid Rollie is working its way into a soft spot in my heart TJ - although I would like to see a plain black bezel insert with no indices at all for a more avant garde effect - or aged to match the dial index color. But no matter what you do it is in class all by itself - it floats!

Thanks for the compliments, bro, I'll have to do some antiquing of the insert A totally black insert would definitely look the nuts, but would make the GMT function a bit less functional I've seen a few PAM GMTs which don't have the 24 hour markings, and thought it kind of defeated the idea of having the numbers to truly get GMT functionality, so I was never quite so taken by them...

Not quite floating Just resting on 10-12mm thick ice over this wading pool:

In the village:

Wearing it makes me feel like an old money millionaire economist.

Awesome watch, bro, I have a feeling I'll be adding a Patek to my list when it comes to rebuilding my collection, and the Aquanaut would have some personal relevance to me... When I was about 9, I did a piece of creative writing at school, and was inspired to write the word 'Aquanaut'. I felt all proud that I'd invented a word, only to later find out that the term had already been coined I was pretty mad at the time, but never mind

I'm sure it'll come as no surprise for folks to see I'm still wearing this:

Eh, my photos are great? tee you are too kind in your words...

Anyway, its

Camera Pack 1 (camera + SD Card) $500

Total $500

I was more [censored] about his attitude really... esp after I made so much accommodations for him before the sales...

No problem, bro, they're good shots, I've certainly seen (and taken ) worse photos

If that's how it was rung through on the register, then as above, he really should've included everything in that pack, rather than just the camera... Of course, the guy was selling his own property, so that does give a modicum of flexibility which a shop obviously wouldn't have, so from that point of view, I guess it was his choice to either sell it all as he bought it, or split the pack. Not really a rip-off as such, but certainly pretty cheap behavior on the seller's part... Don't lose too much sleep over it, bro, karma will make sure he gets his comeuppance in due time

Awkward situation... I can see it from both sides... Unless he actually promised to sell you the camera package as he bought it, personally, I don't see why he should be obliged to give you the other SD card, as that was something he was given in addition to the camera (although I agree, it certainly wouldn't've killed him to give it to you) On the other hand, if something is purchased as a 'package deal', and one part is faulty, some companies will insist on all the contents of that package being returned, not just the faulty item, so from that point of view, if it was all received as a package, yes, it would certainly be reasonable to then sell it on as a package (but ultimately the seller's discretion)... How was the purchase recorded on the receipt? Does it have two separate entries? Ie:

Camera $500

SD Card $0.00

Total $500

Or, did it just read:

Camera Pack 1 (camera + SD Card) $500

Total $500

As above, I agree, it's pretty tight not to just give you the card, but I can also understand why he might not have felt obliged to include it with the deal...

Best to just forget it and move on, karma will resolve the issue in the end

PS Awesome photos

Awesome watch, bro

The reception went well, with no drunken arguments, brawls or shenanigans I've got a busy few days with various business meetings, but I'll endeavor to get a digital album up as soon as I can

Thanks again for all the support and good wishes, it is always very much appreciated