TeeJay

Arrived today with a white FM Crazy Hours for my wife (Hers has to go back as the movement doesn't jump smoothly enough for her taste...) I'm pretty happy with my 113 though "What a surprize..." I'm sure you're thinking... "TeeJay has such a low expectation for watches, he'll accept any POS as long as it has hands and tells the time..." Yes, that would be a fairly safe thought on most cases, but, in this case, I am actually pretty 50/50 about it

The Plus Points:

- I like the dial (never had a pure white dialled watch before, and I have to admit, I love how clean it is)

- I actually got shipped 'the next model up' from the one I ordered As you all know, I'm not bothered about stuff like movement details, swan necks etc, so when I saw a version without a swan neck, I thought "I'll save myself ten bucks by buying that version )

What did I see when I looked at the back? A swan neck, engraved bridges, rather than ones with stickers, (the main bridge looks like a freaking sword blade!!!) and 'sun-burst' engravings on the wheels Yup, Tony sent me the next model up with no extra charge.

- The watch, out of the box, is water resistant (at least up to running under a tap and shower pressure) I had to bury my mother in law's cat, as he passed away this afternoon, and, having worked up quite a sweat digging the grave, it was only right that I have a shower to freshen up. Never one to miss an opportunity, I threw the watch on the 24mm dive strap, and took the plunge. Not a hint of condensation

The Minus Points:

- The rehaut of the dial is too close to the markers (Touching the 'black ring' around the lume dots) However, I plan on transplanting the dial and movement into my 111h case, so I can wear it on an SS Bracelet. The bracelet I have, won't fit this case I'll be interested to see how the 111h case rehaut is on the dial.

- The second hand is white rather than black. It is pretty much invisible on the dial, so, that might actually get swapped for a black hand (if I can be bothered to do it) Not to get it more accurate to gen, but, just so I can actually see the hand easily

- The dial lettering is too large. The thickness of the letter 'lines' is okay, but the overall letter itself is too wide. As above though, since when have I ever actually cared about such a trivial detail?

- The factory strap is nice, but the buckle is garbage (offset engraving) again, not exactly a deal-breaking issue

- There is a 'smudge' on the inside of the crystal, above the '45' minute marker. It's about 2mm in diameter, and could be clear oil or glue. However. Due to the color of the dial, it is only visible when viewed almost edge on, it does not obscure or distort the dial in any way, and is not visible when viewing the watch normally. This is the first watch I've received with such a mark on the crystal, and, while I'm sure it would send many screaming to the dealer, demanding a replacement yesterday, it is totally ignorable. Actually, 'ignorable' is the wrong word. To be ignoreable, something would have to be noticeable, and, it is not (under normal conditions) noticeable. Given I plan on transplanting the movement and dial anyway, it's certainly not worth getting stressed about it...

So, never let it be said that I am blind to such flaws, or that I don't care enough to actually mod a watch, I'm just fairly tollerant of what issues I can live with (all of the above, barring the case transplant) Overall, I'm happy with the watch. I don't predict it becoming a 'regular wearer', as I'm still pretty taken with my 104, but, it's nice to know I now have a PAM which looks a bit smarter than the others :happy:

Awesome projects

Personally, I like Option 3 the best. As you say, the gold hands are a bit overpowering in the Radiomir case, but in the Luminor case, it all just works together as a really nice design. Not a watch I'd wear myself, as I don't wear gold, but still something I'd consider a really nice watch, and, seeing as I normally don't even like gold watches, that's saying something

Maybe some members are using it for a wedding ring...

Hmmmm.....

It would be a lot cheaper than the ones I'm commissioning...

Ken,

Don't worry about any delays, even though the flairup on my finger has almost healed, I doubt I'll be permanantly wearing a ring on that finger any time soon Things will get sorted in due time

Why would they want your reps? The $350's a weird figure, but nevermind... I know that importing reps is illegal, but I thought posession was okay... Are they trying to get you on imports?

Scary stuff indeed

Same people.

If that's the case, then this watch should be pretty good I was really impressed with the VCO, it just did absolutely nothing for me when I wore it, but that was just me, nothing to do with the watch itself...

This is where Andrew's reputation for good service saves the day, right?

That's the rumor

Hopefully, all will be resolved. That said, it's not very good for an SMP GMT to be fitted with a PO bracelet... In terms of QC, that's just insulting... Although I have once received a totally incorrect watch from a drop-shipper (which they replaced, and the replacements were correct) I don't think I've ever heard of a watch being sent with miss-matched parts like that... Fingers crossed, that it will all be resolved, and hopefully your transaction with Replica2U will go better. On my transaction, I found their communication non-existent, but, I couldn't've been more happy with the quality of the product (Even though I never bonded with it, it was still a very nice watch.)

Imagine how Little Richard must have hated it too

Thanks for the glove tip TeeJay ;-)

No problem Just to clarify, when I say 'thumb pressure', I am meaning 'maximum-possible-feels-like-your-thumbs-are-about-to-seperate-from-the-nail' pressure I admit, it might not be as tight as a case-wrench will allow, but, it's certainly enough that the back cannot be removed by 'ungloved' thumb pressure, and should be sufficient to render the case water-resistant (as long as the case itself doesn't have other flaws which could lead to flooding )

My two cents:

1.If you paid waterproofing/water resistancy from the dealers, then that means you could swim with it! That's what you're paying for! I know some members will not take the dealers word for anything, but since I paid for it, it better be water resistant or else it goes back and I'm not scared in dunking it in water! Done that several times!

2. Only the SSD and SFSO are guaranteed by some dealers up to 100M, the new Heritage and GMT IIc are guaranteed to 30M. This is according to there web site and I take there word for it. If it leaks, it goes back. Done that, too! Again, some members will disagree!

3. I don't trust most Chronos and none screw type crown models, so I don't get them close to water not unless guaranteed or waterproof by a modder or the dealer like my '06 Costeau.

4. After my 6th collection and got educated here, I started doing my own waterproofing which is basically opening the case and making sure it has a rubber gasket and the tube or crown and greasing these parts and then tightening them after. So far, been 100% on this little project! All the PAMs I have are water resistant except the chrono models like the 253. That one I ordered from the dealer with waterproofing and it leaked after 3 months! Off it went to the dealer! Now it's ok after it came back! BTW: This was my 5th collection!

Good luck!

Oh, I forgot; go to ofrei.com and get some of the grease and the Ball case opener if you want to do it yourself.

It's funny you mention chronos. I was also similarly scheptical, but, I've got the One Eight Something wet on occasions, and thus far, it's been fine Of course, I haven't taken it scuba diving, but it's certainly stood up to the daily abuse which made my first, flawed, 104, fog up almost immediately, so to me, that's a fairly good sign of, at least a reasonable level of water-resistance Wether I'd have the same luck with other chrono PAMs, I wouldn't like to say, but, I'd definitely try, to find out

Well my name is Michael, but I don't mind being called Mike. On forums/web Mick is fine, but spoken for some reason, I don't like it.....

I can understand that. For some reason, the name of the lead character in the series Moonlight, Mick St.John, really grates. It sounds too... 'forced'... I had started watching the series, but my interest in it drifted. That said, Mr St.John can be seen to be wearing a Panerai Luminor in some scenes

But I think it would upset TeeJay if D-ck was shortened

In theory, yes... In practice, what could it be shortened to though? Dee would actually sound better

I'm sure there are a few people called "Richard Head" who would agree

I wonder how many poor souls have that on their birth certificate...

It doesn't bother me at all, but I used to work with a guy named Ty who would abbreviate 'Ty' to 'T.', and that always had me shaking my head. Afterall, it's same number of keystrokes!!!!

Out of curiousity, was 'Ty' short for something else, like Tyler?

Yes it can... you can just be called T!

Well yes, this is true, but, that is at least a proper sound 'Gair', on the other hand, sounds like, well, I'm not too sure really, but certainly not something someone should respond to as a form of address

What I have never understood is why Richard is shortened to Dick?

If I was called Richard that would really bug me

That is a puzzling one... Kind of how William is sometimes shortened to Bill, and Henry is sometimes shortened to Harry. I've even heard (not sure how true it is) that Jack is a shortening of John (How it can be considered a shortening, when it has the same amount of letters, I'm not sure ) That said, with two cool Captain Jack's (Harkness and Sparrow) in the public consciousness, I can see this name making a return among new parents

Probably the same as double ar...but Chief just coated a bunch of pam cyclops' with DAR and I think he should have a few left over.

When you say cyclops, do you mean just the cyclops, or a crystal with a cyclops fitted? That said, I know that the fitment of my 104 crystal is spot on as the watch is water-resistant, so I think I'd be more comfortable having my crystal coated, rather than risking the fitment of a replacement crystal. Thanks for the mention though

I know some people really hate to have their names shortened, and some names cannot be shortened properly, but, what bugs me, is when a shortened version of a name, is further shortened... For example...

On the cartoon series Recess (My wife watches it... ) there is a character called TJ. This is short for Theodore Jasper... However, he is often refered to, as 'Teej'...

Gary, is a short form for Gareth, yet, on occasion, I have heard it shortened (mangled might be a more apt description) into 'Gairr'...

Not sure why folks do it, but it really bugs me

For the record, I am never refered to as 'TJ' in real life, they are simply the initials of my first and middle names, and I couldn't think of anything else as a username when I first signed up (I couldn't actually use 'TJ', so I put it in phonetically ) I am, however, mostly refered to by a short form of my name (which fortunately can't be shortened further )

Is this something which bugs anyone else? Anyone else hate it when people (other than friends or family) shorten your name without permission?

TeeJay, this is to give you some idea on the differences on the case size of a Pam and the Nautilus:

*********

Notice how thin the Nautilus is, this does wonders for its comfort. Its the most comfortable watch I've ever worn, even though its made of steel.

Thanks for the photos, bro I have to admit, I think it might be a little small for me (dial wise) That said, I think I'd be safest to buy one so I can see for myself Just to be sure

Tony's showing listings for MBKs, with both Swiss and Asian movements, so I think I could be tempted. I have ordered a 114 (I think ) as a possible 'wedding watch', but, it's likely going to wind up needing a case transplant into a case which will take the SS Bracelet (for some reason, some cases won't accept the bracelet, but I'm planning on buying my 111h back so I can cannabilize it for the bracelet and case, so I could then swap over the movements and dials ) The only flaw with the plan, is that I was thinking about having matching watches for my best men, and, although I could buy the 114 on SS, Tony only lists the Swiss version with the bracelet, the Asian versions are only on straps, and I'm not feeling generous enough to get three Swiss versions Of course, if the Asian one does fit on the bracelet for my 104 (I'm not expecting it to ) then that'd be a different matter If not, it'll be Asian PPs all round

I'm not normally one for modding my watches, but I think I might have to get my 104 AR coated, as reflections in the cyclops make it very hard to actually read the date It's not something I plan to do in the immediate future, as I can live with it for a while, but I think it will be something which needs doing eventually... What kind of costs would I be looking at for single-sided AR?

TeeJay: Hope things are well The Nautilus wears a lot smaller than a PAM, its very thin (only 9mm) and extremely comfortable. However the asian 21J Nautilus I used to own was much thicker (I didn't get a measurement, sorry!).

All's well, thanks Does it appear much smaller in terms of width and dial size as well?

Out of curiousity, how do you find the Nautilus' size compared to a PAM?

Many thanks TeeJay

No problem Chances are the watch will be fine. As long as the crown-guard lever locks solidly into place, it's certainly worth the risk of running the watch under a tap Of course, if it fogs up, then just let it dry out, and remember not to get it wet again (or, if you've paid for water-proofing, send it back to the dealer ) It's also worth putting on a pair of dish-washing gloves, and using your thumbs to make sure the caseback is screwed down tight. If it's loose, thumb pressure will be enough to get it waterproof (well, as long as the rest of the watch is ) I used this method to open and close the caseback on my 111h while on vacation, as it stopped mysteriously (following a service) and I wanted to see if I could see any obvious damage. Turned out there was still a jam, but other than that, it would run flawlessly for 12 hours before jamming... Anyway, re-securing the caseback with the gloves, I went swimming (quite vigorously against the tides) and no leaking or fogging at all

I'm still wearing my 104, but swapping between the rubber strap and SS Bracelet. I've got the review written, all I need to do is get the photos taken. Everytime I plan to do them, something crops up and takes priority...

For someone who doesn't really like date windows (had to re-set the datewheel today ) and prefers the base dials to those with the second sweep, I really like the 104 The dial just balances itself out, and the watch is really versatile, so great to wear with any outfit

I think any of the more vintage chronos would be a nice fit, The speedy moon type watches are pretty small by todays standards at only 40 mm or a seconds @ 9 daytona.

And welcome to RWG Tia, i am assuming you are female? I am sure every one here will make you welcome, There is loads of info here all you have to do is search and you will eventualy find it, failing that just ask.

Bro, I believe that was an abreviaton of Thanks In Advance, rather than the female name

Well, both my wife and Cheryl Cole wear the Hublot Big Bang Aspen (I'm guessing Chez's isn't a rep ) so maybe one of the others in the Big Bang range? HBB Black Magic, for example.... If you like the 'old school' looks, then maybe a 'Newman' Daytona...

Best of luck with your search

Can't that be fixed with a relume?

P.s. Although I am thinking about a Manifatture Sport Tech strap, has anybody got good tips for 'non-dusty' PAM rubber?

I have one of these, which I wear on my 029a, my 104 and the One Eight Something. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. The strap is butter-soft, and does not attract dust. The deployant also operates smoothly, and locks securely. Would I recommend the dealer? Well, I've bought most of my watches from Tony, and ordered one for myself, and one for my wife last night

Strange as it might sound, but the distortion of the numerals from the curved crystal (as well as the gold hands) are something you will get used to, and, with the 127, despite being things which can irritate, they actually add to the character of the watch. Mine's getting serviced at the moment, and I really miss it That said, the black hands are much more subtle, and, personally, I find blend in with the look of the dial/numerals, rather than standing apart from it, as the gold hands do.

I once bought a Vacheron Constantine Overseas from a dealer on LoudFrog called Replica2U. Their communication was non-existent, but, the watch arrived in the specified time, and, despite having an Asian movement (and advertized as having an Asian movement) it had the same chassis as the VCO sold by the Cartel Dealers. I don't own it anymore, as I never really 'bonded' with it, so I gave it to a friend.

Only time will tell if your transaction pans out, but, I try and keep this in mind: Just because someone pays to be a dealer here, that does not guarantee 100% that they are trustworthy, and will give a flawless transaction, and equally, just because someone does not have a presense here, that does not always mean they are a scammer I hope it all works out well for you

Of all my PAMs (111h, 111g, 127 029a 18Something and 104) only the 104 and 127 were not water-resistant. The 127, I know is due to an issue with the tube not being properly positioned to press the crown against the inside of the crownguard lever, but, when I hold the crown down tight, the case itself is water-resistant, so I know that's just the tube issue, which, hopefully, will be resolved while the watch is being serviced. The first 104 I got fogged up in the shower, so I sent it back, but, the replacement is absolutely fine. Chances are the watch will be water-resistant rather than not. To be honest, a watch like a PAM has no reason not to be water-resistant other than shoddy manufacture, as it has no real 'weak spots' in the case which could flood (say like the HE valves on Omegas)

Best of luck

Pics please!

To be honest, I've had bad experiences from posting personal photos online... That said, I'd be happy to've posted pics, but I honestly haven't seen the ones which were taken yet

Hehe - it's interesting to see how many good people are using content from the Hitman series in their avatars.

It makes me feel really good, because I've been deeply involved in developing that character!

Wow, all I can say is thanks for the work you put in I only played the first game, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not too sure what you make of the film adaptation, but personally, I really enjoyed it. At the end of the day, Agent 47 is responsible for my choice of attire for my 'formal' wedding next year I haven't had the barcode tattooed on the back of my head, but, I did notice that at the christening I mentioned, wearing 47's 'uniform', I was one of the more smartly dressed people in the room, even though the suit, shirt and tie were pretty much 'bargain bin' 'off the rack' garments. Simple, clean, classic. A winning combination