TeeJay

I bought a trusty time Panerai 111 Rep a few months back and the thing is falling apart.

First it was popping when I would wind it, so Andrew sent me another Crown guard, didnt help.

So the other day, I tried to wind it, and it just spun, i took it off, and looked at the back of the watch, only to find that the screw on the small wheel that winds the larger wheel had fallen out, and the entire gear, the screw, and a little cylinder was sliding around in the caseback.

Will he take this watch back, or at least look at it to get it fixed, I have lost his email from our transaction. I know he is a good guy and makes great stuff, and I am sorry to be having this problem come to light, but I bought a 350.00 watch and I need it to work.

Does anyone have it...also, here are some pictures to let you know kind of what I am talking about, sorry for the blurryness, I took it with my phone...no digi-cam.

NOTICE THE GEAR IS IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN EVERY PICTURE.

I think it's hilarious that you even make such a statement, in a thread pointing out that the watch has literally fallen to pieces by itself, but that's just me, and I admit, not really helping your situation... Here's what I'd suggest to do.

Before even contacting Andrew, try taking the watch into a local jewellers/watch repairers, finding out if they can repair a mechanical watch, and see what it would cost you. (Even though it's a rep, it's still a mechanical product, they should be able to do something with it) then, contact Andrew via email/PM outlining the situation, and see if he would be prepared to cover repair costs from that jeweller. If he isn't, then request a return address and return the watch, for a like for like exchange (not worth the additional delay of getting it fixed in China)

Best of luck with getting it resolved

@TWP.. you stated once that you work without proper tools?? if this is correct what are you "working with" are you actually doing the mods yourself?? if so please show me some evidence of this.. as your prices are extremely high .. I have bought a genuine crown and had it modded for less than you are charging

I went through a similar episode last year and this seems errie how it could turn into the same experience..

and as you stated you are a medical professional .. I have friends that are now M.D.'s and they would never think of using some of the terms even in anger that you have shown on the board

Am I doubting your validity... yes I am.. I would like nothing more than for you to "prove" me wrong..

up to this point you have shown pics of the dials .. over exposed lumes.. which could make the lume glow like a torch... anyone could take these pics... and posting sales threads ... do you have the pysical watches on hand ???

thanks

Lanikai

Are you planning on having work done by TWP? If not, he does not have to justify himself or his methods to you, nor does he have to provide you proof that he is actually the one carrying out the work. That is a ludicrous accusation to level at someone, unless you indeed suspect TWP of 'drop-smithing'...

As for your character assasination, by referencing your own friends in the medical profession, that's entirely unnecessary and irrelevent to the point of this thread, which is critiquing TWP's quality of work. TTK could hardly be said to have the best 'bedside manner', but, when it comes to providing top quality watches, he is above reproach. Personality is irrelevent here, unless it a ) interfers with someone ability to do the job they are paid to do, or b ) puts clients off working with them.

In terms of personality, I have always found TWP to be polite, friendly and professional. In terms of quality of work, I have always been impressed with what he has done. Now, in terms of this specific watch, yes, those smudges on the dial are ominous. If they are cleaned off, then no harm, no foul. If they were to still be on a delivered watch, personally, I would not be impressed... But, artists are human beings, not machines. They can't be expected to perform 100% accuracy 100% of the time. Take tattoo artists for example. Although there are indeed some incredibly talented artists out there, they can all have their 'off-days', where a design might not come out quite as intended, and, when that is being permanantly inked on a person's body, consderably higher pressure for accuracy, than luming a watch dial. Even the best of us make mistakes in such things, it's part of being human, and, unless a really serious error, not things to hold against people, when the rest of their portfolio, is good. I'm sure TWP will handle this in a suitably professional manner

Sean Connery was a pretty cool mofo back in the day, but what the frig was that fuzzy blue thing he was wearing in Goldfinger? I was not prepared for that.

That's no way to speak about Sir Sean's hair-piece

On topic:

Just finished watching Hitman. Pretty good film, and, always good to see Timothy Olyphant in things. I suspect, that in a few years, he'll either be a 'big name', or, relatively unknown, but with a huge portfolio of good (if unknown) roles under his belt.

Here's a picture of a Moon Bus:

One single to the Plato Crater, please

That's easy. "Dude, STFU. I'm on the phone!"

I'll remember that for next time

Compare to gen

And you expect gen detail for rep prices ? (low rep prices at that) You're deluding yourself. These are replicas, not gens. The fine details, especially those on a part which is seldom seen, are hardly likely to be of the best qulity, and, given that they are seldom seen, not really important compared to things like dial details, and should hardly be considered thus

I am constantly amazed with all the excellent info on this web site that people still ignore the known 100% trusted dealers and instead buy from scam sites. Even if you cant say they are SCAM they certainly are not trusted. Will you pay more..sure...but the watches are still great bargains and your backed by the dealers reputation.

I am constantly amazed that members like yourself, live under the delusion that Andrew and Josh can actually be trusted to deliver what they say they will. If you want to pay them extra for a watch to be serviced and waterproofed, go right ahead, knock yourself out. That's likely what you will be doing when the watch goes anywhere near water and starts leaking like a seive. Have people forgotten the Little White Lies, and The Time Has Come TO Say Something threads so soon?

At what point are people going to wake up and realize that just because someone PAYS to be a dealer here, that does not automatically make them trustworthy, infact, it just creates a false sense of security, given that the forum admin can do nothing whatsoever to make a dealer correct a bad deal. At least sites like eBay, iOffer, CQout, LoudFrog etc, enforce BANS on dealers who scam their clients. That still does not 100% guarantee that the dealers there are trustworthy, but, it does at least give confidence that they are more likely to be trustworthy, or they would not still be on the site. There is no such guarantee here whatsoever.

With rep watches we are buying a black market product so you really need to know the source and rely on that sources quality. Otherwise you will get nothing but empty promises and lies.

Absolutely so. That does not mean worshipping the 'Trusted Dealers', (as still goes on) it means making one's own enquiries, following leads provided by other members, and asking the right questions. Just because a dealer pays to have a presense here, that does not automatically mean that they are above question or with impeccable honesty. Just because a dealer does not pay to have a presense here as a 'trusted dealer', that does not automatically mean they are a scammer...

Absolutely awesome However. Battery life and other considerations might mean I might not actually use such a device.

For example. I can listen to MP3s on my phone, but, it drains the battery (quicker than just having it on standby in my pocket) So I use a seperate MP3 player.

But when I'm listening to my MP3 player, it drowns out the phone's ring tone, and I can (and did today) miss a call...

So, what option... Phone, or MP3 player?

This is the kind of 'inflexibility' which could plague such a device. While performing another function, it is incapable of performing the other. Example, you're using it in phone mode, and someone asks you for the time. You look at your wrist, but, there's no watch there, as it's being used as a phone Or you're doing some word-processing, and need to make a call. You can't just pick up a phone, you'd (most likely) have to save what you're doing, and re-configure the device... Flexible, but inflexible for the very reasons that make it 'flexible'

[Edit to add]

To answer the question about phone or MP3 player, my best option would be to use my phone as the MP3 player, and just keep an eye on the charge, and have a seperate MP3 player for use when the phone's battery needs conserving

Alternative to Ziggy?

I'm sorry to inform you sir but, from where I stand Ziggy has no equal and therefore there can be no real alternative. You may not agree with his business methods but you certainly can not argue with his ability and skill in the world of horology.

Watch making is a dying trade in this age of electronic time keeping. The younger generations don't relate to a mechanical watch much less a manual wind model. Many don't wear watches and prefer to rely on "do all" electronic devices for the time of day. This is the future we face. If you know a good watch maker, it would pay dividends to forge a good relationship with him/her.

Chad was not arguing against Ziggy's abilities or skills. Not once. He was simply asking for an alternative. As mentioned above, if Ziggy does not want to do business with someone, he won't. That's his privelage. That's his right. But. Where does that leave the person who needs something done with their watch? As mentioned, if people don't have options available, that's when they can get frustrated at situations, when the only other option, is no longer viable (for whatever reason) As mentioned, Ziggy is extremely busy. Having more approved smiths available, would help spread that load, and give customers the choice of who to do business with, rather than hoping that someone wants to do business with them. It is another example of something I have mentioned before:

On RWG, you don't choose Dealer. Dealer chooses you

Having more smiths available is not a mark of disrespect to Ziggy. There are several recommended dealers available for many items, that is not disrespectful to those other dealers, and the same principle applies here

Choice is the correct word.

Just like you have a "choice" as to which dealer you give your business to, I as a part-time watchsmith excercise my "choice" as to who I choose to offer my services to. This is a hobby I choose to do a few nights a week to pass my time and help others. I am not sure why some people take issue with my choice.

I make my choices based on what I see take place on the forum, and how people deal with me. For example, if your a nasty person on the forum (not necessarily towards me), or if you book an appointment with me and then stand me up (this after you're sent 2 upcoming appointment reminder emails, and you still fail to respond), or if you don't have common courtesy to send me a simple "Thanks" after I help you out on a PM, your not someone I want to deal with. If you waste my time, you'll only have one chance to do it. If you actively promote or support someone who has been shown to have done shoddy watch work for members, I don't want to work with you, and I especially don't want to have to clean up their mistakes.

It would be wonderful if there were numerous watchsmiths to choose from, unfortunately this doesn't seem to be the case. Anyone who has been here over a year, knows too well that what is posted on the forum concerning shoddy workmanship and practices by some watchsmiths, is only the tip of the iceberg. This has been proven true on more than one occasion. The names of these individuals are well known. What really bothers me is how some members can post that someone's work has been nothing but excellent, when recent posts would say otherwise. That either means the persons who have had bad experiences (multiple ones, over many months) are the exceptions, or they are lying about their bad experience. Since it was shown that they weren't lying at all, stating that the workmanship is nothing but excellent, does a disservice to those members who don't have the luxery of our collective past experiences.

As for my being sensitive, nothing could be further from the truth. I speak my mind, much to the dismay of a few members, and I do know the quality of the work I send out. I stand behind what I do 110%, and my honesty includes refunding customers money when a job turns out to be less costly than estimated, I have even sent back $5 in overpayment. That doesn't mean every transaction is perfect or everyone is happy. Take for instance the member who's watches were in house for 6 months and who sent me no less than 135 emails during that period. He was upset at me for many reasons, including having "rushed" him in his decisions, not having provided "enough" detail for his liking...as well as a bunch of other reasons...you can't please everyone I guess, not even if you answer all 135 messages. Thankfully he decided to take his business elsewhere.

The reality is that anyone can put up a shingle stating that they offer lume or watch mods, the problem is that most do so without even a basic understanding or appreciation of what it takes to work on watches. Watchsmithing courses are available on-line, but learning takes a back to seat to getting at the real reason for offering a service...

That is all I have to say about this subject.

RG

I don't think people are taking issue with your choice as such, more possible consequences/results of it. People are often told they can buy a less than perfect watch, and then have modifications made to improve it, so that's often the mentality someone might buy with (ie ignore poor lume and cannon pinion (for example), but buy the watch anyway as they know it can be remedied). Yours, is the name which is mentioned as the person to go to, when people want mods done.

Now, as other smiths are less recommended, some people might only want to deal with you, and, if you are unavailable, or unwilling to work with them, for whatever reason, they are left with the situation of wanting work done to a watch, but no other 'ports of call' to try in commissioning the work, leaving them with a watch, which, if left un-modded, the would likely not have bought 'as is', nor wear 'as is', so they feel that they're not only down the opportunity to get the watch worked on, but, left with something they don't really want, a bit of a double-whammy.

You are, of course, entitled to choose who you want to do business with. Just remember though, that some people do not take kindly to being told that, (No one likes the feeling of not 'making the cut') and that honesty might even turn away clients who you would have worked with, as they might not like that approach. (For the record, I totally understand and agree with your view on things, I'm just pointing out how others might be viewing the situation, and why people might be 'taking issue')

[Edit to add]

My point being, that if there where other recommended smiths available, giving people the choice of who to go to, rather than relying on you choosing to do business with them, then such rejections might not be taken so personally, as they would know they still have options. I've found people are their most abusive and hostile when they feel they have no options in a situation (whatever that maybe), and when they've missed the only option.

Just my .2c

PS This isn't meant as a personal attack, it's just my instinct as a Libra to try and be a mediator and get both sides of a story across so people can reach a better conclusion.

Well, I got away from PAM's several years ago and have been into mostly unknown makes and models of late. Recently the urge for PAM's have started back.

Most of my watches are divers and they start at 44mm and go all the way up to 53+ so I think the 127 will fit just fine.

I'm a fan of divers watches as well. Have you seen any of the Russian divers watches? Some aren't too shabby

I guess I've never noticed that the CG was inverted on the 127's. I don't think I've ever seen one in person. Gen or rep.

And you say you're a WIS?

Even though the 127 is my favorite watch in my collection, I'd be the first to admit that they take a bit of getting used to, before becoming a daily beater. I'm sure I read on the forum that someone bought and sold two before settling on one. The first one I had (returned due to a defective crown guard lever, and exchanged for my PVD 111g) I felt was 'too big' (especially when viewing the luminous markers at night) but, the second one, I adapted to pretty quickly, and I wear it every day. I'm now so used to it, that I feel the 45mm Planet Ocean 'looks small', and a Submariner, looks almost 'feminine' by comparison

Is this too bold or overkill then???

Snap!

Well... Ish...

Thanks do you have a link to his site?

Chris

No problem watch-ebay

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. SO CUTE!

EDIT: Just realised...

Oh my. Aren't his little, but incredibly sharp-looking claws too close to...you know what jewels.

Guinea pig claws can look sharp when not clipped (Sukoshi-san is too young to need his cut yet) and they can scratch up arms quite nicely, but they're not sharp enough to go through econodenim

Hey,

Unfortunately, I'm already a WIS. So I've pretty much have had xxx itis...

zooms

Who doesn't know a 127 crownguard is inverted, compared to many other Luminors?

Sorry, couldn't resist

Welcome to PAM mania!

The technical term, is PAMophilia

(coined by me )

CUTEST WRISTCHECK PHOTO EVER. Nuff said.

As you like that, here's some photos of Sukoshi-san out of the hutch

TeeJay,

to my eyes your 127 looks great - good price - can you reveal where you got it from?

Thanks

Thanks I got it from Tonyxkf's (of CQout) own personal website, watch-ebay.net. He advertises it at $199. I got it for the mentioned price, as I asked for a price in GBP, and that was what he asked for it. I admit, I do buy quite regularly from Tony, for presents for friends and relatives, so that was likely a discounted price. Either way, I'd've been quite happy to've paid the $199 list price. Other than a very slight rattle in the crown guard lever (I think the tube is set slightly too far in the case) it's fine. I'm planning on sending it to TWP for his 'plume' treatment, and I'm hoping he'll be able to tweak the tube at the same time (if I touch my fingers to the inside of the crown, not even really applying pressure, that is enough to hold it firm against the lever, so we're talking about a hair's width miss-setting of the tube, so hopefully, not too hard to rectify, and certainly not worth sending it back over )

Obviously, my 127, but, on a new strap courtessy of Victoria Toscana carbon fiber. Apparently, the last carbon fiber strap Toscana made with the sewn-in buckle

As she predicted, I put it on straight away, and, it goes incredibly with my

TeeJay

Nice Fiddy I love it!

Thanks

Hey TeeJay, do you have your crown guard on the 127 upside down on purpose?

Not too sure what 1950s you've been looking at, but that's how the good folks at OP designed it

(check the image properties for validating the image )

I can appreciate what your saying. I held off for a bit as a new member to see if I would be comfortable here. Early December I was motivated to make a donation to the forum any day now. Unfortunately, also in early December my boss informed me I was being eliminated (a month before xmas), and I now make half of what I used to make, and work way harder for it. I went from generous and loving life, to wondering where it all go's and if my career is ever going to pick up momentum. How quick priorities change in life.

I love RWG, but I gotta keep the lights on. I told myself I would donate to RWG next time I can afford another rep if I haven't done so by then already. Maybe that resolution will make you feel better too?

It does indeed, it's good to know I'm not the only one in this kind of situation. God-willing, I'll be making the donation by the end of the month

I haven't found my dress watch yet.

Have you thought of one of the larger Radiomirs?

I'm in the market for a rep PAM. Something in a 44mm size. Can anyone suggest a model and post pics if you have them? Thanks in advance!

How about a 112? I would post a pic, but I don't have one in my collection... Would've been a 'grail watch' for me, but my 127 just doesn't come off my wrist that much anymore, as I've gotten used to the size.

Another suggestion, would be a 210 Radiomir (again, not one I have in my collection)

Teehee. Another loophole is that when you purchase a set in a pawn shop, you don't need to apply for a licence fee directly.

I suppose deep down inside, this ex-Guide loves cheating "the system".

And that's the van I meant! The one with the "radar" which went around street to street, supposedly scoping who was running their set illicitly.

That has got to be the number one British urban legend.

Other than Keith Richards, obviously.

For me, it wasn't so much a case of 'cheating the system', just that I wasn't prepared to pay for a service which I simply couldn't receive, especially when it was 'the system', which had notified them, rather than me going in and asking for a licence application form. I don't mind Big Brother watching me, but that doesn't mean I'm prepared to just 'hand over my lunch money' at the first approach of a bully

I am not here to make money nor exploit the forum or the membership in any way shape or form

earlier last year .. i sent straps to a member .. i was not going to use (brand new) we agreed that instead of paying me that he use the money to get supporter status or make a donation to the forum.. weather he did or not is not my business anymore.. i did my part .. it was based on the"Honour system"

Had I received the