TeeJay

Well, he was right about it being a rep, but not so in thinking I was wearing one because I couldn't afford a gen Rolex if I wanted to I'm not someone who really cares about 'labels', I go with what I like the look of, I'm just stingy when it comes to parting with my cash, so if I can get something similar for cheaper, I'll go with that option

I don't think someone has to look 'super rich', but a person's age and appearance does come into play. The only time my Submariner was called out, was by a snooty South African proprietor, when I went into his boutique wearing jeans, Converse and a sweater. I'm 28 years old, but am constantly assumed to be in my early twenties, and have shoulder length hair and a beard. I don't tend to look like the kind of person who could afford a genuine Rolex, and that's what people pick up on when they call out a watch. As mentioned above, unless it is a glaringly obvious rep, or someone is just trying to be an ass to put someone down, chances are they are basing their judgement on the person's appearance, not the appearance of their watch. Recently, (although he wasn't there) I went in on the hunt for a new strap. I was wearing a cream colored suit, mahogony patent leather shoes, and a powder pink shirt (jacket through my bag strap as the weather was hot) One of the assistants asked if I needed help as soon as I stepped over the threshold, and was practically fawning over me while I explained what I was after. When their display of straps didn't have what I had in mind, she produced the strap catalogues for me to flip through... Wether it was the suit, the SMP, or just my Jedi Mind-Tricks, I certainly got much better service than my last visit to the store They didn't actually have anything like what I actually wanted though, so I thanked the assistant for her time and left to continue my strap hunt.

Still wearing the 2220.80 SMP. Still keeping to +4 seconds a day :cool:

I first had a 42mm Planet Ocean, and thought the 45mm would look too big, but, I went into an AD and tried one on. It was larger than the Daytona I'd worn in, but, did not dwarf my wrist. Personally, I'd suggest trying on a 45mm Planet Ocean before deciding 100% on the 42mm version

I'd agree with both points there. The Submariner is certainly a nice watch, and I can appreciacte the thought that every collector should have one. That said, there are nicer watches available which stand out more... Personally, I find the Submariner too small now I've gotten used to my Planet Ocean Big Size and just don't wear mine anymore... If you want 'a nice watch', (ie something expensive) then go with a VC Overseas. If you want a Submariner-style watch, then any of the Omega Seamaster watches are equally good (if not better, in my opinion) particularly the 2531.80, the 2220.80 or the 2254.50. If you really like the look of the Rolex, but want something a little different, how about aquiring (or even building) a Tudor Submariner?

Personally, I'd go for the 3717 but put it on a leather strap

I'd say that it's definitley worth it, as it gives us an interest, gives us goals to strive for (whatever they may be) and ultimately, because it gives us pleasure... Indeed, I'm not swimming in cash, but neither am I begging for change, but I've now got a collection of nice watches, which is something that's always interested me. I have a watch which I wanted for about 10 years. Yet now I own it, I have found there are better watches available (in my opinion) and I never wear it anymore... Even if I won the lotto I wouldn't replace every watch in my collection with gens, as I just don't think they're worth the price tag. As much as I love spending money, and as much as I am '[censored] rich', at my core, I am essentially a penny-pinching scrooge and will not pay a penny more for something, over what I perceive it's actual worth to be... Given I have an

Can't wait to see the photos, I have some FrankenSubs of my own planned

Same here, I had a pair of guineas when I was 8 who lived for 7 and 8 years, respectively. More recently, we decided to get a pair of Himalayan guineas last year, then just kept on getting more, till we have our herd of 7. Two sets of paired males, one set of paired females (twin sisters, actually from triplets) and Patches, who has to be kept seperate from the others or she fights with them It's wierd, she hates guinea pigs, but loves people... Indeed, they have loads of character, even the more 'reserved' guineas have character in their own way, they are indeed lovely creatures and I'd say they are pretty much the ideal pet

Absolutely. I'd equate having a small pet like a guinea to having a child, as both are entirely reliant on the owner/parent for care, food and shelter, and, unlike a child, a guinea will be reliant on it's owner all it's life... Her name is Patches. We adopted her from a friend of my fiance's, who had found her in her garden shed in a rat poison box, covered in rat poison. (It turned out the next door neighbours had bought two guineas, one had died, so they are suspected of 'letting her go' ) She was taken in, cleaned up and made comfortable, but not expected to survive the night. When she did survive, they couldn't keep her as they had dogs and cats, so we said we would take care of her (we already had two guineas at the time, we now have seven) and the only conditions were that we pay for the cage, and that we kept the name she had been given by the friend's children. We've now had her just over a year, and she is without question the favorite of our guineas. Although they are sociable 'herd' animals, Patches does not like the company of other guineas, and only enjoys Human company, but with people, she is extremely loving and friendly

Excellent info, thanks

Are you sure about that? The watch Connery wore in Dr.No was on a black leather strap, and belonged to producer Cubby Broccoli... Given the price of the real thing, the cost of the insert is nothing. The owners of the website will also custom produce dials for $150 a piece. I asked if they could to a 6200 dial, but in modern colors (as if the dial was newly manufactured, not 54 years old) and they said that wouldn't be a problem...

Expensive, but accurate... Besides, when the watch itself is this cheap, why not go crazy on the extras

Yes, that might've been what Connery wore, but, in the novel of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Fleming wrote that Bond's watch was a 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual' (no mention of Submariner, and, for someone who wrote precicely what Bond ate/drank/drove, I think that is crucial in meaning that that wasnaming the watch, rather than describing it. In another chapter, it is said that Bond looked at 'the large, luminous numerals'. The only watch which had 'large, luminous numerals, and only had Rolex Oyster Perpetual on the dial, was the 6200, circa 1953. In 1955, they attatched then name 'submariner' to the watch... Indeed, the guinea is fine, her teeth will have fully regrown in two weeks, it was just annoying that she'd snapped the two top teeth off, as that meant the bottom teeth also needed removing, so they'd grow back evenly. Had it only been one tooth (of either set) it wouldn't've required a trip to the vet. Oh well, that's the responsibility of being a pet owner Here's a picture from when we got her last year... Indeed, ClassicWatchParts.com Indeed. All the more reason to just buy the watch from Silix, order a new insert, and swap them over I had planned on grinding down a Sub's crownguards to make this case, but, if I can just buy one with a suitable case, that saves me a load of work. I'll just use the other Submariner to make a Tudor

I would be in for a UK group buy, as the price is excellent, but an emergency yesterday meant I had to take one of my guinea pigs to the vets to get broken teeth removed, and that cleared out the last of my money till I next get paid. If there'd be one of the Submariners with numerals left in two weeks, I'll definitely buy one. (Watch at the top of this picture) I don't like the bezel insert, but know where I can get a correct one for that model watch...

In terms of practical readability, I'm not a fan of skeletons... In terms of aesthetic appreciation, I think that looks freaking awesome

I'm still wearing this one, and will be doing so till my other Omegas come back from the watchsmith. Sure, it's not perfect, but, it's still a really nice watch, and, the majority of the viewing public wouldn't have a clue :happy:

Awesome work If you're looking for a bracelet for it, I believe ClassicWatchParts.com sells the old-style bracelets

What can I say.... Tony has always behaved in an extremely pleasant and professional manner, in all aspects of our dealings, and, it was nice to see that when things hadn't gone quite as planned, he lived up to his promises to return a product, rather than some dealers people have mentioned, who simply stop acknowledging emails... Absolutely top guy, I'd recommend him anytime

I would have to say go for the full ceramic version rather than a coated version. No matter how carefully treated, a coating will eventually chip, spoiling the appearance. Even regular wear, which causes the links to rub against each other, will remove sections of coating... This is why I put my fiance's J12 on a faux-leather cuff-strap... Sure, the watch itself still took a few knocks, but at least it didn't have the damaged bracelet pulling it down too...

Sounds interesting, do tell When you put it like that, you're right, it doesn't make a whole load of sense, I was going purely by what I'd read about Hugh Grant's comments. In terms of One Man's time, absolutely nothing. The difference being though, if you have deep enough pockets to go to Boyd Coddington, you get a car which is 100% custom made to exactly what you want. Take the same amount of money to a Ford dealership and tell them you want this and that done to the car, painted with reverse-faded candy paint, and I think you'd be politely, but firmly, shown the door... Exact same principle with a watch smith. Pay the price, and he'll make whatever you want. Try it in an AD for a big name like Rolex or Omega, and they'd be unable to accomodate your request... Indeed, the salaries have to be included in final cost, but, put it this way, rather than selling one watch for $1000, if they were to drop the price to $100, I bet that there would still be enough sales (probably more sales due to the reduced price) to cover those original salary requirements... With regards costs, I wasn't really talking about the R&D and whatnot, but the actual monetary value of the watch itself and it's components. Ie, how much in terms of Raw Materials, would it actually cost to make the watch... If that was as high as it would seem, ie if the watch was actually worth $1000, and being sold 'at cost' + salaries, then the rep factories simply wouldn't be able to afford to make them, even without having to cover the salaries of designers and R&D consultants... Absolutely

For the forseable future, I'll be wearing this: As today, I took my Planet Ocean in for regulation and waterproofing, as well as taking in my X-33 to see if it was repairable. I'm sure I'll cope :biggrin:

Absolutely. Pretty much my point entirely. Really? I remember reading about when Hugh Grant ordered a DB9, and said that there was a ludicrous waiting list, but didn't mind waiting, as it would be 'tailored' to his measurements...

I admit, the Aston-Martin is not a dramatically personalized car, in that it is still recognizeable. But, it is still tailored to the buyer, so that makes it that bit more personalized than someone buying a car from a dealer and choosing what color they want the paint and uphostery, but, as mentioned, right at the top of the scale in terms of customization, are the creations of Boyd Coddington, as they are built to customer specifications. Indeed, watches are harder to customize, but not impossible, this was what I was meaning in terms of would they agree to fabricate new parts (say five huge links or ten tiny links) or would they just say "here's the parts list, go nuts..." Try walking into a Rolex AD and asking for a customized Sub... I bet that'd get laughed at more than someone flashing a rep