TeeJay

Now that is funny With dealers here, there is absolutely no 'safety net' for purchasses, other than the support of other posters. Sure, the watches on CQout might not be in the Super Rep league, but at least there is an overall body which ensures good conduct. For example. Panerai 111. CQout purchase. Had a power reserve of about 1 hour. I sent a message to the dealer, and within 8 hours (overnight) had a response which included the return address, and a "That's no problem" response to the request to swap the watch for something totally different. Omega X-33. 'Trusted Dealer' purchase. Faulty analogue movement. Caseback missing a faux-screw, so impossible for it to have been QCd. Have been trading emails for two weeks now trying to get the issue resolved. Dealer has finally agreed to try to get me a new movement to be shipped out. I think that pretty much speaks for itself

Right now: Tomorrow: (if fixed) Sunday: Undecided and depends on tomorrow. Might be Planet Ocean, might be 2531.80.

My favorites. (In order of preference) In my 'Bad Books'... Going back to the dealer tomorrow, never to be seen again...

Probably only about 80% accurate to the gen watch, but it is not going to be given any real scrutiny by people who know anything about watches (other than they tell the time), so that's not a problem. Doesn't have the date window, which I felt was a 'design after-thought', so a cleaner looking dial than the gen watch. '3' Subdial is an incremental day counter, '6' Subdial runs a 24 sweep, but the '9' Subdial appears do do nothing, and tracks 7 points (presumeably days) but anti-clockwise. A 24 hour examination reveals if the dials move by themselves... Aesthetically, a nice watch, but I still don't understand why people go nuts over the Big Bang. Originally purchassed for my sister-in-law's 15th birthday later in the year, I showed it to my fiance when it arrived, she decided she was having it for herself, and it hasn't been off her wrist since. Looks like I'll be ordering a new one for Cait's birthday... The watch was

These things happen, and the dealer has been cool about an exchange, so I'm happy. I'm still ordering the VC tomorrow as planned, but from a different dealer, as my dealer's supplier couldn't get hold of the model I wanted. I'm sending the Pam back to be replaced with an Omega Aqua Terra with black dial.(which I have plans to customize) In all honesty, as much as I can appreciate the Pams, they just aren't my cup of tea. The size doesn't bother me, as I love my Planet Ocean Big Size, but the design is just so 'clumsy' in comparison to the Omega. I'll probably get another Pam at some point in the future, just for 'collection diversity', but at the moment, I'm taking this as a sign to avoid them for a while... Thanks for the model suggestion, I'll keep it in mind for future reference.

You wind the crown away from yourself, or, if looked at from the crown guard side, clockwise

Happy birthday, I always buy myself a present too. I can't remember what I actually bought myself last year though... I think it might've been a new jacket or something equally non-descript... Hope you have a good birthday

Likewise, I see what you mean now, and thanks for the clarification A less than promising update, is that the watch does not eam to be running for more than an hour without stopping, despite being fully wound... I think I'll be sending this one back to the dealer... Oh well, easy come, easy go... :smile:

I know what you mean there. I feel the same way about Panerai and Hublot Big Bangs. The Panerai, I can just about appreciate, but, it's not really my cup of tea. The HBB, I really don't see what people see in them at all, other than brandname and price tag...

To be honest, I only noticed it on the cover as it was a Pam, and such an obvious rep Gotcha. With regards to the color of the font, that reminds me of the debate amongst Star Wars costuming enthusiasts about the color of Anakin Skywalker's clothing in Revenge of the Sith. To the casual glance, it appears black, but, when viewed in close scrutiny (and viewed from static reference material) it is actually very very dark brown. So dark brown that it looks black, but still brown... This strikes me as a similar scenario, and someone trying to compare colors mentally, when in all honesty, color swatches would be needed to totally identify the color

Here's a picture of my fiance's first J12 on a white faux-leather cuff-strap...

Indeed, same dealer as before I'm a bit disapointed with how the photos haven't really shown the sandwich effect, but please believe me that it is indeed a sandwich dial. Ahh, I think I know the movement bridges you mean... Indeed, who's going to see it on my wrist Ahh, that's fair enough. Funnily enough, I saw an actor on an adult DVD cover wearing a Pam, and the subdial was so close to the center of the dial, it was laughable So if the 111 don't have the 'reg t.m' detail on the cg, what's the cg flaw that was pointed out? I really don't know a whole lot about Pams As above, I assure you it is indeed a sandwich dial rather than sausage model. I'll have to try and get some better pics to show the layering effect I think you may be right. The inconsistency between the color of the dial and hands is something that's putting me off it a bit, but I'm sure a relume would solve that. I'm also keep to see if the new strap, which is of a similar color, might help... In terms of wear, this might be the 'showing off without flashing a known brand' watch I've decided to wear it so I can cauge the watch's power reserve... Thanks for all the comments, folks

I think you're right there, I'd say the white J12 is the women's equivelent of a gent's black Submariner or TT DateJust, everyone either has one, wants one, and certainly can't go wrong with one :biggrin: I'm trying to remember how much I paid for my fiance's first J12, which was also a quartz movement (keeps absolutely fantastic time) One thing we have discovered thus far with this new model, is that it only has a power reserve of about 9 hours... I'm not sure how well it keeps time when worn, as she's not taken the HBB Aspen off since she saw it

Indeed, it was a good deal, and a watch I wanted for my overall collection, although my favorite watches are still Omega... Out of curiosity, what should the CG and caseback be like for this dial and movement? (should the CG have a TM logo on it?) I'll settle with 111 The subdial appears to be aligned with the indices above and below it, how is it misaligned? The mis-spelling is on the movement decoration. The bronze letters which are below the 9 position running vertically. Not really easy to see in the picture because of the glare from the flash... but rather than 'Officine Panerai', it actualy reads 'Officne Paneri' Then again, for a watch that will hardly see wrist time, and certainly never be scrutinized by anyone who actually knows anything about Pams, I can certainly live with the flaws

Larger size than previous watch, so hopefully will be easier for reading. I won't be wearing it, so it's not really my concern... As usual for the 'lower end' J12's, the bracelet is coated garbage (but I knew this before ordering) and, as with my fiance's current J12, I'm sure it will soon be swapped onto the leather cuff strap. Updated information: I have discovered (actually, my fiance discovered) that there is a mid-sized version of the J12, so that accounts for the size difference. The watch was

Not sure of the model number, but it has sandwhich dial, and runs secs @ 9. This is the watch I am least likely to wear, but, was a replacement for the VC Overseas my dealer had ordered, but was given a wrong model by his suppliers, so he offered the option of the incorrect model, a refund, or another choice, so it's better than nothing... The hands are nice and green, but the numeral sandwich layer is a tan color which I will probably have re-lumed at some point. However. I have a strap on order from V, which, being of similar color to the numerals, might actually blend the colors better... Time will tell. In terms of the movement, the stickers are noticeable, and actually has the mis-spelling 'Officne'. Then again, the watch will hardly be scrutinized (if it even gets worn at all) so that is a flaw I can overlook. When the watch arrived, the crown guard was on upside down, but, that was how it was advertized by my dealer, so not a problem there, and, also not a problem to correct with a screwdriver. The stock rubber strap (which I think looked disgusting on the watch) has been replaced with a black leather strap and the buckle swapped over. This is the first time I've seen one of the 'flared' Panerai buckles 'in the metal', and to be honest, it is ludicrously over-sized... I can understand why people accuse Pam owners of 'overcompensation' for other shortcomings... A stupid plus point, however, is the recessed cannon pinion problem I have read about, is not present on this watch. In all honesty, it is a nice watch, Pams just aren't my particular taste. This will be an occasional wear watch, but I think, (at least untill the new strap arrives or it is re-lumed), it will always be at the bottom of the selection pile... The watch should have cost

Happy birthday, Andy

Purchassed solely to complete the 'Casino Royale' set, and not intended for frequent wear, as aesthetically, I prefer the 2531.80, but this is still a nice enough watch. Bracelet uses pins rather than screws, and clasp engraving is crisp. Bezel insert was only misaligned by .5mm, so could have been left, but, it would have irritated me, so it was just as easy to take the few minutes to crack the case, remove the movement and crystal, prize off the insert from the back, re-set it, and replace the parts. Bezel insert is a nice color, but I will have to compare to my 2531.80 before deciding which bezel has the 'nicest' color. In terms of accuracy to the gen watch, I knew that the dial would be missing the 3 marker, as that was how the dealer advertized it, and, as mentioned on another forum, with the SMPs, the datewindow does compensate for the missing marker, so although it is technically a flaw, visually, the dial does not appear unbalanced. Other flaws are the Omega logo and word Omega, on the gen, are now metal attatchments, with the letters joined through the middle (which I feel makes the watch 'look fake') This watch has the logo and brand printed on the dial, like on the 2531.80, which, although another 'flaw', is aesthetically, something I prefer to the metal attachments of the gen. Updated Information: Having worn the watch for 24 hours, I can now confirm that the watch is running at +4 secs out of the box. Who needs ETA movements to achieve COSC Standard The watch was

I haven't been able to take any still shots or wrist shots of the new arrivals yet, but, I'm currently giving the Planet Ocean Big Size a rest, and wearing the Omega 2220.50 SMP instead. I'd still rather be wearing my 2531.80 SMP, but this one will do for now

The watches arrived today, and I am more than happy with them. All have their flaws, but all also have their positives as well... I received Chanel J12 Larger size than previous watch, so hopefully will be easier for reading. I won't be wearing it, so it's not really my concern... As usual for the 'lower end' J12's, the bracelet is coated garbage (but I knew this before ordering) and, as with my fiance's current J12, I'm sure it will soon be swapped onto the leather cuff strap. Hublot Big Bang Aspen Probably only about 80% accurate to the gen watch, but it is not going to be given any real scrutiny by people who know anything about watches (other than they tell the time), so that's not a problem. Doesn't have the date window, which I felt was a 'design after-thought', so a cleaner looking dial than the gen watch. '3' Subdial appears to be a date counter, '6' Subdial runs a 24 sweep, but the '9' Subdial appears do do nothing, and tracks 7 points (presumeably days) but anti-clockwise. A 24 examination will reveal if the dials are totally 'functional', or require manual adjustment... Aesthetically, a nice watch, but I still don't understand why people go nuts over the Big Bang. Omega SMP 2220.50 Purchassed solely to complete the 'Casino Royale' set, and not intended for frequent wear, as aesthetically, I prefer the 2531.80, but this is still a nice enough watch. Bracelet uses pins rather than screws, and clasp engraving is crisp. Bezel insert was only misaligned by .5mm, so could have been left, but, it would have irritated me, so it was just as easy to take the few minutes to crack the case, remove the movement and crystal, prize off the insert from the back, re-set it, and replace the parts. Bezel insert is a nice color, but I will have to compare to my 2531.80 before deciding which bezel has the 'nicest' color. In terms of accuracy to the gen watch, I knew that the dial would be missing the 3 marker, as that was how the dealer advertized it, and, as mentioned on another forum, with the SMPs, the datewindow does compensate for the missing marker, so although it is technically a flaw, visually, the dial does not appear unbalanced. Other flaws are the Omega logo and word Omega, on the gen, are now metal attatchments, with the letters joined through the middle (which I feel makes the watch 'look fake') This watch has the logo and brand printed on the dial, like on the 2531.80, which, although another 'flaw', is aesthetically, something I prefer to the metal attachments of the gen. Panerai Luminor Marina Not sure of the model number, but it has sandwhich dial, and runs secs @ 9. This is the watch I am least likely to wear, but, was a replacement for the VC Overseas my dealer had ordered, but was given a wrong model by his suppliers, so he offered the option of the incorrect model, a refund, or another choice, so it's better than nothing... The hands are nice and green, but the numeral sandwich layer is a tan color which I will probably have re-lumed at some point. However. I have a strap on order from V, which, being of similar color to the numerals, might actually blend the colors better... Time will tell. In terms of the movement, the stickers are noticeable, and actually has the mis-spelling 'Officne'. Then again, the watch will hardly be scrutinized (if it even gets worn at all) so that is a flaw I can overlook. When the watch arrived, the crown guard was on upside down, but, that was how it was advertized by my dealer, so not a problem there, and, also not a problem to correct with a screwdriver. The stock rubber strap (which I think looked disgusting on the watch) has been replaced with a black leather strap and the buckle swapped over. This is the first time I've seen one of the 'flared' Panerai buckles 'in the metal', and to be honest, it is ludicrously over-sized... I can understand why people accuse Pam owners of 'overcompensation' for other shortcomings... A stupid plus point, however, is the recessed cannon pinion problem I have read about, is not present on this watch. In all honesty, it is a nice watch, Pams just aren't my particular taste. This will be an occasional wear watch, but I think, (at least untill the new strap arrives or it is re-lumed), it will always be at the bottom of the selection pile... All the watches are worth what I paid for them, and they arrived in precicely 7 days as promised :smile: As always, I am happy to give the dealer's name privately I'll post some pictures when possible On friday, I will be ordering the VC Overseas from another dealer, as they have it available. I've used them before, and, although their watches weren't excellent quality, they were exactly as advertized, and I trust their business practices. Who knows, in the 7 months since we last did business, they might have 'upped their status', and secured a more accurate supplier. Here's finger's crossed for that.

Personally, I think the watch looks disgusting. But. I can see it appealing to fans of the Hublot Big Bang

Awesome work there, Flav There's definitely something to be said for making something yourself

Congrats on receiving what you were after, I'm sure it'll become as permanant a fixture on your wrist as my Planet Ocean Big Size has become on mine

Personally, I prefer the appearance of the black bezel...

I'll see how much spare cash I have at the time :biggrin: