TeeJay

I'm pretty sure John Barrowman wears a black dial Rolex Airking. In the last episode of Doctor Who, he was wearing a watch on a leather strap on his right wrist (where he normally wears his Airking) and although there wasn't a real close up of the dial, a date cyclops was noticeable on the crystal. I'm wondering if that might have been his own Rolex, but swapped onto a leather strap for filming, but the presense of the cyclops is confusing...

I haven't actually compared the two to be able to really answer that question, but I'll do my best... When I looked at a gen 2254.50, I didn't really notice any tint or reflections, but, I only looked at it for a few minutes in an AD... When I gave the Panerai I bought for my father in law a 'test drive', I was very aware of the purple tint on the lens, and of reflections... Of course, what with people being able to get their crystal's ARd now, it's really up to their own personal aesthetic. I like my Planet Ocean, but I'm not prepared to spend the $$s on upgrading and modding the parts so it could pass as gen to another watch enthusiast. Out of the box, it already passes as gen to the 'viewing public', and, as all the printing on the dial is correct, that's good enough for me

PS, that should be 2254.40 with the single sided AR coating... Typo :biggrin:

The gen 2531.80 SMP does not have AR coating. The 2554.50 has single sided (inside surface) AR coating, the Planet Ocean has double-sided AR coating (and some folks complain that the outer layer can rub away, spoiling the appearance) but the 2531.80 SMP doesn't have it. The 2531.80 was the watch Pierce Brosnan wore from Tomorrow Never Dies onwards. In GoldenEye, he wore the 2541.80, which has a quartz rather than an automatic movement. The two watches are virtually identical, but, the 2541.80 has a larger luminous marker at 3, and the date window is slightly further than the crown. Also, I don't think the 2541.80 has the word 'chronometer' on the dial, but I'm not 100% sure on that. All that said, I don't think there are any dealers who stock the quartz version...

Oh, I forgot to say, you seem to be at a loss for a comment on my experiences with Silix, or do you feel that they are also simply 'paranoia' on my part?

Not an immature accusation? You're the one making a big deal out of this and pointing out how amusing you (and your wife) are finding my posts. Really proving your 'maturity' again, aren't you, Doctor. As for how 'loaded' I am, not at all, I don't touch drugs at all, I'm just something of an insomniac. I hope you feel proud, your unnecessarily hostile behaviour has forced me to promise to pay for a subscription just to shut up people with similar attitudes to yours. You successfully proved the point made by another poster, that VIP subscriptions are being flaunted, and that non-subscribers are being harrassed (by whatever means) into feeling that they have to subscribe in order to contribute to the forum. Congratulations. Funny how it is not actually the forum owner who is making this insistance, but simply people who have already chosen to subscribe

As I said before, next payday, I'll buy a VIP subscription. But, I will be doing so simply because it will put an end to the attitudes from some, that a VIP member has a more valid opinion than a non subscriber.

As I said before, it is not a matter of the actual cost, it is a matter of the principle, and what that cost represents. I do not approve of the behaviour of the Cartel dealers, so I see no reason why I should indirectly give them the 'closed market' which exists here. Personally, I feel reviews should be open to everyone to read, and should remain solely that. Reviews. If people want to say who they bought a watch from, then I feel that could be handled privately. My time can be very expensive when I am 'on the clock' and actually working I'm quite happy with my current employment status, but thankyou for the offer

Sure, it's only a

This is why I wanted to leave it before, but no, Crys couldn't let that happen and had to push the issue. $$$ to the cartel?? I'd rather mop the floor at a peep show then send any Cartel dealer a single penny. Hell, I might even pay for a VIP subscription just to shut people up. Nice way of proving the point that others made that those without VIP subscriptions are made to feel guilty and hassled into paying.

I think you were supposed to be making a point about 'maturity' earlier on, and now you accuse me of being a paranoid crackhead. Right. That's real mature isn't it. Let's see. Edge had the balls to start a thread which proved that Andrew and Joshua were people who lied about their products and the services carried out on them, yet people refused to believe it. Even now I see people writing about a bad deal they had from them, as if it totally unexpected. The writing's been on the wall for a long time. As for the other dealers, I haven't any experiences with the majority of them, so I have no opinion on them. My opinion of Silix has gone way down, following our recent deal. I've seen several people saying that their orders were delayed as the watches 'failed the quality check', a few people said it was 'Chinese Promises', I felt it was a plausible reason, as I've had QCd watches from other dealers. So, when my new X-33 turns up, having been posted seven days after I paid for it, and with a movement on the verge of death, I am not impressed by any claims of QCs being carried out. To add insult to injury, it is then suggested that I might want to pay for the dealer to ship a replacement for a faulty watch which they sent without QC. It's not my fault the watch has a dodgy movement, I've only asked them to ship replacement parts for a watch I paid 81 EUR for, despite the site stilladvertizing the watch for 49 EUR. Strange how that proved that they never QCd the watch, yet others have been stalled by saying watches have been QCd, isn't it. Or are you going to accuse me of being 'paranoid' about that too? Sure, last word freak is certainly a term that could apply to me. I am not someone who is prepared to back down over a point simply because someone else disagrees with my opinion, and am definitley not prepared to back down or revise my view unless I am actually proven wrong. I'm a reasonable person, if someone proves me wrong, then I'll gladly change my opinion accordingly, but until they do, I see no reason why I should change my point of view simply because it might be unpopular. My situation with Jay is still 'in negotiation', so I can only give the facts as they presently lay. Who knows, he may indeed send me the new movement and caseback at no extra charge (For what it's worth, at least Andrew and Josh ship replacements without question of the customer paying the shipping), he may even throw something in to make up the value of what I actually paid, Vs what the X-33 is actually advertized at on his site. If he does, then I'll be more than happy to recommend him as a good dealer. At the moment however, the 'Chinese promises' comment I read elsewhere, has certainly been proven true. So what 'attitude' precicely should the collectors take notice of? That I am someone who expects what I pay for to work, and to not be ripped off? I think that's something we all want. As I pointed out before, all my best deals have occured away from this forum, and from dealers who are not even spoken of here, other than as 'scammers', so forgive me if I'm finding my experiences somewhat contrary to yours.

Oh I agree entirely, Stepane's post was most definitely taken the wrong way, I was simply pointing out my own reasons for why I choose not to subscribe, and how others could find the 'encouragement' to subscribe as distasteful. With the issue of my own subscription, again, I agree entirely, it is a small price to pay, but, I am simply not prepared to pay for the Cartel to have a 'captive audience', for want of a better term, or to assist in them having a place here. Yes, some dealers are good, others have been proven to be less than scrupulous. I guess my point, is at the end of the day, there need not even be a collector's section, and I feel the reviews should be open to all, particularly as the new comers are the ones who would benefit the most from them, and also the ones who would find a subscription fee more offputting. I guess I just find it ironic that CQout is really only spoken of with distain here, yet all my best deals have been via that website. Indeed, best wishes to all.

I have to admit, I hadn't really considered that as a possibility, but it's certainly worth bearing in mind... To be honest, I don't think anyone she'd hang around with would think anything about it other than it being 'a white watch', certainly no product knowledge... I was actually planning on buying one for my fiance as a replacement for her beaten up Chanel J12, but Cait saw the watch on the computer, and said it was really nice. I asked her if she'd like one for her birthday, and her reply was a "YEAH!!!1" :Jumpy: , so I figured it wouldn't hurt to treat her. Funny, I was more concerned about someone 'calling the watch out', than thinking of someone using it as a possible manipulation... Thanks for the input

I was meaning that I have expressed my opinions on why I personally choose not to make a financial contribution to the forum, but instead, try and make as many contributions to the community as a whole, as possible, and I would prefer people to respect that opinion, even if they do not agree with it, and not try and change my mind. Afterall, I am not trying to change anyone's opinion about their subscriptions, I am simply explaining my own personal feelings, and I would rather leave the discussion at that point rather than continue and possibly lose my temper. I didn't feel you were heckling or browbeating at all, that was CrystalCranium. I illustrated your post as it was an excellent phrasing that it should be an entirely voluntary contribution. Where I 'stand', is I give to the community through non-financial contributions. When the month's free VIP passes were given out, the only thing I actually gained, was the ability to edit my posts. I don't recall seeing any spectacularly interesting posts in the VIP Forum which were not repeated in the main forum, and as my recent deal with Silix has shown, I certainly gained no insightfull knowledge other than again, what was already posted in the main forum. As for the 'collectors', how is allowing them to 'set up shop' on the forums, which are supposed to be purely educational, in any way fair? All my best deals have been done through 'non forum' dealers, so forgive me if I am more than a tad scheptical about certain motives. As I said, I will leave the debate here, before I say something I would later regret, but people are more than welcome to PM me if they wish.

I've ordered a rep of the BB Aspen for my sister in law's 15th birthday later in the year. She's a bit of an Ashley Simpson-wannabe, and doesn't really associate with anyone who knows the first thing about watches. Would anyone likely say anything? If told it was a gift, would that satisfy people's curiousity? (as these are people who know nothing about watches, let alone the existence of reps of non-Rolex watches...) Just thought I'd solicit a few opinions... Thanks in advance

Ziggy, have you had any experiences with reps of the BB Aspen? I've got one on order for my sister in law, and wondered what kind of quality levelI could expect? It wasn't expensive, so I'm not expecting perfection, but if it was 'nice', that would be good... Thansk in advance

Why should people contribute $5 a month? Expecting other people to pay a subscription simply because you do, and morally browbeating others into doing likewise is not eactly mature behaviour. The fact is, this is not a subscription only, so it is not a case of 'paying taxes', but a case of making a coluntary contribution in exchange for certain privelages. I find it interesting that Admin is not the one making demands for money, but others who are expecting people to make the same contributions that they choose to make. I think this post makes that point perfectly As long as this remains a non-subscription forum, then no-one should be heckled, browbeaten or otherwise made to feel guilty about not wanting to make a voluntary donation, especially if they have concerns about the way the forum is handled. I'll leave it at that before I say anything I'll regret.

PM sent RE dealers, and no, the dealer's review section is not visible to all, but a protected forum... :smile:

I have a white dial VC Overseas on order from another dealer, and I am hoping it will arrive this friday. I'll be sure to write a review and post some pictures once it arrives

And what about the less 'out and out' scam artists like Andrew and Joshua, who have been proven to be liars and manipulators on numerous occasions, yet still spoken of like 'Watch Royalty'? What about the people who might think that they can be trusted at their word, buy from them, and wind up getting a smashed watch in the post? Or a watch which they paid for to be waterproofed but leakes like a seive when pressure-tested? Not everyone who posts here will know about those problems, and all the time people gloss over them, n00bs will be more inclined to trust the happy majority, only to wind up getting their pants pulled down, metaphorically speaking, as has happened to me in my recent deal with Silix. As a forum, this place is excellent, and certainly way better than another forum of similar initials, but, I really feel that 'dealer review' sections should be open to all, and there should be no presense of any collectors here at all. If someone wants to know where someone bought a watch from, they can always PM someone. I've had people do that with me, and am more than willing to pass on the name of the respective dealer. That way, it keeps popularity and 'cult of personality' out of the mix. I'm not getting humpty with the folk who pay for it, I'm getting humpty with the attitude that "Just because I pay for it, everyone else should too", as pointed out by others, it is simply distasteful, and not Stephane' place to make such requests in the first place. While I would accept that it is no doubt harmless over-enthusiasm, it must be remembered that others can perceive it as tasteless heckling...

Absolutely. To break down a few points Personally, I strive now to only detail the watch, and the deal itself, and simply offer to pass on the dealer's name privately to interested parties. While I agree, people should definitely express opinions when dissatisfied with dealers, I feel it needs to be done in a balanced way, such as in the dealer review forum. Sadly, that is restricted to VIP members, so I find that somewhat counter-productive... That's cool, I totally understand your point of view there. I just find it interesting that I have had excellent deals with dealers who are not even discussed on these forums, and who are regarded pretty low in the pecking order, but when I actually do business with one of the 'trusted collectors', I wind up with an express delivery not being shipped out for 7 days after payment, and then wind up with a watch with a dying movement... Sure, my 'other dealer' watches might not be running, but that's because I killed them with my tinkering, 'out of the box', they were fine... Might be overstock? Oh I agree, it is a business for them, and no, perhaps a top selling item like the APROO or BB might not be discounted, but look at the humble 2531.80. The community's oft overlooked favorite. Early versions of this watch had 3 markers. The most recent versions (available via the Cartel and Silix) have been sent missing the marker, and if someone then complained, they would be sent a replacement dial. Why the sudden backslide in quality? What if the buyer had not complained? I bet they wouldn't get sent the replacement dial as well... But I'm getting off point... The SMP (particularly the flawed version) would be no problem to discount as a "member's special". Sure, the Chopard might be a nice watch which it's buyers were happy with, the point I was making though, was that in general, it is not a particularly popular watch, compared to some other watches, and that was what made me scheptical of it as a 'goodwill gesture'

Yes, that was what I meant I agree, it should not become a debate about collector's honesty, I was merely explaining that I personally did not want to contribute money to support a forum which allows said collectors to 'shoot fish in the barrel'. I think you misunderstood my point, I am not at all happy with the deal I got from Silix. The point I was making, was that if the watch I wanted was available via other dealers, I would have gone to them. This is the only time I have used a 'forum collector', and it is also the only time I have been shipped a watch which was mechanically faulty, in a manner any visual inspection by said collector would have revealed. I wish I never bought the watch from Silix, and wish I had stuck with my own trusted dealers. I am hoping Silix will send me the replacement parts necessary for me to fix my watch, because the alternative suggestions that I either ship it back for repair (at my expence) or have a replacement shipped out (at my expence) are simply unnacceptable... Indeed, VIP status isn't something which should be preached, but, as pointed out by other posters above, it is, and that is simply distasteful behaviour.

And I totally appreciate what you're saying. Sure, the collector's section might not be accessible to VIP members, but the collectors are still discussed and praised on open forum. As I just pointed out (apologies for missing your post) the behaviour of Cartel Dealers has been established and proven, yet people are still prepared to do business with them. Which is fine, it's totally up to an individual who someone does or does not do business with. But, I don't think they should be so openly praised, when there has been irrefuteable evidence of 'dishonesty' on their part. As for Repgeek, note how one of the dealers offered a 'members special'? Note how it is actually a watch that hardly anyone discusses, rather than something popular, like the APROO, BB or even just an SMP. That 'gesture', strikes me as nothing more than a blatant attempt to offload a lot of unpopular stock, by making it look like a goodwill gesture. Another forum I moderate on has an active filter (like the cuss filter) but it has had certain people's names added. Personally, I think that should be the case here too. If people want to show folks a watch they purchassed, then no problem, but any discussion of dealer names, should remain totally private and off forum, so newcomers who might no know of certain collectors reputations will be unlikely to 'pull the trigger', and wind up getting ripped off. Look at my ongoing recent experience with Silix. I only went with them because they were the only person who sells the watch. Were it not for that reason, I would have stuck with my own trusted dealer, and, given the problems the watch came with, I really wish I hadn't bothered buying It is reasons like this, which is why I will not subscribe, and, as people mentioned above, heckling people to pay to subscribe, or made to feel any less a member of the community because of that, are simply distastefull and inappropriate. That's my feeling on the matter at least.

It's not the amount that concerns me, it is the principle. Edge pointed out the Cartel's behaviour, yet people still not only tollerate them, but virtually worship them, and the admins allows them to continue to attract business via the forum. There is no way I am prepared to give financial assistance to a forum which continues to tollerate proven liars. There is a distinction here between 'the forum', as a commercial entity, and 'the community', of people who post on it. Given my experience with Silix, I am going to stick with the CQout dealers who I know I can trust, because I have personally dealt with them. I'm not bothered about 'Super Reps', so what do I need the 'trusted collectors' for? As I say, this is about principle, not cost.

Because I have no intention in giving financial support to a forum which still allows the Cartel Dealers a place, enabling them to 'shoot fish in a barrel', so I make my contributions to the community by helping and advising others where I can. Also, I don't think the ability to read the VIP forum, sell things (which I don't want to sell) or edit my posts is worth $30.