TeeJay

Well, it's been quite a wait, but, I feel it was well worth it. This little beauty arrived through my door this morning, and I am more than happy with it Are there flaws? Of course there are, and I'm sure the Omega Experts will be quick to point them out, but, there are a few things about it that I am particularly happy with:

Bezel Insert. Only misalligned by 2 degrees. The bezel resisted an initial removal attempt, so I just pulled out the mechanism, popped out the crystal, and levered the insert out from behind, re-set it, and put it all back together. The pearl's not perfect, but I'm not someone who demands 100% accuracy. They color of the bezel is gorgeous, and, the markings are the correct size, rather than the over-sized markers on the 2254.50 bezel insert.

Dial. Not the strongest wave pattern or lume, but, it has the 3 marker! With the recent Cartel Reps missing this marker, I was overjoyed to see it.

Bracelet. Individual links rather than the single piece moulded links that came on my project watch. Clasp has diver's extension, and engraved lettering. There is a single stripped screw/pin, but, I have adjusted it to fit, and will likely be putting it on the brown leather strap I've mentioned recently, so I can certainly live with this 'unbalanced' bracelet for now.

As I say, it's not perfect, but, it's certainly not as bad as some reps (the recent 'Red Seamaster', for example) and the price was excellent. Time for the photos...

Oh yes, the cost?

Don't expect the functions to be replicated very well. The movement will be at best a vague look-alike. Same as with the Breitling B-1 reps that use the Miyota T241 quartz dual display.

Thanks for the warning, I guess all I can do is place the order, and see how it is when it arrives

Same as before, I'm afraid, Submariner on leather Daytona strap. Since I last photographed it, I soaked the strap for 30 minutes in Tea (no milk or sugar ), and to the eye, that has blended the colors, giving it a more 'uniform' appearance. However, for some reason, the camera is not picking up this blending, and when photographed, it still appears 'blotchy', in both color and texture (while to the eye, appears to be primarily a smooth toffee color) Shame about the camera not picking it up as it appears to the naked eye, but, the dying was a success

I would avoid it as it is a replica in the 80% accuracy range of a genuine that has limited appeal. The rep is fully functional but has some quirks like no instructions, an analog quartz and digital quartz readout that do not stay synchronized, lots of backlash in the minute hand when setting, a bezel that doesnt line up with 12:00 between clicks, engraving on the back that the genuine does not have, a screw off caseback with faux screw heads.....I could go on and on. Not a bad watch for $75 but a replica that isn't even close to the genuine.

Mine arrived with a broken bracelet. I replaced it and then sold it to Richard

100% accuracy isn't one of my primary concerns, so that wouldn't worry me too much, and the synchronization between the analogue and digital, is an issue I had with my Softech watch (threw it out as the battery leaked into the movement), so I used to simply re-set the hands to the digital every morning (normally just meant pulling the crown out for a few seconds while the digital 'caught up', and then re-starting the analogue) so those are things I could certainly put up with. When you say there's backlash in the minute hand while setting, what do you mean by that? I found an online instruction manual which said that the minute hands moved twice in 30 second increments, so should be positioned according to the seconds (0-29, line up with the marker, 30-59 line up 'mid markers') Was this the issue you mean or was it some other flaw (such as the hand 'jumping' forwards when the crown is locked down?) As for the case back, it would only come 'off wrist' at home, and the only people who would see it in public, aren't really watch enthusiasts. I was just thinking that for the price, it might be a nice change to the other 'dive watches' in (or coming too) my collection

I had the replica X-33 from Silix. A nice watch with some quirks as mentioned. ( I never really figured out the alarm..) The replica might be worth a shot just to see if you like the style.

Actually. my GF found it way cooler than my more expensive mechanical super-reps.. I traded it on, but are still considering the gen.. Either the X-33 or a Breitling B-1.

If you get the replica X-33, be aware that there are two batteries in the back. One is hidden under the mainplate.

Tintin and Haddock are amazed by the many functions of the X-33

I was planning on getting mine from Silix as well. Which quirks did yours feature? With the alarm, from what I understand, there is the regular alarm, which would be set for say 7 AM each day, but there is also the Mission Elapsed Time alarm, which I guess works in conjunction with the Mission Elapsed Time counter (so a redundant combination of a stopwatch, and a countdown timer) Was that the problem you had with it? Out of curiosity, would you have said that the alarm was 80db as per the gen? Also, did yours have the 'indiglo' nightlight function?

I've been thinking of getting one of these, and wondered if anyone might have any opinions about them? I've read a few reviews which, while informative, lacked any real 'personal opinion' I had thought of putting it on the Omega double ridged rubber deployant strap, but, having seen one already on this, and seeing how the strap gapes from the lugs (Curse of the Planet Ocean ) have decided to stick with my initial plan to put it on a brown leather strap. If anyone has any experience with this watch (particularly the reps of it) I'd love to hear them

I am in fact a fan of the X-33, but not on that strap.. It looks too cheap. The stock Ti-bracelet is not as well made as on other Omegas, but it fits well with the style of the watch.

Other nice choices for smart/casual is the regular Tag Heuers.. Link or Link GMT, they would be considered a bit cheaper than the Seamaster Pro.

Indeed, the strap I fabricated onto the X-33 is a cheap one. The watch it comes on is only

Hello,

I think it is fair to let you guys know that I finaly received my watch from Paul (Wo Mart) today !

It took about 9 weeks, but I must confess that it was worth the wait ;-)

It is a BIG and beautifull B&R BR01 that is very well done. The best watch I have ever seen and own ;-)

Paul even send me a SD card for the long delay.

Thank you for your help and support,

Dom

I'm glad to hear it arrived, and you're happy with it. I've got an Omega SMP on order from another dealer which has been delayed as apparently they had a problem with several parcels being intercepted by customs, so are re-sending them all again. I might have to wait longer than I expected, but I'm trying to stay optimistic

As someone who spent their childhood wanting to be an astronaut, I have to say, that is an awesome combination, and sounds like an excellent strapmaker to do business with. On a personal preferance, I've always found velcro straps a bit scratchy, but I absolutely love how that looks

Thanks again for the continued suggestions I'm seeing a lot of suggestions for the SMP, and that's something I have on order, however, I think it might still look a bit too expensive for what I had in mind... Any comments at all on the X-33? How do people think it looks mocked up on the leather strap? Would it look better on the double-ridged rubber deployant strap? I've decided to definitely get one, but wasn't too keen on the stock bracelet... When I was younger, I wanted to be an astronaut (didn't actually wind up being one ) so an astronaut's watch would certainly be a fitting tribute to that dream...

Thanks again for the suggestions Another criteria I should've mentioned, was it can't look 'too expensive', which was one reason I thought of the X-33 (because everyone knows digital watches are cheap ) What do people think of the concept I mocked up? Would that be passable?

Thanks for the responses. I've just had a quick idea and knocked it up on photoshop... Would this fit people's idea of 'Smart/Casual'? If people saw someone in jeans and a button down shirt (or even a polo shirt) with casual shoes, would this be considered an appropriate watch?

For those situations where you're not trying to look totally flash and smart, but have to look 'presentable', what would be the best watch/combination (ie watch and ss/leather/NATO etc)

Thanks in advance

Yes... with a "silent" H

Well, best thing is to hear it.

That does not work really for me, maybe for you.

http://www.chronometrie.com/watchsounds/watchsoundspage.htm

Thanks for the link, it worked fine I think I've got the pronuciation worked out now

That's not too bad looking for an inexpensive rep. Do any of our dealers carry it?

It's pretty nice, isn't it. As I mentioned above, I actually prefer the dial layout to the genuine. I don't think any of the Usual Suspects carry it, but that doesn't really matter as there's already a source

PS I just found this photo, which shows the detail of the strap really well...

I think my 2531.80 will look fantastic on it.

Would you ever put a cheap 'dime store' strap on a decent rep? For example, I put this strap on my fiance's J12, and she wears it more now, than she did when it was on it's original bracelet...

In town today, I saw a

Here is a great reference page:

John Holbrook's ExpII Review

John's comparison review of the Seamaster Vs the Submariner was what originally got me interested in Omega watches, and, had Casino Royale brought the Planet Ocean to my attention, it would have convinced me to get that Seamaster. (Ironically still one I need to get)

The U of Hublot is probably the most difficult sound to pronounce for people who's native language is English. Just because it does not exist.

That U corresponds to

Thanks for all the replies, folks. Given the comments, I think I'll only go to ofrei when I need the rubber strap and buckle I linked to above. (and in a change of plan, it will be going on an Omega Speedmaster X-33 rather than the 2254.50 SMP) As for the other brown straps I was planning on getting, I actually found a shop in town today that sold a cheap Limit watch for

Wow a little off subject but...

545 posts in 3 months? Impressive...

Why not join as a member and at least support the forum? Its only $10 (last time i checked)

Because I'm not prepared to pay just to be able to edit my posts or to buy/sell items in the sales section. When I get some more watches through, I will be writing some reviews as my contribution to the forum

I was just wondering if anyone knows where I could get a green GMT hand without having to buy an entire watch as the donor? Thanks in advance

Hmmm.... the guess the issue is that i try to confine myself to 'must have' buys; the watches that i have wanted for quite some time that i haven't been able to pick up for one reason or the other. I have to say that i have admired the Navitimer from afar but it has never been 'a must have watch' when i start buying things on impulse is where it all goes down hill for me! I think i will try to behave myself and see if the Brietling reaches 'must have" status.... mean while pass the Wisatrin

for those who are interested my must have list is this :

111h, rolex prince (tiger striped) c. 30's, Rolex Bubble back (steel w/ arabic dail and sub sec's c. 40's, rlx 5513 california dial .

Ahh, that makes sense. I'm not one for impulse buys either. These are the watches that are my immediate 'must haves'

Omega Planet Ocean 45mm,

Omega Aqua Terra (with Planet Ocean hands)

Panerai Luminor Marina

Rolex GMT Submariner (project built from 3 watches)

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6200 (Built from Submariner left over from GMTSub project)

As Gifts:

Chanel j12 White (mother in law)

Hublot Big Bang Aspen (fiance)

Panerai Luminor Marina (father in law)

Even though my Omega 2531.80 project watch was the first project I started on, I'm not as enthused about the project as I was, and that's lower down on my 'must do' list.

Teejay-

Here is the gen:

http://www.lacotedesmontres.com/Hublot-Big...res-No_5661.htm

It is 41mm so it is made for women.

Thanks for the link, it's interesting to compare the two watches. I have to admit, I actually prefer the rep as all the subdials have a function, and there isn't a date window, whereas on the gen, the '3' subdial is blank, and the date window looks like an 'afterthought' rather than a considered part of the original design... On the gen's side however, the material of the case is much finer quality, and those 'screws' on the bezel are more interesting than the regular screws on the rep... Thanks for the comparitive link, I think I'll definitely be getting the rep

Try "(h)yuuuublow". No, seriously. There is a white HBB. You don't have any pics of what you are looking at though so we can't comment. You could also consider the white ceramic Chanel J12.

Thanks for the clarification on pronunciation. Hugh Blow . Gotcha This is the item in question:

White BB

I'm sure it's probably 100% fantasy, but, my fiance's not a watch fanatic, so that wouldn't matter to her. As for the Chanel J12, she's already got one of those, although it's now custom fit onto a white leather cuff-style strap

I'm planning on getting my fiance one, and wondered if it was an offered model, or if it's 100% fantasy. Wouldn't matter if it is fantasy, because she likes how it looks, but I was just curious. Also, how is the brand name pronounced? I'm guessing it's not Hub - Lot, and wondered if it was Who Blow, or something entirely different like Hub Blow or Whob Lot?

Am i being excessive ?

Rags

I think the best answer has already been given:

Provided that you're not spending money you don't have, go for it.

I have six more definite watch purchasses planned, (Three of those are as parts donors for my planned GMT Submariner project, one is a donor for my 2531.80 project) There are also a couple of watches I'm thinking about getting as well. And three I need to get as gifts. Having an allocated budged is okay, it's even okay to go 'over budget' if the money to do so is still available, so I'd echo Teddy's statement: Only spend what you can truly afford to spend, and you won't go wrong