DiverDoug

Everything ended up great. The watch still works well (though runs a bit fast) even today. If you go to Trevor's section fir reviews, you'll see both of my reviews (have a V3 noob PAM111 now...niiiiice!). Long story short, Trevor is an awesome TD!

A bit of an interesting article along the topic of the thread. I still hardly see the point of a HEV, as well as waterproofing a watch much beyond 100m :-) But hey, that's just my opinion ;-) DD

http://beckertime.com/blog/2013/why-rolex-has-a-helium-escape-valve-on-its-deep-seas/ Here's an article I found recently about helium escape valves on Rolexes, in case anyone was interested.

Final update #2 (honest!) I wrote up a full review of the process of purchasing through Trevor for whomever is interested. It's located HERE Enjoy! Now, the hunt for my next rep begins.....

Hi all, Just received my PAM111 Noob rep from Trevor and finally got it working. While one co-worker was impressed with the rep (and he knew it was a rep) another co-worker (a rather pompous [censored] who always has a smart-ass putdown to pretty much anything anyone says) tried to ridicule my choice of rep (ie the fact that it was a high-quality rep instead of a gen). Of course, it was later on that I thought of a good reply. Since we all know at least one person like this, here's what my response is going to be from now on: Him: "That's a fake, isn't it!" (in a condescending, sarcastic tone) Me: "Yup. It's as fake as your girlfriend's orgasms..." If the guy gets angry, my next repy would be "Sorry, mate. I guess I shouldn't have assumed you'd have an actual girlfriend." Be proud of your reps! Just my two cents' worth... DD

Final update: A screw inside the watch finally came out to show itself and it would jam up the balance wheel. I took it back to the watchsmiths agreed that it would be a much easier fix. $40 to put the screw back in and check the rest of them (the $600 - 800 was the advertised price for servicing luxury watches, including complications). Now, I have a perfectly working watch and keeps great time and looks good enough to make at least one co-worker jealous that I own a Panerai (sort of ;-) ). Not only was the watchsmith impressed with the quality of the rep (in terms of looks and function), he wants to buy one himself from Trevor! He had a few reps himself even. And the good news for people here (particularly for Aussies), he may likely sign up to RWG, so it may be another rep-friendly Swiss-trained may be in our midst! I'll be posting a full review soon of the purchasing process from Trevor. Some interesting findings that newbies might be interested in reading... DD

Anything from a 1964.5 - a 1968 red Mustang convertible with 3 on the tree. To me, the ultimate cruising car when you've got no place to go and all day to get there. Like what Luigi from "Cars" would say: " It says 'Look at me! Here I am! Lllllllllove me...' ". Just my thoughts... DD

Hi all, I'm trying to locate a rep-friendly repairer who can fix or service my brand new PAM111. If anyone can point me in the right direction, it would be extremely appreciated! DD

I got my PO with a 4813 movement from Trevor last October for less than $200. Despite a bit of a rough patch in the beginning (ie it stopped twice), it's been on my wrist for the last 7 months and despite gaining about a minute or so every week, it hasn't skipped a beat (no pun intended! ;-). I just had it in to a watchsmith and he said it was a really good rep and would be quite difficult to tell the difference from a gen. I also just bought a Noob v3 PAM111 from Trevor and it arrived last week, but unfortunately something has gone wrong with it. Regardless, I brought it into the WS and he said that it too was a fantastic rep and would be extremely difficult to tell from a gen, so Trev's quality is pretty good too. Andrew seems to have a lot of really nice reps for less than $200 as well. Because Trev doesn't have the reps i'm after, I'll probably go through Andrew next. Would be keen to hear how you go with your search! DD

Update : Took it to a watchsmith and was told that it would cost at least $600-800 to service, as they only deal with real parts :-( ....Bummer. So, any reliable Aussie members here who would be able to service it for the above mentioned price range, or would at least open it up for me? DD PS The jeweller who looked at it said that in terms of being a rep, it would be extremely difficult to tell it from a gen, so another thumbs up for Trev and the Noob factory !

Yup Mike, will still take it in to get it looked at. The lume is pretty good, so I don't think it needs to be relumed. Will be interesting to see what happens. Regardless, I'll still write up a full review of the process. Trev has been really good about and apologetic, even though I doubt he personally had anything to do with it not working. Stay tuned y'all...

Ok, now THIS is weird. Immediately after writing my last post, I looked at my watch that was sitting on my bedside table after ir was sitting there for a few hours. To quote a Mary Shelley novel, "It's alive...IT'S ALIIIIIIIVE!!!" I've seen people write about Frankenreps, but I thought it meant a different context ;-) Don't ask me how, but it suddenly started working. God knows how long it will work though. I'll see if it lasts overnight. Oh well, it might be an idea to take it in anyway.

The more I read through other threads, the more I tend to agree. I've heard back from Trevor and he thinks that the problem is with the balance wheel. Regardless, I'll take it to a watchsmith I know and see what he says.Trev offered an exchange but it may not be worth the hassle. He has been pretty good with his communication but if it's better to get it done locally, well... DD

That's where the risk is. Pay money to have it serviced (assuming I can find someone here in Brisbane who will do it) only to find that there are bigger problems, or just send it back and hope the one I get back is ok. Decisions, decisions....

Thanks for the advice. The only thing is, I don't want to spend a lot of money getting it serviced only to find that it's a much bigger problem where I should have just sent it back. From the watchmaker I've spoken to, servicing costs in the hundreds of dollars. I would have thought that a new watch (even a Noob rep) woud run longer than 30 mins, especially since my PO is still running great with a 4813 inside. If getting it serviced is recommeneded first, I wouldn't have bothered spending the extra money for quality that supposedly comes from the Noob factory and just gone for the cheaper option. Anyway, I'll take it to a guy I know here in Brisbane (hopefully he's still working at the shop) and see what he says. Thanks again for the advice! :-) DD

Hi all, After breaking my "rep cherry" with Trevor last year, I thought it was time to get my second. I decided to keep with Trevor (as sticking with a single TD was always advised) and decided that I would spend a bit more money and get a Noob v3 PAM 111 (I know it's very cliche, but I like it's simplicity). Unfortunately, it hasn't gone as planned I ordered with Trev via email on the 13th and it arrived today (the 23rd). The communication was really straightforward (mostly because I wasn't asking any dumb questions like the first time!) , the QC photos were great (and showed on the timegrapher that it was a great watch), so I thought everything was going to be sweet. So, this was what arrived today : and After winding the watch and seeing it run for about 30 mins, it stopped three times. I know the watch was fully wound (or at least close to it), as there was an increasing amount of resistance on the crown and it's pretty tight now as it is. Now, after the third time, it has stopped completely and will not go at all (ie the movement, a A6497, isn't moving at all now). I don't want to wind it any more because I'm worried it will break completely. I wasn't worried about it stopping twice, as the first watch I purchased from Trevor (an Omega PO) stopped twice, but it has barely missed a beat since. Has this happened to anyone else with a PAM? Does anyone have any advice? I'm not going to scream foul (yet), as Trev was pretty good with the whole process, and I've emailed him about it (hopefully I'll hear back from him soon). I figure that I'll have to send it back, but I thought I would throw it out there to see if anyone else has experienced that with a Noob v3 PAM. Any advice would be appreciated. DD

I wonder when reps of these are coming out ;-) http://www.boredpanda.com/creative-watches/ Enjoy! DD

Since I'm married : Home Alone ;-)

Spot on, mate! You illustrate my point exactly. I would also believe that the vast majority of people wouldn't know the significance, value or history of a Panerai anyway (hopefully my Nood PAM111 will be here next week!), same with others such as Patek Phillippe, AP, A Lange& Sohne, etc. To them, it's just a nice looking watch. As for the rappers, "it's all about the bling!", so I reckon they don't care. As long as it looks good, that's all that matters to them, fake diamonds and all (although Jay Z is an avid collector of real APs, as I read a great article about his collection). If they aren't trying to pass it off as a gen, who are they hurting? For all we know, they may have purchased the watch as a gen and have been ripped off, but they want to save face. I think we're all on the same wavelength here. Any boasting about their watches is always meant in good fun and pseudo-bravado (at least that's how I interpret it) and for the most part, other people are even complimentary on their choices. Everyone seems to take pride in their collections here, whether it's one or a hundred, and encourages people to extend this hobby. Many of the reps that are coming out are brilliant pieces of jewellery, and unless someone carries around a jeweller's loupe (anyone?), very few people are going to know, and even fewer will even care. They will just know that the watch looks good, and that Patek you're wearing was probably found next to the Timex watches at K-mart ;-) Just my two cents' worth.... DD

What if someone knowingly purchases a rep, wears it accordingly, but doesn't try to pass it off as a gen (ie if someone asks, they say it's a rep), is it really wrong? If someone looked at my PO and said, "Hey, that's a fake!", my first reaction would be to say, "Ya, it is!.....and?" If you admit it right away, they have nothing to come back with. It's like when a celebrity is rumoured to have had a boob job and they vehemently deny it (looking right at you, Tori Spelling!). If they were honest and admitted it right away, the newspapers would not really have much of a comeback. Same with reps. Who cares ? Just enjoy them for what they are

What a great article. A bit old, but I'm so glad it resurfaced. I agree that a $200 cheap timing machine would solve a lot of the problems for people who aren't as technically able as the OP, but I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who would enjoy the challenge of building their own, as well as the satisfaction that would come from building one that is as accurate (or at least very close) as a dedicated one. Plus, for $30, c'mon! A great little weekend project. Now here's my question. Who would be interested in gathering all these DIY articles into a separate section in the forum (think something like 'Instructables.com')? I know there's a how-to section, but there's only one article in it. I'm sure there would bea number of savvy DIYers out there who would enjoy showing people how to build stuff like the time reader above. Anyone else interested in seeing a section like this? DD

Toro sounds evil and bent on taking your money by giving you quality watches *and* great customer service...and setting you up for repeat business (read : addiction to quality reps). Do many people know about this?? Be wary people! Easy access to quality reps can lead to empty wallets...and great looking wrists :-) Always great to hear positive stories about TDs!

Awesome Vacheron, Rob! Can i ask where you got it or at least get the specs? DD

Patek...just because ! :-) I think it's a nice status symbol, but that's just me. .

Latest sign: * You are in the process of organising the Westboro Baptist Church to protest outside of BaselWorld 2014, with you holding "GOD HATES CHEAP REPS" and "GOD HATES GENS" signs.