wraithride

Finally got a decent camera phone so I can snap some spur-of-the-moment pix to share on these now! Today, it's the IWC Spitfire on a croc strap...

*UPDATE* I just got the replacement dial from Angus (VERY VERY fast service BTW...) and i tore into the package to see what the replacement looks like. drumroll.......... *sigh* It's exactly the same, with the clipped wing on the 3 o'clock side. DAMN. I guess for the sticklers we can officially call this a flaw on the newest version? I can at least live with it knowing my watch isn't a one-off and broken, but I'm still disappointed that it turned out to be such a major flaw, at least for me. bugs me every time i look at the dial. Oh well, it'll still get wrist time, just disappointed. My phone-camera sucks, but i'll post pictures later tonight of the new dial. WR

I just heard from angus, and he's offering to send a replacement dial. I'll probably take him up on that, and find someone to install it for me. WR

OK, that's what i'm talking about. I'm still waiting to hear from Angus, but he's not responsive what so ever. Those wings look perfect, and that's what I an expecting from what is supposed to be a "super rep". Thanks for the picutes, I was wondering if it was a wide spread flaw, or just dumb luck. WR

I wonder if we can get a replacement dial off one of the previous generation watches and do a face lift...

Here is a pic of the breitling wings. I'm not crazy, am I?

So I ordered and finally got my SOSF from PureTime about a month ago now. Everytime I was looking at the face, something was bugging me and at first I thought the wings on the face were mounted crooked. After a look under magnification, i figured out that part of the wings appear to be broken off. I sent a couple of emails to angus to ask for his opinion and enclosed pictures. It's been almost 3 weeks with no word. I know he's busy, so i'm trying to be patient. While I'm waiting, I wanted to see if I have other options if I don't end up hearing from him. Anyone know what a replacement dial would run, either gen (assuming it would even fit), or for a rep version? I'll post some pics soon, but I wanted to throw some feelers out there and get some opinions. Thanks! WR

So there really is a difference between wrapped and plated huh? I noticed that Angus is selling the blue/gold submariner and there is a choice between gold wrapped and gold plated bracelet links for an additional 90 bucks. Anyone think it's worth it, or it would it be any sturdier with the wrapped links? WR

Except for the fact that the watch will keep working long after it's supposed to be dead!

A set of watch tools with a pin pusher is pretty cheap, nothing fancy needed there. I used to get my watches done at a mall kiosk until I got my own tools. I got tired of shelling out 10 bucks every time I got a new watch. Also, it's so damn nice to be able to wear a new watch that comes in, and not have to wait for a trip to the mall or watch shop before you can wear it. Interesting story though, when I first got my seamaster, I went to the mall to get it sized. One of the screws was pretty tight, and the jeweler tried a little bit to loosen it. Eventually he gave up saying that the watch is too expensive for him to feel comfortable putting more pressure in trying to get the screw out. He said I should take it to an AD to get it sized . Good luck! WR

I just got my new SOSF, and man is it stunning. I couldn't be happier with the watch, it was everything I hoped it would be. This is my first rep with real AR, since i don't consider that blue tint on my 111H to be AR. Everything looks flawless...but... I was looking down at the watch this morning, and just happen to notice that the Breitling wings just below the 12, seemed to be a bit crooked. The left wing seems to be a bit higher than the right. The left side is clear up to where the "23" is on the smaller numbers, where the right side is below the "13". The anchor is almost touching the bottom of the 12. I will post pictures tonight, but I thought I'd throw this out there while I'm at work. I've been scouring the web to find close up pictures of the watch face, but most pictures are taken at a bit of an angle, probably to not get a glare off the crystal. I was wondering if anyone who has an SOSF could tell me if this is somewhat normal, or even if it's a flaw from the gen and it's the best I'm going to get, then I'll be satisfied. I'm really not that picky when it comes to flaws on reps versus gens, but if I indeed did get a sub-par rep, I'll want to send it back. Thanks for your assistance! WR

I've mentioned this before in similar threads, but the fact is that very few people in the real world even notice what you're wearing on your wrist. In all my time collecting and wearing reps, I've never been called out, and barely had anyone even notice what I'm wearing. Because we're in to reps, we are going to look at each watch with painful scrutiny examining for even the smallest flaw. We notice this, because it's our hobby. Others who have commented above are pretty much on the mark, Rolex gets questioned the most, because it's a popular brand to replicate. Most people wouldn't know a TAG or IWC if it jumped up and bit them on the nose. Just my $.02 US WR

So an update to my post from a couple of weeks ago regarding an order that was taking a bloody long time is getting here. I was wearing out my refresh button on my browser, trying to see if there were any updates from the USPS website. My package was handed over to customs on 3/22, and it was saying "inbound into customs" ever since. I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally I checked one more time on Saturday, and it showed that it was released from customs, and on it's way. Man, what a way to torture a guy. The post office just delivered my package, and inside was two brand-spanking-new watches. One beautiful SFSO with a blue face, and a stunning IWC 3717 spitfire. I'll get a better look at them when I get home from work, but I'm very excited. Maybe this time I'll get off my a$$, and take some pictures as I unwrap them. Maybe even a few review pics. WOOHOO!!!! WR

Yeah, mine a regular stainless steel big bang. The racheting sound isn't that noticable to me unless i'm in a quiet room, it hasn't bothered me much. The watch keeps good time so i'm pretty happy with that. I'm sure at some point I'll send mine in for service and see what happens afterwards, but I wonder if others have this same issue if they listen closely enough. WR

I don't know if this is what you're talking about, but I also have a Big Bang, and if I take the watch and tilt it one direction, the rotor makes no noise, just the slightest whisper of the rotor moving. When I tilt it the other way, there is a ratcheting sound, which I always assumed was the mainspring winding. If I tilt the watch back and forth, it sound just like someone with a socket wrench tightening a bolt. One direction no sound, then the ratchet. My BB isn't serviced, and I've had it for about 6 months or so. WR

haha, I don't think my poor heart could t ake it. The anxiety of waiting for reps is bad enough, let alone wondering if i can retire thanks to some lucky numbers . It's kind of funny how things seem to be routine, but end up just being a fluke. I've bought 8-10 reps, and this is the longest i've seen in customs. Guess i've just gotten lucky all this time . Lets see...opening new browser...paste the little tracking number in the box...and...NOPE, still there. DAMN WR

I got spoiled on my last one, it spent probably a grand total of 20 hours in customs, and out for delivery the next day. WR

Wow, talk about a home run on a first swing. 2 replies, and from two members that I would trust most. Ok, sit on my hands it is. I wonder if the customs guys found some nice cubans, and they are waiting until they smoked the entire box before they are going to look at any more packages. Thanks guys! WR

So a few weeks ago after I placed an order for a watch, I commented on how amusing it is when you look at the tracking number for your new shipment, and you see "handed over to customs". That shipment arrived with no issues, and life went on as usual. A couple of weeks later, I placed an order for 2 watches, and I watched the shipment as usual. I saw the typical "handed to customs", and I saw on the USPS tracking site "inbound into customs", and that was on 3/22. It's been 8 days, with no further updates on the site. At this point I'm wondering from our veteran members, do I contact the post office tracking dept. via the phone? Should I contact the dealer? Should i sit on my hands and wait patiently for an update? Any thoughts would be welcome. WR

Hey BT, how is the strap that came with that one? I was just looking at picking one of those us, and I like how the stitching matches the hand color. Is it decent? WR

Do yourself a favor if you want some reassurances, read The Zigmeister's review of the movement and it's reliability. The fact is that yes, with proper service the movement will last a long time. Most of our movements out of the box, work reliably and without any issues. As with any customer service or product experience, we tend to only comment on the negative. Given the sheer number of watches that we all own with the A7750 movement in them, it has a pretty low chance of giving you problems. If you do decide to get your watch serviced by a watchsmith, be sure to find out exactly what you are paying for. Are they going to completely tear down the movement? or just a quick lube job? Don't be afraid to ask questions. As far as not playing with the chronos, that's been proven to be pretty much a myth. If you're using the chronos as intended and something breaks, work with your dealer and get it taken care of. There are a few tips and tricks for the movement, read up and bit and you'll be fine. I think a some people are still pretty gun shy from the previous versions, when there was a higher rate of problems and out right failures. At the end of the day you still don't want to get one, *shrug* there are still plenty of watches out there to choose from. WR

Awesome, thanks for the reply. How loose is the fit with a 21mm? If it looks crappy, i'll just go with a 22, and sand it down. I just noticed in your spitfire review, you mentioned that 22mm springbars won't fit. I assume i'll use 21mm? WR

I just pulled the trigger on 2 watches, an IWC spitfire 3717, and the Breitling SFSO. I wanted to get some straps ordered, so the straps might be here in time with the watches. Can anyone tell me the size of the lugs or the strap width for these watches? Much appreciated! WR

I had the exact same issue with my new strap and my 111. I just use the bars without the tubes, though it would be nice if they fit. The bars work just fine without the tubes, you're not missing anything. WR

I was actually wondering about that. I like going into ADs to look, but I have yet to ask to see something behind the counter. Ok, that's not true. I was in vegas a couple of years ago when the Big Bang first came out, and a lady showed it to me without me having to ask. I wasn't sure what the easiest way to escape from an AD, when I really do have no intention of buying. I guess the worst case scenario, I'll point behind them and yell "what in the world is that!?!?" and run like hell WR