Noel

Spotted this PAM62 on Bernard watch the other day. http://www.bernardwatch.com/Panerai/Radiomir/PAN133 Firstly, assuming Bernard Watch are the respected gen dealers I think they are, it seems very cheap for a 18k gold watch. They have other steel pams at the same price but I'm not an expert on Panerai prices. Anyway, I love the Radiomir and didn't even realise there was an automatic version. For a few seconds I actually considered buying it before I came to my senses and realised what else I could do with $8k. My main concern was whether it was too small for my wrist (not that my wrist is that big and I do have other 40mm watches I like), so I went looking for a rep to try it out first. Unfortunately, I can't see anything on any of my normal dealers. Does such a rep exist? Cheers Noel

Thanks Lani, Pretty sure now I'll be getting one. The version I was looking at is $298 with Asian 3131 and $258 with Swiss, both from Trustytime. More than I've ever paid for a rep before so would be good if there really is a good version for less than $200. Cheers Noel

Apologies. I was spelling Glidelock wrongly (a typo) in my search and have now found versions with this feature. Dealer I was loking at was not making a big thing of it.

Not been on here for ages but now just spent two solid days surfing. Wasn't intenting to, but now think I'm going to have to expand my collection. I am strangely fascinated by the Milgauss GV. I really need to get down an AD to have a proper look. Worried that the green tint will look gimmicky after a while but love the green/blue lume. However, green sapphire crystal sounds difficult to rep well. Are the green reps any good or would I be safer sticking to plain crystal? I've read the reviews but little specifically about this although I recall one member saying his 'green' had a simply been coated and was now peeling off. The versions I'm looking at appear okay in photos but can anyone confirm. Gen Rolexes now have a feature called 'Easylink' that can extend the bracelet by 5mm. Do any dealers have these bracelets? Should I chose the Asian 3131 rolex clone or Swiss ETA. Frankly, I will never take the back off unless it goes wrong. Is the 3131 worth the extra? I am also considering a new GMT Master II Ceramic. Again I have seen comment on the quality of the rep ceramic but nothing conclusive as to how scratch resistant it is or whether it is really ceramic at all. The gen ceramic is apparently almost impossible to scratch. Finally, I am also considering a DSSD. All reviews seem good and don't think I can go too far wrong. Interestingly the gen also has a new (to me at least) bracelet with something called 'Glidelock'. Not seen that on any dealer site. Any thoughts appreciated. Happy collecting, Noel

Is anyone familiar with these watches? http://www.christopherward.co.uk/ I've just ordered one and makes me ask some questions about the price of usual chinese replicas. Although CW's cost between $400 and $600 for automatics they have 100% genuine swiss eta movements and are put together in the UK with all the associated costs. Why does a watch with a replica movement assembled in low cost china cost nearly as much? Regards Noel

The bottom polished bracelet is Silix's OMES014 not the top one. Apart from that (and as I said in my original posting) it is very close to the genuine. Regards Noel

Hi all, I've been lurking here for quite a while but rarely posted. Recently became a paid up supporter and would encourage everyone to do so. I'm sure this site has already paid for itself many times over (if only in enjoyment). So, what can I tell you............ I think it all started a couple of years back when I at a party and all the guys were comparing watches. I was quite proud of my very slim and light titanium Boccia quartz that I'd been wearing for a few years but for some reason they did not seem that impressed. A few weeks later I tried on a Mont Blanc Timewalker GMT and fell in love with it but could not afford it (or justify the spend). I looked on ebay and found one for sale (obviously a replica) and put in a

Hi fellow collectors, Whenever I make one of my very infrequent postings I always say I will take the time to introduce myslef properly and then get distracted. This weekend I will definietly do so and finally admit that after 30 watches (not from dealers on here) I ain't getting away from this hobby. Just received an SMP from Silix. His OMES014 and would value your opinion. Firstly let me say we had excellent communication and fast delivery. It is undoubtedly faithful to Silix's pictures and the original although bezel is only 60 clicks which surprised me (is this normal?). I have not investigated the movement and would not really know what I was looking for. For some reason I am still a little disapointed. I think the problem is that on a trip to Guangzhou last year I picked up an SMP which, although less accurate, I think I prefer. Unfortunately it only worked for a about a week :-( I have attached pictures of both watches. The one on the left is OMES014 and the one on the right of unknown origin. When it stopped working I attempted to get my local tame jeweller to switch in a movement from a poor quality SMP. Unfortunately it was not a good fit and as you can see the date is in different position. However this watch had an eta 2836 movement, a strap which seems superior to my new one and crisper digits on the 120 click bezel. The bezel is also a slightly darker shade of blue which I love and I believe it is even correctly aligned. Although they both weigh almost the same my old one just feels heavier somehow. I also love the green lume with steel surrounds. In my opinion this looks really classy and it surprised me to see this was not faithful to the original. Neither is the crisp printing. The lume however is almost non existant apart from on the pearl. The pearl is a little high and I suspect prone to damage as has happened on other watches of mine. The lume on OMES014 is very strong. The strap on OMES014 is disappointing and I will almost certainly switch them over. The new strap is not as deep and has rounded and polished sides. I'm not sure if this is original or not but looks cheap. I recall reading somewhere that later SMP batches had a poorer stap than previous versions. If anyone knows what version I picked up in Guangzhou and if they are still available I think I'd buy another. Alternatively is the OMES014 the best currently available? Any thoughts would be of interest. Keep up the good work, Noel