frost

Here's the exact piece: http://www.ttw888.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_7&products_id=10415 Just threw it on a 'Bond' NATO and I think it looks great. Crown and stem mechanism wasn't assembled well.. I still need to see if I can do a self repair. Manual winding is hit or miss.. the crown doesn't always "catch" and sometimes just spins idly. My intention was always to keep this as a casual piece. Not concerned if it gets banged around at all. As far as accuracy is concerned, I don't see any glaring gotchas that I might get called out on (please correct me if I'm wrong), but then again, I'm not one to micro-manage a replica -- i.e. "The "R" in Rolex is 1 / 40th of a micro off center and is thereby an epic failure of a production run." If it's going to fall apart in 5 years, so be it -- but again, it there's anything very wrong with this particular rep, I'd like to hear about it.

Hmm.. I purchased a no-date ceramic sub from TT not too long ago. Might have to ask for your opinion on that Sputim. Don't have the model number handy at the moment unfortunately.

Pretty sure you can buy they from any watch repair shop. I don't think they're brand or model specific, they just come in different sizes.

Does anyone have a recommendation on the best 2201.50 rep (Quantum of Solace PO). This is the closed-back non-ceramic version. I've got one from a TD, but I'm not sure which factory it's from.

Freddy - thank you so much for your quick reply. I completely agree with your points on QC, just frustrated with the situation with 2 failures in such a short period of time. All things considered, if I wanted to take the time to learn how to do this myself, is there a "HOW TO" or youtube guide you could recommend? I don't mind getting my hands dirty so to speak, I'd actually enjoy learning some basics in watch repair, provided I'm not at super-high risk of screwing something up. Based on your description, this sounds like a relatively minor repair.

I just purchased my second watch from a TD, and the dealer is now 2 for 2 in failures. I won't get into the issue with the first watch, but this second I received has an Asian 2836-2 movement. I received it on Tuesday this week, and it seemed to work fine at first. I took off the bracelet and put it on a "Bond" NATO, and couldn't be happier with the look. The first time I wound it on Tuesday, it worked as expected, no problems at all. I hadn't worn the watch, and let it run down by itself over the next day and a half. Yesterday (3/27), I pick it up again, unscrew the crown and attempt to wind it and the crowd spins very loosely. Clearly something isn't "catching" internally the way it should be. When I pull the crown all the way out, the hands move they way they should for setting time, but after pushing it back in again, the watch will not wind the way it's supposed to, and the crown spins freely without the normal light resistance you get when winding. If I press the crown in without screwing it down a few times, it will eventually "catch" and allow me to wind it manually, but it's obvious that something is wrong with the internal mechanics. I'd appreciate it if anyone can give me an idea of what might be wrong with it. This is the *second* watch I've received this month from this very well respected dealer here on RWG forums that has had a major problem. Up to this point, email response has been relatively quick but it is often dismissive. The first watch containted a completely different movement from the watch I ordered (as evident through pictures on the product page). I'm beyond frustrated at this point, as he's supplied the incorrect item, and a broken item back to back with little restitution offered other than "send it back. thanks." I don't think I should be responsible for any costs whatsoever.

I wholeheartedly agree. It may not be the TD's fault entirely, as the "factory" is ultimately responsible for delivering goods that match the description they provided to the TD, however the TD is responsible to protect his customers. I picked up a second watch about two weeks after purchasing the PO from this dealer, and I have crown slipping issues on that one --- it just arrived on Tuesday of this week! Starting to get very frustrated with the "hobby" as it were. I haven't brought this to his attention yet as I want to deal with one issue at a time, but thus far, I've been sent utter crap. If this does not work out, I'll obviously be writing up a full cautionary tale in the hopes of warning people from buying from this TD, perhaps even getting TD status revoked.

He's offering to send a replacement movement, but wants me to send the one I have back. Would it be more expensive to send my watch back to him (with all the associated risks with possible loss, or getting something back that's worse that I already have), or getting a rep friendly watch repair service to replace the movement, and ship the old one back to China? I'm frustrated that I have to pay for all these things that are not my fault... especially considering the reputation of this TD.

About a month ago, I ordered an Omega Planet Ocean from a TD. Originally, I placed the order for the wrong model watch, and contacted the TD immediately to have the order updated. He was agreeable, and I sent him the difference in cost between the watch I ordered, and the upgraded version I didn't see at first. After a short time had passed, I began to notice things that weren't right. First, the AR coating came off nearly immediately. Next, I noticed the serial number was different than the number the website said it would be marked with. I was starting to suspect I was sent the cheaper model from my original order. I was nearly certain, so I purchased a tool to open the back of the watch, and I discovered that the movement was all gold, no insignia of any kind on the rotor when the website clearly stated and showed pictures that it was to be a Nickel-plated Swiss ETA 2824-2 with the Omega insignia engraved. When I contacted the TD, I was essentially blown off at first and told it was a "100% genuine ETA or money back" to which I replied "while that may or may not be, this is not what I ordered -- the watch on the page I ordered from is Nickel Plated with an Omega logo on the rotor, this is some kind of gold movement that does not resemble the pictures on your webpage at all." Now I'm being asked to ship it back to China on my dime so the TD can discuss what might have gone wrong with the factory (apparently pictures won't suffice). Please see that attached picture. I'm not trying to throw the TD under the bus, I'm just looking for some advice because I think it's ridiculous to have to pay to ship something back when I was sent the wrong item in the first place.

Agreed. Is there a preferred method, or just elbow grease?

Unfortunately not. By all accounts, it appears to be some kind of poorly implemented coating that rubs off very easily

Improper, as in they occasionally screw them up, or is this a known flaw affecting a large percentage, or all of the items they release

Please let me know what he says.. I'm curious. Andrew offered to send another piece of "glass" --- I'm verifying that he means sapphire.

I'm more concerned about this being a QC problem in general that they don't have a fix for. I literally just got the thing yesterday.. kind of frustrating.

I sent him an email. Waiting on reply. He's been very good at getting back to me.

I apologize if this topic has been discussed before, but I recently purchased my first rep, and while happy with the overall experience with Andrew from Trusty Time (excellent communication), I'd like to inquire about the experiences people have had with the AR coating on these watches. The model I purchased (OMG0154) is a rep of the PO worn in Quantam of Solace (Omega 2201.50). It's listed as having a purple AR coating on the crystal. I didn't notice it at first, but at certain angles it looks like a very smudged up purple hologram on the glass. I tried using a lens cleaning cloth to wipe it clean, but to no avail. Unfortunaetly, it's next to impossible to photograph this phenomenon. Has anyone here seen anything similar with AR coatings?