Jumbie

That's pretty cool Nanug. Remind me never to [censored] you off though. I don't mess with people with axes. *** Actually, I have a question. Hope it doesn't get lost in this thread. Where do you guys source leather from. Buy it online? Old stuff at flea markets e.g. an old leather jacket? Hunt animals in the great white north with your axe then skin them and tan the leather? [edit] lol, urinate is censored. hehehe [/edit]

No plans on making one in the immediate future. Another month at least before I have the free time to tackle such a project. If I even do...

Yup, there will always be a constant flow of new people to the market. People such as myself who just came across the idea of buying a rep watch about a month ago. The thing is that I consider myself an educated consumer. I try to extensively research anything before I buy it. But I know a lot of people aren't like that - they will see the watch they want, read for 5 minutes about a dealer and maybe one review and then buy the watch.

For what it's worth it prevented me, as someone new to the rep game, from buying from the cartel dealers because I don't make a habit of buying from dishonest people. It's one thing to be dealing in illegal goods, but another to lie to your customers about it.

I read your excellent tutorial last night. In fact, I guess it's what got me thinking about this in the first place. If you look, you'll see that the last post in it is mine thanking you guys for the effort you put into it for the benefit of people like myself.

I think pugwash's point is that despite flaws, etc. people re obviously still buying these reps. Therefore there is no reason for the price to come down. In fact, they only seem to be climbing. First they make a rep for $200 and people say it's expensive then still buy it. Then $350 - expensive but they still buy it. $600, $800, $1000 - all the same thing. As long as they're/we're buying them, there is no reason to lower the prices even with whatever flaws they have.

Just wondering cause the idea is appealing to me. I'd probably give it a shot if I had the time and tools and access to some good leather to try (although I guess I'd experiment with some cheaper crap first). Thing is that I don't consider myself to be very handy and I'm sure that it's a whole hell of a lot tougher than it looks. So anyway guys - share.

This was an awesome thread. Thanks guys. Maybe I'll take up the strap-making challenge one day when I have the time.

I thought it sucked. I don't have much else to add to it because I though the Sopranos started going downhill after maybe season 2 or 3. Don't know why I even stuck with it but I guess it's cause I just like the whole "gangsta thing". As well, I guess I don't like open endings. I need closure... I gotta give the writers props for building up a huge amount of suspense in the last 5 minutes though. Was sure that Meadow was going to walk in just in time to see her family wiped out. Kinda glad that Tony didn't die or rat out to the Feds but I sure wish AJ had gotten locked in that car when it caught on fire (yeah, he's the dumb; it could happen).

It seems to me that the "super reps" are only better in terms of aesthetics rather than quality of the parts (well except for maybe the crystals) i.e. they look better and are more accurate in terms of reproducing the gens. I guess that some may have the "Swiss" ETA movement rather than an Asian clone for example, but even those can have issues with quality control given that they're not really Swiss movements. IMO you're just as at risk of getting a broken crown on a "super rep" as on your Daylight. Someone correct me if I'm wrong because, as my previous post said, I'm pretty new to this and just going by what I've read.

I wasn't around before so can't really comment on the increased price but I guess that's capitalism for you. The price is set at what the market will bear and I guess the dealer's will keep testing new waters. Many people will justify it given that there's still a huge savings on some of the reps compared with the gen; depending on the watch of course. For myself, I'm not willing to spend more than around $300 on a rep and then pay another couple hundred to have it modded, etc. If the movements were more reliable in terms of QC (not talking about oiling, cleaning, etc. cause that can be paid for) I'd be more likely to take the chance on it but, while certain movements can be good, there still seems to be risk in terms of the longevity to me.

Does it look like this one?

Tell me where you live so I can come steal that VC. hehehe Looking really good. Will have to learn how to take a crystal out of a case one day so I can send it in for AR.

hxxp://people.timezone.com/jmerino/patrimony.jpg

It's hard to tell even on the VC website but it looks like Danae may be correct. I'm trying to find pics as well. Check this one out hxxp://www.tp178.com/ag/Vacheron/steel%20chrono/brand.jpg replace the xx with tt

Thanks The Zigmeister. Will definitely be getting in touch with you. Enjoy your summer.

Thanks for the vote of confidence for TWA flavor flav. Of course, that's for his character and not his work. Good to hear that he seems to know what he's doing. I've already placed and order with him so I'm getting the watch one way or another. Oddly, I'm not worried. BTW, what I've seen of your work has been beautiful!

I've voted but I'll explain as well. I like my watch a little higher up my wrist but I also like it slightly loose so it's always sliding down to the bottom. Constantly find myself lifting my hand vertically so it slides back up. I guess that would be irritating for some but it's like second nature now. I don't like my watch to do a 360 but, as I said, I like it a bit loose - about enough for me to get one finger beneath the band. The good thing about having my watch sit higher up on my wrist (I guess technically at a point on my forearm) is that I can type at a computer like I am now and not have it bang on the keyboard/laptop.

Yeah, I understand about the whole serviced thing that archibald is referring to from dealers. I won't pay extra money for that. I'm not sure exactly how much of a dealer TWA is because I don't see any pieces advertised by him except for the modded 111H and 177H. In fact, I PMed him to ask if a 112H was available fully-modded. I guess I feel comfortable with the idea because since he is doing the work himself I expect some level of QC (something that apparently seems to be an issue with Davidsen from what I've read which, I find surprising to be honest); especially if he's not dealing with a lot of volume. The one risk is if his mods are poor quality to begin with but I don't believe that to be the case.

Thank you. I hope not. I was just trying to do my research. Like I said, I tried a pretty exhaustive search (I think) over there. He has pics up of a modded display piece. Many of the apparent experts over on the other forum seem to think that there are quite a few flaws on Davidsen's pieces and it would be better to buy a watch and get it modded while others swear by them. Several of the former guys suggested TWA which is how I got interested. Thing is that I haven't really seen any reviews of his actual work.

Thanks for the info. It's just that I've read in some of the threads about PVD coating PAMs that it can be scratched off to reveal the base metal. In fact, I believe I even read on the Paneristi website about it happening to gens - something about how Panerai wouldn't recoat the watch but they offer a service to strip off all the rest of the PVD or something like that. Not sure how hard a knock that would take but figured that it might be risky.

The mods are the following: "WITH SUPERLUME, CANON PIN, 2MM CROWN" As well, it's listed that the crystal is sapphire "WITH ULTRA BLUE ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING" although I guess the better reps from most dealers do come with AR. Not sure if this is upgraded. Dagger swan neck as well. I inquired about the lume via PM as well as who is servicing the watch and was told that it is a mixture of C3 and C1 and being serviced by a watchsmith he knows rather than himself. I don't know, maybe he's being misled or maybe it's just myself that is but his feedback's been good so far and the pics of his modded watch that he is using for advertising (again, maybe I'm being misled) look good to me. Admittedly, however, I am far from a PAM expert. Quite frankly, I prefer to get the servicing, mods, etc. all done in one shot rather than mailing stuff back and forth to have it done so willing to take a gamble on it. I know that you service watches and I've mentioned twice now that I have a 7750 that I hope to send to you later on (once in my initial thread asking about servicing in the Q&A forum and once recently in your thread announcing your summer vacation). Provided, of course, that you're willing to accept me as a customer. The only reason I haven't contacted you yet (and now I have to wait to do so until your holiday is over) is because I am not currently in the US and mailed the watch to my sister's place because I will be visiting her at the end of the month. After that, I will be moving to NJ and I was going to wait until I was settled in before doing anything. Truth be told The Zigmeister, I'm glad you're available but if there was an easier way to get stuff done than having to send it to you in Canada that's the route I'd take. I hope that doesn't offend you. If I could find a local guy to service a 7750, provided his reputation is good (like your own is; excellent by all counts that I've read) it would just make sense to use him rather than mailing my watch across the border. To answer your question my reasons for doing this are two-fold: 1. I searched on that forum for approximately 2 1/2-3 hours trying to get answers as to whether or not to buy a davidsen PAM (again for the simplicity of not mailing stuff around the place; thing is he doesn't service so I'd have to get that done), or one from TWA or to buy one from a dealer and ask vaccuum, Flava Flav, or someone else to do the mods. Didn't find much info other than a lot of cheerleading for davidsen's PAMs but TWAs own was suggested quite often. There was even one thread asking literally this very question so I didn't see much point in repeating it. Seeing as how that's the case and how there is a lot of "cross-forum" action, I figured it was worth a shot to ask over here as someone might have some more info to offer. 2. For good or bad, I feel that posting on a forum where the guy is selling stuff has the potential for some bias given his presence. I was trying to avoid that. *** So there's my explanation for everything. It was not meant as an insult to those who offer their services here on this board.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. It's been interesting and illuminating as well. Don't think I've much changed my mind in the end though. Which is good cause I'm not really into bling. Like some others I tend to prefer steel, and recently, the idea leather for my watches. I don't think I'd ever go with a gold watch for daily wear but I guess that I'd be okay with having perhaps one that I'd wear on occasion when I want to be a bit more dressed up. Still definitely interested in a Breitling Chrono Evolution TT (white with yellow gold dials and crown) on a brown croc strap though. Looks pretty hot IMO. Gonna have to try and find out some more info on this PVD coating. Not that I doubt you guys but I guess I find it hard to believe that it looks like real gold. Doesn't PVD get scratched off as well?

Yeah, I am special. My mom told me so. I never said I wasn't breaking the law (I am quite aware that purchasing replicas is illegal) and that I shouldn't go to prison. Please do not put words in my mouth. My point is, and remains, that there is a law and that law should be upheld*. I never mentioned anything at all about feeling that I shouldn't go to prison if convicted if that were the sentence. You are the one who offered your little "headline" and I countered with what I feel would be the analagous situation to this Paris Hilton outcome (the initial one where she was released). * Yes, I've broken the law numerous times by speeding (which can endanger lives as well). I shoplifted something once when I was in my teens. And so on. It would suck if I got caught speeding too many times and my license is revoked but I don't feel any entitlement that the law somehow shouldn't apply to me. I don't know where you're getting that ridiculous idea from. Projection maybe? I know that I am not above the law and that consequences for my actions should apply to me.

Thank you!!!!!!! Honestly, I am far from an expert on the legal system. I don't know what power this Sheriff has or does not have to make such decisions, but I somehow don't see him having the power to override the judge's decision without some kind of input from the court. I don't blame the judge one bit for being farking [censored]. I believe that it was even suggested that the Sheriff be held in contempt of court although nothing came of that. I'd just like to add that certain things can be a judgement call by law officers e.g. letting someone off with a warning instead of a fine for speeding or littering. But once you have been sentenced, I don't see how they can make any changes to that verdict.