spookycord

Great mods. I'm in the midst of doing mine too. did you do any mods to the crown guard or pin? What is the difference between the dsn hands and the standard reps? Congrats on a fine watch. Cyclops mod in your future?

Nice! is that a lello datewheel?

Thanks for another good review L. I really like this watch, especially at that price, but the one thing that really bothers me is the power reserve dial being too low/small, and the 001 serial number. but love the color. I'm looking to add something that is not black/blue/or white to the collection. for under $150, it's a good deal.

when do we get to see the strip club test?

So has anyone acquired this or seen it first hand?

Hey zig, you pm's are blocked, pm me on how i can get a wheel from you

updated review with a movement section

Boy are you gonna be glad you found this place crispinguy. I know that the all white you are looking for is available. I've seen it on King's site here: King Watch - all white HBB but I'm sure most of the TRUSTED dealers on this forum can find it for you. Be prepared for the sticker shock on this one though. Double AR and ceramic (?) bezel.

I know the paranoia that sets in when you are waiting for delivery, but I think the lynching is a bit premature, imho. You're order shipped from china on the 4th. That is only two weeks ago. Plus factor in one week minimum for the holiday. I would not start freaking out for at least another two weeks. That being said, the unresponsiveness is worrisome, but that post was started yesterday. Let's see what Crippler has to say, but give it more time to flush out.

Wow, this thread has been revived for 08. why not! Daily Beater - IWC Ingy Dress Watch - Cartier Tortue Smart Casual - PAM 177H Sporty - '06 Cousteau Diver

Someone sell that guy a rep HBB for 5k please. gawd that would be hilarious.

Hey thanks for the comment. This is my first review ever. So, actually got it from Ruby. I'm sure Stan can source it though.

I've been getting lots in inquiries about this watch, so I figure best way to answer them all is to just write up a little review of this little overlooked rep. (Sorry about the shoddy pics. I took these before knowing what a camera was. I'll update this with some better pics soon) History: Original Tortue 1912. The Cartier Tortue is part of Cartier's exclusive Privee Collection. The Collection Privee was launched in the late 1990's to promote the rich watch making heritage of Louis Cartier and Maison Cartier. This collection reinterprets legendary models with contemporary innovation. Some of the complications found in this line include intertwined double C tourbillons, perpetual calendars, two-time zone watches, skeleton watches, and in the case of the gen of this model, a minute repeater. There are 5 characteristics that distinguish watches from the Privee Collection: The Tortue was originally created in 1912 and has served as the basis for countless watches in the 20th century. Background This Tortue Replica is actually a replication of two Tortue models mashed together; the Mens Tortue XL in Platinum and 18K White Gold, and the Tortue Minute Repeater. + = Case: The standard Tortue is available in platinum and 18k white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold, while the minute repeater comes in yellow or rose gold. The rep is obviously stainless steel. The minute repeater has a bolt on the left side of the case to set the repeater mechanism. The rep case more resembles the standard Tortue. Another big flaw is the caseback. I don't know what the caseback on the Minute Repeater is but the Tortue has a display caseback, showing the double C engraved bridges on the movement. The rep is a solid caseback hiding an asian auto movement modified for seconds at six. The crown is well replicated except the jewel is not a deep enough blue in direct light. Dial: The dial on the rep is nearly an exact copy of the minute repeater model. It has the signiture Paris stamp and guilloche dial with flower pattern. The markings and spacings all look pretty accurate around the dial. The hands are blue, but like most Cartier reps, a little too blue in the light. The only glaring flaw is that the rep is missing the metalic ring around the seconds dial. Here is a photo comparison to a gen standard Tortue XL. GEN REP Buckle and Strap: The 'C' deployant buckle and black alligator strap adorn all watches in the Privee collection. The rep makers have done a valiant job replicating this feature. Obviously the strap is a cheap faux gator, and the clasp is far from perfect (notice the neck length on the hinge), but barely noticeable without side by side comparison. GEN VS REP Movement: In the late 19th century, Cartier relied on great watchmakers like Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantine, Bredillard, and Dragonneau to supply their movements. In 1907 Cartier signed a contract with Edmond Jeager for exclusive production of movement with any complication. This partnership created the first Cartier Tortue in 1912. Today Cartier makes and assembles it's watches in it's own facility in Switzerland, but still partners with some of the great watchmakers of the world. The Gen Tortue comes in three different movements, all developed through partnership with other world class watchmakers. The calibre 43 MC made by Paiget. The calibre 9601 MC made by Jaeger-LaCoultre. The calibre 9401 MC Minute Repeater made by Renaud et Papi. And of course the rep movement which is a chinese manual wind, but I can't identify it. By the way this chinese movement was totally filthy when I removed the 8 screws and openned the caseback. I give it 2 years tops. REP The Price: Well, the Mens Tortue XL in Platinum/18kWG retails for over $20K. The 18k Minute Repeater module retails for an outrageous $190K!!! On the other hand, the SS Tortue Replica retails for $00.1K or $100 USD. Editorial Comments: I first heard about this rep from seanf, a mod over on RWI. I remember I was in the market of a dress watch and was searching around for some ideas. My basic criteria was that it had to be thin to fit under a dress shirt, leather banded, not gold, non chrono, and under 42mm. Although it is not the most accurate rep (some would consider it a fantasy watch) it fit the bill perfectly. I contacted Ruby because she has always been very good at finding reps off the beaten path, and she came through like she always has for me. It should be noted that there IS a rep of the standard Mens Tortue XL which should be more accurate but I haven't seen the rep yet. I opted to not get it just because I like to see the seconds hand move. It might as well be a quartz if I can't see that. After wearing PAMs, HBBs, UPOs and IWC CD's it did seem a bit diminutive at first. But as a dress watch, it's function follows it's form in this department. It is very elegant and could be worn by either a man or a woman. I will update this post with the exact dimensions but it's around 40mm or less across. With regards to it's accuracy; well I appreciate an accurate rep like most of us on this forum. If you look at my collection, my tastes lean toward the reps that come pretty close out of the box. With this watch though, I really don't care. For one, it's an 'occasion' watch. I only wear it with a suit, which is usually only once a month. Second, no one but the most anal WIS would even know what this watch is, as it's part of Cartier's Privee Collection. I've walked into my local Cartier Store and inquired on the Tortue and they had to pull catalogs and search for what I was looking for, and naturally couldn't tell me any details on the watch. And the Minute Repeater model? Only 25 made anyway. So bottom line, if anyone were to try to call me out, I'd look them dead in the face and say "Do I look like I'm dumb enough to spend $190,000 on a frickin watch?" Of course they'd probably say 'Yes, you do look that dumb' and then well, whatever... The point is, certain watches in my collection are so-called project watches where you almost end up spending more than the gen to get that thing modded exactly right (and then still aren't satisfied), and certain watches in my collection, like this Cartier Tortue, fulfill a functional need. In my case, the Cartier Tortue is the perfect stainless steal, leather banded, non chrono, elegant dress watch. Thanks for reading. Some Parting Shots:

So I am trying to replace a chrono wheel on a 7750 (it's the center chrono wheel) and i can't get it to budge. I am replacing it because it looks like the post where the chrono seconds hand is broken off because the seconds hand will not fit (not even close). My best guess is that it might have broken off during hand removal. I've removed the rotor, automatic device bridge, hammer and clutch to expose the heart shape chrono wheel. I remember being able to just lift it out before, but for some reason it just won lift out. So my first question is: Is the chrono wheel supposed to just lift out? If it normally just lifts out then I need to figure out why it isn't. My first guess is that when the tip broke off it somehow caused the needle to bend or something. I've pulled pretty hard on the wheel (probably harder than I should) and it just wont come out. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the comments guys. Regarding the pics, I don't have a light box, I'm using a 5 year old point and shoot sony, and don't have photoshop, so I just take a bunch of shots and hope to get lucky! The Tortue is special ordered from Ruby. A lot of people have been asking about it so I guess I should write up a review. Added a pic of my Omega PO 4th gen pumpkin.

Thanks. It's white. Thanks for the info

Time to take care of business

Anybody logged it yet?

this just wont come off!

Where do you get the ETA 7750 DW's? ofrei? anyone have a part number? looking for a dw for a carrera.

Added a couple more pics for your viewing pleaseure.

One of my favorites. Lello DW on the way. Can't go wrong here. Anyone have this on a nylon strap?

Loving the AR on this newly acquired Ingy via a 3 way trade.

Thanks for the opinions guys. Looks like the UPO is a definite. Gotta decide between the timewalker and the smp. it's between making one closer to gen vs one that will have the most visual impact.

Hi everyone. I've got two unallocated spots in cheiftangs feb AR run and I'm having a tough time deciding which two watches will get the gift of double AR. Here are the contestents. 1. OMega UPO 2. Omega SMP 3. Mont Blanc Timewalker Silver Auto 4. IWC Portuguese 5. Tag Heuer Carerra Racing So here is what I'm thinking. 1. UPO already has single AR. Will double make that much of a difference? 2. SMP - gen doesn't have AR for this model, but AR would make the textured waves on the dark blue dial pop. 3. MBTW gen has AR but the silver face doesn't show much reflection anyway. 4. Porto - white face, doesn't have much reflection either. 5. Carrera - like SMP, gen has no AR but the black dial with no AR has so much glare it's annoying. What do you guys think? What experiences have you had with these models? Thanks! S