Highflyingclive

Quite right. First choose your dealer... then choose your watch.

Cape Cod is good for minor scratches. To convert brushed finish to mirror polish, you should really use correct wheels and polishes. I did this on all the ss dome nuts on my Triumph Bonnieville... with stuff from Cetem (go Googol). but... when i wanted to polish my JLC Kompresor, my polishing motor was history. So I used cape Cod. Cut the cloth into a thin strip. Concertina fold the strip, then punch a hole through it and mount it on your on tjhe arbour of your (in my case Black and Decker) Dremel-type tool. It takes longer than using the proper selection of wheels and polishes... but it works. The results speak... Actually, it took longer to strip all those crowns off the case than it took to polish it.

Regulateurs.... Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

I think that the problem with the screw-down crown is due to Pam 183s from a different factory. One that used crap metal. Davidson's product list includes replacement crown tubes for the 183.

Get a new case-set from DavidSen? This could be your excuse to go Destro!

I have seen straps for fixed lug watches on strap-sites... they have a glue-down tab. But I can't remember where, so you'll have to search. Sorry. But they do exist. Or ask Banda to make one for you. Just add the glue of your choice :-)

Now I have heard everything. A Kraut complaining about someone else's accent Laugh? I nearly bought my own beer. Slay... go to Newcastle. The people there make Glaswegians sound comprehensible. But stay clear of the Home counties, there's a good chap. Demsey is coming here soon, so I am flying off the the Far East , tout suite. I don't need you arriving on my doorstep as well. Edit to add... the UK and, I believe, New Zealand, are the only countries in the world where the police are not routinely armed. Cool. Happy timekeeping! Clive

With all respect to Admin, he was mugged for his gold chain and his platinum ring. The watch was a bonus - nobody but a WIS would know that model.

The best plan is to contact The Zigmeister Zumba, by PM, book the watch in (there is a waiting list) then follow his instructions exactly. The Zigmeister has said that he has never had a problem with customer's watches passing through Canadian customs... so his knowlege is golden. Listen and learn. I have to say that Ken's advice is very poor advice. He really should know better. Telling lies on the declaration will land you in trouble if customs decide to inspect the package.

I have driven cars at Brands Hatch and ridden motorcycles at Donington - the Nurburgring is on my list. But the good thing about Donnington and Brands is that you use other people's vehicles...

Sorry, Slay... I should have said that I will be wearing my replica SMP 300m GMT when I go to China. I don't own any genuines... except for a Vostok Attache. I thought the Vostok was a big watch until I discovered Panerai - now it seems inconsequential.

I will be going to China next week. I will be wearing my Omega SMP 300m Pro GMT. The huge bulk of reps for sale in China are low-end reps. The ratio is literally several thousands of "Canal Street" quality to one high-end replica. Most of the sellers have never even seen the sort of reps that we enjoy. Last year when I was there, whenever I showed a watch seller my Pam 039, in order to indicate the quality that I was looking for, I got the Cantonese equivalent of "Don't pull my leg, Sunshine - that's an original".

@ Swdivad... Reckless, you dingbat! @Slay, sorry to hear of your loss. I too, have lost friends in motorcycle accidents. It doesn't stop me riding. Current collection includes: 1947 BSA M21 1960 Triumph TR6 Tiger 650 1964 Royal Enfield Continental GT 1984 "Harris" Bonneville 750 ... and a Honda that I don't want to talk about.

No.. you will be staring at it 99% of the time.

For business meetings, I wear an Omega SMP pro GMT or an Omega Deville GMT. Either would be appropriate for my pay-grade and management position. The originals cost a little under £2K... but are excellent watches... entry-level high-grade, if you like. I like to think that these watches indicate that I am a man of taste, discernment and prudence... an image that, in my job, I am quite anxious to promote. Wearing a mega-dollar watch would blow my credibility in an instant. If I had a Sky-Moon, I'd wear it whilst playing pool in the public bar of my local. If I played pool.

@Drop... make sure that you get one with independantly settable GMT subdial (operated by the pusher at 10 o'clock). Correct face colour is white... as far as I am aware, VC have not made a black version (although they should). The small calendar chapter ring should be the same colour as the face. The original has an "Officer Caseback" flip lid over the rear crystal. So pick and choose the details that are important to you. My version with the "officer caseback" has a silver calendar chapter ring ... when you buy a rep, there is always a trade-off. There are also reps of this watch with bling-bling diamond-set bezels. Yes, the original does exist in this version, too... Entry level price for the original is around £18,000. So wear it with a suit, OK?

Ah... but it also has a "45" at 9 ... I have three versions of the VC Regulateur... all different, none 100% correct. Here are the others... The rose gold version (my favourite) was purchased from another board member, a year or so ago. I think it came from Paul's old site, but cannot be sure of this. I love the combination of burgundy leather and rose gold... pure elegance.

Ken? Crap thread? Not at all. Best laugh I've had all week.

Gone already? I only read it five minutes ago!

I want a Radiomir GMT! Either of these will do.

Regulateur! Both straps from www.banda.com

Firenze is overrated. Tuscany is overrated. Take yourself off to Marche, via Alpini del Luna... the Mountains of the Moon - a fantastic drive at this time of year... you will never have seen autumn colours like they have there... the hillsides appear to be on fire. Take the side roads... get lost.. you will not regret it... and you will never forget it. The drive of your life. Marche has everything that Tuscany has to offer (and more) ... except for souvenir shops.

Open the crown.. place (crown uppermost) in a warm place... an airing cupboard or boiler-room is good. Then send it to your favourite watchmaker for proper water-resistance servicing. Or it will happen again.

In my experience, reps have a far greater life expectancy than the contents of my wallet.