HauteHippie

Well, it's not the only yardstick by which the economic health of nations are measured. The growing nations clearly measure their savings and are now looking for reserve alternates to the dollar (see China). The growing nations measure their positive current account balances. Etc. Consumption is just the yardstick that our politicians buoyed by Wall Street want us to use. Our economy is 3/4 consumption, most of which is financed by borrowing, and we're to be conned in to believing that's just how modern economies work - modern economies don't need to produce and save, just borrow and spend. Much like we were supposed to believe in the late 90s that tech companies with nary a penny of profit and obscene multiples were simply a component of the new economy. Much like we were supposed to believe more recently that sudden sharp increases in housing prices that created massive disparities with wages and were supported by artificially low interest rates and a total lack of risk assessment in lending was just a normal component of the new economy. But people are starting to see the reality: it's all a house cards. And, further, we need to separate oversight and regulation of private enterprise with that of the Federal Reserve. Because with all pretense aside, the Fed is simply a branch of the Federal Government whose officials are appointed, not elected, and are acting recklessly with impunity. And that its going-ons are shrouded in secrecy is no mistake. M3 reporting ceased 3 years ago, and clearly the so-called oversight and audits that lawfully authorized are but a ruse, which should be a huge concern to every citizen because we can not expect to return to economic prosperity through printing money, and yet we do not have any visibility in to the operations of the Fed. Off-balance-sheet transactions have apparently soared (but we're not allowed to know to what extent) at a time when we need more debt, more dollar debasement, like we need a hole in the head. Something needs to be done before it's too late... if it's not already. At the VERY least, we need to know how and why our fiat currency is being managed (destroyed) in this time of crisis.

It's probably time for a little reality check here in the land of the free, and I think the following clip speaks for itself...

Edit: OK I will be back with something less googleable!

Nice pics, BT. I'm not a Tag expert, but is that a gen? Just looks too good to be a rep somehow.

Beautiful results, T. LOS must be thrilled.

T, whatever the deal was with the unsupported compression type ... it's now fixed. Thanks.

Heh. It's the same stuff.

Hmm, the crystals differ in diameter by about 2mm, and I'd expect the dials to be roughly in proportion. Seems like it'd be tough. But if it can be made to work, you'd also need a UPO datewheel, since the 42mm and 45mm date windows won't line up.

It's either going to be a big headache, or it won't work at all. Not a recommended mod. Don't worry about faux screws and the rep bezel... Fully modded SAs look just fine with 'em!

LOL I missed this one.... Thanks, Ken! You haven't heard the last from me!!

Interesting Rick... I still think I prefer the standard crystal press method (for reinstall there are plenty of crystals that absolutely require it) and here's an illustrated write-up done by Bruce79 a while back: http://www.rwg.cc/members/Tutorial-Crystal...val-t76642.html

I think I need a smoke after reading this...... and I don't smoke.

Rep AR is similar, but not as good as the gen AR. The first gen AR I used was actually the same thing they're now using on these SA reps... I'm quite familiar with it, and it's good, but not great and not the same technology being used on the gens by the big B. The rep AR actually becomes the biggest flaw on the entire watch after having modded it with a gen dial. And with more spare time and more spare money, I could reproduce Breitling AR precisely. Started to undertake that project a while ago and got side tracked and low on capital.

Why settle for just one? Welcome, and enjoy the forum.

Black cardboard. I used a cable shutter release in one hand and just held the cardboard with the other.

Definitely rep AR. I wasn't going to touch those bezels. And I had to use a black reflector to keep the dials looking sharp for the photos. (I can show a photo without the black reflector if interested). This is something I don't have to do with my aftermarket AR in photos.

No I didn't get them off EBay. I had a really good source for Breit parts for a short time but that has dried up. I did roll the dice with the B13, though, and bought that off Ebay about a year ago. Got it for a steal too, and it's perfect.

Ok, well that's good to know. But now, of course, I wish the black was the less pronounced and the blue was the more pronounced version given that the baton dial is the newest version. Oh well. @DT - Don't abandon.

Dluddy... then don't put one on your wrist because that'll make you a fan and the disease doesn't abate!! It struck me. yodap... B13 movement shot forthcoming.

Yea I dunno... Got them from the same guy who gave me that explanation (different years). Still it seems a little fishy. The black one is thicker with more pronounced lettering. The blue one is thinner and more comfy.

Nicest VCO of all time. Gen dial is an absolute necessity here! I loved my VCO while it lasted. It's a great watch. Unfortunately mine fell apart piece by piece and I more or less gave up on it.

The blue dial is much more impressive in person than in these lousy photos. The subdials have a nice shimer to them and the contrast against the Yankee blue dial is very sharp. The black baton dial is the 2008 super avenger dial that, according to rumor, is going to be discontinued. So it could be somewhat of a rarity soon.

Pics could be better too, but here we are.... Gen dials + rehaut rings The Zigmeister lumed hands ETA Swiss 7750 in big blue Breitling B13 in black batons Gen rubber divers (although they look awfully different for some reason) Prom shot: Misc: FWIW, the rep DW isn't perfect compared to the gen.... But it's pretty close.

The main thing AR on the crystal does is provide contrast enhancement when viewing the dial... hope that helps answer your question.