towcat

If you're looking for gen ETA's, I wouldn't be doing it in China. But that's my opinion. I spend about six months out of the year in GZ and the outlying areas, HK and Macau also. I haven't found anything that comes close to the quality you can find in the forums but I've found many that will satisfy the curious. Deal in local curency, you are already a marked man for being a westerner, you don't want the locals giving you their form of an "exchange rate". Even though I am chinese, I don't look like a local due to a diet of cow's milk and beef over the years. This too puts me at a disadvantage when dealing with the locals. good luck!

You nailed the good and bad of standard of living/cost of living. There's a place I go to for lunch, they have the best claypot rice compared to anywhere else I go to. two years ago, my rice with lap cheung and lap yuk(big sp here) and a 750ml bottle of Haizu (12%) beer set me back 5yuan. Today, its 7yuan. Compared to USD its dirt cheap...8yuan=1usd...but the avg factory worker made 400-600yuan/mo two years ago and today they make700-800 yuan/mo. Honestly, they really don't care what it says on the watch, the workers just put the darn thing together....as many as they can and as quick as possible. The owners aren't dumb either, they are more than happy to sell seconds, but if you want first rate quality? Be prepared to spend a little more. Oh yea, stateside, the seconds are sold at "factory outlet" stores. Doesn't matter what culture you are, money is good as long as product is moved!

I'll take a "stab" at this..... 1)I figure if it hasn't quit in a month, it "should" be OK. then again, I don't go for the high $$$ stuff either. here's my experience....although I do buy quite a few watches overseas when I am on travel, I have bought a few from dealers and members on the board(s). I did have a "modified" asian auto GMT go bad in a week and I did contact the seller for what to do. he did offer up a replacement in the next shippment but he got into legal troubles about the same time the shipment arrived. Oh well, I wrote it off and took it overseas with me to get it fixed. About a year later the seller resurfaced and did go out of his way to contact me to find out what he could to do "make it right". In my book, just the effort and the offer was good enough. heck, it was a $75 watch, I sure as heck was not going to drag him through hades for another watch. I got no clue what my feelings are if I spent big $$$ on a rep. In light of the fact that we are dealing with contraband, the less attention from outside sources is good for me. If you bought a baggie of bad weed, would you call the cops to report the sale of bad pot? Rep watches are no different. 2)Once again, it really depends of the amount of money spent and the attitude of the seller. I wouldn't be putting down the large $$$ on contraband especially on the secondary market.

As far as the 39/46mm debate, I tried on a B&R gen. It's one big honking watch. Would have mindeda slightly smaller version. keep im mind I don't have to size my watches. My PAM and my 45mm PO pumpkin fit me right out of the bag. I don't think my wrists are very big at all but my watchbands tell me differently.

If you are a slicer and a foodie...bring you golf bag and appetite to Zhongshan. 7 golf courses, and just about everything imaginable for food. Extremely reasonably priced too! I had a bad case of sticker shock of what I could buy in HK but my $$$ went alot farther in China. 1.5hr ferry ride from Tsim Sa Tsui terminal. $180hkd one way. Even there the reps are not up to the standards here but still great bang for the buck. If you need more details, PM me.

and the wrapup........ Well...the first rep watch norcal lunch meeting was attended by Chicken Manny and I. I am quite sure the waitress didn't care for us hogging a table for a few hours, but I think she got over it. In short, the best of the rep watch world has to offer was shown as well as the worst examples(somewhat) of what canal street had to offer was there too. Those of you who could show up really should next time. Chicken Manny has some of the most incredible pieces to show. Pics don't do these watches justice. You just have to see/touch and feel them just to appreciate just how well built they are. His PAM 187 is a must see and feel! As far as the Rolexes goes, in order to be really appreciated, they should be put side-by-side and the differences are incredible. I had my black bezel China special, pepsi Klink special and Manny's LV gmt put nexto to each other and the differences were very obvious(outside of the bezel color). Final agreement....the best reps were a true work of art and the canal street specials were still solid deals. As long as I am in town, I don't mind setting up a monthly or bi-monthly get together, I think its a great way to see the stuff you wouldn't normally buy and it might even convince you to go after one. I know that a PAM 29 and a 187 is on my list of "must buy" in the near future. Also, for those of you who want to do something a little more than just eat and drool at watches, possibilities of heading to the range to kill some paper targets is a definite possibility too. Bottom line....show up and have fun!

Here's what I propose..... 1pm at the Hopyard rest. I am thinking at this moment a table for three...maybe four if a friend of mime wants to show up too. He just got bit by the rep bug. Why 1pm? the bulk of the lunch rush should be over and we won't be as hurried. any other thoughts?

nebakanezar- since you're the one with a time constraint, what time for the get together will work best for you?

I'll be there!

Two locations have been scouted out. Here are the choices... http://www.blueagaveclub.com/ ......mexican food, full bar. http://www.hopyard.com/ .....good food, beer but no full bar. Starting time? what works for you guys? I am pretty easy as far as start time.

Unlike many others, I like Canal St. reps. as long as they are cheap. I've been to the watch market in Guangzhou but found the atmosphere to be way to chaotic. When in China, I am based out of a "small" town in Zhongshan and I do know of one place that has "good grade canal st. reps" for roughly $20usd a piece. My rollie GMT beater has been running for three years and is still pretty accurate. When "in country" I spend about a month or two there and clothes shopping has no interest for me since nothing they sell fits me. So, junk rep shopping is the next best timekiller second to eating. Besides, there's nothing better than bringing back a pocketfull of watches and watch the office descend into chaos for the day. What else could get a bunch of guys excited outside of a nice chinese girl? My biggest problem when I first went rep shopping was I look like a LEO and my "tourguide" is a actual Captain in the town police dept. Good was he knew where to find the reps...bad, it took a little while convincing them I was there to buy and not bust them.

few things...first, in consideration for the central valley people, Pleasanton is not a harsh of a run compared to going in the SF or Berkley. I'd like to make this one as acessable to as many who would like to show up. second, parking in berkley for large vehicles sucks. third, ideas for where was put forth already and has been agreed upon. Chicken Manny has ideas on locations but he needs to scout out the most suitable for potential rain or not. Perhaps the next gathering could be held there, but I'd like to stay with the first choice for this gathering.

A shameless BTT and a rollcall for those showing up. May 6th norcal lunch get-together somewhere in downtown Pleasonton. Stand up and be counted!

Unless anyone else has another date in mind, May 6th in the east bay is the idea. I'm not very familiar with decent eating establishments in that area so.....Chicken Manny is the man to pick a spot that has decent parking, good food, and alky. Any naysayers? Speak up now and be counted or hold your peace.

I can't attone for what has happened in the past, I've put together events for other interests where the turnout was two people and some had over 30 show up. I know if we do agree on a date and place, I will be there. Right now, I am thinking of a place in the East bay maybe as far as San Ramon/Pleasonton area to make it fair for the Sacto travelers. Dates? Last two weeks of april to end of May. thoughts?