Quarks

I just encountered a situation when one of us in this RWG forum has attempted to rip me off USD$350. It all began when I was on a search for a genuine 187/194/202 rubber diving strap on Paneristi and Viapaneristi last night. I have been in contact with a few members whom I have been liasing in regards to the strap. One of them is the infamous Aaron HK Tan who offered to custom make another strap for 187s (I'll be getting one off him for sure). Then I started talking to two potential sellers. And little do I know that one of them is a member here. The trouble began when I started conversing with this so-called 'RWG member' the whole of this afternoon. The answers I got were short and sweet. The tone, cold. I am always very suspicious about online trading and am VERY particular about references. So I specifically asked for references in my email and was replied with none. All I got was it is new and few buyers are interested. Now, let's take a step back. USD$350 is effing steep for a strap. Too steep for me. I have done my research and the ongoing price is about USD$250 - 280, somewhere within that range. Already here I am seriously contemplating to make the purchase as I really wanted that strap for my brother. Reasons aside, so I simply thought "Well, fine. No references." I was already very suspicious so I requested for pics to see if it was legit. Now all I can do is to make sure what I am getting is new or at least 95% condition and then decided from there whether to take the plunge or not. And to my horror, the picture of the strap he sent via email was the exact same pic he posted in this very forum. I was astounded. Angry. Upset. Very much [censored] off. Straight off I knew where the strap came from. I saw the post he posted. I know the forum member. And I knew how the strap look like because I have bought a 187 from the same dealer he got the strap from so I should know. More so because I own a genuine 187 rubber strap. Man.. and to think the scammer is one of us really brought it home for me. I am not about to rat the member out... yet. Not now at least but I am truely disappointed. Our passion for watches unites us and brought us together in this forum but now all I feel is disgust and betrayal. I do not know what to think at this moment. I emailed him and told him the truth. I even posted on VP and V to inform of this scammer. I refuse to let anyone else fall into this scam. It should not happen to me and more importantly, it should not happen to anyone else. Just thought I let you guys know. I guess eventually I might reveal his identity for the sake of everyone's safety. What a day. P/s there are more scams happening at the moment than you think. These 2 months alone I was almost scammed 3 times, scammed once of USD$300 (which I got back) and now this.

Very nice!!! Looks awesome.

From TZ (http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=msg&goto=1824686&rid=31977#msg_1824686) The case, in black titanium, measures 46.5mm. It has double AR coated sapphire crystals. It is water resistant to 1,000 meters Movement is the automatic El Primoer 4021 SX with 248 parts, with the patented and exclusive Zenithium Z Bridges for anti-shock protection. It has 39 jewels, beating at 36,000 bph and with a 50 hour power reserve. The rotor is decorated with carbon inserts. The strap is kevlar and steel.

Zenith Defy Xtreme 1000m w/ a 1000 page idiot-proof how-to-read-watch instruction

Impressive! I have a 28 which I will be sending in for a PVD..... hopefully soon. Great watch sssurfer for that price! How is it running? Losing/ gaining time?

Impressed!! Very!! *jaw drops*

If the price is too good to be true, it most probably is a fake or a scam. I always go by that rule. Then again, there was a time where I almost broke that 'rule' when I saw someone trying to see his 194 on ebay for US$5,000 'Buy It Now' which he has bought last Dec. Basically 95% and greater in condition. The sale was restricted by the seller only in Australia. I contemplated for quite a while since it was a bloody good deal. Did I make the purchase? Well, read on. The way I see it is the current selling price for 194 is within USD$7,200 to USD$8,500 for similar condition and why doesn't the person try to hit that price? Doesn't make sense. For that price, it would be snagged up on Paneristi/ VP/ TZ forum but I reckon he has no references (One positive feedback on ebay which he purchased an Oakley glasses and that is it) Despite my numerous conversations with him, I was still very much doubtful but still want to proceed with it as it was basically a steal for that price. I almost wanted to fly to Sydney to see it for myself. But then again, with that money on hand, who knows what might happen? (Think getting robbed. Havent been to Sydney, dont know place well) Anyways, to make the story short, I did not make the purchase and I am glad with that decision. Come to think of it, I would very much save for a little while longer and paid a little more to secure that kind of reassurance that my watch is a 100% gen. Like they say, buy the seller not the watch. Personally, I would seriously advice you to proceed with caution. It is prob not worth trying to save thousands by losing a few thousands.

chris, that is one of the best looking crown. I honestly thought it was gen you posted. Seriously.

Back at ya kruzer00.

Hey guys, My bro's 187 (Asian 7750) has showed signs of losing time as much as 5-15 mins when it reaches at about 11 o'clock and subsequent times. it seems to be performing alright - not losing much time. At around 11, the watch slows down a great deal and sometimes even stops. Anyone have any idea what is happening? Dirt stuck at the gears or somethin'...my speculation. Hoping that it is not something too serious. I am planning to send this watch to Rob for servicing & repair as soon as my other watch arrives back. At the mean time, what is the possible 'differential diagnosis' () for this cause?

Nah, havent seen his boxing show. I have no life being a meddie. I havent watch proper television in months.. no wait... almost a year! Now you know where all my energy (& $$) are channelled to... :lol: Yoh Adrian!

Wicked watches! I love the AT!

Gran, this is the white gold version which has the white background for the date function. I prefer the SS one and like you, prefer the black date.

That price is insane. Totally insane.

HAhahah my yellow lab will give me that silly look if I were to do the macarena 5-point check... heck, my neighbour will avoid talking to me the next time if they were to catch me with this dance. :lol: Good move on your part for thinking that out. Good on ya!

Wow.... seems like 187 is the winner. Is it because of Stallone's signature that puts the majority off? Personally I could care less about his name on the 202. I think the design is sleek and shows the attitude of a bigger badder version of the traditional submersibles. Finepics: Please don't hate me... I have enough hatred for myself... someone please blow me up :lol:

I feel so uneasy whenever I forget to put a watch on and head out. It just doesn't feel right... kinda like missing a limb or somethin' or like when you have forgotten to wear your pants out to work.

If you have a choice to own either one of these PAMs, which would you choose? Personally, I love them both just as much and basically sitting on the fence trying to choose one over the other. The PAM 187 & 202 looks sturdy & masculine. Both are badass watches in their own right. Comparing the both, 202's bezel has a cleaner and less clustered look and maintains the historic submersible design, while the 187 bezel markers has a more 'in-your-face' persona. The 202 has no date function while the 187 has. If I am not wrong, the 202 is part Ti/ part SS hence weighing less than the 187. ...and other subtle design differences like thicker 12 o'clock marker & two dot illume above 12 o'clock marker on 202. So what is your choice? PAM 187 PAM 202 - Slytech

Time for a 187.

An absolutely beautiful watch.

Nice!!!

Pam 092 Arktos 'Special Edition' has no GMT hand, hands are black. Pam 186 Arktos non-special edition has GMT function and hands are polished. The new Arktos North Pole seems to have blue dial? Or my eyes are @#$-ed. I would love to get the 186 if there is a decent rep.

Haven't showed much love to this one...

Shucks! Hope everything get resolved quickly....