wjlamp

Just feel the Blackseal.....

No one kills Pinkies. Crocs or panthers As the mighty Clouseau said..." I know that you knew that" ......................... Pink Trolls ???

Thanks cats and dluddy.Your answers and photos are a good guide for the topic. By the way, I've got this sneakin' suspicion that, either there aren't many Radiomir owners in here,or my questions are ignored big time.Anyways thanks again.

Hi just got a Radiomir (44 mm)Black Seal. Strap is a generic, relatively poor quality leather job. Any suggestions about the best thickness strap ,that can be fitted on it, without looking funny? I plan to make my own, having access to a multitude of materials,ranging from leather to rubber Thanks

I NEVER going back to "Ken" anymore. They provide a lot of good OEM strap for Panerai, AP, IWC in very good price. But I won't purchase anything from there anymore!!! Very nice strap, on a nic watch ,but... Raymond... Why on earth,let this Ken - man,ruin your party.It would have been easier,for you , to BEG him, please Mr Ken ,take the strap off the watch, give him a fiver for his effort,and a wet towel to wipe the dirt off his hands, after touching a dreaded rep. Wouldn't it ? Ah those Kens......do they know something that we don't, poor rep users !!!

Thanks a lot. I saw it in this forum, in full detail ,a great pic by TWP, and blimey,I'm in love That was THE definitive answer that I was expecting by the forum.With all the pros and con for the subject. I will take the plunge,since I like the piece lots. Thanks once more

Hi, does anybody know,if the Silix Regatta PAM 253 ,is worthy of purchase ? Any experience with the piece or the seller would be very helpfull Thanks

Cosmic, custy,jubbly

Same reasons, different routes. After all, "all routes" lead to Firenze. No?

since I'm getting pickier about authenticity, Why bother so much about look alike authenticity and gens. A replica watch is only a replica .Why don't you just enjoy it,with the add ons that make you feel good? ( wondering)...

Much thanks to tutima (if I remember correctly) for a fabulous Le Spezia strap Very nice piece, superb dial !!!! I can see ,that the strap is a 2 mm smaller than fitting exactly between the lugs.Doesn't it bother you?

Let me know of ideas!

Hi, Can you please tell.if the cases are complete? I mean front crystal and back cover, et all ? If so how much it will cost me to persuade you to part with one of them? Oh and I am in EEC. Thanks

Thanks for paying attention to my post.My point is ,that some things are better done than said. You are right about the exclusivity factor,but consider this: The clever marketing and the enormous lines and quantities produced,by the SEIKOS,ORIENTS, CITIZENS,CASIOS of this world, were a massive blow to the art of watchmaking. The decade of 1970t o 1980.was the years of glitter. The Japan industries were desperate,in their quest for growth and conquer. The watches became a symbol of status,along with many others products,(cars). The fact that turn everything upside down was the opening of the European markets ,under EEC rules and the end of the Luxury taxes that were imposed until then on watches and others products that were "a luxury" to the population of Europe. The Swiss watchmaking community was too "small" a player in the field of free market. As you may know, the rest is history. Ask 1000 future watch buyers and ,process the answers.The 95 percent would be Seiko, Citizen, Casio, Orient,and so on.Sometimes you'll get an answer like Timex Longines,Bulova,and the glitzy folks will say DG,Camel,etc. Designer,life style watches with no value, other than the face one. That 's for the part of your post ,that every 4 th person in the street will have a panerai etc. I am afraid, no matter what, that the dice are cast,for a great many of small scale producers that took the untimely decision to remain .well "small ",and play the exclusivity game. Either you are in a market for healthy business and profit,or made a declaration that you are a hobbyist,filling you spare time and that's that

Not only 10000 whatevers. How about triple and quad figures.Or ten times that.Go to some elegant sites and you'll see. But as you said that's not the point.A simple plastic waterproof wonder shows time equally well,but dress it in gold or platinum and suddenly you have a top seller. Think the way ,that a gold watch owner,looks at a steel one,even from the same stable.Disgusted, is merely a word

Tks for getting it Lanikai Yes indeed, a Customs Broker isn't a Customs Official.Don't be surprised that the majority of the people are ignorant of the difference. Even in my "Lower East Side "social class,a class that faces watches ,and cars ,as tools and toys, ('s good to keep it in mind),they don't know it,well,most of them. Just to clarify the situ,it's the same as a Judge against a private Lawyer relationship,in the court of Law.... On the other hand, returning to our theme,nobody said a bloody word about" pushing" the brand firms, in order to "downgrade' and produce cheaper products (watches) No comments appear in my asking for a $ 500 genuine Panerai.Breitling,Breguet,Lacroix,Omega,IWC Tag,and the list goes on no end... But it is mid summer and it seems that most of the rep buyers are on vacation to exotic places, "After the Sunset",where a rep Panerai can stir questions like the one that gov't FBI agent asked, ex James Bond " ooh nice watch,how much does it cost,a fortune ? " or something like that .Anyways... To watch companies worldwide A clever man can and must snap it out of thin air. Make a wise use of your name and resources. Watch lovers are tired of buying faceless designs.Make your products available to a wider market .The replica market is booming.If you don't do it ,there are many willing copiers out there,that can make it for you and get the money that is lawfully yours.Don't be so cocky and say " there is no way to make a $ 500 Pan,Rol,Breit etc. It can be done,It is happening and you are loosing money. Oh, and have no fear that you will become household words.Those seats are already taken

Well,excuzzzzzze me....., but I am not preaching. And If I had the powers to hypnotize and convince even a simple soul that reads some lines in an Internet forum,then ,bless my souL.. For your information ,my profession is... ta,da ...customs broker,and I'm doing it for the best part of the last 26 years.I can tell that I know and practice the law and all the tools of my trade.Legal and illegal is an open debate ,Pandora's box ,as Lalikai quite rightly said. The brand names that lean on laws, in order to protect themselves are practicing accordingly. I can assure you that the majority simply do not give a camel's hair about it. On the other hand if you buy online ,you are not in danger from the customs law enforcement only.The most dangerous part of an Internet deal is Fraud. Just think,that if someone gives no second thoughts in the danger,of selling illegal products,he couldn't care less if you part with your 80 whatevers and send you an empty carton. Please be kind and read carefully my post,again.You will be pleasantly surprised,in, that we are saying the same thing,only differently

You got the point Lanikai. Good discussion...enjoy the ,healthy productive ,I could add,debate. In an open forum we can exchange, well and not so well thought opinions,but not bad mannered comments. As for the friend who said " Ballsy ",what ? As an owner of thirty time pieces ,give or take one, I am not newbie,and I do have some officially stamped products (watches ),but for me aren't status .( Maybe again, my social class is a little "lower east side'" and they are unaware of what a good watch means.) For me, watches are grown boys and girl's toys. You know, toying with the idea of buying a ......or a .......(where's that exclamation mark ...ah. ,found it!!!!! For the "Axioms" quote ....: thats not a math class,it's simply fun.

No,no and no. Our buying ,hurts our pocket.By purchasing silly things we loose hard earned money. If someone fears that his genuine watch will be taken as a fake,he has no right to have the money to buy the real thing (sic).After all what's the point of buying something, just for make it a moving exhibition advertising item for his surroundings It is oxymoron. You buy and use something for your pleasure .Nothing more nothing less. If you (not you literally) get pleasure from showing off you don't deserve ,need a Rolex,or something equivalent. Who told you that Rolex doesn't like their name to be on the lips of some potential buyers,even ones that don't eventually buy the watch ,because of the fear of being ridiculed.Somebody else with more brains than brawn will buy it. No?

Hi, I read various quotes about the hobby.Mainly, about being legal ,illegal or simply indifferent,the collecting buying or selling replica watches. From the user's(buyer's)point of view,I can see nothing illegal,or damaging to the name of a firm.One buys an item with full knowledge (pricewise,placewise)that it is a replica.It is not the same.That does it. Why do you think replicas are 99.999 accurate to the original? Is it difficult for a producer to make it ,like it is? Do not think so. The laws are clear.Only an 100 percent identical item falls into the letter of the law. And this act, is a wholly different thing. From the makers point of view,its a little bit different. Lets say for example Panerai.. They are manufacturing watches,and their selling target is a group of people with an "x" level of income and buying habits. They are aware of the marketing potential of their products,and their aim is to attract,a portion of the market pie to them. How many can fork out, $ 3000 ,to buy,just a watch?,Let us not better say ,a tenner or some other OTT prices ? I kid you not . One (1) in 10000 (ten thou).,or 9000, but that's unimportant. Our lovely Panerai knows it very, very well and produces them, just hoping that their marketeers,will do something better than their last fiscal period,in selling the goodies. If they target to sell ,lets say 5000 pieces, they will be happy to reach an 80 percent of that number,cover the expenses and make a nice profit,for living and keep being in bussines. With these in hand ,they don't give the slightest thought for the replica that is going to the hand of a layman or woman in the street,for a sum of $ 100 to $ 500.They are not their market.It's like bringing coal to Newcastle,or selling ice cubes to Groenland. The guy or girl that pays this money will NEVER buy a genuine product,simply because he,she thinks that its price is out of reach.( if you want A watch just, for the time of it ,buy a plastic wonder for $ 10 and get on with it.) In fact ,since they are aware,of the existence of that kind of market,they can exploit the possibility of controlling it,and get some (lots of)nourishment from it. Just take a look at what the sports marketeers do.They sell REPLICAS,of their products.They are proud of it and they are labeling them ,for what they are.Replicas. Why on earth it's legal for them and not for the Panerais of this world.(Don't say that they sell their name..read on) A lesser,than the high end movement,can be used into a watch,for example, with fully respectable results. And a non sandwich dial will do just fine.Same goes for the bezels and sapphires. They are doing it after all,and they are making a range. An image cautious maker,produces one thing,a statement product,and says that is that.If you like it buy it. By ranging, you "diversify" into a market, aiming at price groups. Me wants an Arktos,you a Radiomir gold,he a Marina,she a Luminor,etc.,etc. Me wants to pay $200 for it ,you $ 500 ,and so on If a no name manufacturer can do it,why don't they? They can reply,saying that it will tarnish the otherwise brilliant image of the company.Come on guys,you are in the market for making monies not drawing images. On the other hand the maker of a replica without the written permission of the name owner is illegal.There is no doubt about it. But let them worry about it. If it is dangerous to them, let them name the watches "anonymous" If I Like it I'll buy it.

Very nice straps.But not for a black dial. I don't have the same taste for colors,perhaps. My idea for black dials is black straps,for a finer accord to color aesthetics,or bright shiny colors ( inca yellow,race green, flame red, orange reddish etc) , for a more adventurous presentation. On the contrary, with a white or shades of it, dial,well,anything goes.You can even have a white one(though a little bit of an ice (s)creamer. Maybe a sandy colored strap will do fine ,but then, you have to add the color of the markings, into the equation. Yet again it's only a matter of differrent taste. If it ok with the wearer,who gives a d... , eh? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder