infinitime

I see, so then the case/dial design for the 8001SC is different from the 8005SC? Can you educate as to the difference? What about the 8002?

Paul @ aspire-eshop.com

Hi, I've noticed that this same watch appears to also exist with the cheaper ETA2824 movement... are the watches otherwise the same? i.e. are the case shape, dials, hands and bracelet otherwise identical, but with a different movement only? I am interested in one, but at approximately $270 from our dealers, it is a bit too expensive for me.... If the different variants are all the same, except for teh movement, then I would glad buy the cheaper one... Any experts care to chime in?

Hi guys, I am reposting my question from the main forum, as it doesn't seem to be getting many responses... hopefully the experts on this sub-forum may be of greater assistance! I have noticed that there are two different variants of the crown guard. The major difference appears to be one has a thicker bridge area (the part when the lever-pin is inserted), with ample metal around the pin, and the other, an inferior design with a slightly oversized pin, which borders right on the edge of the lower portion of the bridge (when viewed face up). For your ease of reference, I enclose pictures of the two variants, along with a third picture, being the one of the genuine item. GOOD REP CROWN GUARD BAD REP CROWN GUARD GENUINE CROWN GUARD Sadly, the one I have is the inferior design, and I suspect that the replacement I am expecting receive in the mail will be the same design, even if it is not mis-aligned. Does anyone know of a source for the more accurate crown guard? I've been told that our dealer prefer not to sell parts alone, but this is a minor nusiance which really detracts from the otherwise near perfect case. I have contacted our parts dealers, but unfortunately non of them seem to carry parts for the 47mm cases. Any advice offer any advice as to where I can source the better crown guard?

Hi guys, I actually collect quite a few Chinese vintage watches... "Sea-Gull" is the marketing name for the Tianjin Watch Factory, the largest manufacturer of watches in China. At current, TWF manufactures over 50% of the world's mechanical movements, of which only a small portion are used for replica pieces. The incorrectly termed "Asia Lemania" chronograph mov't, which many of us are familiar with from Daytona clones, is actually a "Venus 150" clone made by TWF. Contrary to popular belief, this movement is actually a licensed production of the original, as TWF had bought the tooling and the production rights sometime in the 1970s, when the Swiss were trying to get out of the mechanical watch business. Incidently, Sea-Gull also manufactures many of the "Asian" automatic movements used in various Panerai and Rolex clones, as well as many of the "private label" models found on German Ebay. In fact, the only mass produced Asian mechanical movement found in replica watches, which is NOT manufactured by TWF, is the infamous 7750 clone... which is manufactured by a series of cottage-industry like outfits in Shenzhen... this may account for why the quality of the 7750 movement is so pool, when compared to any of the other movements.

Well stated! This was one of the main reasons why I stayed away from the 183. Although it is not authentic, I have in the past removed the wire-lugs entirely, and simply weld in place fixed lugs, with solder to fill in the holes... certainly not true to the original design, but suprisingly functional.

Can you please tell me the source of the model with the better mechanism? If it is one of our dealers, I would like to see if he/she would be willing to sell me a crown guard assembly/

Hi, it is not so much the fact that it is indented which bothers me...what bothers me is that the hole is too close to the "bottom" of the bridge (i.e. it is too close to the inside edge of the crown guard, above the crown. Pushing it up will make it flush, but the hole is still in the wrong location.

Pretty ease, provided that you have the right caseback opening wrench... I have tried with a generic JAXA style wrench, but it is too small... I ended up using an open-end adjustable wrench to "grasp" onto two opposing flat surfaces on the perimeter of the caseback (hope this makes sense), it worked, but also left a small scratch... once removed, the stem release needs to be engaged so that the crown can be removed. Once that is done, the movemetn basically pops out.

Hi guys, I recently purchased my first 217 "Destro" replica from one of "our" dealers... I am quite pleased with the watch, despite a small problem with the screw-holes not being properly aligned on the crown guard, which creates an unsightly gap between the top of the CG (where the "REG. TM" text is) and the top of the indent. In any event, my dealer graciously offered to exchange the component, and I am currently waiting for the replacement.... In the meantime, turning to the substance of this post, I have noticed that there are two different variants of the crown guard. The major difference appears to be one has a thicker bridge area (the part when the lever-pin is inserted), with ample metal around the pin, and the other, an inferior design with a slightly oversized pin, which borders right on the edge of the lower portion of the bridge (when viewed face up). For your ease of reference, I enclose pictures of the two variants, along with a third picture, being the one of the genuine item. GOOD REP CROWN GUARD BAD REP CROWN GUARD GENUINE CROWN GUARD Sadly, the one I have is the inferior design, and I suspect that the replacement I am expecting receive in the mail will be the same design, even if it is not mis-aligned. Does anyone know of a source for the more accurate crown guard? I've been told that our dealer prefer not to sell parts alone, but this is a minor nusiance which really detracts from the otherwise near perfect case. I have contacted our parts dealers, but unfortunately non of them seem to carry parts for the 47mm cases. Any advice offer any advice as to where I can source the better crown guard?

I think hte other downside is the poor-quality crown/stem threading, which wears out prematurely. As it is not a standardized part, it may be difficult to find replacements for this piece.

A big THANK YOU to everyone for the advice... I didn't realize that EMS tracking can be traced also in the recepient country's postal service. I just did a search on Canada Post, and it confirms that the package entered entered the country on April 23rd. 2006! Am anxiously awaiting its arrival now!

How can I get in touch with "Wojtecki", he doesn't appear to be one of "our" dealers?

Has anyone heard from Andrew over the course of the last week (trustwatchguy). I placed an order with him on April 14th, 2006 for a PAM217H-C, and haven't heard from him since. I have eceived a generic email indicating that the package had been sent by the supplier in Malaysia, Indicating that the package was sent on April 16th, 2006. But when I tried to use the tracking number, it indicated that the "Tracking Number Does not Exist". Since that time, I've emailed Andrew several times, but have not had a response (even though new listings continue to be posted on the Dealer's section of this site) Anyhow, I am a newbie, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. While I don't want to make a big deal about it, it is disconcerting that despite the original listing saying that the item will be sent by EMS, it is in fact, being sent by Malaysian Post... Does anyone have experience with Malaysian Post? Oh well, hopefully it will turn up.

I've been trying to figure out what movement this is. The watch is an early variant PAM217. It's shape is similiar to the standard 6497-1 movement, but the shape of the plates are ever so slightly different, and there are no ETA/Unitas markings under the balance wheel. Further, it does not appear to be an Asian (CN) movement, as I've never seen one with a large balance wheel, or with the balance-wheel shock absorber in this confirguration. It is also missing the "pointer" on the balance adjust, which makes me question if it is a CN movement. In terms of finish, it is a high-quality CdG finish, similar to those seen on the CN movements. THe movement runs great and runs for about 38 hours with each winding... any thoughts?

Here's a strange one... coming back into Canada with a PAM111H, which I had worn with me on the way out, but forgot to declare (yes, that was stupid), Canadian customs INSISTED that I was trying to import the watch, and wanted to charge me both duty and excise taxes. I am caught in a dilemma, either I pay a silly $600 amount, or I state that it is a rep and have it confiscated! I tried explaining to them that I had taken it with me out of the country in the first place, but they insisted that I prove it, either by showing them an earlier purchase receipt (ahhaaa) or provide them with the name of my authorized dealer in Canada, so that they can call and confirm my story. After about 15 minutes, it dawned on me that i had my digital camera on me, which included pictures of me on my way out of the country some two weeks earlier, WITH THE WATCH ON MY WRIST! They reluctantly agreed that the watch I was wearing was "substantially the same" as the one in the pictures, and let the issue go. Moral of the story, I am wearing a Timex the next time I leave the country.

Good luck indeed.... i am in Vancouver, and have had items shipped using DHL, went smoothly with no hitches, but was worried the whole time.... can you tell me which hub your package was routed through? I think that DOES make a different in terms of likelihood for scrutiny.