Shundi

LMAO I like this guy!

I think you have to PM Admin...

We were all there once my friend...

TomHighway is in the UK as far as I know.

Oh update on the bracelet thing FF- nice comparisons of Omega bracelets here just posted today: hxxp://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=msg&th=1205388&start=0&rid=81666 Obviously replace the "Hxxp" with HTTP and be on your merry way

Nice...went there on your recommendation and picked up the Elgin links

1. Silix may also have it...haven't checked though. 2. Most of the "large" dealers do drop ship... some, like Eurotimez, advertise that they QC all watches before they go out and have posted some impressive statistics and pictures of this QC... if in doubt, you can email the seller privately... I know that either Eurotimez or King have taken pictures of the watch a customer will receive before it is sent to them...maybe email them and ask them if this is possible? Regarding QC- it's the rep game... I've purchased about 50 reps in my life...of those 50, 1 had noticeable QC issues... 2% ain't too bad considering I've purchased about 30 mid to high end gens in my life and have had problems with 2 of them (Crown wouldn't screw down and rotor came off on a Omega SMP and Breitling Colt respectively)...the real question is: Which dealer will stand by their product and offer to fix a problem/guarantee a hassle-free exchange? The feedback area near the bottom of the main page that lists all the recommended collectors has feedback on those types of transactions...in the end, that's a personal call and not one I can really help you with other than to say read up on the dealers and pick one who will stand by his/her product. 3. See above 4. WM9 is known for customizing and sometimes building (well commissioning anyway) improved models of common Rolexes. I've never purchased from him directly but I've owned one of his subs... I'm not sure if he uses the Noob, etc for a base or what he does but I'd imagine so... either way, if you search WM9 you'll find reviews of his sub... By-Tor did an awesome one on the latest sub (as did Tribal, a very respected Sub/SD modder here) and pointed out flaws/positives compared to the genuine article and the euromariner (I think, again, you'd have to search for it) 5. BK is a modder here (his name here is bklm1234- you can find it if you click "Member" above and type that in). He sells certain WM9 models on our board after he receives them from WM9 (currently some of the best out of the box reps) and runs his own QC on them (Makes sure the CG's are ok, pearl/bezel are ok, etc) 6 & 7 - Not sure on the differences between the subs but generally the price difference will tell you the version... if in doubt, ask the dealer or the general membership if need be. 8. Cool. Haven't heard that. Since it hasn't come out yet, it'd be tough for anyone here to really comment on it...I've seen dealers show pictures of a particular watch and promise that's how it looks and then I see 15 members saying it isn't true, etc... I generally don't purchase a watch until I've read all I can on it (Literally, run the search feature on IWC 3717 - I read almost every topic on that watch before carefully pulling the trigger on it) and most importantly until a respected/well-known member takes a ton of photos of it and posts their thoughts. Then I find a bunch of hi-res pictures of the genuine and I compare the reviewer's pictures to the genuine looking for any and all flaws. If you want the best, it takes time and you should know that it's never going to be "THE BEST..." There will always be something. 9. Would you rather pay now and receive something you don't like / want/ that doesn't look like what you thought it would or would you rather pay $150 more and buy the item you saw 15 people review and give a thumbs up to? Depends on how you buy.... WM9 has a decent track record and the pre-order campaigns probably help them offset the cost of manufacture, etc... if someone like Tribal or By-Tor or Freddy or Ubi or BK or any one of the countless Rolex guru's says it's an awesome rep than...it's an awesome rep and if you decide you want to pre-order based on that, awesome. WM9 watches have been known to be delayed for months at a time on occasion because of unforeseen production issues but you'll get your watch eventually. 10. BK's extra quality control. Personally, I would buy from BK as I'd know he 1. had the watch in and 2. would perform QC 11. No idea...maybe he only orders a set amount of them and then moves on to commissioning something else? Again, an email to the dealer wouldn't hurt. 12. No idea- plenty of members seem to own his watches here without being VIPs though...might mean you've already purchased from him? Idk- there's a lot of...shall we use the term "innovative" marketing in the rep world. 13. The size and shape of the CG's (pointy vs. flat, thick vs. thin)...that's the type of thing modders try to get close to the gen as some reps come with CG's of the wrong size and shape. 14. Not sure why this is being posted here if you've done a ton of reading and searching as http://www.mens-watches-guide.com/jewel-movement.html is literally the first link that came up when I searched "Jewels in movement" in Google. It's a decent article and as a rule most automatic ETA 3 hand movements contain 25 jewels... 28 seems like an odd number but whatever...If you're interested in a sub, you're going to be dealing with movements that have 25 jewels or 21 jewels if you get the non-clone or ETA movement...again, the jewels don't "REALLY" matter it's the placement of the jewels, their actual usefulness in timekeeping and the overall quality of the movement that matter. 15. The size. Just FYI- many so-called "Swiss" movements are actually Asian clones... I've never had a problem with the 25 jewel ETA 2824/2836 movement clones and they're well-regarded but just know you're most likely not getting a real "Swiss" movement (IE- from Switzerland) - this is a whole 'nother thread's worth of info but you can read The Zigmeister's incredibly helpful movement teardowns and reviews. 16. Most likely not the same version or manufacturer since the factories are probably only going to produce one dial type at a time... it could be they have different versions? but it's good that you spotted that! I've personally never noticed it and as I look at pictures of former reps I see mine are the "correct" type... Again, it's one of those things you really have to check using photos! One can also swap dials, movements, crowns etc during modding...so some reps might have an awesome dial but a shitty case and some watches might have an awesome case, crown, and bracelet but a shitty dial...pop the dial onto the good case and voila! It boils down to really doing your homework (as it seems you're trying to do- good for you!), choosing your dealer, and then choosing your watch! These reps aren't made in sterile rooms in Italy or Switzerland, they're made in Chinese factories, homes, by off-shift employees, maybe children, who knows? Then they're shipped halfway across the world in a ball of tape or other means of transportation and considering this, they're actually quite accurate and reliable for the price! I hope that in addition to purchasing your first great Rolex rep, you consider purchasing the upgraded "Supporter" or "Platinum" membership here on RWG so that you can sell watches to other forum members, post trades, and contribute back to the forum for all the knowledge and advice you've found in your search! Bon chance!

Alright...there are at least 16 questions here not counting some of the ones in text, etc...I'm going to have dinner and then I'll come back and try to type out the answers to a few of these while I go over some stuff in excel.

I'm sorry, "Prior to 2002, the "Bond" bracelet was an available option for every Seamaster model. However, it's now exclusively available only on the actual Bond Seamaster, and Bond Seamaster chronograph." as per Holbrook's review http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/seamaster/bondreview.html IMO this watch and the bracelet it's on are MUCH more conservative than my 2351.80

Thanks! These might be the first "ok" photos I've posted on RWG! Not great, but not terrible like my usual ones! Naturally diffuse light makes a big difference I guess! Yeah the gen Omega bracelets are incredibly comfortable... I tried a rep SMP a year ago and it didn't really do it for me then, esp. since I found the bracelet to be quite stiff and squeaky even after oil and wax... Thanks Toad! The comments about the review mean a lot coming from the guy who's written some great reviews and tutorials! Mods planned? Hmm...well... In all seriousness I may have the bracelet professionally refinished if I can't get the big scratches out and I may see if I can pop a new insert in but in reality even though JAG wore the watch on a daily basis there aren't many scratches and certainly nothing deep... Yeah I own the 2531.80 as well...great watch and I think the balance has a lot to do with the thinness of the movement and, in turn, the case. The location is a state park in my hometown in Massachusetts (I'm spending a week or two with my family up here in/around Boston)... My girlfriend and I were taking her dog for a walk and I snapped a few photos while she was chasing her Chesapeake! Yes- The bond bracelet was an option on all Seamasters (I think it still is...)

Happy Birthday and warm wishes for 2009!

[censored] didn't even think about that...sorry Ken!

Gen Omega Seamaster Professional Ref. 2255.80

I agree...at the same time, many dealers list the fact that they may conceal items during shipment in their FAQ... if it is there and the buyer doesn't read it...I don't blame the dealer. If it isn't there than I feel the dealer should at least give a heads up on their website. Another thing to keep in mind is that since many dealers drop ship, they have no idea when an item will be sent XXXXXXX... I've received some XXXXXXX, some in simple plastic wrap, and some in huge balls of tape- all from the same dealer!

Wow...that looks great! Must take a steady hand to do the hands

I have JustAsGood's SMP... Again, a well-known online dealer like JomaShop or BernardWatch http://www.bernardwatch.com/ give you the benefit of reading reviews on those sites and what other people have to say...if you google Omega Seamaster and look halfway down the page both those sites come up in the "Shopping" results and are rated 4 or 5 stars with customer reviews

I like it!!!!

Ohh nice...can't wait to see the projects people are dreaming up after reading this!

That's beautiful! Wear it well into the new year!!

Very in-depth videos and a cool way to present the watch!

@KB thanks!

Good man! http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?act=Ms...ODE=4&MID=1 That's the easiest way...just send him a PM stating you want to upgrade!

Screenshot, cache or description?

Sure... depending on the time that's elapsed since your purchase of the sub couldn't you just send it back to the dealer?

Awesome shot and a great collection!