Bright Ling

I received a watch and some handbags from Ruby 2 weeks ago. I was communicating with Ruby frequently over a couple of weeks without problems. I know Ruby has been traveling a lot recently; that could be an issue. Also remember a typhoon hit Guangzhou 3 weeks ago- I'm guessing that Ruby may have been affected. I've ordered from Ruby several times and have nothing but positive experiences. I'm still trying to figure out, however, if Ruby is a male or female. Does anyone know for certain?

I've been there, but a few years back. There were reps there like in Hong Kong, but far from the best and not cheap. You'll be soooo close to the mothership, Guangzhou. See if you can figure out how to make a side trip!

Thanks for the info, but why does the bezel turn with degrees? Is it just so simple I can't see it?

I just received my new Blackbird from Ruby. It's pretty amazing; I think it's a darn close to a gen. I have a dumb question- why does the bezel have compass coordinates on it? Is a pilot supposed to set the bezel and move his arm around to guess at where he's going? Is there another explanation?

No pics yet, but I just received my Blackbird from Ruby yesterday. As far as I can tell it's perfect. The pearl is properly aligned and the tabs fit properly. The only flaw I can see is the wide space between the date digits (they all have this). Ruby sends you photos of the actual watch for your inspection before shipping. I wasn't happy with the first Blackbird photos she sent; she got another one that was perfect (the one I now own). The watch is a real beauty- a different look from the rest of my collection!

OK, I'm just bumping this to see if I can get any help. I would really like to repair this watch band (in a permenant way), but short of resorting to Superglue (or something like it) I don't have a clue what might work. The metal band is very high quality; I hate to give up on it! Any help out there?

I have a GMT Panerai where one of the top link pins fell out in my watch winder. The links closest to the clasp have screws, so the links I removed in sizing are a screw type. The upper link that came apart uses a hollow tube in the middle (I think) and a pin (like many other watches). I found the pin, but I can't find the tube. Any suggestions on how to fix this? The pin just falls out without the tube. I checked other parts that I have laying around but none of them fit. Is there a source to buy parts like these? Any suggestions on how to permenantly get the pin to stay in without the tube? I know this thread will be flooded with suggestions on getting a leather strap for the watch; thanks for the great suggestion in advance. I really want to stay with the metal band, however. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the reply, The Zigmeister! I've read a lot of your posts, but it's an honor to hear from you! I guess I need to dive into the case and see what gives.

I'll try running the chrono for a day and see what happens- I guess I have nothing to loose.

I recently bought this watch from Ruby; it's perfect. I can't find a flaw. The gold on the watch itself doesn't touch your wrist; it's all stainless there. Unless you scratch up the dial from hitting it on things it will hold up just fine. The bracelet has satin mid links that look more like brass than gold (same on the gen); I don't believe they will wear poorly. I own several reps with gold midlinks and bezels. I've owned several of them for many years and they all look great. But keep in mind I have many reps, and don't wear the same watch every day. I also have a few beaters for times when ther might be some abuse. My view is that if you wear the TT carefully it won't be an issue. If you tend to abuse the poor thing forget it.

Many people, including me, have reported that their TT Navitimer arrived with the large second hand (chrono) put on backwards so that the "B" was reversed. It's a flaw in assembly, not in the rep itself. For those who place an order, make certain it's installed properly.

Arrrrgghhh..... I've had my Breitling Navitimer with an Asian 7750 movement for about 4 months now. Until recently the chrono worked flawlessly, although I rarely used it. I noticed today that the minute timer (the hand at the 3 o'clock position) was on the 2, not 0, with the chrono stopped and reset. I ran the chrono for a few minutes; all the hands advanced properly, with the minute timer advancing from the 2 minute position. I sut the chrono off and reset with the bottom button. The chrono reset with the minute hand (3 o'clock) resetting back to the 2 minute position. I tried running the chrono for a little over an hour and did another reset- same results. It's as though the minute timer has found a new home. The watch functions fine, but doesn't look right with the hand not set properly. Has anyone seen this before? What can be done to remedy the situation?

Thanks to the advice from Jon Fort I have successfully resized the bracelet on my TT Tag Heuer Carrera from Ruby! I had to do things a little different, however- the push pin was too large to fit into the pin hole. Here's how I did it (after removing the band from the watch): 1. I found a paper clip to be exactly the right size to fit into the pin hole. 2. I used my pin pusher to get the pin out as far as it would go- about 1/4". 3. Pliers won't budge the pin, they just destroy it. No point in doing it that way. 4. I bent the paper clip and placed it in a Vice Grip sticking up so that 1/2" of it was sticking up. 5. I inserted the now empty side pin hole onto the paper clip; it slides in about half way. 6. Using a small block of wood and a small hammer I rapped briskly on the bracelet right next to the pin- it moves! 7. If not hit briskly enough the paper clip might bend, but replace it with another and try again- the pin will come out. 8. The little bushing will be in the center lug as descibed- don't loose it. 9. Repeat as necessary to get out all the little nasty pins. Here's what I did to re- assemble: 1. Put the small bushing back into the center lug. Assemble the two halves, holding them together with two fingers. 2. Insert one of the empty pin holes onto the paper clip (that's still in the Vice Grip). 3. Using the wood block, rap on the bracelet so that the paper clip slides into the bracelet and aligns the holes. 4. Insert one of your pins into the empty hole (with the paper clip in the other end). 5. Tap gently on the pin until it goes in far enough to meet the paper clip. 6. Remove the bracelet from the paper clip. Tap on the pin until it's almost home. 7. Put the band back into the pin pusher and push it back to the correct location. Thanks a lot for all the advice, I'm thrilled with my new watch!

Thanks for all the great advice- I'll give it a try!

I know this topic has been discussed in the past; I did a search (but can't find anything relevant). I bought a new Tag Carrera and need to resize the band. I've read that some of these pins can be very difficult to remove; I've found some that seem impossible. I have a pin pusher; it pushed the pin out about 1/4"; enough to grab with pliers. Try as hard as I might, I can't pull the pin at all- I just mangle it. I've tried several pins both directions with the same results. It's like they're caught in a Chinese Finger Trap; the harder I pull the more it resists. Anyone out there encountered this? I've ordered a pusher with a longer throw on the Bay, but it will be a week or two before I see it. Any ideas on how to get these pins out? Does anyone know what's holding them in? I've resized a lot of bands with split pins, but I haven't run across solid ones. And no, it's not time to consider a leather strap.