Toadtorrent

This statement is 100% true and absolutely includes lume work. The caveat is...not many can do it WELL!!! I can do a lume job. Mine will just look like this: Jackson Pollock's #18 ...whereas The Zigmeister's would look like this: Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel

Welcome aboard raptor. You found yourself the best watch forum around. The webshops are nice to look at...but I generally order by emailing the dealers directly. You have to do this to the dealers without webshops. In many cases...it's best to do this anyways to ensure that you get the version you want as found in the reviews here. Most dealers can get more than what they have on their sites. You'll read here that many folks recommend picking a dealer you feel comfortable with first...then contacting them directly to ask if they can get the rep you want as most can get whatever you want, regardless of what's pictured on their sites. Prices you get directly from the dealers if they don't have them listed. Essentially...you're understanding is correct all 'round.

Great stuff once again!!

It was a tough one for me to place. I would agree with others here that Breit and Tag are pretty close. Tag probably has more recognition because of the celebrity sponsors. I actually see Citizen adds more than anything these days (as far as billboards go...not magazines). A friend's friend is the regional rep for the Swiss Army brand and apparently, he says those watches move quite well. I see them around a lot too...but don't think people equate them with luxury branding. As to Patek's not making the list...I think like Vacheron, UN, A. Lange & Sohne, Breguet, etc...these are niche, boutique brands and things that very few folks would ever come across or be interested in. It's like cars...people know Mercedes, BMW, etc...not as many know Saleen, Bugatti, etc...

That's a very interesting list...and a good way to categorize things. Like you said...it's a tricky question as there are a number of ways to look at how to identify "famous" for one, and "luxury brand" for another. I would probably add Swatch in there for Department store brands!! In Toronto...I would say most famous might be the most easily available brands...and for luxury...possibly anything above $500 (I know it seems low in price...but I think for "most" of the general populace, this is probably the price point where they think a watch becomes a luxury item vs. a tool that everyone has). Rolex Omega Breitling Tag Heur Movado I would even go so far as to say, there are brands that probably most people "think" are luxury brands but aren't really: Tissot Armani ESQ We can pretty much get anything here...but other "big" brands like IWC, Hamilton, Longines, Panerai, AP, Hublot, Harry Winston, Graham's, etc are usually only sold in one particular store.

That's the truth!! That's the beauty of reps...at least for $200-400, you get a mechanically sound machine with a beautiful design and build quality that surpasses most of the $400 plastic tripe made by Fossil, Diesel, etc. Just because it's gen doesn't mean it's quality or attractive. That Timberland watch is one ugly beast.

Yup...if you're building a pseudo-Franken (no gen parts)...you're definitely not too Noob. Lots of Canucks here...that's for sure. Welcome aboard.

Welcome aboard. The first rep purchase can be a bit nerve wracking. Many members have great success with the A21j movements...some in fact have better success with them than the ETA movements. That being said, most would consider only ETA based watches (even ETA copies) if you want better reliability or want a watch that can be maintained. The beauty of the A21j based watches is that the movements can be had for $10 CDN (or $12-15 USD for the rest of the world + shipping)...so you don't repair them...you rip and replace when they fail. The issue is that you need to save the datewheel or datewheel overlay and the movement dial spacer if you do a swap. It takes a lot of movement replacements (if you do them yourself) before you make up the $130 difference to upgrade to the ETA based watches. I'm not sure about the Sub Upgraded, but I did a comparison of things to look for in the various versions of the Subs in the Sub Guide linked in my signature.

Welcome aboard. You picked yourself a pretty high end watch for a first rep. Congrats!! You don't need to service the watch right away unless there are problems with the movement. If there are problems, you have 2 choices...depending on the problem, you could send it back as a warranty issue to Josh who will fix it for you...or you can have it serviced so it is reliable for a longer period of time. The Zigmeister doesn't accept watches until close to your appointment time, and then returns them very quickly. The issue is that because he only works on watches as a hobby, appointments might have to be made months in advance...but he is extremely professional in meeting fast turn around times based on scheduled appointments. In other words, he doesn't tell you to ship your watch right away while he sits on it for service for 3 months. I've had watches back from him within 2 weeks from the day I sent it out to him!!!

Very nice piece. I have skinny wrists (6.5" but fairly muscular arms and forearms) and find that although a watch like the Skyland is a bit thick, I think it wears fine. The Legende is wider in diameter but is slightly thinner and tapers lower to the wrist at the lug horns I think making the watch wear smaller than its actual measurements would dictate. It's still a big watch though...but beautiful in person (I've only tried on the gen).

Very nice pic.

Excellent timing is withing +/-5 seconds/day. This means wearing the watch so it runs in different positions instead of lying flat on a dresser. You can find links on how to adjust the timing in my Noob Guide linked in my signature.

Welcome aboard. You should read the Noob Guide linked in my Signature. It has links to posts about shipping tracking and what to expect for reps coming in from China. To make a long story short...as others have said...all packages from China get handed to Customs. Usually this is not a big deal...occasionally in the UK...there can be issues, but these types of issues usually result in the package being sent back to China and Josh reshipping you another one. Don't worry...you will get a watch...it just takes time. Many folks in the EU recommend buying only from dealers who ship from within the EU to avoid customs issues and to speed delivery. Read the Noob Guide and all will be revealed.

Don't know about the mark up...but the dealers here are working directly with the factories making the watches. Other online vendors are doing the same. There are many factories...some making junk...some making the good stuff. The thing with the dealers here is that you are: Going to get the good stuff You are going to get a watch (as opposed to a scam site) If /When a problem arises they will address wrong shipment issues, major QA issues, etc A handful of the dealers here actually commission items directly from the vendors and/or buy gen watches for them to copy.

Listen to the Maxman. Welcome aboard. Read the Noob Guide in my signature...and you'll be introduced to a whole new world of high end reps.

Welcome aboard. You just found yourself the most knowledgeable and friendliest board around. We have lots of vintage Rollie experts here who have some fine examples of heavily modded Comex divers. If you're looking for the best Omega reps out there...check out the Omega section and read the guides there, pinned at the time. As well, read my Noob Guide linked in my signature to get you up and running quickly and introduce you to the world. Read, search, learn, share...and have fun.

I'm not a big fan of the Breitling large letter log on the rubber straps. To me...it cheapens the design of the watch. I really like the Skyland on leather. It's very comfortable and adds a level of elegance that tones down the chunkiness of the watch. How can you not like this: DiModell Imperator on tang buckle Rep Moo Croc on Rep Deployment

Aaah...like others have said...if it is going in all the way and "locking" but spinning...yeah...keyless works...sorry!!

You should be able to get a gen insert from Ofrei...but expensive likely because I think you have to buy a whole bezel assembly. You can get aftermarket ones that are about the same grade of quality (from what I gather from the catalogue photos...not in person) from Somal (big parts suppliers). Try Somal Canada...not sure if there is one in the US.

It might not need disassembly. It depends if the keyless works are in fact out of whack...or if the crown is merely not pushed in properly. The Zigmeister recommends removing the crown in the winding position as I believe being closer towards the movement, reduces the chances of pushing some of the pieces of the keyless works out of whack as is more probable when re-installing in the time-setting position. That being said...if it's an SSD (whatever movement), you don't need to push the crown release button to re-insert the crown. You can try loosening the movement tab screws a bit to allow the movement to spin the case a bit. If the movement is not aligned with the stem hole exactly, the stem won't go in. You can tighten the movement holder tabs after...but having a bit of float in the system can make inserting the stem easier. I'm not sure if this is exactly best practices...but it seems to work. AS well...when you reinsert the stem...slowly stick it in...rotating it slowly in the winding direction. When you feel things start to engage push in a little firmer and everything should catch. Try it a few times. If it still doesn't go...it is a fix that any watchsmith should be able to do. Good luck.

Good to know...I didn't realize they had fixed this. Hopefully the old stock went to the non-forum members.

Remember Chinese New Year backlog might slow things down as well. 2 weeks is really not a long time to wait at all. Customs clearance is another issue.

Welcome aboard. Little issues with watches are unfortunately part of the game. Patience patience patience. Good to have another Canuck on board.

As an update to this...the hands as AJS indicated for the 3804b are: 1.00/1.50/2.00/.17 Of note though...is that the hands for a 2813/4813 movement (aka Noobmariner hands): 1.00/1.50/0.17 So...for the GMT...what you need essentially are the hands from an Asian Rolex and the difficult thing is sourcing a 2.00 GMT hand.