Toadtorrent

Ask and you shall receive. My Noob Guide will answer some of the questions you have. It's linked in my signature. There's a link in there on the different movements...or look for a post by user The Zigmeisterzumba. His new signature has a link to his post on the different movements. As to what watches to buy with mechanical vs. quartz...that's a tough one. The quartz ones will be more accurate and lower maintenance, but they don't sound right, or look right for the most part, as the high end gens that are being replicated for the most part have mechanical movements. So...we spend lots of money to get a mechanical marvel that needs to be maintained at great expense. HAH HAH...but that's how it is. As to AR...some have them...some don't. There's not guide on that...just read the reviews or look at the dealer sites. As to not finding 99replicas or whatever it was...they might be a decent site. There are lots of decent sites out there...you just have to wade past the scammers to find them. For the most part, the idea here is that you pay a bit more...but not a ridiculous amount more, to buy from collectors that users have used here...that OVERALL have a good reputation for supporting their product...and are providing top notch quality. Other sites might have the same reps our collectors get...but they might charge much more for them...or will leave you hanging dry if you get a crap movement etc. If you have find a collector/dealer you use with good success...tell the forum and spread the gospel. But, forum experience says generally, that you will be hard pressed to find the same quality at the same price outside of these dealers. Others like Teejay use collectors from RWI that aren't listed here...or use some on cqout with good success...so you can search for their experiences too if you really want to save a couple more bucks or get a product that might not be available from the folks here. Anyways...good luck. You get your reps 3-4 days faster in BC than I do in ON.

You came to the right spot. If you read, search, read some more...and post questions after reading and searching...you will learn lots. Start by reading my Noob Guide linked in my signature, and you'll hit the ground running fast. It's fun times ahead!!

Good to hear you're back in the game...and leave it to you to do it with your spirits up!

Look up posts by a user named "Victoria" and search string wristie. She has posted TONNES of watches...lots of PAMs that might get you started. She had AMAZING strap combinations.

...but on the expensive end...how smokin' are these?

Much of this has been answered in the past...and can be found in links in my Noob Guide (found in my signature). To make a long story short...Chinese reps are a bit of hit and miss sometimes. Overall though...they are incredible quality...but because of Quality Control issues you can get duds. That is why we have dealers that are generally recommended here on the forum...who stand by their products. Remember though, this is an illegal industry and "standing by" a product means they will fix any major issues for you, but you have to ship it back to China for it to happen. They will in turn ship you the item at their cost generally...sometimes they will ask for payment for this as well...I've never had to...but I've heard of others having to. In general, many have done nothing to their A7750 movement watches and have had them lasting for 3 years or so with no problems. Others have had duds within a short period of time. I've had datewheels on Asian DG2813s slip that the collectors have fixed before I figured out how to do it myself. With the chronos and the A7750 movement, read the Noob Guide, and you'll find that a PROPERLY serviced rep (there are many IMPROPERLY serviced chrono movements) will last as long as a gen...but servicing is as expensive as servicing gens as the movements, even though they are asian copies, are just as complicated as their gen counterparts. The recommendation, albeit expensive, is service them properly (at $200+ a shot) within 9 months BEFORE wear damage can happen, and the movement should be able to run as long as a gen. This means the next servicing is done in ~5 year increments. I have watches I want to keep...and I spend the money to service them. The others...I'll let die and buy a new one or new movement when the time comes. Welcome aboard and good luck. The Legende is a beautiful rep...fantastic!

The pic is fine!! You've got good subject matter...it's digital...experiment away. Good stuff!

Those are amazing!!! Love those cufflinks Phoband!!

They are quite different watches. As you'll see in the pics of the SOH that are on RWG, I think this watch has a bit more "flash" as the bezel insert and dial have that metallic look to them...whereas the BP is more neutral. There was a thread recently that discussed the BP 5002 being the better option vs. the 5004 as the dial is much more accurate (needing only to fix the 7 days power reserve needle to full or whatever you want) compared with the dial and hands being incorrect on the 5004 that just came out. If you want an understated, more "I'm about the business' watch with a 30s/40s retro feel...definitely get the BP. If you want something in your collection that adds a little bit more flair and elegance and a 50s/60s retro feel...get the SOH.

Ooops. I never noticed that before!!

Hi...there's info here. LUME POST. The Zigmeister's pics are gone...but they're easy to find here. As to cost...SSSurfer in the above thread quotes: "http://www.rctritec.com/index.php?id=13 sales@rctritec.com Repair sets (1g powder + 1g varnish + 1g diluent + mixing pot and glass rod) were at 41 or 44.20 CHF each, depending on the color (C3 and natural: 41 CHF; C1, white and coloured: 44.20 CHF). Plus 30-40 CHF shipping & handling, depending on your country (Europe 30, other countries 40). Those were their prices on March 2007, at least. Ask Elisabeth politely for one or more sets by qualifying you as an amateur/hobbist watchsmith." RC Tritec is the ONLY place that sells SL. You can try the cheaper Noctilumina to practice, but what The Zigmeister has said in other posts is that it is harder to work with and apply, and can make the learning curve frustrating. The performance is also not in the same zone as SL...there are posts comparing this on RWG. My understanding (I could be wrong on this) if memory serves me right , is that one repair kit can do 3 dials and hands?

Great photos. Beautiful stuff. The lighting is excellent!!

That's great. I'm glad that JAG's sale went to someone who really could appreciate it, and do the new acquisition up in style with this review and photo write-up. Great stuff...and congrats! Any mods planned?

Welcome aboard. You'll find some GREAT reps have been released in the last year...and a few more decent collectors to buy from too. Remember...all watches generally, can be had from all collectors...just send them an email/PM regarding the one you want and see if they can source it. There's some AMAZING technical information and reviews on this site to which you'll find great benefit in your search for a new rep. Read my Noob Guide linked in my signature, and read the brand guides in the individual sections.

You've got some great pieces there...some real selections from the recent super reps. That Graham looks great! I never really thought much of them until I went to a Graham AD and saw them in person. It was then that I realized what presence they have. It really balances out your collection nicely. How did you stack your Christmas tree so it didn't fall over???

I've had a watch from Canada to China take 6 weeks during regular season...not high season using regular air mail.

I'm looking forward to seeing these!! Great ROO!!

You'll find that Rolex has generally a couple different camps: those that think like them because they have long historical periods with very little change and hate the look of the new pieces...and those that like the new pieces. Engraved rehaut, big bezel insert lettering, maxi dials, green sapphire, etc are all elements of the newer age of Rolex design. I think you'll find that the engraved rehaut doesn't show up visually in person as much as it does in the close up macro photos you see online here and on the collector sites. I'm fine with it either way.

It's nice in the beginning for a couple nice pieces...but space constraints in my case kick in and having a stack of a dozen boxes on a dresser looks plain dumb. A big winder is more appropriate. I've seen a few members do some beautiful displays in glass cases of their pieces in the boxes with catalogues, etc...very nice...but I don't have my watches as showpieces.

There's a VC Malte Chrono with Lemania that is beautiful as well. I like the Breguet the best in this lot.

From the brief look I've had, the Cartier Pasha I think is alright, the Ladies DJ I thought were fine but the one I bought had a crooked cyclops relative to the etched coronet, the Muller's are great value, and the Chanel J12 seems popular as well. On the big watch front...I've seen DeWitt's on leather straps look amazing on women...my wife wears a Muller and a A. Lange and smaller gens. I've been wanting a ladies Seamaster quartz...but to no avail.!!

If it does need a new balance...you might be pooched. Sourcing the proper balance is a pain on the Asian movements. If you have a donor movement of the proper rate, you might be alright, but it will likely be very difficult to source a balance otherwise. Check this thread for a discussion on what happens if you get the wrong balance. You can get a replacement A7750 movement for around $120 - $150...plus labour to swap...unless Michael has a part that can work...then the it would be the part plus the labour to service and fix.

I want a good GMT movement that can fit a variety of cases. I'm very curious about that secs @ 6 movement Francisco. Zig didn't seem to think 29 jewels was enough for the transfer as there are still gears running dry on plates likely. Keep us posted on what you find.

You guys are hilarious...too...Spidey's the new Boss Man...listen to him.

Congrats on the purchase and welcome aboard. Now's the time you can try the rep of the watch you want for when you graduate to make sure you get the right toy! Read, search, learn share...and have fun!