Watchmeister

IMHO, it is business as usual. Honpo started the practice of getting several month exclsive in return for committing to a particular size run. In return they get exclusivity for some period of time. Started with the 2893 PAM's. Then came the infamous 187. Now the HBB I guess. It has nothing to do with cartels. But by the way with the factories having geared for larger runs and demanding larger minimums for new watches (can be as large as a 1,000 for dedicated movements and as small as 100 for derivatives of existing watches) thank god for Cartels. It would be helpful if Cartels are honest, of course. Make no mistake, there is a generational change even at the factory level. Factories are getting more demanding in terms of scale and it dribbles down to distributors and then dealers. The average minimum order of anything even vaguely new is supposedly close to 50 pieces as I understand it from several dealers both here and elsewhere. This is why a number of the small dealers are either changing their strategy or getting out of the business.

But I am more focused on my side. Still being able to buy a high end rep.

It took me so long to read this loop that the Admin already made his decision and it seems the closest thing to a plausible solution. If it works it will be proof that we are the lionshare of most dealer's business. If it doesn't then we will know something else. Maybe we are legends in our own minds. So is my takeaway correct that the cartel continues in whatever form it is currently in but the dealers have to post most of their goods here and be honest about them. Now if I was a member of a "smart" cartel I would designate one or two people to sell here and the other one or two to not post here but sell everywhere else with those fabulous descriptions. And guess which members of the cartel would get the next HBB first. Most importantly, Thomas has come up with a good standard. Make those who sell here be honest. If you are dishonest please leave.

I can't even look at RWG 1 anymore. I prefer to reminisce about the good old days and thank my lucky stars for an excellent Admin and mod infrastructure.

Well, this is a sympathy post. I am so sorry to hear that your flu morphed into the viral infection. Rest as best you can. All the best, Kruz

Bill- Very constructive thread. It is good to remind people why we are here. I tend to agree on the comments as to cyclicality and the ups and down of the forum and content. I also find the changes in the rep industry which are akin to any mom and pop industry expanding dramatically sometimes disheartening but still very interesting. However, at the end of the day there are 3-4 things which are still true for me: 1. I have made 3-4 friends who I consider to be dear friends, speak to on an almost daily basis and I know that my life would be the lesser without them 2. Although I buy less, I spend more time and money on modding the reps I really love 3. The rep industry has grown dramatically and we are seeing things we would have never seen as recently as 6 months ago. So, I choose to ignore the noise, spend a good amount of time with my friends, read the posts that interest me and buy alot more carefully. I do have to read that Cartel loop. Don't know how I missed it but I may be the better for it.

IMHO, swapping the bracelet is fairly easy. Changing the links does require an experienced watchsmith.

Most importantly, enjoy it.

Stunning work. That is one lucky owner.

Thanks for the info. C3 it is then.

Does anyone know definitively what the lume color is on the dial and hands of the PO? I would guess C3 but you never can tell from pictures.

FIrst you have to find Ken.

When you are impressed, I am impressed. Thanks for the excellent review. Now to buy that Ferrari.

No reply because I forgot.

I have heard this from a number of dealers. I suspect April may turn into May. Supposedly it will have a black datewheel as well.

Too funny. Hey Ubi- Went to the public beach today. Naked chicks with Daytonas - still here. This year I have seen more PO's (large size) and a couple of ROO's. The Europeans do have style.

There really isn't much else to say. to all above.

Senilecoot- There is no recessed or wrongly placed date issue on the 7753 versions. It is the same movement as the gen. Chieftang- Yes, it does deserve a proper single-sided AR coat as does my 196 and Panda. Babola- I am with you on the old school reps - whether original movement PAM's, Chrono Avenger, MBW's or DW's. As you know the the whole game has changed. The new high end reps come out of the box better aesthetically but with Asian movements so now the question is often whether to upgrade the movement. Eddie's Pilot (which looks fabulous) and my BCE are in for movement swaps - for Old School movements of course. All my 7750's are 17j but 100% Swiss.

Fabulous restoration of a worthy watch. I would say "Ziggy is the Man" but I suspect everyone who Ziggy wants to know does know.

Agreed.

I bought the Asian movement. It does work well. I am swapping movements though. The movement alone costs from $150-$250 and installation is another $50-100 so if you want Swiss it can make sense to spend that much. I will tell you how the swap works out. You do need a watchsmith who can handle the necessary hand adjustments though.

Palp's 2.1 or 2.0?

The boxes look great.

Marco- I am guessing you tried the Jimmy crystals? I have never measured but I thought Jimmy's were to spec on the manuals (3.5mm). The gen subs and GMT's use the 3.5mm crystals and have the cyclops drilled well into the crystal shaving off at least 1 or likely closer to 2mm. The Power Reserves are 2.5mm. Radiomirs are the shallowest at 1.9mm (of course they don't have cyclops ). On the sandwiche crystals the top layer of sapphire is most likely 2mm or less. Saves money by putting second layer of glass and avoiding drilling into the sapphire. It also improves magnification. They are innovative, aren't they?