Watchmeister

The question is whether it is practical? And what is the alternative. Then again I have never understood whether clicks from google or whatever makes a material contribution to the budget here.

Hopefully nothing unsolvable.

So our server has to spread the news to others.

The Stoneage cannot be resurrected except in our minds in our little forum. It may feel like it is more difficult for us but in truth the higher end rep business (which is very different from the lower end one) is getting much larger not smaller. Now Chinese manufacturers are making dedicated movements, doing runs of a thousand forcing distributors to take hundreds forcing dealers to take 50 piece minimums. And to make it worse the next generation of the same watch comes out ever quicker. The unintended victims are likely going to be the smaller dealers. The fact that Paypal is catching on is a symptom of this excessive growth and not because noobs are complaining about our dealers. Sitting here today we have 4-5 readily available website dealers and a number of niche players who will do well if they differentiate their product. Yes Paypal may no longer be viable but people are taking moneybookers, western union, credit cards and of course cash. I agree that it is infuriating that noobs make life more difficult for dealers, idiots insist on posting on gen forums and a couple of infuriated gen lovers can make it a little more difficult but that is no reason to run and hide. Because we can't. Ever searched on you screen name? As for setting up a secret society or invited members-only forum we are doing for ourselves - not to save the rep industry. It is doing just fine by itself.

Have fun. Thanks for the heads up.

For the noobs out there, no worries. For those who have been around a while - shame on you. Or you never read. In any case, please remember four things. First, this is a one-off project so it is done when it is done. Second it is Chinese New years so in spite of the fact Eddie does not live in Asia all the manufacturing and shipping is there. Third this is not Eddie's day job. This is his hobby. And last, with the exception of perhaps one or two unhappy customers in the years that I have been at these forums there are hundreds of very happy customers. I'm one. And I look forward to his next custom project.

I think I am getting this.

So if you want to swap movements you are better off with the cheap ass original. Great post though. Very helpful for future projects.

You have been given great advice.

But it still deosn't change the fact that my genuine deployants are just as likely to break as the reps.

I am with you Robert. Everyone has to chill.

No worries. Now the question is who will get theirs first.

If I was a betting man I would wager that these wheels would be for sale day after tomorrow. Paypal is cooperating.

It was only a matter of time on Paypal. Just factor in the additional cost of moneybookers,WU or whatever works for you when buying a rep.

If they are out of production it is only long enough to make the next version. I am holding off for the ceramic bezel with black datewheel.

Nice to have you back.

For $86,000 you fly to pick it up and bring Giuseppe Panerai just to be sure.

Actually I think it is a Pre-K. You would have to be Pre-K to buy that thing.

I actually can't imagine anyone asking. Except if you have no business wearing an expensive watch in real life. One time I sat down with a chairman of a company in a 1 on 1 meeting who was wearing the gold gen of a rep I was wearing. I said nothing until he commented nice watch. I then told him about the watch and rep collecting. Ended up in a long conversation on the rep industry. He was very interested in a constructive manner in spite of the fact that he is chairman and of a large branded consumer products company. I bought mine for $110. He paid $18,000 after a good night at the baccarat table. It was the FM Vegas. It did look a lot nicer in 18k - but not $17,900 better. I was glad that I own a few gens though. That way I could say my credo with a straight face - A rep is not a rep. A watch is a watch.

Will someone please put us out of our misery. Well, say a prayer before you hit the hay and you may be in for a pleasant surprise. Right guys?

Can't wait to see the results.

I was under the impression he was clearing out his inventory to get out of the business. He is a great dealer so I hope I am wrong. Unfortunately, the rep industry is growing the way all mom and pop industries do. The manufacturers are getting bigger forcing inventory on the distributors. The distributors are forcing higher minimums on the dealers. At the same time they are reissuing improved versions before the smaller dealers can unload the first version. The net net is that we will be left with a few large dealers and a few small guys doing custom projects for more money. Ever wonder why Andrew and Joshua work together? Without critical mass no one dealer can survive.

Good to know.

Great strap. The black one hadn't interested me before but that is a good combination.