Watchmeister

I am with Arch. These are mediocre (aesthetically speaking) reps masquerading as gens. Go with Hamilton or another proven brand if you want to go that route.

Rats, I was hoping for pictures.

I am salivating.

Well since dealers seem to have the ears of the manufacturers on aesthetic issues perhaps they could pass some of Ziggy's thoughts on simple tweaks to improve reliablility of movements to the manufacturers. Although from everything I have read on these forums changing movements is a much bigger issue with a 1,000 piece minimum for dedicated movements. On the other hand, if it caused fewer returns and used fewer gears it might be very much in their interest.

The King pictures give me hope that the last link is titanium. No one had ever mentioned the last link issue on the GST chrono and now I own it and it does bug me quite a bit. And yes, unfortunately this is the same movement layout as the Portuguese chrono so there is a buyer beware element on this one as well. Perhaps the simple stainless version is looking better and better.

Great looking project. Wear it well.

Great review. Enjoyed the pics.

Looks great but the Cape Atrticooky kills me. If I remember correctly it should be Cape Arctichoke.

Sounds like a bad movement. Hopefully the swap will be better.

Paypal appears to be very much going the wrong way. Hopefully the google version will take up the slack over time. Given that an estimated 40% of the global market is in grey and black market goods I suspect someone will come up with a better alternative.

That is both good news and bad news. Rep manufacturers are getting more precise but I really didn't want to spend $380 extra for the Swiss version of the Breitling when I prefer to buy the movement for $200 on my own and have Ziggy install it after proper servicing.

Yes, ti is back. I had been getting concerned that the days of ti were numbered as the Chrono Avenger and GST Chrono seemed to be no longer made. But between the new Inge and Davidsen making solid back ti PAM cased watches they are back. Thanks for cluing us in.

I am with Evildee. The bergeon sets are fantastic. One word of warning on better sets for the physically challenged (read as me) though. The bettter screwdrivers are substantially more "slippery" (technical term- ) than your old cheap screwdriver so until you get used to them work carefully or you will end up with more scratches. I also find that having the set in a stand is very helpful for changing up if you tend to do multiple tasks using different head sizes at one time.

Neil- I am so sorry to hear of your illness and glad you are on the mend. You gotta get out of the "rainy" countries. On the US and payment I do have a couple of thoughts for what they are worth. I think wire transfer is a great option but there are some specific considerations in the U.S. First, even if you are a large customer at the very largest banks Citi, JP Morgan, etc. the banks usually do charge a minimum of $20 for each transfer. Also many US banks and their online services do not provide the ability to do international wire transfers other than doing it in person. For many folks, haing to show up in person can be more problematic than the money. It has to do with the Homeland and Money Laundering acts. These comments relate to personal rather than business accounts. So I would suggest, if possible, setting up a bank account with a US based bank or bank with US subsidiary. Further domestic funds transfer is often free at many banks here and so if it is free from your end it can actually enhance profitability.

Pug- Thanks for posting the old loop. I had been looking for it. Did you ever swap out your movement on the IWC? And if so, where did you buy the replacement hands from? Finepics raised the exact same question I had which is that a number of watches including the Chronomat and the PAM 212 and 253 come in both Swiss and Asian version. I would be surprised if they are making two sets of hands - the implication being that perhaps not all "new Asian 28,800 7750's" are the same. If any of the dealers see this who sell either of these I hope they will comment.

Looks great. I originally bought the Ti and then bought the SS as well. In truth, it is not one I wear very often as I am now too used to 44mm and bigger but I know there will come a time when 44mm looks ridiculous on my shrivelled up old wrist. It is a fabulous rep out of the box and both my movements are still functioning fine.

Good list. If you are going to bother with the H guard we could consider proper thickness casebacks. I think they increased the thickness on the H and I Base and Marinas. Most importantly, improved date font for Asian 7750's.

Exactly right. Go old school.

Bear in mind it has happened before to both of them so even if it is true it doesn't mean it is permanent.

The Big Bang is a very complex watch in terms of case and case assembly and as such it will be more prone to problems than many other similarly high end reps. If you are trying to get to 1:1 you are better off with simpler watches. Without even seeing it I would guess that the new Chronomat or Northpole will be better put together with less problems simply because the manufacturers have experience building earlier generations or similar watches. I suspect the next generation of Big Bangs will be better if only because the manufacturers will be getting so many back with problems. After all, maufacturers have learning curves as well.

Does the hand issue relate to the subdial hands only? That would imply that all the non-chrono Asian 7750's ( PAM 87, 24, 239, 243, etc.) would still have the possibility of swapping out the movement. And are there really only two versions of the 7750 such that any chrono developed in the last several months would not be swappable?

Buy the old and swap in Swiss movement. Fabulous rep.

As we see more and more reps being made with the 7750 movements I thought it might be helpful to develop a list of which watches can actually take an ETA movement and still allow you to use the hands and/or datewheels. I am interested for two reasons. First, there is a major discrepancy on the prices of the same reps with a Swiss 7750 movement versus the Asian version. The Swiss version often costs $350-400 more and the actual cost of the Swiss movement is closer to $200. Second, it emboldens me to buy certain watches knowing that if I like the watch and the movement craps out I can replace it with a Swiss movement. Here is my list of watches I would love to know the answer to. I will start with the one swap I have done to date. Please feel free to add watches you would like the answer to as well. Ultimately, it may make sense to make it a "sticky" if we develop enough of a database. Chrono Avenger - Yes, it takes the hands but you have to use the Swiss datewheel. Chronomat Evolution PAM 24 PAM 87 PAM 194/2500 PAM 243/239 IWC GST Chrono Hublot BB

Stay away from that one. If you really look they are pretty easy to find in the $220-250 range on the bay. And no I don't remember who it was. But at least two folks there will sell 3 or more around at $220 a piece.

Now who says it is my method? By the way, Ken - too funny.