Watchmeister

I knew it. Well I have at least 3 more for the next run.

I would be good for 1 full set and a pair of GMT only hands. And by the way I have a set of genuine GMT hands for the 63 (which I haven't mounted up yet) for reference.

Amazing how that cyclops suspends in mid-air.

Too funny. I was expecting to be very surprised as I have sent 20 or so watches for relume and never been disappointed. Heck he makes vintage look vintage, tritium (both new and old) look like tritium, etc. Enjoy the watch. It makes getting on the elevator after you have been outside a treat.

Crikey, what happened? So close yet so far.

I am in the both category as well. And yes, if the 187 is the new case I will cannibalize the Ar crystal and He valve from my Honpo 7750 version (as well as one of my Finepics datewheel) to complete Chronozilla.

I agree that titanium reps will only get rarer. As I understand it they are a bitch to work with and require some different tooling. Ergo, my ti Chrono Avenger, 036 and GST.

Any of Archibald, Sssurfer or Finepics can best answer that question.

Rob- Fabulous post. I have given this a lot of thought as well (since I am always looking for the next purchase). IMHO, there is no question that this is the golden age of reps from the perspective of building reps around quality ETA movements. They will most likely become more and more difficult to source. For this reason original movement reps have always been far and away my favorite - whether 2892/3 PAM GMT's and Power Reserves, 7753 Daylights (and upcoming 7753 187's), 2892 Frank Muller. etc. And on top of the movements you have different factories discontinuing various models making them collector's items in their own right - 007 SMP, old school 196 cases, with 7753 movements, etc. So from a movement perspective I am very concerned that we will begin the decline. But what I do find heartening is that the manufacurers are constantly improving their technology and have brought out high end reps for non-Rolex PAM brands. IMHO, in 2006 PAM's continue to improve however the dramatic improvements are for other "1:1" branded watches - AP RO properly sized, IWC GST, Ingenieur,etc. to name a few. Now they increasingly buy the actual watch and develop accurate measurements (whether thru CNC or more rudimentary methods). The manufacturers are even trying to incorporate some of the underlying advanced technology in the gen watches. Heck, they are putting a "magnetic shield" in the Ingenieur rep. If we step back, it was really only a few years ago that manufacterers and Dealers realized that the Japanese market would willingly pay 10-15% of the gen price for a good rep as that culture has for other branded luxury goods over a longer period of time. Then over the last 2 years the high wnd market for reps has shown dramatic growth outside of the Japanese market. I suspect we can thank the internet for that. The movement is the soul of a watch and the Swiss ETA which we all identify with so closely will be a declining item. However all the other improvements in 1:1 aesthetic elements and rudimentary technology give me hope that reps will continue to improve from an aesthetic perspective. If the alternative movements continue to improve I am optimistic for the future. But make no mistake the days of original movement reps are rapidly coming to an end. And so every time there is an original movement rep I think long and hard before I decide "not to buy." Fellfell- I think you are missing the mark on this one. As someone who has owned VC, Breguet, Rolex and Cartier gens over the years I would say you are kidding yourself. Gens are not the end all and be all. Since I started a systematic service program with my watches I have had far better luck with the reps then the gens. Most reps are not built to the same standard as gens but with proper care and service an original movement Rep should last. A rep is not a rep. A watch is a watch. And a properly serviced watch (whether rep or gen) will last a hell of alot longer than one that isn't. The other thing you should be aware of is that when Rob writes his posts he does not write as a supporter (or detractor) of reps but rather as a watch fanatic who grew up with them. He spent many years in the watch world before he ever saw a rep and to this day he spends more time working on invaluable vintage watches than our reps. Listen to him.

I have the Palp crown on one of the 2893 GMT's. It looks better than the rep but it is a tad too thick - 1.9 (gen) versus 2.1. Since the crowns are theoretically one piece SS you should be able to take a swiss file to it to thin it down and then redo the bevel. I had been asking Ziggy about this.

You had to go there.

They figure that anyone who needs the tritium for deep water diving is unlikely to outlast the 15-20 year glow life.

So much for that idea. Didn't know all the flaws. Best of luck.

I assume the beswt starting point is this: http://www.replicacollector.com/members/in...showtopic=26798 If it is like other vintage MBW/Watchmasters it should take gen parts.

I am not as optimistic as you. As it is they are using the 187 case (absent the date set button) and inner bezel system which is accurate for the 187 but not the 194 on this rep. Have you ever noticed that a number of the titanum reps are discontinued shortly after initial production (IWC GST Chrono, Breitling Chrono Avenger, etc.). the one notable exception I have seen is the PAM 36. I do hope you are right though as that would probably lead to a pair of proper Slytechs as well.

I am good for 3-4. Just ask Mark.

Very nice.

I will take that bet. I am not holding my breath for titanium. And yes if the original rep is good and they make a titanium I would guess a fair number of folks would buy the titanium one as well. I am very curious to see the bezel as Eddie says it is superior to the 187 60 clicker. The lack of 60 clicks in most subs is one of my pet peeves. I am also curious to see the date mag knowing that there may well be a solution to the date font issue shortly. I am also still trying to figure out whether the dial is the correct size as there is an inner bezel ring in the rep (similar to 187) but there doesn't appear to be one in the gen but I won't know it until I see it in the flesh. Finally, I am wondering whether the ar coated crystal from my defunct 87 will fit in.

I gave in. Wrong material I know but it is a pretty watch. Tracking number in hand and waiting.

Nanuq- I am not so sure we will see it there first.

Thanks for the info. Another movement manufacturer is always a good thing. I am hopeful there will be others. It is interesting that Swatch is pulling out of various segments just as sales of mechanical watches are growing at a substantial rate. Then again ETA movements is such a small percentage of their overall sales it won't matter. As long as there is money in it, new manufacturers wil come and the Seagulls of the world will improve their movements. And if the "Swiss" are not careful, movements will go the same way as cars (at least in the U.S.). Today the higher end Japanese cars are getting better reliability marks than Mercedes and BMW. Mercedes sales are suffering as other countries and manufacturers get better and better.

Very pretty watch. Wear it well.

And wait until the 187 7753 comes out. Then you will have real demand.

Happy Birthday!

Could it be the first of many?