I am going to respectfully contradict the prices always fall theory (at least for the same quality product). On the 7753 196 I must admit I was surprised to hear that they are in the $500 range. But even if they are, by the time they fell below $700 they were being made at a different factory and the quality (weight, accuracy to gen and overall quality) had fallen substantially. My Panda is woefully inadequate relative to my original 196. Hell, my Asian 196 has a far better case. I already see a difference in the latest pictures on the 187 with different date font, raised letter helium valve, etc. I just hoped it has not moved onto a new factory. The movement does stink though.