pierre22

The Valjoux 7730 401 T90 stem fit perfectly my VC Malte rep chrono. For the details on how I found out see the post on the other forum:

Here

Does anybody know if the rep farraday case is in fact effective to the same or similar degree to resist magnetization as the gen??

Just to clarify that the soft irons cover is not a faraday cage. Its use is to protect from magnetic (static) field where a faraday cage protect electromagnetic (varying) field’s which should not pose problems for a mechanical watch.

The cover need to be made from a highly permeable material to magnetic field so the magnetic forces lines go through the cover instead of the movement. Like the current in a circuit goes trough the path with less resistance. So if the material is the right type then the rep protection should be the same but then I doubt the movement will be as magnetic proof as the gen as some magnetic field still goes trough the protection.

I lost one of the little square on the bezel of my North Pole. Does someone know where to source one or any suggestion on how to make one?

I'm a bit concerned about the amount you're got.. it looks like you might get some residue making its way around inside the watch in time.. but thats only a guess. I'll be keen to hear the long term results.

I don't know if it is the same stuff you used on your RC cars but I guarantee you that there won't be any residue. It is extremely hard to remove if not impossible to remove completely unless you use a solvent. This stuff is designed for extreme pressure and temp (over 1000 deg F). Beside the graphite particules are way smaller than what you would get from crushing graphite powder so I don't see how it could affect the movement.

I had an AP ROO that developped the habit of stoping if inactive always at the same second position so I started to soucre some grahite powder for a litte massage of the geartrain.

I found something interesting: graphite dry lube in a can. It is an extremely fine graphite powder in suspension in a highly volatile liquide (acetone). When applied to metal it dries in seconds and leave a uniform layer of graphite bounded to the metal.

So I sprayed some graphic lube in a glass container and used a paint brush to coat the gear and the plate. When dry it look like the plate has been coated by electroplating or some other indutrial process. Here is what it look like (excuse the sloppy application but my paint brush was to big):

After the treatment I got 40+hrs of power reserve the movement sitting still on my bench.

I used Jig-A-Loo Graphite Extreme found at Canadian Tire. There are other manufacturer and this stuff is also used in bicycle shop as a non messy chain lube and for cables. I also found a similar product using Molybdenum Disulfite instead of graphite.

I always wanted I daytona second at 6. I will get myself one and graphite paint the whole plate and gears.

Sorry double post. Could someone remove this one.

For a happy ending to this issue. I didn't want to mess with the glue so I installed a gen click spring (7.50$) and it worked like a charm.

The knowledge on this board amazes me. Nothing to compare to the gen forum.

You are right Ken, it probably is illegal to import a rep in to Canada.

If it is legal to own (according to RCMP) I don't see how it could be illegal to import????? It doesn't make sens to allow something to be owned and preventing someone to get it.

Ok this is not factual.

Whereas the rep buying experience will usually run smooth we do need to be aware that the act of importing a rep watch, not only to Canada but most countries in the world, is in fact illegal.

Ken

Just to clarify this Canada rep illegal/legal issue read the following from the RCMP particularly item #2 and #5:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/fio-pelf/intel-eng.htm

Even pirated music download for your own use is legal in Canada.

Last week I received a SSD from Chris (Eurotimez). Easy transaction and it took 7 days from order to my doorstep. Beautiful watch and perfect QA as promised.

Only problem is that I asked for delivery at my office and instead I got a call from the wife: You sent me a gift from China... I guess I am not alone getting theses remark!

Originally I wanted to buy a nice one for sale here already modded but since I got no answer back after a PM to the seller I decided to do it myself. So first step I ordered a new bezel insert from Watchmaterial.

Yesterday, after reading a tutorial on how to change the insert on a sub I prepared myself for an evening of sanding. After removing the old insert (intact) surprise! The new one fit perfectly without any kind of adjustment and with the perfect bezel height above the insert (compared to my gen GMT-Master).

I used small drops of marine silicone sealant so I can eventually replace it if needed and after 5 minutes total here are the results:

On the left is the old insert and on the right, the blue insert is reserved for an upcoming Blue TT 16613 not yet ordered.

The new pearl has a very nice and strong glow. I might have to consider a relume for a perfect match.

I also sanded the crown a little bit to unsharpen the edges.

Just a trick I want to share. To clean the bracelet I give it a WD-40 bath followed by cleaning with dishwashing soap. The acidity of the WD-40 removes all dirt inside the link and oxidations on the surface of the bracelet. I can't tell the difference in feel and look from my gen.

The Patek Philippe chrono on page 3 is a rep with its beautiful Seagull ST19 movement.

I am shure that if our trusted vendor had such quality pictures they would sell a lot more watch.

For those that can spot a rep a mile away I found one in these picture can someone else can find it too?

On TZ there is a guy on the Hublot forum posting a picture of a broken BB ceramic case that occured while simply changing the strap.

It seem gen also have their problems!!!

I found theses post on a for sale section on two forums. I think its a rep by the quality of the rubber on the chrono pusher and the 141/250 on the caseback. Strange I have the same number on mine

hxxp://www.equationoftime.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=12327

hxxp://www.pmwf.com/Phorum/read.php?16,38772,38772#msg-38772

Follow Toad's recommendations, I use structural epoxy.

I am totally impressed that you were able to re-assemble the autowinder bridge assembly on a 7750 and all the chrono parts that go underneath it, and have no problems and everything is working as it should. I know many watchmakers that can't assemble a 7750 due to it's complexity. That is one of the most challenging parts to put back together and not many watchmakers have success...

RG

Thanks for the comments. Coming from the master it is really appreciated. Note that I may need you if I screw up.

I didn't find it that difficult. With the proper tools and lots of patience especially to line up the oscillating pinion with the clutch lever. I have the tz course and flash assembly/disassembly presentation from ETA as a guide.

For the moment this is the deeper I am willing to go in a 7750. My goal is to eventually service all my watches myself and for this I already bought close to a 1000$ of tools. I am only missing oilers, oils and a timing machine to do a complete service. I find watch collecting a lot more fun if you can repair them yourself.

Pierre

Unless you have experience in watchmaking, this is not a do-it-yourself repair.

There are two parts that have to be fixed, 1. the click spring for the reversing wheel has to be adjusted correctly into the gear, and 2. the spring, if it's loose, has to be glued into the bridge. To do this requires taking apart the movement, and if your not a watchmaker, you will never get it back together.

RG

I am aware of the difficulty and I already have removed the offending click spring and reassembled the movement without the rotor and everything is running fine.

I only needed to know a reccomended type of glue.

Thanks

Hi,

I have a brand new ROO that has a loose reversing click wheel so the rotor unwind constantly and I have agree with the vendor to try to fix it before sending it back to china.

In one post The Zigmeister mention gluing the spring in place. Any suggestion for the kind of glue to use?

I guess it should be a glue that is not too strong so the spring should be removable if it fail later.

Thanks

speedmaster, seamaster and rolex are gen

That seem easy. The Rolex is a GMT Master 16700. This was my first real watch that I bought 20 years ago.

I found out about these various forums about a year ago and since then I can't stop buying and the wanted list keeps increasing.

I started with 5 gens before buying any rep so can you find them in my current collection:

Hint: the Seiko are gen so there is 3 left to find

Good luck

From what I've researched on the relevant policies it's technically not legal to import them into Canada. Canada still has anti-counterfeit laws. The difference is, it's very legal to own them in Canada (i.e. protect the consumer in case of innocent purchase), not legal to sell them, and seizure by Canada Customs requires very specific details on shipments and specific requests by trademark owners before seizure is allowed. The US has broad umbrella-like policies that allow seizure based on "gutt feeling" by inspectors who then validate fake vs. gen and then take action.

There's an interesting older thread here:

Legality of Owning Replicas - Share Your Countries Laws

From the same reading and other I come to the conclusion that there is no criminal law that prevent ownership and importation of replicated good in Canada. There is a provision on the law for a trademark owner to have the goods seized but nowhere it is mentionned that a criminal law has been broken with associated fine/jail term. Once the goods are seized it become a civil court issue between two parties where the trademark owner has to prove that he suffer a loss.

It will become a criminal offence if you try to sell the goods as gen or if you sell something that break another law such as something that cause a safety hazard.

I am not a layer but from this I conclude that you can legally import a container full of rep watch but may face a civil lawsuit from the trademark owner. But even then again if it is for your personal use they will have trouble to prove that it has done them some harm.

From all this I am event tempted to say that it is legal to sell the rep stuff (i.e. no criminal law broker) if you advertise that the goods are rep.

Since it is perfectly legal to import a rep in Canada just tell them that it is a rep and sens them a proof of payment for the real price of the rep and you be charged taxes and duties on a much lower amount.

I can confirm what the others have said. You shouldn't have to pay any duties provided you don't use FedEx or DHL. Use either EMS or registered mail and you will have no problems.

If theoretically you were hit up for duties on the value of the gen watch, the simple solution would be to refuse delivery, after consultation with your dealer of course.

I saw this site an other related site less than a year ago and since then the rep collection has grown in addition to an existing gen collection.

Now I am considering starting to play inside the watch and looking at watch tools.

I would like advice on a watch timing machine. I have found two models. One basic low cost the MTG-500L that doesn't do amplitude and a MTG-3000 (from one of the trusted vendor) with full features.

My immediate need is only to regulate my watch but in the future I want to service them myself. So my question is the MTG-500 enought or I will miss the amplitude?

Thanks