jake48

All I can say is one word: RBJ I started with this: The bezel insert had a crescent shaped dent (near the pearl) and had that "almost" gen look. If the crown guards were any thicker I couldn't turn the crown. I thought I would attempt to do the mods myself and decided to start with an easy one. The bracelet. All the bracelet needed was a good polish/cleaning, lose the sharp edges and polish out the satin finish on the sides of the bracelet to a mirror finish... Three hours later and only half of the bracelet done I knew I was in over my head. So I made the call - RBJ After spending countless hours reading the rep sites, Joe seemed like the man for the job. I sent the watch to Joe and a few weeks later this is what I got: New bezel insert, new dial, crowns to perfection and all the gold polished to look it's best. Also, while Joe had the watch he tightened the bezel, smoothed the bezel clicker out and even fixed a spot on the bezel that wasn't fully plated! Here are what crown guards are supposed to look like: (That's my polish job on the side of the bracelet [five hours!]) Another look at the crown guards: Well, needless to say, with someone as skilled as Joe to do the mods I won't be modding watches anytime soon. I can not say enough about the dedication and the skill to "get it right" and Joe is the man. Joe was top notch all the way and if you send him your watch, you will not be disapointed. Thanks Joe, Kevin

Chris, As far as Panerai size/feel VS Kobold. The Panerai feels a little bigger in diameter, mainly because of the crown guard. Most Kobold's feel a lttle top heavy as they are a little thicker than a Panerai in general. As an overall statement I would, however, say the Kobold feels a little smaller. Kevin

Well, here we see how internet rumors are perpetuated. I am admittedly not what one would considered unbiased in my opinion (I own four Kobolds) but I do speak with a little bit of reliable authority as I have known Mike Kobold since he started his "little watch Co." For starters, he is as gracious as any person I have met and his father did not give him "a few million dollars to start a watch company". His father actually was against the idea initially. Also, it is Mike who knows and is a good friend with Helmut Sinn and it is Sinn who helped Mike get started. Mike was also guided by a few other people he had the pleasure to work with, you may have heard of them before - Gerd-R Lange & Walter Lange. (Chronoswiss and A. Lange & Sons respectively) Actually, Mike has changed his entire line of watches completely from when they were first introduced. His first watches were a collaboration with Helmet Sinn of Guinand-Watch. These watches were essentially Guinand-Watches rebadged with the Kobold name. Contrary to rumor (or is that rumour) Mike did not have "millions" and was lucky enough to have Helmut help him with his start and rebadging of a limited number of watches. These few watches were all Mike could afford initially. (This is not to say that later, as Mike began to run a successful watch business his father, who saw a good investment opportunity, did not invest some money) His watches now are exclusively his by design and in fact he has come up with some very original ideas. As far as using ETA movmn'ts - you have got to be kidding! I won't even begin the list of reputable watch makers who use ETA movemn'ts (it's way too long for this post) As far as impersonating a police officer goes, yes Mike was charged with this. However, if you knew the details, you would be laughing pretty hard at the speculation that the very young and naive Kobold (at the time of the incident) was looking to establish a "tough guy" image. Kobold has publicly apologized for his mistake and like any story, there are two sides. Always be cautious of someone who is quick to spread rumors with out knowing the facts. As for as Navy Seals or anyone else for that matter who wears Kobold watches, check his web site. He has a list of who wears Kobolds. As a member of the Law Enforcement community that share a fondness for Kobold watches, I can assure you that every person or organization mentioned on Kobold's list uses Kobold watches. And as a side note, Kobold has not and does not give watches to people to wear. He does, however, give Military and Law Enforcement a small discount. Further, many Kobold watches you have seen on celebrities wrists are returned to Kobold who auctions them off and gives the proceeds to charities. And probably the only thing I can say I agree with you on is that I wish the prices did not go up so much. Mike, however, as a businessman, made a decision to try and enter the high end market. He knows what he is doing and it is his company to make or break. As of today, I might add, he seems to be doing just fine with his "little watch Co." The "misspelling" of surveyour on his watch is not misspelled. Mike was a German kid who was sent to English boarding schools for much of his education, hence the European way of spelling surveyor - as in honour - sorry. As a whole, I can tell you one thing for sure. Mike Kobold loves watches and is a genuinely nice guy who makes awesome watches. Here is something not everyone knows and I am not sure Mike would want me to reveal, but he shares a little something in common with us rep collectors. One evening, my wife and I were having dinner with Mike and as usual, he was wearing two watches, one on each wrist. He saw me looking at his Rolex Daytona and in an instant it was off his wrist as he handed it to me. Mike said "isn't it amazing" - I didn't particularly like Rolex's and this watch was a beater, so I wasn't sure what the amazement was. Then Mike told me - "It's a replica" He went on to say how good the watch was made and that he was amazed with the high end watch reps coming from China and he seemed honestly impressed! I met Mike because of my passion for nice watches. We quickly discovered we shared the same passion and that was all it took to develop a friendship. I did not have an image to sell or millions to give to Mike. He has treated me fair and as a friend from the day we met. I would like to believe most people who share our passion for watches are as gracious and kind as Mike - too bad it is not always true Kevin