rodwc

I picked this topic up on REP-GeekS to-night. The same is just as important here. Open suggestion to all members new, old and in between -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our friend Pug posted this as a reply to the thanks By-Tor was receiving for his reviews in the "By-Tor's Watch Review" new section. I wanted to post this as a stickey for all to see. I know personally I sometimes look at threads/posts and think wow, what a terrific post or valuable info, but dont always reply as such. I'd like to ask we take Pug's suggestion and let our fellow members, both new and old, know we appreciate the time invested into our hobby. Posting pictures, helping answer questions or even sharing a joke or two, we all make this a better and more fun place to be by simply participating. As TTK and I were discussion, one need not be a expert or savant to enjoy the forum. Sometimes a simply 'well done" or "thanks for posting" goes a long way in thanking another member for their pic/reply/post. "the more you put in, the more you get out" Many thanks to all "...What people fail to understand is that we're just like them. The Zigmeister, By-Tor and myself are just like you and we really, really need feedback to keep us excited. Just because By-Tor writes the best reviews you've ever read doesn't mean he doesn't need "Wow, great post!" replies. Even the great TTK gets disheartened when he posts his pro-quality pictures and no-one replies "nice pic!" We all need encouragement and support. No-one here is being paid to do what they do, so if you like a post, say so! Make the poster proud that he's got hundreds of people appreciating his work. I do my bit and try to post encouragement in as many deserving threads as possible, but we should all do so. Supporting your community is being part of your community. The more you put in, the more you get out." Pugwash __________________ Sparta?!? This is RepGeeks!!! All people, great and small need encouragement. It would be great to see it here also. Thanks rodwc.

The medical profession are working wonders nowadays, fixing, stitching and growing new limbs. Me thinks you would benefit from an extra arm, or two. Love the watch.

Yeah, someone else does buy his pressies, He said he just picked it up. (Only Santa knows where from , under the Chrissy tree? from the postbox?) Only SANTA knows.

Great to see someone else trying and experimenting. That to me, is what it is all about. Well done.

Thanks V. for clarifying You are amongst the helpful people.

OPTIONS Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Standard Switch to: Linear+ This is all I have, What has to be changed?

Then they deserve what they get, and to my mind that is a, simply pathetic excuse for putting up with crap.

From quite a few posts that I have been reading lately, far too many things are going wrong. Not from the shipping and time frame, when ordered and received,etc. but from the quality of what has been ordered. Every dealer can make mistakes, and rectify them, we are fortunate for that, but it is happening too often. Sure they can, and most likely , be rectified by the dealers , but it shouldnt have to happen. No, I , and we , dont live in a perfect world. You buy a rep. , it may or may not function and work correctly, you are faced with sending it back, more expense. There is nothing bigger than a come down like this! When I read of Stephane s experience, that highlighted the situation. An almost $300 watch , and he was so gutted with it , as soon as he laid eyes on it , that it was up for sale , at a fraction of what he paid. Complain to the dealer ( I dont know ). Sorry, the bar has to be lifted, or STOP buying tpos.

Very true, you have completely understood what I was attempting to put down. Allthough if the true rates were to be charged, there would certainly be a downturn in workload. ( until that is , the customers tried to get the work done elsewhere, at a cheaper rate ) then they would find that "you only get what you pay for " Or," if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys"

Not trying to change the world here, But as we look at and admire our purchases, try and spare a thought for the assembly workers that made them. What we spend on 1 watch, they wouldnt earn in a month. No , they are not going to get extra bonuses if more are sold, the middlemen are going to get fatter. We cant change anything, simply, just spare a thought. The illegal ivory trade was wiped out, with a world wide ban on the sale of ivory, but it didnt stop the poaching. Also didnt stop the black market. I hope that the rep market continues, but then am I being hypocritical?

This is my work for the past 60 hours. Restorers dont necassarily like what they work on, ( but it pays the bills ) Enjoyed working on this , (but dont like it )I couldnt even give a quote at the start of it,for total stripdown,bushing, repairs, polishing, re-silvering. I simply said it would be expensive! mainly because of its size,and complexity. The owner is very understanding and extremly well heeled.

Unfortunately there is a vast difference between a watchmaker and a clockmaker. When it comes to watches , love them yes, experience with them , no. A watchmakers equipment is totally different to a clockmakers equipment. Afraid of taking something different on , NO., but definately not yet. That really is the long and short of it. The following post may give you a better understanding of the situation.

It never ceases to amaze me that some people in the comunity ( not necessarily this one), simply have no idea of just what is involved with repairs of reps.,or for any other repair or mod. I have been in the antique clock restoration business for over 30 years, and whenever a quote or price is given (before hand) the customer in many cases is shocked. (hence giving a price beforehand). It simply comes down to a few things. A quantity of time given by a competent , suitably qualified, experienced workperson, is going to cost far more than the average worker receives in general, why? That person receives no holiday pay (with loading penalties). No sick pay. No paid lunch and tea-breaks. No superanuation. Outgoings ( in the form of work premises) (fortunately I work from home.) Equipment. Etc. There are only so many hours in a day ( 24 to be precise ) After sleeping, eating, relaxing, this usually leaves approx. 8 hours left to earn money to survive. If the average wage/salary is approx. A$1000 per week, this will break down to A$25/hour. If anyone thinks for one minute that a self employed person can survive on this , then they really have their heads in the clouds. Start thinking at least A$60/hour. (even that is being more than conservative) So for the average rep stripdown, clean ( thats ultrasonic )and re-lubricate, mods,what shall we say? 4 hours? (think I am being a tad conservative) If there are any complications on the watch, even sub dials etc. it is going to be far more.( and how many reps get re-jewelled?) So lets say A$240-300. Now lets not forget that this is a rep. ( The whole initial outlay didnt amount to this !!!!) So what, the point is this,the time that the watchmaker has spent working on your pride and joy, he could have done the same working on a gen. watch. (and would most likely get more satisfaction out of it ). Time is money. I have worked on total pos on occasions, simply because the customer loved that clock or it was sentimental to them. Now sentimentality is a whole new can of worms ,so we wont go down that path. Each and every person puts a value on their time (especially in to-days world.) So , if you are unable to tackle a job yourself, please consider just what the person who will be working on your piece has done to arrive in his or her position,and if the work is bad, you have every right to complain, and loudly. If you go to the doctor or dentist , do they give you any guarentee ontheir services? (dream on).

Is she manual wind or automatic?

An exquisite work of art. Superb design,and wonderful engraving. Nothing less than 18k for the case. Thanks for sharing.

My thanks for the candour.

Just got this from azmindreader (thanks ). The prop it is on is a Swiss Nicole Freres , Geneve, brass bed , 2 tunes per revolution, 10 tune Overture, musical box. There are approx. 12000 steel pins in the cylinder. All these were originally put in by hand, usually by women working in the cottage industry in Switzerland. I have re-pinned about 7 similar cylinders in my time. This one is original, with only 1 tip on the comb , needing to be replaced. It is a key wind box, circa. 1850. Enjoy.

I read recently that the watch markets at Guangzhou have declined in size or disapeared alltogether. Does anyone know what the situation is?, only I am going to be there in Feb. 08. I am assuming that the traders deal in the local currency and not $ or English pounds.? Will be on the look out mainly for the Swiss ETA watches. Any help or advice would be most welcome, as , apart from what is going to be an exiting trip, I would love to take advantage of the things which hopefully will be on offer.

Yes, I have heard the latest topic out there, and No I am not being insensitive. The Zigmeisters news is flooring, it is similar to a death in the family. As a unified body, we can and will carry on, The Zigmeister does not want this forum to rest on his shoulders alone.( he, hopefully will be back ). SO, there are people out there sitting on the fence. They have skills , which we all could use. Please help us out of this void ( momentarily), and come forward. It is simply a matter of coming forward and stating what you are capable of. You will have to prove to the membership that you are capable. This should not be taken as a come on for any wanabe watchmaker/restorer/modder. etc. There are high expectations of anyone.

Please give me your opinions on these 5 minute pearl marker sizes, To me they look a little on the small size, is this usual?

[quote I understand these girls are QUITE competitive.... ] Im sure this lady wouldnt mind a good ho ho ho, at this time of year, especially coming from Idaho.

I simply blame the media for reporting and giving air time to such drivel. A Santa was sacked to-day ( MYERS , AUSTRALIA )for saying, wait for it,---------------hohohoho. This was in Australia!! think of it hohoho? Hohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho, now just WHO would take offence to that? I would really like to meet that "person" HO HO FU----G HO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!