DemonSlayer

It would have been this one, but it fogged up after showering and it's now sitting in a tupperware container packed with silica gel I hope it hasn't been ruined So its this one for now

Would it be OK to stick the bracelet in an ultrasonic cleaner? Is there a risk of this screwing up the spring mechanism inside the links?

Robbie, I hear what you're saying man. I hope I ain't f*cked this watch up already, I totally agree, it is one slick chrono watch. Update: I've managed to decase the watch. Man I hope I haven't screwed up the keyless, first time ever I pulled the stem out on a 7750. I've packed a tupperware container with silica gel, I put in the movement with the dial and hands attached, and I've laid it flat on tupperware container, dial side up ofcourse. (please let me know if this is correct) and I've also put in the case with bracelet attached in the container. I've put it on the window sill, however there is a radiator directly underneath the window sill, is this a good place to leave it or shall I move the container somewhere else.

Thanks Robbie Your posts have been very informative and helpful.

Thanks for the suggestion guys. Toad, are you suggesting that I remove the movement (with dial and hands attached) and then put this along with the case crystal and bracelet in a zip lock bag with silica gel? I've never done this on a 7750 before, so am kinda nervous. However you're right, I need to do something about that water sitting inside the watch.

Firstly I must say that this is truly an amazing watch, breathtaking in person. So I got my Slevin and showered with it on this morning. th my reps and never had any issues.. except today. After getting out of the shower, I noticed quite heavy condensation/fogging in my watch around the crystal! It's most prominent between 9-10, most water collected there. I never had any issues with any of my other reps before, so I assumed it would be safe with this "super rep"! Is the fogging around the edges an indication that the crystal hasn't been evenly pressed? Apart from greasing the gasket on the caseback, is there anything else I can do to make this watch water resistant enough to take a shower? Thanks in advance guys!

Thanks Robbie. Does the pusher have a tiny bit of metal, like a hook attached to it which holds the pin in place by hooking onto the pin's notch? Some people have reported that a pin can slide all the way through, in one end and out the other without it clicking into place, regardless whether the pusher is depressed or not. This suggests that whatever holds these pins in place, is either broken off or it is no longer sticking out to sufficiently hook onto the pin. In that case, I see no other alternative but to use non-permanent loctite.

I understand that the rep makers have replicated the IWC bracelet adjustment system pretty well. However I've also read that some people have had issues with the pins not staying in place (ie, the spring inside the mid-links can fail to latch onto the pins, possibly because they've been damaged during the re-sizing process). This results in the risk of the pins being easily removed by a gentle push. Some of these members have loctite'd the pins in to ensure they stay in place. Are there any preventitive measures we can take to ensure the depressing spring mechanism can stay working properly for as long as possible? When inserting a pin back in, should the circular button be pressed down at all times, and released only when the pin is all the way in sitting in the correct position? How does this IWC bracelet re-sizing system work, is it some sort of latch attaching itself to the carved out middle of the pins?

Thanks also for your input jj69. Yes I too know about Hont, I've bought from him before, but not yet a HBB. I see that he is now advertizing a 'custom' HBB service. Pretty neat, he'll custom make a HBB in any way that is possible. I recall reading a post of yours on RG about your experience with the factory 2 white dialed HBB from Silix, you reported that its operating flawlessly and you are pleased with it. I also read an awesome guide a member on RG has put up, a sort of 'Newbies guide to HBBs' and he thinks that the factory 2 HBB's are inferior to factory 1. Apart from the differences in movement, have you experienced any difference in the actual build quality? Certain dealers don't have access to the factory 1 HBBs, and sell factory 2 HBBs exclusively. I would definitely consider getting a quartz powered HBB, and I know that very good quality versions do exist. However I have to have 1 powered by the A7750 Quartz models will probably fill the place of the models I would not consider splashing out extra on for the A7750 versions. I agree with you on the HBB, its one of my favourite designs.

The rep is supposed to be 21.6K bph, same as gen.

Thanks Delta. Do you think that the Tuiga 'Lite' is worthy of its asking price of around $328 + shipping? From what I can see, there is not much difference between the standard SS HBB w/ceramic bezel lite and Tuiga Lite except a closed caseback? Also, the Tuiga SS with double AR sells for $508 + shipping, and the only difference I can make out is the double AR coating. That alone can't command the almost $200 difference, can it?

I've been doing some research into the best value HBB rep available right now. By value, I mean most bang for your buck, ie. the cheapest HBB with ceramic bezel. If there is perhaps a HBB with AR and it's only a little more, then this is also considered 'good value' I think. The thing is there are sooo many variations of rep HBBs now, not to mention that they're customizable too, and most of the dealers are offering them at different prices. Has anyone found the lowest prices for the higher quality HBB's? I'll be posting some of my findings shortly. Thanks in advance for your input.

Very nice! Suits you well, is that the watch Nicholas Cage wore in 'Next'?

That sounds like a neat way of storing them Yes games are indeed fun, and are traded easily. Funnily, I get a lot more fun out of games than I do watches Maybe I'm in the wrong hobby I must admit, I haven't ordered all 7 yet, I've put up most of my Rado reps up for sale to fund the new purchases. The 7 I'm planning are: IWC BP IWC Slevin GMT II C Noon Sub HBB Black Magic PP Aquanaut SOH I agree with all points entirely. When you are paying for watches from money that you've earnt, it's an entirely different thing. If I had worked for the amount of money I've spent on reps, I wouldn't be so quick to spend 25 hours, damn that is a lot! I didn't even think of it that way. Yes, impulse does play a role in the buys. I need to take a long hard think about watches that I really want and would enjoy the most wearing, rather than, say for instance a dress watch I'm only going to wear once a year

I've also thought of doing that, since TeeJay PM'ed me that I should look at other less expensive hobbies. It may well curb the overspending on watches. Nice suggestions. I agree it definitely is a tough (and expensive) addiction.These will definitely help keep me occupied with my time, and also help to further "explore" the current watches that I do have. I definitely agree that straps can help change the look of a watch dramatically, as said by RobbieG in his post. I love this response Hope that doesn't happen... ever! Unfortunately I think you may be right AD. I might take a little break from the forums, and as Kronos suggested spend some time marvelling at my current collection and taking photos, researching the history behind the watches etc. I think this will also be a huge help for me. Ok I have excel opened up now, I intend to keep that figure the same now, and if I want to buy a new watch, one in my collection has to go... to keep things balanced. Wonderful suggestion Shundi, as well as others. Smart budgeting is definitely going to be a big help. I'll definitely be doing something like you suggested from now on. But how do you stop yourself from logging in to see all the wonderful photos, reviews and info I must admit, thats taking my willpower to its limits and beyond. Too right I just wish I had some Looks like I need to get me a wife then I find this happens too. Of course when I get a new watch I immediately put that one on, usually lasting a few days or a week. I've found that happens with almost all my new purchases. I admit I've bought some watches because I think they awesome in photos, but then I find that they're not really "me". Still magnificent watches nonetheless. Damn right It's going to get a lot worse my friend Unless you have the willpower of members like RobbieG, b16a2, By-Tor etc. etc. I agree, I definitely need to "earn" my watches, as at the moment they're being funded by loan money and that means of course I don't know how much hard work it takes to earn the kind of money that is required to fund the watches. I think this, coupled with smart budgeting is definitely the way to go to prevent the overspending. I need to take on the same or similar criteria as you have Robbie. Because I know that deep down I am not a collector, but a watch wearer. I don't see the point of collecting so many, and I don't have that many as of yet. However I can't justify the cost of the watch if I only wear it a few times a month, or a few times a year. I personally don't see the point in that, to me that is not really getting adequate use out of the watch. I agree bro, when it comes down to it, a session of questioning myself is what is needed. I willl definitely be taking your suggestion seriously on the dog tags, or any other cheaper hobby. I do have them, one that immediately springs to mind is video games OK it's not that cheap, but I've found it's still a lot cheaper than this rep hobby. Jeff, your taste, and other members' tastes in watches have had quite a big influence on my collection. The SOH is a stunning watch, I'm going to get both the SOH and the Big Pilot, and then decide which one I truly like better, keep one and sell the other I agree, quality is definitely the way to go, in fact, all my reps at the moment are high quality ones. Nice compact collection. I definitely intend to downsize my collection in the near future. At the moment I'm at 4 reps and 2 gens, but awaiting the arrival of 7 reps

I completely understand your points. I think the main problem with the rep obsession is that theres so many well made reps now, that in your mind you think it's crazy not to buy them, as they're a great "bargain". Even after you know the massive mark ups on these watches. As you said Toad, it makes more sense in getting a watch that means something to you, and not simply because it looks good and is so well made. it's comforting to know that there's someone else in a similar position as me! It's not fair when all these amazing reps come out, and most people here have the money to buy them without any issues. What can be considered a significant amount of money to one person, is pocket change to another... How many reps are you at now Edge? I am currently doing that but the problem is that I am buying more than I am selling I need to slow down the buying rate, but finding that extremely difficult to do. Dani I have to congratulate you on your extreme self-discipline I know these things are hugely overpriced, but at the same time they are really well made and cost a fraction of their genuine counterparts. I also hope that one day I will be in your position where I am satisfied with just a few, and I can live with these for the rest of my life. The members RobbieG and b16a2 spring to mind when I think if 'downsizing' the collection. I have to give it to hand it to them, I don't know how they resist. Isn't it weird in that most of us think rationally when it comes to everyday life, but then most of us have that achilles heel where rationality doesn't seem to work

Funnily enough I've overheard my uncle say that to my parents in regards to my spending habits. It will work, but I don't want to get married yet

I don't think a shred of self-discipline exists in me at this point in time Lately I've been finding it extremely difficult resisting purchasing reps. The crazy thing is, I don't have much disposable income. All my reps are basically funded with student loan money. It wasn't this bad a few months ago, but lately all I've been doing is browsing the forums in the spare time I have (pretty much all day) and looking at pictures and info of reps I don't have at the moment, and then thinking of buying them to see how it looks on me. Most members here and on the other boards fund this hobby with full time jobs, and therefore have adequate amounts of money to buy pretty much the reps they want. I on the other hand can't really justify the (little) amount of money I have in reps at the moment. I keep telling myself "Keep this watch, when you get a job in the near future, you'll get all the money back you have in them). For instance, my justification for keeping a TW best Pearlmaster is that these are rare and so well made, and therefore worth hanging onto. I want to get the SOH because I've read that a lot of people find it a very nice watch and it gets lots of compliments. I'll get another watch because it was featured heavily in a movie and therefore it's relatively known... I think this hobby is leading me to dangerous territory If I don't do something soon, I will have no money left and my studies will be jeapordised... I seriously need to cut down the amount of time I spend on these forums and browse watch forums and other watch related info. Is there anyone else here who is finding it really difficult to resist such things? Anyone have any good tips to resist buying reps? All input is greatly appreciated.

The only time(s) I care if the movement is ETA or clone is the following: When I intend to wear the watch for more than 10 years/ I want to remain as a permanent part of my collection indefinitely. The main concerns I have with clone movements are whether or not they are serviceable, and if parts do wear out and I need replacements, how easy is it to obtain these parts. If the clone movement was entirely serviceable with no issues, and parts were available easily, I wouldn't really give a sh!t whether or not my watch had a clone or real ETA movement. I would also readily buy watches with asian 21.6K movements, but I don't think I would have these serviced, instead look to buy a brand new replacement movement. If I had the skill I would then swap the movement out myself, or ask a watchmaker to do it.

I didn't get it either. How did the Sub actually save his life?

Crazy, as well as well paid The rep game is not cheap these days and it's only getting more expensive!

I have the same question in mind, but after giving it a thought, I think the answer will shock the entire board

V3 is probably what all the dealers are stocking now. Shoot them an email.

As b16a2 pointed out, it's the lazy questions which can tick most members off.