cougar1

Best of luck Hike, whatcha wearing? it's funny there was a re-edition of the smiths everest not so long ago, nice watch, worth considering over the explorer which didn't make it to the top apparently (but had better marketing) http://www.wristwatchreview.com/2012/02/05/the-smiths-everest/

It's lovely, love the hands and case, but again is a pretty penny, if didn't have the moony it might be on the short list, again as above the tudors were the stars of the show of this years releases.

Yeah the knife method works, but is precarious and some bezels are a little more snug than others making it a bit awkward. It's easier on some bezels like the smp or the sub than the PO. I agree with lc, proper bezel tools are hideously expensive but there is one semi cheap kind on cousinsuk or ebay (cousinsuk code: R31399) its the a&f swiss one @ 17 quid. You might find it cheaper on ebay. It's a hand tightened bezel remover and not the greatest either but it does work with a little solid hand force and a pull, if you go this method make sure to turn the bezel remover anticlockwise (like normal) and pull up removing the bezel, otherwise turning it clockwise will break the click spring tabs underneath. It is handier than a knife but not as good a method as a proper bezel remover i.e. might take a few goes but wont scratch watch.

Yeah, sorry it's sold wetwork, I would've done it sooner, but I thought that nobody was interested as their was no response on thread here after I mentioned it, for a few days even, I just assumed everybody was appy with the reps. It seems it was a good price, considering, even with the crown tube issue...which was fixable relatively cheaply. I'll let you know if I see anymore at a good price

Nice, Love the Patrimony Chrono! Is that getting harder to find these days or are they still readily available?

My one looks pretty good, clear AR, probably not as strong as gen as usual but I haven't seen the gen so can't compare, Andy or Chrod will update on that. Definitely not blue or purple tint as 3717, it's refreshing for a change to have some more clearer AR from the factories. Getting it re AR'd would probably improve the transparency effect, it is slightly 'cloudy' is the only way I could describe it out of the box. It is pretty good though, not a bad attempt! I know this doesn't really help but thought I'd try anyway

The Lange Datograph looks a seriously nice rep, even though the gen is 100K or so, there's bound to be some differences but still a lovely made rep! A few different versions available, steel casing and black dials etc, but I believe the rose gold version is probably the most striking! Pics robbed from Silverspeed review over on the geek! http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=113599 I don't think you will regret the 288 either, seems to exceptionally well done!

If you pay a $100 to the forum everytime you order a rep, the forum will provide a free prostitute out of a selection of lovely ladies...sent straight to your door! Great deal, forget the swiss movements, save that $60, go asian and put it towards some lovin!

Lol! One Full!!!! Year in the making!!!!!!!!!!!! 1:1 V1 as per gen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best Ultimate version.. Completely different watch than earlier V0.56. This is the best there is and ever will be...Correct Omega Logo...No Happy Feet did you hear me ...No Happy Feet!

let us know how the 288 goes, or how you find it from a comfort level wearing it, not a pam fan much here either, but that and one or two others I like. Yeah I would've said IWC 3717, with a couple of mods it can look amazing but is great otb anyway. some others would be the 3714 or the Lange datograph is pretty sweet, also of course the ebel 1911 as you suggested. The cheap tudor heritage chrono is not bad at all either, and the tag carreras can be pretty good. The maxi marine is another good one. Ok i'll stop

It's a nice simple clean looking watch calatrava, and the micromotor looks nicely done, the strap is hideous though needs a decent strap!

Apparently some newer 5th gen PO's He are glued into place for waterproofing purposes?! They used to open and screw in just like a gen, but it was merely for aesthetic purposes obviously as it wasn't a functioning valve I have no idea what the dealers are at recently with these!

Yeah that would be nice, I think they may be done with the 'old' PO now, but you'd never know....I'd say they are at a stage where they've milked it for all its worth, but they will probably be available in their current version as reps for quite a while. I think they are looking for the new 'super dooper ceramic 1:1 V1 PO' money now

It looks stunning I agree, It is amazing in the flesh and the attention to fine detail and finishing is amazing, the dial really pops and the movement finishing is truly a work of art...I agree, not sure we will ever really see this repped to anywhere near a passable standard as the 4th and 5th gen were. It will be interesting to see what they do, and if they can eventually get a correct 1:1 case size to gen with a sw200 in it or something! At this stage even from a frankeners perspective we are even unsure if parts will be readily available for these as it was with the previous PO or what would fit, it's a whole new ballgame with an inhouse movement...I think even if gen parts became available and could be fit in a decent rep case they will be way too expensive...£500 for a bezel and £400 for a dial....frankeners nightmare

Thanks for the update vandal.tbh, it's such a shame about the weak tubes, they are a bit of a nuisance! Better off factoring in the gen tube and crown into a purchase, almost essential at this stage. Also good idea to remove the AR, some blue AR's can be a little overpoweringly tinted, the clearer AR is nicer I think. Totally agree, bloody coaxial 2500 a, b and c all with horrible issues, and the new 2500D a further revision correction for the infamous 2500C... If you got a good 2500, fair enough.... they are amazingly accurate when working properly, but too many little teething problems and too little positive response from Omega in dealing with the issues have left a sour taste in the mouth of many. If they were laptop batteries that could potentially explode they would've been recalled, but because the are veblen goods then it's put down as merely a case of an 'unfortunate isolated' malfunction here and there. The problem is it is much more widespread than Omega and some (fanboys) would care to admit. It will be truly interesting to see how the 8500 compares over the next 10 years.

Apparently the new ceramic display-case-back 8500 rep version , something tells me it won't be up to much unless they at the very least use the 'improvements' they've used in other reps and combine them into this one in one go, which we know never happens in the rep world....it takes several versions before they get it semi-right! We'll wait and see, but I wouldn't hold my breath! Saying that, if they used the 8500 decorated selitta sw200 like they do on the rep constellations and combine that with a decent-ish ceramic bezel (like they can do on subs) and then use the improvements they've made on the dials of the latest smp chrono (raised omega logo, no happy feet) and the matte dial of the PO 5th gen, with 5th gen pearl...then it might be buyable Rep sw200 attempt at decorating the 8500 coaxial:

Take off the bezel on the rep, at least you will know for sure where you stand. Is this what you mean by retaining ring the grooved end in the pic fits into the hole in the case with the teeth facing up: It just sits below the bezel and the bezel clicks into place over it: Am I missing something, don't see what exactly you are refering to by 'missing wire'? It should sit in the bezel, unless its taken out?

, brilliant! Thanks for the info aswell Andy!

It's an amazing looking watch, the dw really makes a big difference, are the newer ones really that bad with the poor date wheel? Still looks like a nice watch, the dw would be a constant bug, I'm still tempted to get one though!

God damn it they know how to charge for replacement parts and labour, heard similar stories, people nearly having heart failure when they hear the repair costs of damaged bezel/crystal/case complete. I echo what you the others are saying about doing the build yourself, no disrespect to people that send the parts out for assembly by a modder, I can understand some not wanting to tackle keyless works and hand stacks and crystal pressing first time out, but there's something different about having gone through all the trials and tribulations of doing the assembly work yourself.... it's great to look down at a watch and say 'I built that'!. There's also a much greater chance of not flipping a watch on a whim if you put some blood, sweat and tears into getting it the way you want!

Yep very odd stuff? Same avatar and all, do we have to file a missing persons report on the other one?

I'm having a hard time trying to picture what you just said, and never did a smp franken but there's a section on bytors guide about the rep smp bezels...if its the same as the one in the guide it might help!? Or have you already found it?

It would superb with a relume and double ar, afaik though the gen only has single sided inner AR and even though gen lume is obviously better than rep, it's not exceptional on the gen either, nothing like say gen smp lume etc. It would look better than gen with double ar and a relume job!

Great to hear .....at the prices, can't really go too far wrong, you'd nearly buy 3 for the price of one swiss eta! God damn swiss watch industry, over priced everything!

Sad to see this, very talented guy! RIP