Hey All (Noob's First Post - Long)

[clark]

Hi Everyone,

I am very excited to join this community and wanted to introduce myself.

Only in the past few years have I started to really appreciate watches but the only watches I had were two quartz ESQs, which I really liked at the time. However, my interest started to grow (though not my budget) and the ESQs just weren't going to cut it.

Luckily, my in-laws decided to buy me a watch when I got married in 2007 and they asked me to pick one out. After months looking at catalogs/web sites and trying watches on for size I chose the Ulysse Nardin Big Date 42mm (http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Ulysse-Nardin/GMT-Big-Date-42mm/243-55~91.html).

Now it seems to me this isn't the most popular watch out there but I really like it and appreciate it's complications. (As an aside, is there any particular reason this watch isn't repped at all, at least that I have seen? Is it just that there isn't enough demand?)

So after wearing this watch every day for over two years I realized it probably wasn't such a great idea to wear a watch with a leather band every day. Once I realized that the leather is irreparably damaged I started looking to replace the band with a steel bracelet. However at close to $1000 (discounted from the retail price of I believe 1400) it was out of my budget.

In the course of researching this, I discovered the rep sites (the scam ones) and almost ordered a rep of my watch just to get the steel bracelet at a fraction of the price. Fortunately, my common sense took hold of me and I discovered this site and the "other" one, and have spent most of my waking hours immersed. I now know that the sites I was looking at are mostly scams. My plan now is to replace the leather band on my Gen and supplement it with reps so I don't ruin my band again. I can't seem to find a rep for my watch (as mentioned above) and I'm not too sure I want to put a rep band or bracelet on a gen anyway. Any thoughts?

My wishlist at the moment (still pretty general) includes a submariner, a PAM, IWC BP, and a UN diver. Still trying to narrow down to exact models

I was about to jump in and buy my first rep to get my feet wet, but at the last moment (after reading about how difficult it can be to maintain and service the reps) decided to google watchmaking course and found the TimeZone Watch Course and ended up ordering it from Offshore, who has been very helpful. Going to order the tools when my next paycheck comes around and can't wait to dig in.

I know I may not learn enough from the course to truly service my watches, but hopefully it will be enough to allow me to begin to diagnose any issues. Also, anyone know of any reputable watchmakers in NYC that will work with reps?

I'm going to stop rambling now. Thanks for reading, if you still are, and I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Best,

Clark

[maxman]

Welcome to RWG Clark your last name would'nt be Kent would It? There are some fantastic UN reps available. I picked up a UN Maxie 45mm a few months ago and for under $200.00 It Is exceptionally nice, power reserve to boot. If you take your time and check out some of the dealers rep straps you might find what your looking for.Although most leather rep straps are crap. There are some leather straps available that may not be gens but they are very nice and of excellent quality.Check out the strap section. The thing here Is to take your time and get to know your subject. Im glad to hear you have done business with OffShore, a classy gent to be sure When I arrived here I did not ask any questions and I did not take my time. I purchased the first Omega PO that I saw, It was cheep and thats all I cared about at the time. I purchased the quartz version and I dont like to wear It, wrong movement. But I did learn a valuable lesson, do your research!!!! Seems to me thats exactly what your doing. Spend some time In the Panerai, IWC, Rolex, UN, area. Good luck and If you have any questions just ask Mike

[redwatch]

Welcome to RWG Clark! First off, congrats on the wedding (even though it was two years ago!) and also congrats on the beautiful gift! That's a sweet looking watch you got there! Well for everything you described, this is the place to check out. It is unreal the amount of knowledge lurking about in these halls!!! Stick around, read a lot and ask plenty of questions! They will get answered!

Welcome to your new home!

[lanikai]

Welcome to the best "Watch forum" on the net Clark.. gen or rep !!!!

Offshore will be invaluable in your quest to further this hobby beyond purchasing a rep or another genuine..

the knowledge here is infinite..

and more than that this community is more than just watches.. as you will come to see in time..

It's great to have you come aboard..

Holla .. if you need an assist.. we're all here to support your hobby and make it the most enjoyable one ..

AC/Lani

[deltatahoe]

welcome to RWG clark

if you're looking for a reasonably priced (non-UN branded) gator strap for your UN, check out kurt at the watch boys (click here) -- his gator straps are top notch (amazing value for the money).

all the best

deltatahoe

[dluddy]

Welcome aboard Clark and thanks for sharing your journey here

[Toadtorrent]

if you're looking for a reasonably priced (non-UN branded) gator strap for your UN, check out kurt at the watch boys (click here) -- his gator straps are top notch (amazing value for the money).

...and remember that you can transfer your buckle over to the other strap!!!

Congrats on owning a wonderful gen with a sentimental journey. Welcome to the forum. Make sure to read the Noob Guide in my sig to help you on your way.

[clark]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys and for the belated congrats red watch

Max, I can neither confirm or deny whether Kent is my last name. It could blow my carefully crafted disguise.

I checked out some of the available sources for straps, including Watch boy's. The trouble I'm having is that the strap for my watch is a 21mm, apparently an uncommon size, and I'm having difficulty finding a place that carries them.

And Toad, you're Noob Guide was one of the first and most helpful posts I have seen. Thanks for taking the time to help us noob's out.

[deltatahoe]

hmm....the watch boys have a dark blue gator in 21mm for IWC watches; assuming you don't mind the pilot's watch inspired strap style (essentially the way it tapers at the end of the tail), this strap should work.

anyways, happy hunting

deltatahoe

[Toadtorrent]

I checked out some of the available sources for straps, including Watch boy's. The trouble I'm having is that the strap for my watch is a 21mm, apparently an uncommon size, and I'm having difficulty finding a place that carries them.

And Toad, you're Noob Guide was one of the first and most helpful posts I have seen. Thanks for taking the time to help us noob's out.

The straps you'll want to look for are the IWC straps as they are generally 21mm.

TWB 21mm IWC Straps

The problem with going the IWC route, is it will have a taper as per IWC OEM straps which is different from the UN ones. This may or may not be a big deal for you (personally, I don't really care)...but it also depends on the tang buckle/deployment requirements of your existing deployment/tang buckle. As others have said, if you go the Aaron route (HKTan), his straps are custom made...so you specify dimensions, thickness, cut, etc as some of these factors will determine whether or not they work with a particular design of deployment clasp for example (i.e. too thick and it won't work). They take a few months to get the strap...but for the price, quality, etc...tops all 'round...and at a fraction of the OEM UN strap!!!

Glad to hear the Noob Guide has helped.

Welcome again!

[clark]

hmm....the watch boys have a dark blue gator in 21mm for IWC watches; assuming you don't mind the pilot's watch inspired strap style (essentially the way it tapers at the end of the tail), this strap should work.

anyways, happy hunting

deltatahoe

The straps you'll want to look for are the IWC straps as they are generally 21mm.

TWB 21mm IWC Straps

The problem with going the IWC route, is it will have a taper as per IWC OEM straps which is different from the UN ones. This may or may not be a big deal for you (personally, I don't really care)...but it also depends on the tang buckle/deployment requirements of your existing deployment/tang buckle. As others have said, if you go the Aaron route (HKTan), his straps are custom made...so you specify dimensions, thickness, cut, etc as some of these factors will determine whether or not they work with a particular design of deployment clasp for example (i.e. too thick and it won't work). They take a few months to get the strap...but for the price, quality, etc...tops all 'round...and at a fraction of the OEM UN strap!!!

Glad to hear the Noob Guide has helped.

Welcome again!

Thanks!! That's looks perfect. Not sure what I was looking at but I obviously completely missed that IWC had 21mm and I actually might prefer its taper to the UN OEM. It is the same size on both ends so it should fit my deployment clasp fine. Plus I can order it in a short since I'm at the tightest hole on the regular size.

I tried to find more info on HKTan. I saw a few posts with some of his work which looked really awesome but couldn't figure out how I'd go about ordering. Does he have a website or is just via PM?

Thanks for all your help!

[Toadtorrent]

I tried to find more info on HKTan. I saw a few posts with some of his work which looked really awesome but couldn't figure out how I'd go about ordering. Does he have a website or is just via PM?

No website...just email.

aarontanhk@hotmail.com

HKTan Gallery

Password is: hktan

See what he has...and don't look at these as specific models but the skins used and the style, stitch colour, etc...and custom order.

You can also try PM:

HKTan's Profile (Aaron)

[Eton]

Welcome to the community, it's a great place to learn and have some serious fun!

Cheers!

[wheaton26]

welcome to the madness. your first post is a breath of fresh air around here. all the best!

[plaifender]

Welcome. Now that you're here it's inevitable that you WILL eventually buy a rep. It's all well and good that you have the drive, determination and motivation to complete a watchmaker's course.. but what will you practice your skills on? you're $4,000 UN? Forget about it! Get some reps to work on and you'll be entertained for hours, days, maybe even years..... (who knows with some of the chinese parts some people find in some of the Asian movements.... haha). Anyways. A warm welcome to the forum and I hope we become like a second "cyber" home to you. Welcome to the community!