Richard Tracy Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Received the Portuguese today...Gold Hand model... {cancelled the panda at the last minute,.. good thing too as I now I can order the reverse panda in a few. } After purchasing other gold hand watches on white, which I found at times difficult to read, with the lack of contrast... I find this face no problem to read, the thicker hands combined with the new improved silver/white face makes all the difference in the world. It's also the narrowest profile 7750 I have owned,.. I think I can pull it off in business attire... As for Quality Control... I hate crooked markers, and find them the number one tell tale of a replica... In this model however QC is 100% right-on,... totally straight, including the hands ! Runs perfect,.. Chronos and all,.. As for and rotar, I find normal for the 7750 in sound, though I will send these to The Zigmeister for servicing... Over all,.. one of the best put together replicas to date,.... Highly recommended... Now for a strap search.... and my collection will be complete.... {until the next have 2 have model comes along... which I hope will be a Zenith.... } Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovepanerai Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 congrats....any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Tracy Posted September 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 congrats....any pics? I'm afraid my photographic skills are sub-par,...but later when I finally get around to my final collection reviews.. I will post them then... Thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovepanerai Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 I'm afraid my photographic skills are sub-par,...but later when I finally get around to my final collection reviews.. I will post them then... Thanks ! no rush I was just curious since I am getting the same watch from Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Jay hasn't yet sent out my Portuguese as he's sourcing my replacement 183 to go in the same envelope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryaku Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Jay hasn't yet sent out my Portuguese as he's sourcing my replacement 183 to go in the same envelope. Same here, they're trying to get some spare parts for me. Hope it won't take too long. Pug which model are you ordering? Did you change your mind or you'll confirm the grey/grey with gold markers and hands model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dani Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 My Panda is realsed from customs and will be at my place on monday. Then if it looks cool i will order the black face panda also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt.watch.obsessive Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Ditto here on the QC. Keeping good time and cosmetically perfect. My only adverse reaction is to the IWC design...I would have thought the watch would be a bit flatter. Maybe the reps are thicker than the original, but all comments make it sound like they are the same. Anyhow, I haven't been this pleased with a rep since my first Pam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Pug which model are you ordering? Did you change your mind or you'll confirm the grey/grey with gold markers and hands model? I considered trying to negotiate changing it for the blue-handed one, but in the end, I decided that I wanted the one I ordered with the gold hands. I would have thought the watch would be a bit flatter. This is an aspect of the 7750 movement. They're not thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Then if it looks cool i will order the black face panda also The Black/White scheme (as opposed to the White/Black of the Panda) is called a Domino. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodang Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 I received my panda in the mail two days ago from Jay, and have waited to post my opinions until it got some wrist time (and I got some free time!). Please bear in mind that this is my first rep, so I don't really have any comparison and I am a total amateur, but here goes anyway... When I opened the package, my first thought was that it was BIG... then my second thought was that it looked BEAUTIFUL! Man - all i had seen was the cheapo Polex reps, and this thing does not compare in any way whatsoever. It is a big chunk of metal with some serious heft. The face - I had been a bit worried about the face before I ordered, as some had said that it may be too shiny. However, I can attest that the dial looks great. The numbers, hands, and subdials all look top-notch. The subdials do have very slight concentric grooves in them. It is not obvious and you don't notice it until you hold it at the correct angle to get some light into them. I don't know what they look like on the gen, but these concentric circles are very subtle, but they are there. the crystal has a slight convex curve to it, and is also very nice. Bottom line - I can't stop staring at it! Seriously, this is a fine looking watch. The Movement - I am a definite noob, so I searched around for 2 hours to make sure I didn't mess anything up just trying to start the movement, etc. (As a side note, it would be great if someone could create a very basic, easy to find how-to on what to do once you receive your first rep, how to wind it, any break-in procedures, and even what the buttons do. Seriously, I had no clue... for example, I know that the crown has two levels that you can pull it out to. The second click is to set the time, but I still dont' know what the intermediate click does on this thing.) Back to the movement, it seems to work perfectly. I have used the chrono multiple times to test it out, and it always resets back PERFECTLY. Dead on. Honestly, the long seconds hand splits the 12 marker EXACTLY in the middle, even after using it multiple times. After two days, the watch also still keeps great time. I'm not sure how far off it is, but it is really close - if not perfect. To me, the only question mark is the rotor. You can hear it going around if you hold your ear up to the watch. It is not loud, but it doesn't sound like a nice bearing should sound. There is a slight amount of metal-on-metal noise there. From the sounds of it, there is no problem, and it doesn't seem like it is bad, just....not perfect, that's all. I'm not worried about it. I can't even hear it when its on the wrist. The Strap - the strap is nothing to write home about, but it is presentable. I have certainly seen worse. In fact, I am going to be wearing it on the original strap for a while to decide what (if anything) I want to replace it with. I may just wear this one out before getting a new one. the buckle, on the other hand is really nice. It is nice and thick with a brushed look - matches the side of the watch case. the "IWC" is engraved nicely into the buckle as well. I'm impressed. Overall - If you can't tell, I think taht this is a superb watch. Thanks very much to Richard Tracy for putting the deal together, and thanks also to Jay and Angel for the quick shipment. This group buy has been a great deal for everyone, as far as I can tell. Even those who didn't buy through the group buy still get the benefit of the fact that this group buy has brought the price down for everyone else. No excuse now not to pick up this great rep. Thanks for listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 (As a side note, it would be great if someone could create a very basic, easy to find how-to on what to do once you receive your first rep, how to wind it, any break-in procedures, and even what the buttons do. Seriously, I had no clue... for example, I know that the crown has two levels that you can pull it out to. The second click is to set the time, but I still dont' know what the intermediate click does on this thing.) Ok, if I told you one existed, would it change anything? Every so often, it gets posted and reposted, but nobody ever actually goes and looks for it. It's now pinned as the topmost sticky in the Knowledge Base. ps. The intermediate click is to set the date on the 7750. Just because there's no datewheel doesn't mean they can remove that click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodang Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Ok, if I told you one existed, would it change anything? Every so often, it gets posted and reposted, but nobody ever actually goes and looks for it. It's now pinned as the topmost sticky in the Knowledge Base. ps. The intermediate click is to set the date on the 7750. Just because there's no datewheel doesn't mean they can remove that click. Pug, thanks for the reminder. I promise that I searched for a long time and read everything I came across - both here and at other sites... the closest I had come to a how-to was posted by Eddie Lee. You have been most helpful. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Pug, thanks for the reminder. I promise that I searched for a long time and read everything I came across - both here and at other sites... the closest I had come to a how-to was posted by Eddie Lee. You have been most helpful. Thanks again. Eddie's how-to is most excellent, but the Knowledge Base is an unsung hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ab2450 Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hi, I just got a Panda and I am extremely happy as well!! Excellent details. I am curious about the reliability of the movement. This watch is using a 7750 (new version) with sec @6. These are usually unreliable on Daytonas because, as The Zigmeister explained, of the additional moving parts needed to move the 3 (!) subials around and have the secs @6. However, the Portuguese has only 2 subdials. Can we expect to be more reliable? Any expert willing to comment? Best, Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolfire Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Congrats guys!! Glad that once again, and as usual, Jay has come thru well for you all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealphabeta Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Any ideas where to get a replacement strap - a nice one!! I have the FA Jones and the strap on it is pants, would love to find a nice one....anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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