brockelhorst Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 I'd like to prepare a very warm welcome to my new friend the Big Pilot 5004, who will hopefully arrive tomorrow! What should i know about it, what should i do with her when i have unwrapped her, apart from drooling and dancing in a circle around her? How long will it take until i don't like her anymore, because of her sunken datewheel? Does the movement needs servicing? Where can i find her new tights, without pampering her too much? Yes, i'm churlish, but i promise i will take her out for dinner sometime... I'm already all excited without even seeing or touching her... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 There are watch strap makers here in their own section of the Forums. Replica straps are always a little cheesey. As for servicing: Wear it a month or two and if you then decide it's Love, have it serviced. No point in servicing a winder queen you'll sell down the road in 4 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 Make sure you lay out a bed of rose petals and light some nice vanilla candles. That'll be a good welcoming for her As for good new tights: HK Tan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brockelhorst Posted October 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 She came early, so no rose petals, just leather and a stetson cap... I have one important question, though: The spots on the crystal at 7 and 8 seem to be on the inside. Do you guys think this is something to complain about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sander Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Did you take off the plastic protection sticker? Just kidding.... Yes you should complain about it. It seems like a problem with the AR. Did it came from the a dealer like this? The first models came with a problem like this but I thought it was solved. Any way, you need a replacement crystal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 It does unfortunately look like spots on the AR. Sander would know if this is a problem with this model. Your dealer may be able to send you a new crystal, and you can take it to a watchsmith to do the swap...that would be pretty cheap...or do it yourself. It's a nice watch...goes well with the props in the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brockelhorst Posted October 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Yes it came that way. first i thought it was on the outside, but no, its on the inside. I think i'll contact the dealer. Did you take off the plastic protection sticker? Just kidding.... Yes you should complain about it. It seems like a problem with the AR. Did it came from the a dealer like this? The first models came with a problem like this but I thought it was solved. Any way, you need a replacement crystal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Apart from the spots it does look good and the date wheel is not sunken to me, a bit of a downer when you have an issue with your first but then this is the world of reps, i would bring the issue up with the dealer. If you realy like this watch then you could alway get chief AR in the future and get the PR hand set to 12, if you dont want to send it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brockelhorst Posted October 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 I would say the date wheel is still slighty sunken, but that doesn't bother me (yet) Another thing i have noticed is, while i unscrew or screw down the crown it feels as if it winds the movement. Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 I would say the date wheel is still slighty sunken, but that doesn't bother me (yet) Another thing i have noticed is, while i unscrew or screw down the crown it feels as if it winds the movement. Is this normal? It depends on the movement. Some hack, some don't .. some don't disengage the winding mechanism while you secure the crown and some do. I know my Asian movement Ulysse Nardin doesn't hack or disengage the winding mech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gimme Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 I would say the date wheel is still slighty sunken, but that doesn't bother me (yet) Another thing i have noticed is, while i unscrew or screw down the crown it feels as if it winds the movement. Is this normal? Yes, it's normal. Enjoy this watch. Mine has gotten me laid quite a few times. Ladies love the Big Pilot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brockelhorst Posted October 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Ok cool, so no worries about that. Ladies love it (even mine) and it really jumps into the eyes. I have gotten some pretty strange looks from men so far. I guess it's jealousy Yes, it's normal. Enjoy this watch. Mine has gotten me laid quite a few times. Ladies love the Big Pilot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brockelhorst Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 So the dealer is pretty cool, offering to send me a new case set, or to swap the watch for a new one. Now, i'd really like to avoid sending it back. Usually i'm kind of habile and patient, but i'm not sure if i'll be able to do such thing without messing the watch up? Would it be a very risky thing to do, for a first time? What do you guys think, Yay or Nay? In case of Nay, would it be very expensive to have it done by a watchsmith ? Anyone knows a good one in the paris area? All these question again, feels like it will never end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Swap should cost about $30-70 or so...depending on who does it. Shipping back will cost you about $18...I would take the case set. To do the swap yourself will mean you need to get a few things like Rodico for removing fingerprints, blower for dust, and something to open the caseback (like duct tape balls, rubber gloves or an actual tool...your choice). You're not removing hands...so it's relatively low risk, but many have buggered their watches the first time they've removed the stem. Stem removal is easy. Stem re-insertion is a bit trickier...something to consider. For your first watch I would try and find a little corner repair store...explore if they are rep friendly and would do a case swap of a chinese movement. If they are agreeable...try it out. It's a low risk task for a watchsmith, as you aren't removing hands, working on the movement, etc...straight swap. The repair stand might not want to work on reps...be prepared for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugo Alves Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 swap its pretty easy but like it was said you will need some tools or get someone to do it for you. I would get the case-set as well, that will avoid you the pain of sending it back, waiting for it to arrive there, plus waiting for new watch to come back... If you cant find one in Paris, for sure Francisco and others in EU will be willing to do it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brockelhorst Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 I'm still trying to figure out if i'll send it back or get the replacement case set. So i'm looking to find out if there are other flaws on the watch. It looks like the dates are not exactly centered, a bit off to the top. I have looked at lots of pics on the forum, but i can't tell if this is a common issue or not? And there is a tiny black spot/notch on the long red line of the power reserve indicator (you can barely see it on the first pic). Seems like i'm getting really anal... But hell, i love that watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AwesomeWatch Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Can someone recommend the best dealer where to buy a Big Pilot from. I want the best possible quality as possible and willing to pay for it. Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugo Alves Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 I'm still trying to figure out if i'll send it back or get the replacement case set. So i'm looking to find out if there are other flaws on the watch. It looks like the dates are not exactly centered, a bit off to the top. I have looked at lots of pics on the forum, but i can't tell if this is a common issue or not? And there is a tiny black spot/notch on the long red line of the power reserve indicator (you can barely see it on the first pic). Seems like i'm getting really anal... But hell, i love that watch! about the date wheel i think it is normal, but you have to look very closely to notice that. About the spot just check whether is a particle of dust or some misprinting. If it is dust its easily removed with a blower, from the picture i cant see it to comment on that. @awesome these watches are pretty much coming from the same factory so there is no real difference between the dealers, just make sure then will do some QC before they ship so that you wont have problem like brockelhorst is having. You can ask for picture before they ship the watch for you. In my opinion the faux power reserve is more accurate to gen than the working version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brockelhorst Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 it looks like a misprinting... small but no good ;( funny thing is, my dealer actually promised me to quality check the watch before shipping. Looks like it hasn't been done. I don't even want to know about the promised waterproofing... But anyways he seems to be a cool guy, so everything will be sorted out i think. @ awesome you could always have a look at the modded ones from vacuum. about the date wheel i think it is normal, but you have to look very closely to notice that. About the spot just check whether is a particle of dust or some misprinting. If it is dust its easily removed with a blower, from the picture i cant see it to comment on that. @awesome these watches are pretty much coming from the same factory so there is no real difference between the dealers, just make sure then will do some QC before they ship so that you wont have problem like brockelhorst is having. You can ask for picture before they ship the watch for you. In my opinion the faux power reserve is more accurate to gen than the working version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeSentier Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Can someone recommend the best dealer where to buy a Big Pilot from. I want the best possible quality as possible and willing to pay for it. Thanks guys ...who has the best Sub...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.