Hello, and some questions...again?

[BustedFlush]

I made this post once, and I thought it went through, but I still have a message that I haven't posted yet - and I don't see it - so here we go again!

Hi there!

I'm 39, I like target shooting, collecting and tasting bourbon and playing guitar. I have a 3 year old daughter and a lovely wife.

First rep I ever owned I bought in Hong Kong circa 1994 or 95. We were escorted to a small room by a young kid who had slyly whispered "Copy watch?" to my father and I on the street. My dad and I each got one, Rolex Datejust - 2 tone, very simple. I loved it. My parents were living in Hong Kong at the time for a year, and I had come to visit for a week. It was an amazing city. The watch had a very clean dial and smooth movement. Unfortunately, I somehow managed to destroy it in the long term parking lot of my hometown airport coming home from that very trip. Maybe I banged it on the bus door, trying to carry all my bags...I was loading my bags into the trunk of my car when I noticed the bezel and crystal were gone. Never found 'em.

Since then, I've had mainly cheap digitals, until a few years back - I got the $70 Japanese Invicta Diver Sub copy (but with the scalloped bezel) and it's been a good watch. The cyclops is so scratched now though I can't even see the date anymore. I still get compliments on it.

Anyway, from time to time I'd think about that beautiful rep, but buying one on line made me nervous. Every time I'd see a dealer, I'd bookmark it, then wait a month. 9 times out of 10 they'd be gone. Not someone I wanted to give my CC info to. Then I found one that seemed to always be there month after month. After a year, I took a chance and got a stainless Air King rep for $70. It came about 10 days later. I'm pretty happy with it - it wasn't the one pictured (machined bezel instead of smooth) but I like it better, so that's OK. It has the "ROLEX" etching around the...I know the word but I have forgotten...heraut, hazmat, razaut? Grrr...you know what I mean. It has a coronet etched in at 6:00 that I had to use a 10x loupe to see. Model number on the sticker is wrong. It should be 14010 but it's got a Datejust sticker. I don't think the movement is quite as smooth as the one I had in HK, but that was a long time ago, and I could be wrong.

So - here I am. Researching. I'm a n00b, but I wasn't born yesterday. I don't believe any reps are made in Italy. I know a lot of "Replica Review" sites are nothing of the sort. I'm not even sure I believe the dealer I purchased from really sells reps with genuine ETA's. (But I might be wrong, mine was not sold as such, and she does say some of hers use a "Minzo" Asian movement).

Anyway - if I don't get laid off next week, and if my tax refund has some slush for me - I'm going to be looking to replace that long lost Datejust, and maybe a sub too. Still trying to figure out what a WM9 is. I'm sure I'll figure it out with help from you all.

OK, that's it - I think this is a little shorter than my last post anyway.

Edited February 1, 2009 by BustedFlush

[patinga]

Welcome to a tremendous community. While you are sipping your Woodford Reserve, check out Toad's Introduction section. He has compiled a great list for new members.

WM9 is a dealer in the higher end reps. Check out BK, he deals with them here. Enjoy the site and the knowledge here will blow your mind.

[BustedFlush]

Thanks - I will do so.

Rehaut! Ahhh, that feels better.