Hi everyone. I have been collecting these objects for 33 years, intensely until about ten years ago, then I "appeased" because, at that point, I thought I had achieved everything I was looking for. The first, in 1991, was a Submariner with a Miyota movement. The case and bracelet were made of chromed and nickel-plated brass. I threw it away because the watch case had become almost entirely yellow from the spilled brass. The movement was still perfect. Then the Swiss ETA replicas began and, to date, I can say that, in my humble opinion, they have been the best. But I only realize this now that I look at these timepieces from a different perspective. When the first SA3135s appeared on PT (I remember they were declared as: "FINAL PRODUCT"), i threw in the garbage or hastily exchanged for little money, all my divers and yachts with Swiss ETA 2836 and replaced them with SA3135 ones (if I went back...
) ONLY AND SOLELY for the correct movement of the hands when rotating the crown. I didn't care about the movement aspect since it's not in sight. I hang out with people who regularly wear original watches and NONE of them have ever even remotely thought of questioning the authenticity of mine. They compliment me on how many I have... I've always loved chronographs, I had a 16523 built for me (at the time there were no sites for "Vietnam" pieces, it was the early 2000s) with many original parts (I always have wanted a 16520 with white dial but no satisfactory pieces were available) and a 6263 with Val.72. Then the new Daytona came out (year 2000) and I bought up a lot of A7750@6 and other mechanical chronographs, replicas of all brands (Pam, AP ROO, Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer and so on...) by myself carefully selected according to the best correspondence with the originals, caseback absolutely included. I have several Chronomats, a couple of Tudors with Swiss Valjoux 7750 and an AP RO with Swiss ETA 2836. I'm going from memory because i have many and not here with me, having just moved house. I have always used them very little, maybe half never, alternating and moving them all every 3-4 months. This collection is the thing I care about most after my car. At the moment I think I would never sell anything. The standard I stopped at is SA3135. I believe SA4130 and SA3285 weren't even in the planning stages yet. Now I buy mid to high end replicas in mint condition on national sites or from my local brick-and-mortar retailer but, sadly, i've fallen in love with RMs and those have to be high quality. For the moment I have purchased two: an 11-03 A7750 and a hand-winding titanium Skull, never worn by the persons who sold them to me. I got them both in Europe at excellent prices from people who, perhaps due to a small detail that differed from the original ones, wanted to change them or i am been simply lucky. When watches of mine were surpassed by new "best editions" (good words with an excellent effect, i totally fell for it), i literally threw them away or exchanged them for very little just to have THE LATEST STANDARD, instead they sell them... But they were even different times. Among other things, now it bothers me to wait for the times of trusted Chinese sites, there is no longer triangulation due to Brexit, and I fear seizures with various inconveniences. After having annoyed you (I sincerely apologize) with my story, and to return to the topic, in my modest and laughable thought, Asians should be used as little as possible only when you need a luxury watch on your wrist (beautiful girls, VIP locations, adventure companions who have genuine ones...). Warm greetings from Italy from one of your fans and recently proud new forum member.
