Fifty fathoms finally!!!!

[TwoTimer]

Sorry to hear that they haven't cleared the pre-orders yet. I placed my order with Ryan on Sunday, approved the QC's on Tuesday and the watch was shipped out on Wednesday. Just at the right place on the right time I guess.

That's amazing! I'll never do a "pre-order" again.

 

[rhaykal]

Any word on when the next batch of FFs will be available?

 

[TimeWillTell]

Any word on when the next batch of FFs will be available?

i last heard shortage of movements...:thud:

 

[rhaykal]

i last heard shortage of movements...:thud:

I'd read that too somewhere. The wait just sucks.....

 

[thewatchdog]

The plot thickens...

I've been speaking to another person well placed in the industry and he has told me that Noob Factory has pretty much closed down due to the owner wanting to retire. He has passed a lot of his staff and stock onto what we now as J12 Factory, hence why a lot of Noob watches have gone "out of stock" seemingly permanently when they could have sold 5 times as many, and J12 are starting to turn out improved versions of the V2 and 3 Noob sub.

The final part I found super interesting is that TDs can't buy direct from J12, they have to use the AD for J12 products known as Z-fac...

I find this really interesting as, apparently, not all TDs have the same influence with Z-fac and so those who used to have ready access to Noob products may no longer. It also makes me wonder who makes the Tudor Black Bay rep, as I think we assumed Z-Fac made them?

The good news is that more Fifty Fathoms are on the way, it'll just be a drip feed and the backlog might not get cleared "fairly" as some dealers might get fewer than others.

Again, all of the above is just what I've been told by someone I don't think has any case to spread misinformation.

Does that mean no new batches of older noob products like the LMPO and CrPO?

 

[thewatchdog]

he already retired and enjoying good life, nfac is headed by a new chief. (was his left right hand man, now the chief) You see maker usually don't sell/distribute themselves, they have appointed "AD"s, they do exist in the rep world too..

No new batches of older noob products?

 

[atespo]

How is the rep strap on this one?

Where/Who is a good source for an aftermarket strap for this bad boy? I plan to pick one up at sometime this year :lol: and want to put a nice aftermarket cloth strap on it, can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

 

[TimeWillTell]

How is the rep strap on this one?

Where/Who is a good source for an aftermarket strap for this bad boy? I plan to pick one up at sometime this year :lol: and want to put a nice aftermarket cloth strap on it, can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

i believed the lug width is 23mm? I think 24s might just snug in between those lugs...

 

[R2D4]

How is the rep strap on this one?

The strap exceeded my expectations. I built a Seiko FFF mod watch prior to this and used a Jacob Sail Cloth which was un wearable. Too stiff. I was pleasantly surprised how soft and wearable the rep strap was.

 

[rhaykal]

I've read so many differing remarks but what is the size of the hex screw in the rep? I'm looking for a good hex screw driver where I won't have to shave it down to fit.

Also, does anyone know if there's a rep deployment clasp or even if the Gen deployment clasp is available?

 

[TwoTimer]

The Wiha T3 tool fits my rep screws perfectly!! You will need to buy 2 of them to properly tighten the screws. No rep BFF deployants yet and gens are pricey IF you can find them.

 

[Cheesemonger]

The Wiha T3 tool fits my rep screws perfectly!! You will need to buy 2 of them to properly tighten the screws. No rep BFF deployants yet and gens are pricey IF you can find them.

^this x100. Best tool IMO for this work.

 

[Sain]

Can double confirm.

Only use Wiha drivers now. Pricey at first. But well worth the investment.

 

[wolfwood]

I brought 2 of these and they fit perfectly.

http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-Precisio...4070&sr=1-1&keywords=Wiha+-+Precision+Torx+T3

 

[rhaykal]

And......ordered!

 

[Alex_P1]

I just got mine last night. I ended up ordering one with a brand new Sellita ST220 for an extra $100 as I want to keep this watch longterm.

It is stunning. I tookl the back off last night to check the movement and greese the seals and decided I'm going to whip the bezel off tonight and reallign the insert perfectly, and loctite 222 the strap bars in. Other than those jobs, which I do on 90% of my watches anyway, it is perfect.

Just need to wear it and check it keeps time next!

 

[rhaykal]

I'm super excited to get mine in next week! I hope the hex drivers are in before the watch shows up as I've heard the lug screws are coming in rather loose. And thats all I need is for the watch to topple to the ground on day 1.

 

[SUMIKITO]

Great info on a great looking watch ! Do the factories even know that a product called 'Loctite' even exists? That would stop those lug hex screws from falling on your lap ! [hopefully] and good info on the WIHA tool too. I guess we will need two of those, one too counter the torque of the other screw ?? Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.......... ? Also the optional Swiss Sellita ST220 movement is a good choice, at least to re-sure us we are getting a Real Swiss movement. A great Rep like this deserves a real good Swiss movement. At least, it becomes 'partly' Swiss !

 

[wolfwood]

Yeah, you would need 2 WIHAs.

 

[psychom3]

Did I miss something or are these back in stock, or is it just pre-orders finally getting filled from the first batch?