Many members have found local guys. While some pricks will surely turn up their nose to reps, you can probably find someone who will gladly work on them, the ones with a good grasp of business.And what was their reaction? Did they tell you to get the fuck out?
Do you just straight up ask if the will work on your rep?Many members have found local guys. While some pricks will surely turn up their nose to reps, you can probably find someone who will gladly work on them, the ones with a good grasp of business.
First of all, I built my relationship with my watch maker by him servicing my gens before I got into replicas, he knows me wellDo you just straight up ask if the will work on your rep?
Sure, worst they can say is "no". Me personally, I refuse to outsource anything in my life so learned how to do it myself. But my response above was based on anecdotal evidence from reading many threads over the years. The rep friendly watchsmiths are out there. Just gotta ask!Do you just straight up ask if the will work on your rep?
I’d like to learn the basics like xtal and bezel swapping. Did you buy a shitter and dissect it?First of all, I built my relationship with my watch maker by him servicing my gens before I got into replicas, he knows me well
Then once you have a bit of a rapport and he knows you and you're not a bad guy or doing anything illegal/shady, then you can bring him replicas
Most watch makers will work on anything, but the only ones who will refuse your replicas are the ones with Rolex certifications or some kind of certifications from big watch brands as they can lose that cert if they have been found to work on fakes
I’d like to learn the basics like xtal and bezel swapping. Did you buy a shitter and dissect it?
Once we discovered we had a replica that needed to be worked on, we called a ton of watch repair places and not a single person was interested in working on it. That said, we try back alley guys (so to speak), but instead those with actual brick and mortar establishments that have been around awhile. Didn't tell us to get the F out (especially since it was over the phone), but most did make it clear they weren't interested in our business, lol.And what was their reaction? Did they tell you to get the fuck out?
Certainly did. No other choice as I believe honesty is the best policy when it comes to this matter. Speaking from experience because we had already dropped it off at a local service center (believing it was genuine (story in another thread)) and consider ourselves very lucky to have gotten it back. That said, we aren't interested in purposefully trying to fool anyone as that could only lead to all sorts of other problems.Do you just straight up ask if the will work on your rep?
I just watched a video on this yesterday as I was curious how the bezel attaches. Please excuse my ignorance here, but do you mean swapping a bezel with a ceramic insert or swapping out just the insert? Which is the problem? Also, what operation is being performed when it cracks?Swapping a ceramic bezel, you're gonna crack it. Even pros crack the bezel with professional tools. Don't bother unless you want to cry.
Swapping out the insertI just watched a video on this yesterday as I was curious how the bezel attaches. Please excuse my ignorance here, but do you mean swapping a bezel with a ceramic insert or swapping out just the insert? Which is the problem? Also, what operation is being performed when it cracks?
Getting the ceramic insert out of the bezel (most rep inserts are glued in) can be a challenge. They are scratch resistant but are very brittle. Removing the bezel in its entirety is relatively simple but you will likely damage the hytrel ring on modern reps and finding a replacement is near impossible, but can be affixed back with other methods, my favorite is the big game fishing line fixI just watched a video on this yesterday as I was curious how the bezel attaches. Please excuse my ignorance here, but do you mean swapping a bezel with a ceramic insert or swapping out just the insert? Which is the problem? Also, what operation is being performed when it cracks?
Got it, that makes sense. Out of curiosity, what kind of glue is normally used on reps?Getting the ceramic insert out of the bezel (most rep inserts are glued in) can be a challenge. They are scratch resistant but are very brittle. Removing the bezel in its entirety is relatively simple but you will likely damage the hytrel ring on modern reps and finding a replacement is near impossible, but can be affixed back with other methods, my favorite is the big game fishing line fix
The cermaic insert, if it must be removed, it needs to be done with heat, to melt the glue, then gently lifted and separated with a razor blade or needle. Some watches are gen construction and inserts snap in but are easily broken as reaps mentioned.
Usually it's like a tacky glue that never fully cures, like E6000, useful in that it can be melted/softenedGot it, that makes sense. Out of curiosity, what kind of glue is normally used on reps?
I usually have an old German guy in my place to work on my reps. He knew they were reps and didn't give a toss. He was good, just a bit slow and didn't work on chronographs. Unfortunately, he passed away few years ago.And what was their reaction? Did they tell you to get the fuck out?
Thanks, it's good to know.Usually it's like a tacky glue that never fully cures, like E6000, useful in that it can be melted/softened
Makes sense but in our case, I didn't feel like driving all over town in traffic only to be rejected. Also, not sure what would happen if you tell them it's a no name Chinese watch, and then show-up with something that's brand labeled. That might get interesting if they think you were lying to them. Then again, as long as you keep position of it, all they can really do is tell you to get out.I’ve found it best to show up at their place of business with your watch and talk to the actual person who works on them. If you have to call just tell them it’s a no name Chinese watch.