LH H series movement

[bx2vio]

I've heard about LH's almost perfect H series movement with thin engravings for 650 dollars. Has anyone ever handled one of those before? Or does anyone of pictures of it?

Thank you
bx2vio

 

[hooligan]

I've seen pics of it on RWG.cc but I've never handled one.

In my not-so-humble opinion, anyone who pays $650 for an A6497 is on CRACK! I'm pretty certain (again, I'm only judging from pictures) that the movement finishing is still a far cry from gen SOPROD/Panerai levels, so the correct "OFFICINE PANERAI" engravings and the alignment of the channel in the Incabloc system are just small steps in the right direction. Anyone who is "in the know" enough to spot the incorrect engraving will still spot the lower grade of movement finishing (provided they've ever seen a gen movement in the flesh).

Of course, I think that anyone who is paying $200 for LH's top half of a sandwich dial is looney, too, so I might be a bit biased. :wink:

 

[Jurgenk]

+ 100

Come people, these are reps

This guy LH does nice work, but if you're spending $1200-1500 on the replica of a watch that can be easily bought used for $3000-3500 you're on crack.

At that point it's time for you to buy a $75k rep of a $200k lambo.

 

[drfcfighter]

LH does great work and he makes good sense in explaining the finer details of the rep movements. However, he's from S. Korea and S. Korea does not share the stronger dollar value vs. their currency as China does, unfortunately for us. Anything that would make it worth while for him in terms of mods and servicing are just as expensive if not alot more in S. Korea. In certain countries for some weird reason, the taxation on luxury items are ridiculous, S. Korea being one of them, i.e., E-class Mercedes = $90,000USD equivalent after taxes. I assume so the same with luxury watches. I know of a lot of old Korean ladies shopping in Chicago for luxury items to avoid such markups as S. Korea took a swing for the pseudo-Socialists about a decade ago. This affects their trade agreements with luxury item manufacturers from Swiss, Germany, etc. Given all that, I'm sure a lot of folks in S. Korea would gladly pay $1000USD for a close rep, if it meant that he'll service these too, and that PAM's there cost about 40% more. LH probably is just marketing to the US customers just the same as his Korean customers, not knowing the rep market here. He has a reputation like Vaccum, RBJ, Rex, and alike among Korean rep market. He is a bonafide licensed watchmaker who does rep work for fun.

Just a different market, and it doesn't translate well to Americans, unlike China, where it's the opposite, making it worth while for us to continue our spending spree.

That's my understanding at least. I could be wrong as I haven't been there in ages, but this is what I hear from my relatives there at least. (I have a cousin who buys reps here and there).

 

[hooligan]

Hey, I'm not bagging on the guy for what he charges. They are the best movement and dial available, so he can charge whatever he wants to. I'm just talking about the realities. Let's do the math here:

Decent 111H rep - $200
LH Dial - $200
LH movement - $650

So, you're at ~$1000 and you haven't even addressed the need to relume the bottom plate of the sandwich dial, tall cannon pin (possibly), etc. So, let's add the pieces needed to make a complete mod package:

t48 crown - $50
V CG - $200
Relume/cannon pin/parts install - ~$150

So, you're at $1400-1450, maybe more. Like JurgenK said, the economies of scale just don't add up when you can buy a nice used 111 on 'Risti for $3500...

 

[drfcfighter]

yep, it's nuts! Like I said, it's a different market where he is at. S. Korea and/or RG :wink:

 

[hongkytonkman]

Given all that, I'm sure a lot of folks in S. Korea would gladly pay $1000USD for a close rep, if it meant that he'll service these too, and that PAM's there cost about 40% more. LH probably is just marketing to the US customers just the same as his Korean customers, not knowing the rep market here.

Not quite true.
Aside from the 7753 pams, the majority in Korean rep forums
think purchasing 1000USD and over reps(modded or even out of the box) are just crazy.

Especially the recent high dollar vs weak KRW(50%? past few months),
1,000USD nowadays feels like 1,500USD

Just my 2cents

PS : Services(overhaul, custom mods etc) are way more cheaper in Korea, and most watchsmiths are rep-friendly as well.

HKT

 

[drfcfighter]

Aside from the 7753 pams, the majority in Korean rep forums
think purchasing 1000USD and over reps(modded or even out of the box) are just crazy.

Especially the recent high dollar vs weak KRW(50%? past few months),
1,000USD nowadays feels like 1,500USD

Just my 2cents

PS : Services(overhaul, custom mods etc) are way more cheaper in Korea, and most watchsmiths are rep-friendly as well.

HKT

that makes sense. I guess I understood it wrong. How big is the rep market in Korea anyway? You don't really hear much about it.

 

[hongkytonkman]

Aside from the 7753 pams, the majority in Korean rep forums
think purchasing 1000USD and over reps(modded or even out of the box) are just crazy.

Especially the recent high dollar vs weak KRW(50%? past few months),
1,000USD nowadays feels like 1,500USD

Just my 2cents

PS : Services(overhaul, custom mods etc) are way more cheaper in Korea, and most watchsmiths are rep-friendly as well.

HKT

that makes sense. I guess I understood it wrong. How big is the rep market in Korea anyway? You don't really hear much about it.

Hi Fighter ,
Hmm.. hard question.

Before the Chinese rep markets expanded dramatically together w/ the capitalism-friendly policies driven by the CN government..
countries like S.Korea actually had some shares of the rep market..that is.. from watches to clothes.

And as you may well know, before the LCD's , Semiconductors, etc industry began to grow to such a level, this small peninsula was known for its textile industry etc.. and also cheap cars
Added to that industry environment, these Asians having delicate hands('Chopstick culture') and somewhat fastidious tastes in almost everything(IMO), replicating accurate counterfeit goods seems to be justifiable. (added to the lack of sense and morals which buying/producing fakes are BAD )

Answering your question, there is indeed a huge fake market in Korea, you can see TONS of fake LV bags women carry on the streets of Seoul. As for the production sites, they are diminishing significantly as China is now center of these factories. FYI last week, a huge replica importer got busted by customs for illegally importing USD 600K worth of fake watches from CN.
They were to receive these watches in parts, and actually assemble them in Korea.

I've even heard stories from friends who visited rep shops in China that Chinese dealer's tried to scam potential buyers by saying the offered products are made from Korea LOL

Anyways, REP markets are still active here, and quite easy to get an acess of fake goods; we have local forums such as RWI . But Made in Korea REP watches are likely to be found these days.

Actually I'm looking forward to a local GTG tomorrow, and I hope to get some pics to show to the RWI crowd as well. Since most WIS's here are passive to buy parts on the bay or forums like RWI ,(language barrier etc.) some acquire parts directly from watchsmiths who cut, grind,polish to manufacture their own parts to their liking.(LH being on of the fellows)

HKT

 

[drfcfighter]

wow... much has changed since I was there last (1987, :lol: )

I'm curious to see some artistry and craftsmanship by Korean watchsmiths who custom manufacture their own parts. I suppose that's common among rep friendly watchsmiths where ever they are.