Old Noobie

[Dave2302]

Hi, Dave from remote area of UK, 61 years young, motor repair industry, (small garage owner).

I bought many a rep 20 years ago, got fairly lucky by following advice from a good friend who was into the hobby, but is sadly no longer with us. Most have lasted up until the last few years, due to sad family in law issues, I haven't got to replacing them. My wife and I have now got our lives back.

From a few days of research everything appears to have changed, seems like a minefield, I have purchased one ladies R as a Christmas gift, will have to see what arrives, it was only a cheapie. 26mm ladies DJ as my wife was very upset when hers stopped working a couple of years back and still mentions it. Hopefully it won't look to bad and will actually work for a while until I learn and can tell good from bad. What I have learned is that many say they are way better than they were 20+ years ago.

No I won't ask who makes the best Daytona, although I am mystified as to which ones might have a properly working Chrono, i.e. all the sub dials do what they did on gen.
I had one way way back and that one did work correctly for 5 years +, but I just don't know which movements do fully work or even if price bracket means anything these days. From what I have already read I find it difficult to tell the difference from seller descriptions between a £150 to £500 to £1000 + item.

in my very humble opinion I think some internet sellers are selling £500 watches which others are charging £150's for the same item. Note I am not referring to any of the TD's here anad another forum, just randoms that come up on google.
Now I feel I've likely posted way too much, more than I intended, I don't expect a reply, but if anyone can point me in the right direction, I will be grateful.

If you got to the end of my first post here thank you for reading and thanks for a great resource, best I clear off and read read read ...............

 

[Fiddo]

Welcome to RWI!

If you use the dealer's here, you should be OK!

As far as Daytona's, I know very little. Check out the Rolex section----- https://forum.replica-watch.info/forums/rolex-tudor-replicas.153/

​

 

[Feefo]

Hi and welcome to RWI! Glad you found your way here.
The daytonas with the right movement will work as gen. Still, it's clone movements were talking about, they're built to replicate the original and its functionality, but not really for durability. Many members don't even use the Chrono for fear it's gonna give up the ghost. But I'm no expert tbh, and advances have been significant in recent years.

Please take some time to read the sticky threads in the new members area (all subsections), learn the basic forum rules and get some very good advice in the process. A number of questions has already been answered there, this is just an example:

Quick links to some of the more prevalent rules of the forum.

The First Constitution of RWI https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...itution-of-rwi QC Rules https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...tle-on-qc-pics https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...of-qc-pictures Glamour pics https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...r-pics-and-rwi Multiple Accounts...

forum.replica-watch.info

As a new subscriber, you've already been directed to this thread, please read carefully and look through the linked additional threads:

You are welcome

If you've just joined and are reading this, welcome to RWI. If you stop here, or read just the next few lines, that's on YOU, but don't ever say you weren't warned. If you are approached by ANYONE, absolutely ANYONE, offering you a watch, or a deal, via Private Message (PM), exercise common...

forum.replica-watch.info

Another good thread to read to understand where RWI comes from and some fundamentals is this:

https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/the-first-constitution-of-rwi.51989/

Most of the information you need to know to start is there. If you're preparing to buy, read the stickies before ordering. When you're finished, you can continue learning by reading the stickies in all remaining sections. If it's stickied, it's important information.

If you intend to sell, read the sales rules and all stickies in the sales section with particular care and make sure you understand each single rule. Sales rules infraction is taken very seriously here. As a new member you are not eligible to sell. Using the sales section is a privilege, eligibility must be earned, make sure you know and understand how.

For anything else, feel free to reach out to @eBoy or me, we're happy to assist, advise, direct, explain. Don't hesitate.

Don't be afraid to post noob questions in the new members area. In doubt, use the flame free zone. If you feel uncomfortable anywhere in the new members area, please reach out to @eBoy or me. Mutual respect is of utmost importance to us. On the other hand, we're grown-ups and are supposed to be able to deal with a bit of irony, don't take it personally, ever, a bit of irony never harmed anyone. If you laugh at jokes, you'll make friends faster.

This forum is a treasure trove of information and benefits from the engagement of all members who take their time to share their knowledge, help each other out and have some fun. We hope that you'll benefit and enjoy this platform as well as contribute positively to it.

If at any point you feel to contribute also on another level, feel free to pm the boss (trailboss99) to become a supporter and get some little perks with the status (editing rights, for example).

Enjoy the forum.

 

[Dave2302]

Thanks guys, all very helpful

I think I have learned that I need a Daytona with DD4130, my previous 7750 one must have got very lucky, and possibly a (better?) Shaghai 4130 would be a bit above my price range.
Being in the motor trade since age 14, I am very thick skinned and certainly wouldn't be offended if anyone made a negative comment like "don't be an effin' eejit" and worse lol, I would take it as being helpful because I often am an eejit

I have no intention of selling, I did sell a fair few back in my 40's but not in the right area now to do so. I was born in London and stomped London and Kent until mid 40's when we sold up and moved to a remote area of the Scottish Highlands.

I just love watches, including decent reps and want to collect a few. I am reading loads and have read some of the posts for newbies.
I am already enjoying the Forum

 

[p0pperini]

Welcome to RWI Dave!

My advice (although I also always advise everyone not to take any notice of my advice) regarding using your rep Daytona chrono functions is:

1. Don’t.
2. But if for some reason you feel compelled to, then get the watch serviced first. The biggest problem with Chinese movements is the lack of stringent QC; meaning potential for poor lubrication and dirt off the bat. It’s a complete lottery. The complication of a chrono movement and its inherent fragility compounds the problem. Having the watch serviced will mean someone who knows what they’re doing can examine the movement and get it running as well as it possibly can. It might still crap out after 6 weeks, 6 months or 6 years, but at least you gave it the best chance.

Personally, I avoid the hassle and expense of pre-emptively servicing mine by not using the chrono. If I need to time a fast lap, I’ll use my phone.

Enjoy your reps! I have no doubt you’ll be utterly blown away by what’s available now. It really is a great time to be into buying fake shit from China.

 

[Dave2302]

Hi, and thanks, love the last sentence. It would likely rarely get the Chron0 used, I have a proper stopwatch for timimg some of my car builds 0-100, and also can use phone like you said, but being OCD as I am with my car works and builds, if it's there it's gotta work, even if it only gets used once or twice ever

 

[var554]

Thanks guys, all very helpful

I think I have learned that I need a Daytona with DD4130, my previous 7750 one must have got very lucky, and possibly a (better?) Shaghai 4130 would be a bit above my price range.
Being in the motor trade since age 14, I am very thick skinned and certainly wouldn't be offended if anyone made a negative comment like "don't be an effin' eejit" and worse lol, I would take it as being helpful because I often am an eejit

I have no intention of selling, I did sell a fair few back in my 40's but not in the right area now to do so. I was born in London and stomped London and Kent until mid 40's when we sold up and moved to a remote area of the Scottish Highlands.

I just love watches, including decent reps and want to collect a few. I am reading loads and have read some of the posts for newbies.
I am already enjoying the Forum

Welcome! Enjoying your comments and excited to see what you do. Also curious to see what the ladies DJ you bought looks like. Pics!

 

[Dave2302]

LOL I too am curios to see the Ladies D J, it looked fair to good for a cheapie in the pics, and it is now winging it's way to me according to tracking, so yes of course I will put pixels up as soon as it arrives.

Probably be around 7 days since our post always takes longer as we are a remote area

I don't know if this is the right place but I've got a nice Genuine Swiss Military Chrono if anyone is curious, it is a real nice piece, I was after the Seal Anderton model when they first came out but they all sold PDQ, so settled for the one I got now.

 

[p0pperini]

I don't know if this is the right place but I've got a nice Genuine Swiss Military Chrono if anyone is curious, it is a real nice piece, I was after the Seal Anderton model when they first came out but they all sold PDQ, so settled for the one I got now.

Do you mean "Would anyone like to see this?" or "Would anyone like to buy this?" Dave? If the latter, then be aware of a couple of things:
1. "Backdoor selling" (selling via PMs without using the RWI M2M sales forum) is frowned upon.
2. If you were intending to use the RWI M2M sales section, you'll need to get to the requisite post count first. (At least, I believe this is still the case. Not sure if it changed with the Certified requirement being introduced recently. I guess I should probably read the rules...)

 

[Dave2302]

DEFINITELY NOT SELLING but apologies, (and a heads up) I often come across as ambiguous, so yes I can now see how that sounded from the other side of the coin Thank you for pointing that out to me.

That Swiss Time chrono was a chrissy Prezzie from my wife a few years back after I broke my beloved Daytona.

What my hamfisted internet gob was trying to say is ..............

"Is it OK to post pictures of something that is not a High End Gen or replica, but IMHO still a nice genuine timepiece ???

Soz

 

[Fiddo]

"Is it OK to post pictures of something that is not a High End Gen or replica, but IMHO still a nice genuine timepiece ???

Soz

Yes, of course!

Put it on and post it here---------> eyecandy-20th-november-26th-november.10960528

 

[Dave2302]

Thanks for the heads up, I've managed to post it there, posting pictures is another new skill learned for use here.

 

[shyreplover]

Hello Dave the garage owner
If you had many good reps from 20 years ago, even thought they are busted, those might still fetch good money as they are long discontinued and some people might still looking for it.

 

[Dave2302]

Thanks for the reply, and now (since finding this wonderful resource) I know you are correct

Forgive me, but since this thread is my noobie intro, i'll give you a little more insight into the watches and my life since we "emigrated" from England to North Highlands in our mid fourties.

I sold / traded a lot of the watches back in the day. The only rep I have left (well not me but my wife) is her Ladies Pearlmaster 80299, which she won't part with, but will run for a while and stop after almost 2 days, re charge (wind) it, rinse and repeat. When I get more familiar with folks on here I might see if I can get a trusted repairer to fix it, although it would probably be cheaper to just buy another as it will likely need a new movement and does need some serious cleaning up especially under the cubics.

In the meanwhile, last week, before I found RWI, I found a google Chinese seller and bought a cheapie (£150 inc postage etc) ladies Datejust 179384 for her for crimble.

I have no idea what will arrive, if anything
Purchase was last week, and so far so good, Royal Mail tracking shows it, (well something ) is moving, so time will tell (pardon the pun) lol.

What I have learned over the past few days is even the cheapies are likely better than the ones we got 15+ years ago, which were very good for the period.

£150 won't break the bank, I won't grizzle whatever happens, I've Been in the Motor trade since age 14 and seen it all, had some results and taken plenty on the chin. We've led a good lifestyle, more so whilst we were young enough to be wild and earning well.
These days arthritis has slowed me down over the last 3 years or so.

With finances as they are since covid, inflation etc atm, I 'd never pay more than circa £500 even with a Trusted Seller for a watch, I'd rather end up with a few nice lookers that pass a semi knowledgeable eyeball / casual test and keep reasonable time for a few years than the potential to lose say a good used gen Daytona.

The Sub and the Daytona I had, I did buy some watch tools, I tried to fix them, (I do have macro headsets and do repair car module PCB's) but tbh I lacked experience, screwed 'em up and binned them. At that time we had tried many Jewellers who would sometimes say NO and sometimes be outright cheeky, so I really had no option but to try. I have serviced and repaired many many clocks

To put that into perspective I had had them since early 2000's, paid around £100 a unit at that time, so they had done well, but I am unlike many general public and do have "mechanical sympathy" with things. The Daytona had a 7750 in it, and I used the Chrono a few times a year, the reason it broke was I dropped it on my Concrete workshop floor from up a ladder, taking it off my wrist so it didn't get damaged

Honestly I couldn't make this shite up

So yeah, back to now, and I have found this wonderful and friendly resource, have a little more time on my hands, that's another pun lol.

I'm semi retired, arthritis has put paid to all my "action sports" like Barefoot waterskiing and Motor Racing etc, (that's why I not got much money these days), so a nice hobby for a 61 year old is to collect some reasonable Reps, and start at the low end working my way up

Hell, I just realised how much I typed, hope I didn't bore ya's too much

 

[p0pperini]

Thanks for sharing Dave, it's always interesting to hear about the backgrounds of members. There's all sorts here, from all walks of life, united in having a passion for watches. And some of them have the common sense to know how to get 99% of the look/feel/functionality of a gen for what's often 5% or less of the price. Watch out though (see what I did there)... it's a potentially horrifically addictive hobby.

 

[shyreplover]

Rep watch price is very flexible. People here likes to talk about the ones that are super close to gen, but the mid tier reps are actually good enough for most people and doesn't break the bank.

And then nowadays we also have the option of going homage. You can check them out on Aliexpress and search for san martin, pagani design, tandorio, baltani, ixdao, seestern, sharkey, etc. You'll be surprise at the level of quality that they have and the variety of models that they have.

 

[Feefo]

Very nice story Dave, I can understand why someone would be moving to Scotland, it's a place I loved when I visited.
There's a lot of members from the UK, so you may find good pieces at good prices in the member to member sales section that could be shipped to you fast and without customs risk.

 

[Dave2302]

Thanks guys, some very useful info there. Mel and I moved here 17 years ago, we were mid fourties, I sold my business share to my business partner, (Automatic Transmission Specialist), sold a few cars, we sold our House, bought a 12t Box lorry and up we came.

It's a very harsh climate, beautiful place, the only issue we have had of late (post covid), is a year on year increase in tourists to insane levels, which is due to over promotion on FB etc, so many of them are spoiling the place, it was mad mad mad this year for a gazillion reasons.

Being OCD is my downfall, every hobby I've ever had has cost me fortunes, literally, the power boats / waterskiing and the stage rallying being the most expensive over the years, so I know exactly what you mean.

My Avatar pic is me barefooting past Eilean Donan Castle when we first moved up here, below is a rather miserable view from the back of our house that I woke up to this morning, but life wise I wouldn't change a thing ! It's been a riot and we enjoyed it while we were young enough to , in comparison we are sedate these days

I am looking forward to starting the Watch collection.
Speaking of Homage, I do have a Homage watch, a real cheapie that's a bit battered these days, bought after I broke my Daytona, because I wanted a very cheap timepiece that I could wear in the Workshop without worrying about breaking it.

It's a Sub based copy, worn daily, with Quartz mech, branded "Reginald"
I paid about £35 for it off EBay 4 years ago, keeps good time and has had 3 replacement batteries, (one per year roughly).

Time to shut up and read some more, (I do do some work ya know), but currently waiting on parts for 2 dead cars here atm, and 3 more coming soon, which will make the yard extremely cluttered next week, if I can't get rid of a couple before then.

Cheers for now, Dave

 

[p0pperini]

It's a very harsh climate, beautiful place, the only issue we have had of late (post covid), is a year on year increase in tourists to insane levels, which is due to over promotion on FB etc, so many of them are spoiling the place, it was mad mad mad this year for a gazillion reasons.

I couldn't persuade my better half to move to Scotland (too cold!) even though we've holidayed/toured there many, many times and love it. Instead we moved down to The Lizard in Cornwall, where we'd also holidayed frequently. After 3 years we missed our original part of the UK so much we moved back. But the tourist boom pre- and post-covid (which has made Cornwall a no-go destination any more, AFAIK) is now even eroding my enjoyment of our neck of the woods too.

 

[Dave2302]

We used to love the west country, have some relly's there. We are heading south later in December for a week to visit the immediate family, (Mels 4 and my 2, so "Our" 6) plus the many Grandchildren between them as we both treat 'em all = which is nice for a second marriage.

TBF we get our share of excellent weather in the Norwest, was sitting out in our (south facing) back garden for many weeks in the summertime with temps around low to mid 30's c, we love sun, but I installed a couple of 3m awnings with a timber pergola so we could get a tan, get some shade and also sit out barbying with the odd rain shower too.