What time is it? Watches and horology

I had a Tag Carerra replica for a few months, it was great. Then one day the date function packed up. I took it apart to see if I could fix it, but bust the winder. Oh well, it was only £30. Would like a real one, but bugger me, they are £$€.

Replicas can fuck off! What's the point?

As a kid I bought a very poor quality fake TAG in Turkey. Stopped working the next day so my dad took it back to the stall. The guy didn't remember us but after ten minutes of arguing he gave me a new watch. Then two minutes down the road we walked past the stall where we had actually bought it - the guy came over and asked if it was still working.

I'm undecided about proper good-quality replicas though. I think they're just a bit of fun, and a way of reminding yourself of your dream watch that you'll never be able to afford. Like replica cars I guess.

I need a new daily... wish I hadn't sold every single watch I own except my big black plastic Swatch... no money...

Replicas can fuck off! What's the point?

So I can pretend I bring home as much dorrah as you.

Same colour and stitching but I want** NON croc**

Yeah mate, they seem OK(ish) for the price

I might go for this strap actually, bottom one

Looks OK on a solid face chrono and think it'll look ream on my black faced(racist) 3717, like above - #1890

hipocrite>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

...................blah,blah.......... Then two minutes down the road we walked past the stall where we had actually bought it - the guy came over and asked if it was still working.
[all look alike = racist]

.......................blah,blah..... big black ..............
.

Also reverse racism if the seller gave the refund without protesting much :-)

Yeah that kid should be ashamed of himself, I bet he did it intentionally.

I'm struggling to find a decent tan strap for my IWC. I need a 21/22mm with an 18mm taper to get the buckle on

If you are looking for straps this guy really makes nice stuff but he's not cheap

I live in Beijing and in terms of fakes there are countless to be had some very good and some terrible. They usually have grades of replicas and the top grades are decent. I have a Bell and Ross which keeps great time looks great but the glass has scratched over time and some of the screws have started to mark the case but only cost me 15 quid. Its done ok and is still going strong after 4 years.

I'm not a fan of the looks, but love the Citizen Eco-drive technology. A battery that will never run out, go flat, dry out, charged by movement, light or sheer determination, and you can even get ones that receive the radio time signal so will never need adjusting.

I've decided after long deliberation to get an Eco drive as my daily watch. I feel its the best bang for the buck. For about a 100 quid (from the US) I can get a nice titanium watch which is accurate, I don't have to worry about the battery and is pretty water proof. For the money I don't think they can be beaten and some of the designs are much better now.

That citizen is nice actually. Suffers a bit from 'cross-eyed chronograph' syndrome (why don't makers just make a bigger movement if they are going to make a bigger case?) but I do like it.

The thing with replicas is that even if you have one that fools everyone else, you will know. So you'll always feel (and be) a little bit of a fraud. And there's no point. You'll also be reminded of the watch you cannot afford every time you check it. A good cheap Casio or Citizen will always be a better watch, and you'll not feel like a tit every time you wear it. If you want a particular brand you can get vintage ones of the 'not famous' models for not much money. I've even see 1930s Rolexes go for the low hundreds.

That citizen is nice actually. Suffers a bit from 'cross-eyed chronograph' syndrome (why don't makers just make a bigger movement if they are going to make a bigger case?) but I do like it.

I agree its a bit cramped but for 100 quid you can't have everything. I know what you mean about replicas I wouldn't bother paying much for them but as they are available locally I have a couple but in the end decided to get something genuine for the exact reason you highlighted. I know its not real.

I have had a couple of replicas. A mate gave me the cheapest most rubbish Rolex copy for rolling him a spliff when he was trying to impress a girl. It was quartz, the winder broke off and the glass used to pop out. As it was so obviously a cheap piece of shit I didn't mind wearing it for a laugh. Then I foolishly spent £80 on a fake Tag Heuer Monaco. The chrono dials were actually a calendar and there was no date window, the case was all wrong and it broke really quickly. The hands were always falling off and the winder broke. I always felt like a complete tool wearing it anyway.
My mate went to Hong Kong and got me a fairly convincing Omega Speedmaster James Bond edition. Even had a working diver's extension on the bracelet. The case had rough edges, the movement was too small, which meant the dial was wrong, but it was quite fun. I always said it was a fake though. The winder flew out of that one, so I threw it away.
When the same mate went to India he got me an £8 locally-made Hindustan Machine Tools watch with a licence-built Citizen 17 jewel movement. It is a much better watch, both in looks and quality.

hipocrite>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

hYpocrite

If you are looking for straps this guy really makes nice stuff but he's not cheap

Thanks, some nice bits. I'll bell him up...

Crackin gallery pics

http://www.toshi-straps.co.uk/gallery.html

When the same mate went to India he got me an £8 locally-made Hindustan Machine Tools watch with a licence-built Citizen 17 jewel movement. It is a much better watch, both in looks and quality.

Great name "Hindustan Machine Tools" worth 8 notes just to see that on a watch!

.............................If you want a particular brand you can get vintage ones of the 'not famous' models for not much money. I've even see 1930s Rolexes go for the low hundreds.

and if you buy sensibly it will always be worth what you paid or if your lucky more.

what's the difference between eco drive and automatic, does any body know?

Eco-drive doesn't harm Cod stock in the Atlantic Ocean

what's the difference between eco drive and automatic, does any body know?

Eco-Drive is the name for the Citizen solar powered battery watches.

I have a question. Is it stupid to get a second strap for a watch, to alternate depending on mood? It's pretty straightforward changing a strap, but if I do it regularly am I likely to damage/wear out the pins or holes?

I have a question. Is it stupid to get a second strap for a watch, to alternate depending on mood? It's pretty straightforward changing a strap, but if I do it regularly am I likely to damage/wear out the pins or holes?

Perfectly normal

For the IWC I currently have the stock black croc. In time I wanna get the matching kevlar strap as well as a nice chunky brown saddle leather and a black nato

Make sure you get the correct tool though instead of using a screwdriver/stanley blade/credit card etc...

Is it stupid to get a second strap for a watch, to alternate depending on choice of shoes?

i dont think its stupid. the pins can be replaced easily if need be but should not be damaged anyhow. be sure to also match it to your belt. chic!

Belt and shoes! [/massive tart]

Belt & shoes - ALWAYS!

LUST!

Hen's Teeth!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/iwc-1940s-pilot-watch-/180612955968?pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item2a0d5eff40

Part of 'The Dirty Dozen'

It's killed a man?