Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso ClassiqueRef. 252.8.54

Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Titanio DLC Watch
Panerai has announced a stable of new models this week at Watches & Wonders in Hong Kong. Among a range of new Radiomirs, we find two very cool limited edition dial variations for the Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days Titanio DLC. Panerai's vintage-inspired 1950¡¯s line offers a time-proven aesthetic that reflects the early days of the Luminor case and the addition of its now iconic lever action crown guard. With the 1950 3 Days Titanio DLC, Panerai is offering a "best of both worlds" solution that provides their classic Italian diver-style in a lightweight but scratch-resistant DLC titanium case.These two limited edition Luminors differ only by dial design. The PAM617 (above, left) employs Panerai¡¯s classic black logo sandwich dial with the distinctive 12, 3, 6, and 9 numerals and a sub seconds display, while the PAM629 (above, right) is given a "cali dial," which mixes arabic and roman numerals in a nod to the early Radiomirs that bore a similar dial design. The PAM629's dial is otherwi

Kevin - need assistance - first winder
I really hate for this to be my first post to the WTF. This is not a good way to start. I just joined last week when I found you guys while looking at winders. Also, I just ordered my first winder, which is the Orbita Sparta Telsa one from the Orbita factory in Wilmington, NC. My wife and I were kind of waiting for it and it arrived 6/4/09 (Thurs.) by FedEx. It was packed great as previously posts have stated and looked really nice in cherry. Seems like a well-built product. We took it out and hooked it up and placed one of my Tags on it and waited. And waited! And waited! I know it is supposed to rotate about every 10 minutes, but it's not doing anything or making any motor noise. I think I was sent a bad one. I checked it out several times to see if I had everything positioned right and I did. After over an hour with nothing, I give up and will contact Orbita. We were both very disappointed and had looked forward to watching this winder rock the watch. Man, and I had told her how g

Makin' a Franken (and other ways to get in over my head)
So I have always seen warnings about Franken Watches on online auctions and such. I was wondering about possibly creating a one off watch of my own. Not in an attempt to create the next big thing, but in an attempt to learn more about the watchmaking process and kind of dive in headfirst. My initial thought was to buy a super cheap import from Ebay and take remove movement, hands, dial etcto see what makes it "tick". From there maybe create a one-off dial and have something to show for my learning experience.Has anyone here done such a thing? Where would you get a dial printed? Am I a moron for even thinking of this? I swear I haven't started drinking yet today.

"Pictures Owed" payoff - RG Hamilton Jazzmaster
OK, back in May I bought a rose gold Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic. Love the watch, but since I don't have too many occasions in the summer to wear a 'dressy' watch and I wasn't too fond of the stock strap and wanted to order a different one, pictures took a bit longer than usual. But, that's been rectified!The stock Hamilton strap is actually very well made, and a great chocolate brown color. However, I'm puzzled by the fact it's a non-tapered 20/20mm strap. THis type of strap is more suited for a sport watch, not such a dressy looking watch such as this. Plus since some of the time I'll wear this in black-tie environments, I'd wanted a black strap, so I ended up picking up a nice black crocodile strap in a 20/18mm size.. I will eventually pick up a new brown one too though, but for now we'll go with black. Since the new strap has your more traditional taper to 18mm, and the fact I prefer a deployant strap to a tang, I'd also picked up a rose gold deployant to fit on the strap.

Advices on 1st Panerai: automatic or self-winding? 221 vs 233
Hi, I have always been a Rolex guy (stainless subs), mostly because of their simplicity. I am really starting to like the Panerai for the same reason, I love the narrative, I am an avid scuba diver, it seems to be a great fit... but I have no experience with self winding movements. Right now the two models I am looking at, both GMT are the PAM 221 and the 233 which has the self winding movement.Are both 100% Panerai in house movements?Any suggestions. Is one movement better? Also is the 221 a very recent addition to the Panerai line. I was wondering since I have never seen one for sale on the classified?Cheers.