Newbie here... intro + questions about B&R

[kirklandplastic]

Hi all, after much, much reading on this forum and others, I've decided to dip into the world of reps.
Long story short, fell in love with Bell&Ross watches many years back, so I'm looking to get a BR01-92 or a BR03-92 (white on black dial, and PVD case) as my first rep.
Now all of my previous watches have been quartz, so this will not only be my first rep, but my first automatic movement watch as well. I've read up on as much info as I can about owning a auto movement and am nervous as well as excited.
I know the mantra here at repgeek is "you get what you paid for", but since it's my first auto movement, as well as my first rep. I am reluctant to spend the big money for a really accurate rep. (I don't need real hex screws on the back of the B&R for example.) I've been looking on iOffer and prices vary greatly there (from $70 to $250) sometimes for the same rep.
So my questions are: given that most B&R reps use the A21j family movement, is it safe to assume that a lower price reps have the 2183 (21,600)? I don't mind the "slow rate", as I plan to open up up this guy when it fails. Either get another 2183 or a 4183 (will it fit?) and give transplanting the movement a shot and learn a thing or 2 . Finally, are there any sellers on iOffer that you guys have had good experience with getting lower price reps?
Sorry for the long winded post, look forward to you guy's advice, thanks in advance.

[Z-Rated]

My first rep was a BR01, and I wish I knew of this site then...
I got one for little over $100.
No AR coating. Did not know much about it at the time, but now it really really bothers me. So much in fact that my friend is buying it.
Case was poorly put together, and it used spring bars instead of a screw bar for the strap... Minor things. But once you add them all up it was frustrating. So dont rush into it and read more. But You do get what you pay for....
Good luck and hope this helped.

[FiFi]

Don't buy from any dealer on iOffer; the reason why there are trusted dealers on repgeek is because they offer the most reasonable prices for the most reliable pieces. And, if you have a problem or issue with the dealer or watch, you have a forum in which to discuss the problem/issues you have.

The trouble or scams you may encounter on iOffer aren't worth taking the risk of trying to save a few bucks.

Buy with confidence from repgeek's dealers, brother.

And buy a Panerai, not a B&R.

[Quick Brick]

Josh and Andrew both have nice BR03 versions for either 168 or 178 ... I forget which. You wont go wrong with these ... there are so many different variations and so many different Chinese factories making rep parts of these, it is hard to know what you'll get unless you order from a known source.

[J-C]

Welcome to RepGeek Kirk.

Make yourself at home and enjoy. The posts above explain perfectly why you should look to RepGeek Recommended dealers for your watch. In short, they are the most established, well known and back by thousands of transactions from fellow RepGeek.

that, to me, certainly beats rolling the dice with another dealer.

Cheers

[Questions]

Yes, this is the best place for you to find the most reliable sources.
Welcome =]

[Mendedman]

Yes welcome kirklandplastic. B & R's are very attractive watches. As the other guys say, there are plenty to choose from within the dealers in this forum. You can search this place for threads on 01's and 03's to see what fellow members have to say and what they have experienced.

My advice is read as much as you can, until you're as happy as you can be with the model you want (don't forget size issues with these), and talk to dealers, they are helpful people. Otherwise, for a first rep I would choose a simple watch, i.e. not a chrono, just 'cause there is less to go wrong or dissatisfy you.

Be patient and have fun!! This is just the start.




So far...
Panerai 005
Beitling Skyland Avenger
Bell & Ross BR03-92
Seiko Orange Monster (Gen)
Seiko Daytona Chrono (Gen)
Tauchmeister T0164 (Gen)
Citizan Pro divers (Gen)
Omega Planet Ocean Chrono

[kirklandplastic]

Thanks for all the advice guys, really appreciate it!
Yeah one of the reasons I'm picking the B&R0-92's because it's the least complicated B&R (not chrono, no date), so less things to go wrong.
In the event that the watch does stop, I am hoping to open it up, and possibly switch movements (again, going with the least complicated one). There any guide that shows how to open up a rep B&R 01 or 03s?
Thanks guys

[Quick Brick]

Sorry, I never bothered to snap any pix or do a tutorial because the B&R's are so easy to get into.

Unscrew the tiny screw in the back labeled 'Do Not Unscrew' In that little hole ... directly under it is the push-button for the crown release. Push it down, pull out the crown. Remove the 4 screws from the front of the case and lift off the casefront. Tip the case over, over your hand, and the movement, dial, hands, and plastic ring will fall out into your hand as an assembly.

It is probably the easiest rep in the world to work on .

[kirklandplastic]

Thanks Quick Brick! Just what I wanted to hear! Let's hope I never have to give it a shot (though in someway, I really want to unscrew that "do not unscrew" screw )
May I ask where do you guys go for watch tools like hand pullers, hand pressers, tiny little screw drivers and what not?
Also, are there any reliable sources for DG2183 or DG4183?

[king99989]

Welcome, hope everything goes good on your first purchase.

[SteadFast]

I too would like to know about the tools.

[EPIPHONE99]

My first rep was a BR01, and I wish I knew of this site then...
I got one for little over $100.
No AR coating. Did not know much about it at the time, but now it really really bothers me. So much in fact that my friend is buying it.
Case was poorly put together, and it used spring bars instead of a screw bar for the strap... Minor things. But once you add them all up it was frustrating. So dont rush into it and read more. But You do get what you pay for....
Good luck and hope this helped.

i hope your friend doesn't read your pm

[Questions]

show us your b&r when you bought one ! =]