u/pilonmartinez

Scenes from the 1962 Tour de France, captured in Louis Malle’s short documentary Vive le Tour.

In those days, riders were allowed to make what were known as “café raids” during the race. The peloton would descend on roadside cafés and bars, grab drinks and bottles, and quickly get back on their bikes. And no, they weren’t stopping to pay.

Beer, wine, champagne and other alcoholic drinks were commonly consumed during long races. There were no modern energy gels, sports drinks or carefully controlled nutrition plans, and alcohol was sometimes considered useful for taking the edge off the pain and exhaustion of racing for hours.

It looks completely absurd by modern professional cycling standards, but this was genuinely part of the culture of the Tour. A cyclist running out of a local bar with a bottle of booze, without paying for it, was apparently just another day at the Tour de France.

As I will be ordering something from Lena tomorrow - I wanted to ask people who had those at hand and know them IRL.

Which of those there is the best U1?

They're OP "100 Years", Explorer II Polar and YM Rose Gold.

Help will be much appreciated.

Well, just in case you may want to wait a bit with your order or just be extra cautious while QCing your Rich Sub No Date reps. Massive f*up.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE

Made me smile ;)

TL;DR: The watch is really good with no significant flaws (just a few areas that could be improved). I will be wearing it daily. Considering the price, 4.5/5 to the watch; 5/5 to Lena and the service.

Now, a full review.

Gen model: GMT Master II on Jubilee bracelet in Oystersteel, 126710GRNR-0003
Rep price and link: Please check the guide to find Lena and check her catalogue, and prices. It is normally obtainable for $100-$150 depending on the channel (WA vs Gate), listing and special offers. It was $100 via Telegram Special 3 weeks ago. Shipping took 21 days to EU (stuck 6 days in customs, just a queue I guess, as finally was released with no issues).

Movement: 5833c - with the independent timezone, jump-set hour hand and bound jump-set date. It is NOT dead or fixed-gear GMT function. Setting everything was not an issue, it all went smoothly.
Deviation: I have to wait a month in case the watch will "settle/deviate", as that sometimes happens but as of yet (3 days only) it does (impressive) +6ish sec a day.

Element and marker alignment: the bezel, markers, logos, hands, are all good. Rehaut is just a touch shifted clockwise, invisible to the naked eye, literally 0.5mm.

Crystal: really good and clear, IDK why but seems better than in U1 Sub - not sure here, just an impression. LEC not visible to the naked eye and not visible on most pictures where the light is diffused enough.
Cyclops: this is (a very well known, not Lena's fault) weakest point overall. While the material quality and application are fine, it produces a noticeable angular parallax depending on the angle of your eyes and light. If U1 improves that in their future iteration - everything will be spot on tbh.
Date wheel: font is fine, not as gen ofc, but at least it is not that weird fat font without serif which is sometimes used for reasons unknown.

Bracelet and SELs: I was surprised! It is totally fine. I heard many times to avoid U1 Jubilee bracelets but I wanted to try it. It is totally ok, however the finish is not as precise as the 2026 U1 updated Oyster. But there are no flaws here, it wears good. No eye-catching SELs gaps, no weird noises, clasp is good (no micro adjustment though) and solid.

A note regarding pictures: the feature/main one is slightly edited (sharpened, shadows reduced a little and vignette added). The rest - as they are.

Summary: A solid bang for your buck. I was positively surprised. The cyclops is the weakest point, when fixed - solid 5/5 for the price paid. Overall: 4.5/5.

>Disclaimer: I wasn't asked to post this particular review on the U1Time sub. The watch I received was a giveaway prize - I didn't pay for it. I also posted practically the same review on ChinaTime a few days ago.

Hi All,

Just a quick one. If I wanted to either buy or build a decent replica of the above... Where would I start? I found (completely off and not octagonal) Militado homages on Ali, which I could use for a fantasy model... But there may be a better choice... (?)

Hello all!

My lucky giveaway prize arrived! Big shoutout to Lena (and Mods) for letting it all happen. Kindest thanks. Link to the actual giveaway here.

TL;DR: An honest review, I wasn't asked for it (only politely asked by Lena to post the confirmation of the receipt, nothing else). The watch is really good with no significant flaws (just a few areas that could be improved). I will be wearing it daily. Considering the price, 4.5/5 to the watch; 5/5 to the service.

Now, a full review.

Gen model: GMT Master II on Jubilee bracelet in Oystersteel, 126710GRNR-0003
Rep price: watch was free; please check the guide to find Lena and check her catalogue, and prices. It is a U1 factory; obtainable for $100-$140 depending on listing and special offers.

Movement: 5833c - with the independent timezone, jump-set hour hand and bound jump-set date. It is NOT dead or fixed-gear GMT function. Setting everything was not an issue, it all went smoothly.
Deviation: I have to wait a month in case the watch will "settle/deviate", as that sometimes happens but as of yet (24hrs only) it did only (impressive) +6 sec and that's after full manual wind.

Element and marker alignment: the bezel, markers, logos, hands, are all good. Rehaut is just a touch shifted clockwise, invisible to the naked eye, literally 0.5mm.

Crystal: really good and clear, IDK why but seems better than in U1 Sub - not sure here, just an impression. LEC not visible to the naked eye and not visible on most pictures where the light is diffused enough.
Cyclops: this is (a very well known, not Lena's fault) weakest point overall. While the material quality and application are fine, it produces a noticeable angular parallax depending on the angle of your eyes and light. If U1 improves that in their future iteration - everything will be spot on tbh.
Date wheel: font is fine, not as gen ofc, but at least it is not that weird fat font without serif which is sometimes used for reasons unknown.

Bracelet and SELs: I was surprised! It is totally fine. I heard many times to avoid U1 Jubilee bracelets but I wanted to try it. It is totally ok, however the finish is not as precise as the 2026 U1 updated Oyster. But there are no flaws here, it wears good. No eye-catching SELs gaps, no weird noises, clasp is good (no micro adjustment though) and solid.

A note regarding pictures: the feature/main one is slightly edited (sharpened, shadows reduced a little and vignette added). The rest - as they are.

Summary: A solid bang for your buck. I was positively surprised. As we all know - the cyclops is the weakest point. Overall: 4.5/5.

Thank you, Lena!

The Paul Newman Daytona is one of those watches that, to me, genuinely deserves all the hype. There are plenty of watches that are expensive just because people decided they should be, but this one has so much character that it honestly is overwhelming for a watch freak. Completely unattainable for me, but if someone asked me what my grail watch is, that would be the answer without a second thought.

Christine Granville (born Polish: Krystyna Skarbek, 1908–1952) was one of the most accomplished Allied spies of the Second World War and one of the first women recruited by British intelligence.

She operated across occupied Europe, running intelligence routes through Poland, skiing across mountain borders, and carrying out missions that relied on nerve, improvisation, and deception. One of her most famous episodes involved her arrest by the Gestapo while she was reportedly carrying two live grenades concealed under her armpits; according to accounts, she used the situation to intimidate and scare off her captors rather than be searched or detained further. On another occasion, she convinced German authorities she was suffering from tuberculosis, contributing to her release despite the extreme risk she faced.

In 1944, having parachuted into southern France, she helped secure the release of several Allied agents, hours before their execution, from German custody by persuading a German officer to let them go using a mix of bluff, persuasion, and promises of money she did not actually have. She spoke 6 languages at a native level, was an expert skier, horse rider and marksman before the war even began.
She was the first agent who provided definitive photographic evidence confirming upcoming German invasion of Russia in 1941 (Operation Barbarossa).

She was awarded the George Medal, the OBE, and France’s Croix de Guerre.

After the war, she knew Ian Fleming socially, and there are strong suggestions they had a personal relationship; she is also widely believed to have influenced characters such as Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale. While the exact nature of their relationship is not fully documented, many biographical accounts consider a romantic involvement likely.

Despite her wartime record, she struggled after 1945 to find stable work, taking ordinary jobs including working as a waiter, switchboard operator, cleaner and an ocean liner stewardess. British intelligence never helped her secure passport or citizenship. She was stabbed from behind and murdered in a London hotel in 1952 by a rejected, delusional admirer she met one year earlier.

Her death certificate solely states she was "a former wife".

It took decades after her death for wider recognition to follow, with a blue plaque in London only installed many years later, long after her story had faded from public memory.

Long story short - I had a chance to open one of those, to regulate it a bit and lubricate here and there.

That's what's inside - not too bad I guess, considering the tier.

Also "SWITZERLADN" is fixed now.

Well, that's it. Just to post something different.

I ordered a 2813 Sub No Date a month ago.

It arrived in perfect condition. However, after a week of use I noticed that after setting time or manual winding it started to enter a stable or unstable amplitude randomly. Crown and stem began to behave clunky too.

It either ran really well (+- seconds a day) or was running mad fast (+ approx. 30sec each hour), or was stopping. Erratic startup and sudden bursts of gain persisted, I opened the watch and what I know from my experience - issue with the balance, it was failing to sustain oscillation and it was a little to wobbly/loose, in vertical plane. Finally - watch started to stop every 5-6 hours.

I told Jason, week after receiving a watch - he asked for a 24hr test with a video to show the issue. Once shared with him - he immediately said he'll replace the watch without bracelet, no questions asked and no need to return the broken watch.

If you see the card send with QC - I received a new watch, no fees, with a comment to the middleman/factory:

"Pearl movement, watch head only. Test it for one day and check the timing accuracy on a timegrapher. This is very important."

I also received a video of the watch itself with a picture of it on a timegrapher.

Honestly - I did not expect it. I am positively surprised.
Watch arrived today.

Jason! Thank you!

Well, basically that's it.

Source: Jason from DHGate.
Listing: Here, option 1.

His (new) WA number: +86 180 4287 9554

Price: Just under $105 shipped, with $5 May coupon.
Ordered April 29, shipped May 6, delivered to EU (no issues) May 15, via DHL e-commerce.

Technical bit: I do not post measurements, it is pointless.
Timegrapher (app): 21600bph, -8 seconds/day dial up, +7 to +3 crown down/up and real life test against internet time after being worn from 7AM to 11PM gives approx. +5ish sec/day over the last 5 days.

Overall look and feel - VERY GOOD, this thing is sleek.

Crystal - Sapphire, at least sticker says that. LEC - good news here - it is not visible as hell, as the older U1s where you could see it from a mile away. Sometimes even doesn't appear on the pictures. And seems less random/misaligned.
Rotor - I heard no rotor noise so far.
Print and font quality - very good.
Bezel - good, a little noisy - normal at this price point. Alignment is very good - on the last picture I am one click short.

Dial: Slight misalignment of 6hrs marker, but really visible when the whatch is not moving, dead on straight and with some magnification. I can live with it. Other than that - no misalignments/shifted crown and so on.
Lume - updated to super lume, strong as hell, I did not see such a good lume on some gen Citizen watches.

Setting time, winding - no issues.

NOW, MOST IMPORTANT:

This is a 2026 update of non-Miyota version - updated bezel, lume pip, bracelet, lume itself.

I cannot compare it to the previous model, but honestly - it looks better than what I've seen on the older 2025 posts here. Lume pip is not a ball anymore - there's a slight, but very gentle dome, but not a sphere. Also - SELs look quite decent.

I honestly couldn't believe what I got for that price. It feels premium, honestly, compared, to e.g., gen 5-years old Citizen quartz diver. First time I get a U1 watch so apologies if I am too enthusiastic.

Arrived in perfect condition, box looked untouched.

Contact with Jason - 5/5.
Watch itself - 5/5 for the price.

RECOMMENDED.

Source: Jason from DHGate.
Listing: Here, option 1.

His (new) WA number: +86 180 4287 9554

Price: Just under $105 shipped, with $5 May coupon.
Ordered April 29, shipped May 6, delivered to EU (no issues) May 15, via DHL e-commerce.

Technical bit: I do not post measurements, it is pointless.
Timegrapher (app): 21600bph, -8 seconds/day dial up, +7 to +3 crown down/up and real life test against internet time after being worn from 6AM to 6PM gives approx. 3ish sec/day. It is only 24 hours, so hard to tell how it will perform on average over the course of a week.

Overall look and feel - VERY GOOD, this thing is sleek.

Crystal - Sapphire, at least sticker says that. LEC - good news here - it is not visible as hell, as the older U1s where you could see it from a mile away. Sometimes even doesn't appear on the pictures.
Rotor - I heard no rotor noise so far.
Print and font quality - very good.
Bezel - good, a little noisy - normal at this price point. Alignment is very good - on the last picture I am one click short.

Dial: Slight misalignment of 6hrs marker, but really visible when the whatch is not moving, dead on straight and with some magnification. I can live with it. Other than that - no misalignments/shifted crown and so on.
Lume - strong as hell, I did not see such a good lume on some gen Citizen watches.

Setting time, winding - no issues.

NOW, MOST IMPORTANT:

This is a 2026 update of non-Miyota version - updated bezel, lume pip and lume itself.

I cannot compare it to the previous model, but honestly - it looks better than what I've seen on the older 2025 posts here. Lume pip is not a ball anymore - there's a slight, but very gentle dome, but not a sphere.

I honestly couldn't believe what I got for that price. It feels premium, honestly, compared, to e.g., gen 5-years old Citizen quartz diver. First time I get a U1 watch so apologies if I am too enthusiastic.

Arrived in perfect condition, box looked untouched.

Contact with Jason - 5/5.
Watch itself - 5/5 for the price.

RECOMMENDED.

So, 2-3 months ago I saw a guy in the airport cafeteria, he had this watch. From a few meters away I thought it is a Rolex, took a look and thought it was some homage (was surprisingly well finished though). I took a look while getting my drink and memorised wrong name as had only a second to look at it (read Insdorf (lol)). I couldn't find it and forgot about it until I saw the pic from eBay listing.

https://imhofwatches.com

Approx 2700 euro watch...
The vintage weather clock 650 euro...

Google summary says:
Imhof is a prestigious Swiss manufacturer known for its high-quality table, desk, and mantle clocks, often referred to as the "Rolls-Royce of clocks". Founded in 1888 by Frédéric Imhof, the firm originally focused on artistic dial making before his son, Arthur Imhof, expanded the business into full clock manufacturing in La Chaux-de-Fonds. 

Prestigious... But the website says:

Dial

Color: Ebony
Small second counter at ten o’clock
Luminescent material on dial: Superluminova

Such error?

Anyone knows who are they?

Jason had to change his WhApp number - please be careful and triple check everything on your own while ordering. Beware of scammers who may use this opportunity.

This is from his telegram group, I and another person at ChinaTime can confirm that it is legit - he wrote to us first and with the correct order details and addresses.
Still - double check on your own and update the number.

Just letting you know, please triple check before speaking with him as the reps guide section for him is not updated. As far as the telegram goes - it all seems legit, but check on your own. Lemmie know if you received this on his telegram too - I am mid-purchase with him.