One of the question new members ask most often is, 'how long do these reps last?' It is a legitimate question - you send cash off somewhere via an unknown payment portal, then wonder if that dealer will send anything, will it make it through customs and then, after all that, how long do the things last? Will I spend my hard earned on something that will break after a month? I noticed the other day that I have been a member on here for a decade. I joined as member 3373 in May 2010. It was a very different place back then, dealers in the shoutbox, flame fests and some of the most interesting characters were around every day. They seemed to know each other and it was fun to be a fly on the wall, have a laugh at the banter and learn about watches. I knew nooooothing! Confession time: I haven't sold any of my watches over that decade. Some I have given away, some have died and been flung in the recycling bin but most are still with me.  I thought I would put this together as my experience at the end of the decade. I grabbed a few of the watches I bought early on- say 9 plus years ago- took some pics and dredged up memories. The Mystery Shopper collection was added to the 'my collection' section in June 2011- link here. Good old photobucket have plastered their logo ever everything but you get the idea. Here are some of the same watches today!     Back: Pam 217, Pam 339, FM Crazy Hours, Chanel J12, Rolex ladies DJ (Mrs MS wears the last 3) Middle: RWG watch, Seiko GMT, Omega Moonie 40th, Rolex 1680, Rolex DSSD, Breitling SOSF, Pam 168 Regatta (Mrs MS), Hublot Tempest. Front: Omega QOS, Squale, UBoat, Squale 36mm, Rolex Sub Ceramic, Seiko Padi, AP Roo, Breitling Abyss, PP Aquanaut, AP Black Themes.   Most of these have had no issues. Some that have I'll detail now. Panerai 217 Destro and Panerai 339 The only issues with these were caused by me! Both still work flawlessly and it was fun to experiment with straps. The 339 has a strap from Timebandit (thanks Uwe) and the 217 ammo strap is from Bob Bean. I don't keep these in the watch box (and I don't bother to turn the motors on- it is just a box)- they are kept in a drawer. Once I threw my keys in the draw when tidying up and smashed the glass on the 217 face (and scratched the case near 6). It was fixed by a friend in Queensland. Haven't serviced them either- I just set and wind when I want to wear them (mechanical watches).   Omega Qantum of Solace Quartz This is a quartz watch so it ticks and runs by a battery. I like the hobnail dial (007's gun handle) and the etching on the glass. The chronos are for show! It has a black coating over the watch which has worn on the caseback but the band is OK. I change the battery every couple of years and have worn it for a few days every month with no other problems. Rolex Submariner Ceramic & Omega Speedmaster 40th anniversary The sub is probably my most worn rep of all. Don't ask me what model it is coz it is old! After a couple of years the powder in the lume dried and flaked on the dial. I sent it to Goin in Malaysia or Singapore who serviced and re-lumed the dial. That is a long process and I wouldn't go through it again. Now I either have the watch fixed locally or throw it out- calling it a cheap fake watch as I do so . Later the pearl fell off, between gym sessions, Kenny sent me another & I snapped it in place. Just after that, I broke it again. This has been my most common issue- NEVER adjust the date on a mechanical watch when either the hour or minute hands are anywhere near the o'clock position. I stuffed the date change at midnight by bending a pin (It changed at 8pm)- but luckily my local watchsmith (who services my gens) sourced the part and fixed it. The Speedy is a quartz model so it just needs a battery change every couple of years. This one is nearly 10 years old. The band was a little hard to add extra links to, the bezel decal fell off & had be superglued back on. Apart from that I have had zero issues.   Rolex 1680 (Red Sub) This is a vintage sub and I knew I wanted one as a friend already had one. Many people buy these and then complain because the band links are light and not what they expected. They expected wrong because you have to do your homework people!! This is another where I have fucked up the date change- it doesn't turn over at all but I can set it manually. I'll get it fixed one of these days. Any scratches I just leave as it adds to the vintage feel. Chanel J12 One of Mrs MS's favorites that is sadly in a state of disrepair. It always had a 'sensitive' crown and you had to have the crown in just the right position to adjust the time. She said it became more and more difficult so she has given up on it. It has sat in the cupboard for a couple of years now. I'm in 2 minds of fixing it or buying her the gen as they aren't that expensive. PP Aquanaut Ceramic case, rubber strap & the back can be seen next to the 1680 above. Yes- I fucked the date adjust as well and had to have this fixed. I used to wear this to my girl's softball practice and it has given me no problems. This one is 8 years plus old. The 2 APs are quartz as well and both need new batteries. I have gone off wearing them so have put that job on the back burner. The Hublot has never missed a beat and is probably one of the best made reps I own. The Abyss likewise although the strap is staring to wear after 8 years!    So noobs, jump in when you are ready! You came to the right place if you wish to purchase a rep. As you have read, they do last for a while and you are likely to obtain years of enjoyment from them (unless you are like 90% of the forum and sell them M2M after 2 months).