fyi i started collecting vintage watches last year. i bid on the fake you identified on your post dated 01/21/05. decided not to pursue because the seller could not answer questions to my satisfaction. i did not know the watch was fake and was lucky, and i repeat lucky, to dodge that bullet. i guess i have a lot to learn about lecoultre! can you recommend any reference books? thanks for your help....also, how can i become a registered user at this forum? the link via "getting started" was out of commission.