the morning ebay search for pre-TAG Heuers showed some stopwatches, booklets, dials, embroidered patches, back-plates, a couple of fakes and one miserable looking Calculator, but not a single "correct" Heuer chronograph. So where have all the Heuers gone? Why nothing listed on ebay?

Possible explanations might include:

• people getting sick of the whole ebay selling experience . . . too many crooks and scams?

• Fed's recent easing of interest rates calms concerns about recession, so people will hold onto their old Heuers?

• Sellers awaiting the updated Vintage Heuer Price Guide, to see appropriate BuyItNow prices?

• Sellers awaiting Chuck's Flea Market, and holding back on all the good stuff?

• It's all been sold -- after eight to 10 years of ebay, all the old chronographs from grandpa's sock drawer have been discovered and sold?