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For any vintage Rolex sport watch collector, I believe there are 2 essential watches that should be part of the collection, a meters-first 5513 and its older brother; the venerable 6538 big crown. Having already built my 5513 grail some time ago, I finally committed myself to begin and finish a big crown project that I can enjoy for years to come. First and foremost, I wanted the right dial. The gilt dial i chose was made by the Chuck Norris of dial makers who might be one of 2-3 people left on earth who can make gilt dials in the traditional way using genuine 1030 plates. Movement is a gen 1030 as is the tube and crown. The mid case was a challenge. I finally decided that the Phong case would work best for me, but it's hit and miss what phong delivers you these days. I have dealt with him numerous times in the past couple of years, and it seems that the quality control is not what it used to be. As such, the case required a relatively high degree of reshaping to get it where I wanted. In fact, I had to completely recut the bevels...this is no easy task. The look I was going for was a slightly aged case that looks like it was worn sparingly over the past few decades. While I could have gone for a more weathered dial, I wanted to enjoy the gilt goodness in all its lovely glory. Perhaps down the road I will replace it with a more age-appropriate one, but for now, I enjoy as is. I had a small issue with the sweep hand and the movement which was above my pay grade to fix. My watch smith rectified the issue and I finally got it all together today. In no particular order, I would like make a special thanks to @lionsandtigers, @cc33 and @Nanuq for their input/advice along the way. Specs: Dial/hands: He who will not be mentioned Movement: Gen 1030 midcase/caseback: Phongster Tube: Gen 800-0 Crown: Gen 8mm Brevet Crystal: Gen Tropic 17 superdome Bezel: Minh Quy Bezel insert: Gen "long 5" insert.. still looking for a matching tritium pearl Bracelet: Gen 7206 with 80 endlinks Gen 2mm springbars Now onto the pics: Very difficult to capture, but the gilt and the cellulose lacquer shimmer as it catches the sunlight: Sitting beside it's younger relative: Obligatory wristshot: And on Bulang leather: All photos taken with my iphone 6+ and unedited.

Arrived today!

5517 today

Fresh from the post office and Ryan, this morning! AP Shumi is absolutely stunning!

The seller stated that the clasp blade was a 78350 which is from a non flip lock 19mm bracelet. This is a bracelet made from parts, and while it may be in good shape, and function properly, it's not correct. It's all Rolex, but it's a franken, and consequently not worth as much as a correct 93150. Bracelets like this are not as uncommon as you would think. Folks buy a Rolex watch, years later something on the bracelet wears out or breaks, they take it to their local Rolex watchmaker, the watchmaker has a lot of old parts, and he uses what's available and fits. Owner gets his watch back, bracelet is fixed, and the owner doesn't care a bit that the numbers don't match. I bought a 16750 about 10 years ago, from 1986. It came with and incorrect clasp from a Jubilee, rather than the correct 78360 clasp. I'm sure in the first 15+ years of it's life, something happened to the clasp and it was replaced with the jubilee clasp. Probably wasn't a problem to the first owner, but I wanted it correct and I searched for a long time before I found a correct year clasp. Lesson learned, you may get a bargain in the beginning, but to make it right you will end up paying more than you would for a correct one to start with. In my case, I got the watch for a good deal, so it worked out, but in the case of this Ebay bracelet, it's always going to be incorrect until you spend more money to get it right.

Sorry, but that is not the super Avenger Blacksteel GEN..... Here is a photo of it:

Wore the SA Blacksteel today....... It's a great piece (MO of course!)....

Wow I was allowed to wear it once and yes happy wife happy life Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk from Mars

Wow, I'm really flattered to read such kind words !!! Thank you very much, that pushes me to make better next time !!!

+1

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The old one looks like a classic Submariner. 16610 was the last one of its ilk. The new one is just a bloated, boring and soulless piece. Absolutely NOTHING desirable in the new fat Sub to me.

Gentlemen I have not been a member here long. I hope it would not be out of place to ask. Would the admin/mods consider turning this thread into a sticky? Reading this really touches me deeply and is a testament to this forum and I believe sticky would stand as a small memorial to our brother Cats. I like to think his son may stumble upon it one day! Best Paul

I got a handy for free, morning of New Years Day. What can I say? I was tired.

When I first set eyes on the classic lines of the IWC 3714, I knew at that very moment it was the grail piece for me. The size of the timepiece strikes the balance of being

I would like to see this as well.