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Hey Guys, I don't post much on the forums these days but felt that this one deserved a post. Or some pictures at the very least. I feel like I need to say that this build was probably the most difficult I have done in terms of almost every little thing fighting me. The project started a couple of years ago when I ordered the old style 5002 rep without a working power reserve. I then started the long search for genuine parts. I had found all of the parts that I needed and started to work on the old movement to use the genuine date wheel, when I was told to put the project on hold. There were rumors that the factories were working on a new movement with a working power reserve indicator. I waited a while for the dust to settle once they came out to see if the new movement was up to snuff. The initial results were very positive and I was ready to pull the trigger when I was told again to hold off. The factories were working on an "improved" V2 movement. I was fortunate to be a part of a group buy of LPP BP's and was finally getting a working power reserve movement and the project could once again proceed. One note I should mention is that the only difference I can find on any of the power reserve movements I have see is that some have the wheel in the automatic mechanism that winds the ratchet wheel fully jeweled, whereas other just have that wheel riding on a post. Jewels are always preferred in the long run but I wouldn't call the other movements bad at all. To my disappointment, The new movement would not work with the old style case. The stem position was not in the same place. I was going to use the new LPP case instead since the stem position matches the case tube position, but then I noticed that the LPP case lacks the strap bevels (for lack of a better term) on the back. I decided to tackle that hurdle later once things were further along. One good thing was that the old 5002 caseback fits the LPP case. Getting the hands to fit also took some work. Mainly the hour wheel. The rep hour wheel is about 1.35mm and the genuine hour hand is about 1.7mm. That was quite a difference and the only option I could see was to make a sleeve for the rep hour wheel to match the diameter of the hour wheel. Once that was done the other hands just needed minor adjusting. The date wheel was another hurdle and one of the most critical of the build in my opinion. The date wheel almost works with the movement as is but the quickset gear won't work with it. That left me with the option of using it as an overlay. The rep date wheel measured at .5mm and the genuine at.3mm. I needed to reduce the rep date wheel by .3mm so that it would be about the same height when I added the genuine date wheel on top. I didn't have a chuck for lathe that would work, so I had to make one. The case tube was another thing that needed to be addressed. The rep case tube was not compatible with the genuine crown. The genuine tube was too long to fit in the case so it had to be modded. The genuine tube must have been coated in something because the only graver that I had that would cut it was carbide. Once I got the case tube cut and fitted to the case I was trying out the crown when I noticed that the stem diameter was not the same. The rep stem had a thread of 1.2mm and the genuine crown accepted a .9mm stem. A stem converter made the stem too long, so I went searching. On a hunch, I decided to try an ETA 7750 stem. By luck, it worked. Now that everything seemed like it was going to work, it was time to tackle those case bevels. After a few trials I think that I got them close. They aren't 100% but looking at pics of the genuine article, it looks like the rep bevels aren't 100% either. I finally got everything together today and have to say that I am pretty happy with the way that it turned out. So, after a long time I would like to present my 5002. Build List: Genuine Dial Genuine Hour and Minute Hand Genuine Second Hand Genuine Power Reserve Hand Genuine Date Wheel Genuine Tube Genuine Crown LPP Case 5002 Caseback Genuine Brown Buffalo Strap Genuine Deployant Modded gen tube on the left and rep LPP tube on the right Genuine crown on the left and rep crown on the right Genuine crown on the right and rep crown on the left

Yes ofc there is a concern about having high grade replicated papers to go with a high grade rep. But i understand the charm with having a good set of papers aswell as having a good rep. Its kind of the same in my book and its up to each and everyone to be a honest goodguy and not trying to pass it off as a gen. As you mentioned there are gens being sold without papers and boxes which is almost the norm when it comes to vintage watches nowdays. So what would be the difference in having a super franken with or without papers if some one would want to sell it as a gen?

RGDS WKK The enemy of my enemy is my friend [emoji41]

I finally took the plunge [emoji632]

[emoji632]

Good initiative imajedi! My favorite sub for me today

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To Serpico or not, that is the question 1 lume plot damaged though... but can be fixed.

And so it happens that I was sitting down having coffee two nights back with a local friend and watch enthusiast, and who is also a member on both RWI and RWG. The conversation turned, after some perfunctory and bland comparisons of Rolex vs Panerai, Hublot vs AP, to the atmosphere of RWG. He cast me a snide glance and mentioned that RWG was where forum members go to retire, or after they become banned or ousted from RWI. We are, according to my loquacious pal, "too peaceful", and "too quiet", compared to the relatively rambunctious crowd at RWI, the conflicts between their moderators and wayward members, and the perpetual entertainment found at its brig section, where incarcerated members are bashed to a pulpy mess, revived, and the actions repeated to the amusement of the bystanders.. Ok I digress, but only a little. I told him, in the local lingo, that RWG is the home of extraordinary gentlemen. When I think of outstanding gentlemen that make up the community, stellar ones like @astonjenks, @panerai153, @Nanuq etc come to mind. Of course there are a lot more, but these are the ones I interact frequently with, sometimes over random salmon and moose pictures. The members here exude an unmistakable aura of poise, and many a times, money and watches are exchanged among us privately on the basis of mere unadorned words with not even a picture. And the watches and money invariably both arrive without fail, with unerring reliability. In the volatile world of superficial acquaintances and relationships, I do consider this level of trustworthiness among friends extraordinary, and superlatively valuable. Yes, you do not frequently witness exciting drama here, or the fuss and flurry of our neighbor forum, but here, we watch, listen and learn, more than shoot off our mouths like fireworks on the 4th of July. The quiet word can sometimes achieve more than the shouting and the banging on tables. We do not indulge in much vilification of members, or cast disparaging remarks on others for the slightest infractions, but we allow members to learn, and become contributors to the forums in their own rights. Yes we could be the sedentary river compared with the tumultuous torrents of exchange, and yes, we could be the placid lake with hardly any ripples. But hey, I am certain that RWG is what we like our own homes to be, metaphorically speaking. For those who crave the occasional action, it is always easy to hop out to the disco next door, where I concede to have the more exciting atmosphere. Knowledge, information and friendships are gained and forged in the undercurrents here, in steady and refined manners. We are not a pugnacious bunch, no, not even the outwardly tough but a softie at heart @nikki6 who is in a long term relationship with his infamous AP Marcus. Our strength lies in our dignity, and our ability to interact with one another with class and courtesy. Let us understand and embrace who we are, and the place that we have collectively crafted. I am also heartened to see stellar new members like @tango258 from some obscure, remote Island (which he has given up trying to sell me) join us, and of course, veteran dragons like migrating from next door, like @paristoto and @swdivad. We also have the skillful masters with the magic hands, like @SSTEEL, @misiekped, @Grimlocktime. They don't talk much, but they have saved a multitude of watches from death and breathed life and beautified several more, in their own ways. We have also the legendary collectors like @Daytona1984, @Waiwaiet. They like to let their collection speak for them. The people who matter, they are all here. You just need to know who to approach and what to ask. We are in a way like a uptown mall where the goods available are not openly on display. You just need to know where to look. There is of course the obligatory knitting lounge where pink yarns are handed out for the new guys. So Knitting circle? Yes maybe, but its a tight circle for sure. Home is where you come to have a tequila while looking at the sunset, while nibbling on slices of roast moose. (sorry for the moose reference, some member has been spamming me with moose pictures, alternatively as food and as cuddly animals, its disconcerting). So yes, kick off the shoes, and enjoy the pastures here. Take your time to explore and immerse yourself, and you will find delight and solace in the company of extraordinary gentlemen, and the wells of knowledge here. And welcome home.

could be a different case entirely. if you go to the watch floor in MBK you can find all sorts of vintage rolex fakes with average accuracy. dont pay the big bucks for an mbk case unless you know it's the same as before. the fact that it doesnt say polex may mean not. the cartel sub cases are also a very decent buy these days after they fixed the whole stubby CGs issue

[emoji632]