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I think it depends on what you want. I'm sure it matters what model you want but generally speaking.... I see nothing wrong with using Cartel cases and paying gifted and experienced people to hand shape them. It's way more economical to me. But someone has a lot of cash and want a case that takes gen. Specific movements then I can see why the Phongs and other crazy expensive cases are worth it too. I'm still amazed that the outdated or patent ended old Rolex or Tudor cases are not officially made by third parties. It sure would simplify things.

New BP classic SD... not bad

I will say that 99% of the time the headache and time you save over finding the parts, putting it together, not fitting and finding new parts etc - is totally worth the extra $ spent. In some cases I've seen people pay more than what they would a completed watch built by phong or anyone else. Not all the time but for most people it makes more sense to buy a completed watch. For the more experienced members with tools (expensive) and knowledge then building their own is the obvious choice.

A classic from a bygone era... From Eddie Lee!!! Zig installed an OEM 7750 mov't, OEM day/date wheels and superlumed the hands and markers... Taka AR crystal installed... Got this from EL's first batch, when it was fresh out the oven. When was this guys? 2006? I still wear this a few times a week. I have no idea why, but there are no scratches or dings, it still looks new!

"I'm currently thinking about buying Phong's complete 7016..." If 'complete' = a running watch, I wonder if the case is the same high grade case as their $1000+ empty 7016 cases? My guess is No. I do not know prices on the complete watches ($1100?) but do know approximately how much the empty cases go for. "Probably as good as it gets with an $1100 budget." My one tudor submariner project stalled out about 10 or 12 years ago after I gathered up a used genuine tudor dial (I have forgotten the case reference number it is for) along with a replica tudor case back and an Abay case that will accept a genspec crystal etc but never finished it. Up to that point I had about $250 in it but it still needed a movement, hands, crystal, bezel kit, case tube/crown/gaskets so $1100 for a finished watch is not too bad. .

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I have both his 7016 and 7021 cases and they are perhaps the best aftermarket case for the vintage Tudor out there. Phong typically uses ETA 2789 movements which are the last iteration of the 2784 that Tudor originally used in the 9401 and 9411. The later 7016 used a 2783 which was the 2784 with no date. The place where I feel Phong could improve is in the area of his handset and dial. The hands are out of proportion when compared to gen. Hour and minute hands too fat and the second hand diamond falls in the wrong place. Tail of the second hand is also tapered out too wide in the back. Remember that Tudor offered three dial versions during the life of the 7016. Pre 1968 the rose dial like the 7928 was available and later the shild dial with roung indices and also the snowflake. This really opens up your available options when searching for a gen dial. (They are becoming rare) The dial is nice enough but this case calls for a gen dial or at least a MQ for sure. Add to that a set of onlinestorehk hands, gen 703, gen T19, gen insert, gen bracelet and you have a real winner! In the end you will still have half the cost of buying a gen in the watch. So considering all the above would I buy the Phong? Yes! I have two of them and if there was a third vintage Tudor I had an urge to build I would buy another. Here are a few pics of my 7021 build which is the same case but with 7021 engraving. The bezel is the Clark watch parts bezel. Dail, crown, 93150 bracelet and endlinks are gen. 2784 movement sourced as NOS and serviced by Misekped. Cost to reproduce $2500-3000. (Depends greatly on dial and phong case cost) I guess I could have just said buy one you will love it! (Bit I feel there are too many nondescript posts these days) Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

A strong plus one on that.

Excuse me are you two discussing niceties in a thread that our admin has specifically asked not to post to? God it's hard to find good help these days. Ken

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Getting a nice patina in this big boy!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Flyback Tuesdays with Valjoux Cal. 230 flyback mov't

Wow what a nice watch and combo bro! Enjoy it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok, I admit I've been holding back. But it's worth the effort to make the trek to the watch fortress high in the cliffs above the house to retrieve my crown jewel for this thread. She rarely sees the light of day, but.... some things are worth it. This was a long time coming, and it was pure luck that landed this all-gen beauty on the shores of Chez Nanuq. So without further ado, I give you... .....the Miguel

Just reading this thread now, so sorry you got scammed Sbybbuser, especially from a long standing member who has obviously turned into an asshole I always shut off pms and cut off any knobs or scammers when I hear about them so I was surprised to see his status as is when i looked, mods can we hit the ban button and show members why too in his signature maybe! I really hate scammers scum off the earth in this hobby !

After dabbling in oversized monstrosities for a few days I'm back to the size God intended ... 37mm

And here I am with exactly the same dilemma. . Been saying over and over that I would never ever wear a Panerai or Breitling. At least one part is now true.

I bought it 4 years ago ... Tell him you are looking for a "aftermarket" Bakelite bezel for 6263 ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hah! I think you may be right!