Leaderboard

A week in Key West with the Bronzo! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A few years ago I ran across a gold 118208 with the white dial- it was on ebay for a low price- maybe $11.9K- can't remember, but it caught my eye. It looked nice but it appeared the oyster band was slightly stretched. At any rate, I wasn't ready to buy. I had built an 1803 from parts- a 1556 movement with a redone dial in a phong modified 16000 case I called it the Sportman's DD, since it was an ss case and bracelet. I wear it as a semi-beater and it's done well. But alas, I signed a big O&G lease this year- I'm not an O&G guy- I just have some property from my grandfather- and with a windfall I decided to cut loose. I found a nice 118208 which turned out to be in very nice shape and I bought it I got a good deal on it and the pleasant surprise was that it was in almost mint condition. So then the next thing I did was set out to build a rep of it to wear around- save some wear and tear on the gen. So I went to MMM and told him what I wanted. I had a decent 118238 case, but it got screwed up by USPS in shipping, but luckily the old Swiss eta movement survived. Matt got me a gen DD white dial with gold sticks and put it in a DJ 116208 case, I put the old YM oyster bracelet on it and it look pretty good. But it wasn't what I really wanted. So I went to Andrew/Trusty Time and ordered a 118208 which had a gold stick dial and told him that I wanted that watch with a white stick dial. A few days later he came back and said the factory didn't have that dial. So I asked for the watch with the white lume dial. He was able to get that dial so I went with it So my plan at that point was to swap dial/movement and end up with a nice 118208 rep and another 118208 so so watch. The gen dial/swiss 2836-2 fit in the Trusty case/ bracelet and it's on the right in this photo. The oyster bracelets are nice- clasp on the rep isn't gen spec but I hope it holds up One last note- rep gold is as good color-wise as the gen- please forgive my photo talents- any variations are due to my picture taking. The Trusty dial ended up in the MMM Dj case and it looks like a good beater or I may sell it to recoup a few dollars.... But all in all, it's nice to have a gen and a few reps to help keep the wear and tear off the gen!

Whilst running the risk of hijacking my own thread the C124 is without doubt the greatest car ever made

OK Chaps. Update. I have been wearing the watch and just being careful not to knock it on anything and all was well. The bezel was loose but did need some pressure to remove it so I thought what the hell, I'm going to wear it. Yes, you've guessed it, this morning I was cleaning one of my other favourite objects - my Mercedes 300CE : and when I returned to my domicile I glanced at the time and lo the bezel was missing. Aargh. I searched but it was nowhere to be seen. So, to the watch drawer I went and decided to steal a bezel assembly off a later generation MBW 5513 that I had lying around and see if it fitted. Snap off and snap on it went so then I really got adventurous and found an old faded de-pearled insert from an early MBW 1665 which I glued into the 5513 bezel (coz I like the wabi-sabi look) and here is the result: Derisory comments and laughter welcomed

Putain Bart !!! Your builds are killing me

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G928F met Tapatalk

Slay build, 5513 gilt dial. 1:1 Means F***s Sake ;-)

I noticed "FS" on the cuff. Does that mean it's for sale?

Sure their is a Chase about they are Ok , I've had them many years and hello mate long time no talk..............

Hi friends, I need help, I've got a bezel and original Rolex 116610 insert. And I'm trying to adapt it to my Noob but it does not fit, I need your knowledge to see if I can do it or I can not ... best regards

A pleasure to read helpful post's like this. We done folks. Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

Just the MOST important part , the heart!

Bart I need one of your watches dude lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can't you buy a bezel assembly from phong? My 1665 has it. It was $350 I think. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome to Texas! I'm in Houston as well. I really haven't tried any new banks here since I've moved here recently too but still am using Chase and Wells Fargo and they are both present here

Welcome to Texas. I use USAA. Online mostly but need military affiliation. I banked with Bank of America prior. Not too bad there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Always glad to help a member

Before I share the watch details and the story here is the specs and two pics: - gen dial - gen tachy - gen hands full set - gen midcase - gen bezel and bezel screws - gen 3126/3840 movement - gen crown and pushers - gen gaskets and seals - gen crystal - gen H series caseback - gen hornback straps - gen clasp Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Q: "If I were to wear the above 2 clones on a daily basis, how long do you think they would last?" A: "...both can die within days." "The problem is you can't easily source parts, so if it dies you need to replace the whole movement." Good answer. My take on this subject is: No matter what the movement looks like, if it is not reliable and there are no parts available...what good is it? (not much imho) No one can see through the case anyway. I would rather have a reliable swisseta ticking away for years. If and when it needs parts, they are cheap and easy to find, plus anyone who can fix an average watch can work on one. Even me. One other problem with rolexclones (not eta base) is when you finally give up on one, an eta is not a drop in replacement...the dial feet, hands, dwo etc will not work on an eta. For this reason an etaclone may be a good/better choice first time around because when it quits, you can remove it, stomp it flat, and replace it with a swisseta. Just be sure to stomp it flat. Stomp? City Boys might need to look it up...

If I only had 2 grand in my bank account and didn't want to wear a watch too far outside of my social class, I would purchase a Tudor Black Bay ZF V4 Rep for ~$300 from InTime. I would then promptly thank my lucky stars that I still had $1700 in savings and be grateful for such a kickass Rep.

I have a spare genuine rolex retaining ring that is required for that bezel. Also wholesaleoutlet sells the correct gasket and works flawlessly.. I'm happy to sell it to you. Let me know. That will solve your problem Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

An oldie but a goodie...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You need to mod the noob crystal retaining ring to use gen bezel Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not so sure The Zigmeister would approve of me fixing one of his great creations with sticky tape but I might do this until the proper parts arrive. Will have to buy some of the clear tape fist.

1966 always looks good on my wrist [emoji4] Highly recommend!

Truly art, Bart! I feel like I'm close to looking for a good printer to give it a shot myself...though I know it would be a far cry from you work, it's inspiring to see what you're able to achieve.

New dial today [emoji632]

@Limer heat only ? I already tried in oven with some expresso

@dbane883 Tonny make a very fair price for tube & crown. Thank you for your informed opinion. Lug chamfers are not as good as yours but I'm satisfied enough. @mir36 He had a nice complete 6538 with 1030 movement, gen hands, repainted dial, and rep rivet bracelet (maybe Yuki) to sell. he offered his own initiative to separate and sell me case and crown [emoji1303] [emoji632]