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GREAT NEWS!! I found it!! Apparently I took it off and put it in my glove compartment, which is very deep and an odd thing for me to do. Our trip was by car since it was fairly close, so i must of removed it during my weird fade in/out sleepiness I get on road trips. I wasn't driving at the moment btw

This one took a bit longer to complete than I wanted it to, but it's always like Christmas when a build gets finished and it finally shows up on your doorstep .... The journey to a 1016 started out as an accident ... I know, don't they all? For those of you that have been around a bit, you already know my first franken build was a DateJust, specifically a 16014 (that build thread is here: http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/152469-franken-datejust-journey-finally-complete/). The difficult part of that build for me was finding the genuine white gold gold bezel. The first case set I purchased didn't have one, and gold prices were sky high at the time so you couldn't get a real gold bezel without spending a lot of money. I managed to find a gold bezel at a great price ... and as luck would have it, it was still attached to a 16014 case! Happy accident, but what to do with the extra case? My first thought was to build another DateJust, since I also had an engine turned bezel and a linen dial. Figured I could just sell it off when I was done, as I surely didn't need two (I know KBH would disagree). And then I came across LHOOQ's threads on the 1016. For those of you considering a 1016 build, start with those (http://www.rwgforum.net/blog/9/entry-27-the-repository-of-threads/). A world of information can be found there, and he's very helpful via PM as well. I also spent a lot of additional time researching, and found threads like 1680's (http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/167880-the-built-of-my-franken-rolex-explorer-i-ref-1016/), and Ubi's (http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/128495-understated-and-basic-project-1016-wrap-up/). I'm sure I've forgotten all of the helpful posts I read, but there is some amazing information out there for these builds. Needless to say, I was hooked, so away I went. For me, the toughest part of the parts collection process was picking a good dial without spending a fortune. I wanted a matte dial (not gilt). Finding a good one without spending an arm and a leg was difficult. I loved the ingod44 SpaceDweller dial (http://www.ingod44.com/rolex-explorer-i-1016-space-dweller/), but didn't want a SpaceDweller. Loved the ND Trading Patina dial (http://ndtradingcorp.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=402) but it was pricey and set up for a gen movement. Even tried the guy on eBay that has them from time to time (mahonig1?). Long and short of it was I just couldn't find a dial that hit the sweet spot of quality vs price. Then along came Whoopy with his vintage dial project (http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/162375-whoops-custom-vintage-rolex-dials/), and I thought I had found a good alternative without breaking the bank. There is really no other choice for the bezel but getting one JMB's masterpieces. I found an amazingly good deal on a gen service T-22 (after buying a Clark's). Short-term, I decided on Mary's surprisingly good 7836, with WSO 580 endlinks (these fit better than the 455b's I also bought) and the Fasci (aka "Aussie") 23-9293 springbars (http://stores.ebay.com/FASCI-STAINLESS-STEEL-WATCH-GEAR?_trksid=p2047675.l2563). TC's Submariner hand set (http://blog.tc-sub.com/2012/05/tc-parts-list.html), and an ETA 2846 from a donor watch round out the parts list. BTW, if anyone is looking for a 2846, it seems they are all over in the Philippeans. I picked up two donor watches on eBay, and nearly every one I saw while bidding came from there. So to recap, here's the build list: Gen 16014 case, caseback, crown, tube Gen Tropic 22 crystal Whoopy 1016 Dial JMB Custom Bezel Mary's 7836 bracelet WSO 580 End Links Fasci 23-9293 springbars ETA 2846 TC Submariner Hands Raffles-time #2 movement ring And off to PBdad it went. I had PBdad do the following: Relume the dial and hands with an aged patina mix Pull the movment from the donor and service it Drill the lugs for the 2mm springbars Assemble the watch One thing to mention with regards to PBdad's work. Be patient if you are having a movement serviced. PBdad doesn't do the service himself so you are at the mercy of his watchsmith. It took a long time for my 2846 service work to get done. PBdad apologized profusely for it, and the rest of the work he did got finished quickly and of course his quality is excellent. A QC picture came within days of him getting the movement back: And the watch arrived a couple of days later. I couldn't be happier with the result. Some quick camera phone shots ... And, of course, the obligatory wristy ... Better pics to come later, time permitting. I think I will continue to search for a gen bracelet, and of course if an affordable gen dial happens to come along, that's always an option. I'm happy where it stands so far, so it's off to finishing the 5514 ... and then the 6265. Thanks to LHOOQ, JMB, Whoopy, PBdad and everyone else that shared experiences for all the help!

Found this on Watch Collecting Lifestyle, thought you guys might be interested Article: http://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/experience-gmt-bezel-type-bracelet-the-latest-trend-on-instagram-available-here

What else just picked her up, the TC V6 sub lurrvvllyy

Altho he has been in business for years, his web site is recent. It does not even show 10% of the things he sells, yet. Tell him what you want, and he will forward pictures.

Wow... You like scratches

I'm in the middle of renovating my new place, middle of replacing the kitchen atm, no time for pics but I will post some before and afters when it's done!

Still...

Having coffee on my deck................. yes this is New Jersey! One more of these the house reflection is perfect with the naked eye.

6538

Sweet you got it. Congrats man.. It's worth the wait. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

You guys are killing me with the GMT shots....case on the way to Rolex Addict, gen dial in background on the way to cwazy for Lume. Few more weeks and she'll be completed. In the meantime this just arrived from Matt. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Bronzo day two..... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Oh yeah, my mistake, think I'd had a couple of jars when I wrote that... Duh.

I was expecting a few more weeks wait but the postman just delivered my TC v6 Sub. Looking at my email TC only confirmed receipt of the funds on 21st May. In TC's mail he had said 30 days but I'd dismissed this as everyone else seemed to be waiting 8 weeks or more. It was extremely well packed, dispatched from the UK and just feels and looks fantastic. The only minor gripe is the clasp has a couple of tool scratches near the holes the springbars go into. Not overly worried about that as my two other rolex bracelets also have similar marks made where I have slipped too. Anyway all adjusted now on my wrist now so I just need to decide whether to go the gen insert route.

does this help?

So how did Rolex make these? They pad-printed black and everything leaving just the text plain and unpainted? How did they get the silver/white gilt then? (not accusing, just really curious...) For all this time, I assumed the gilt was what was pad-printed onto the already black-lacquered dial.

I found this Forum a few months back, and have really enjoyed reading, and leaning many things about so many different watches. I have been an avid collector, and dealer of Gen watches for years, but I have learned more in the last few months on this forum than the last 2 years dealing with Gens. I have also met a few friends along the way. My quest for a Franken DSSD started this summer when I ran across Blue Rocket's PB Franken DSSD Thread. I had no idea who Pbdad was at that time, but I knew I would be sending a watch to him to receive the Gen Bezel Assembly & Dial makeover. A few days after reading about Blue Rocket's watch, I ran across a BK DSSD in the sales section here on this forum. I didnt even haggle over the price, I just bought it as fast as I could. I had seen a few pop up that were literally "gone in 60 seconds" so I knew I had to act fast! I sent the watch to PB in October with the intentions of having him work on the AR, Dial, Movement, and WR while I was sourcing a Gen Bezel Assembly. In early November I found a Gen Bezel Assembly, and sent it overnight to PB. The rest is history... I am in the process of sourcing a Gen Bracelet and Clasp for the watch. IMO, this watch deserves so much more than the Rep Bracelet. Construction-wise its fine, but it has many tells - Cornette on the clasp, Link Screws, SEL Fitment, etc. In the mean time, I purchased a black Rubber B Strap. I have grown to love Rubber Straps on my AP's, and Pam's so I figured, Why not on a Rolex? The fit and feel are amazing, and it looks pretty good too! Thanks for reading, now on to the pics! Gen DSSD I recently Sold (For Comparison) Back to the Franken: Amazing Gen-LIke Lume - Look how well he matches the color of the Gen Pearl Lume! Thanks for Looking!

Well folex it depends on how far your willing to go. I've got $1500 or so in my DSSD. I dont think dial, crystal, or crown is necessary. Mainly the bezel insert was always the dead giveaway. I've got gen polish job and PB DAD works with gen insert and luv it! Very passable next to gen.

Not one from the cheap seats!

Magnificient review. This is my last watch, and after reading review i'm happier with it. Regards.