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First impressions not good, dial too dark, bezel too light/red should be all over more bronze coloured. At least they got the changed case size right (who knows about the shape!).

I've spent more money than is reasonable on a couple of builds. But I don't plan to sell it. But other than the re-dial and the midcase/caseback, my big crown is all gen otherwise. A similar condition all gen 6538 would cost $100-300k (?). For me, that difference is worth it to have a "Franken" at a fraction of the cost. However, if one builds a more common 16610 and spends $3k for a gen dial/hands/cal 3135/xtal in a TC case, that doesn't make sense to me when you could buy used (gen) sub for $4.5k. However, most hobbies don't make economic sense. It's not about building and then flipping for a profit.

After my lovely 5500 Explorer build, here is my 6610 project almost completed. I'm not satisfied with my lume work, so I will make another dial later. Hands will be replaced too with nicer Clark's Tudor. But I'm please to wear it for the moment. jmb V2 6610 case kit with bubble back. Vintaged Raffles hours and minutes hands. Lollipop second hand unknown. True gilt glossy dial. Non hacking ETA 2824-2. [emoji632]

I know that it will have been asked before, probably numerous times in different guises: but, how much is too much to spend on a rep/franken before you decide to buy a sensibly priced gen instead? For me: I've a few frankens including some in build and have probably no more than £500/$750 in any one build. I see guys here investing several thousand in a vintage build or a überfranken, but really, are they worth it?

Faaaaaantastic build

"Tutone" Rolexes? Rolexes owned by Tommy Tutone? Only if the serial number is 8675309.

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super nice!

Rare Pam day. With Croc belly strap. More things to come.

This thing is gorgeous... Just ordered the same from Toro, i hope to get a true v6s !

Apple-Green Calf skin leather with a polished steel pre-v buckle. RGDS WKK The enemy of my enemy is my friend [emoji41]

This is a great piece! Sent from Hell

You've far surpassed what I was able to accomplish with decals! I bow before thee...

"Can a watch constructed outside of Rolex factory but with all genuine parts be called a genuine rolex?" I would say yes because it is all genuine. Like I have said before, there are probably thousands of these watches in circulation and I remember 20+ years ago when many 'big time dealers' would buy 10 or 20 similar genuine rolex watches at watch shows (mostly tutone DJ) and mix and match parts to put the best of the best together to sell at premium prices and watches in not as good condition were put together in descending levels of quality and sold at lower prices. This still goes on. Do not doubt it, just not tutones now. Where do a lot of the highest quality, high $$ 1016/5512/13/1680 etc come from? Many come from a stash of parts. Example: I have a nos 1570 movement and a couple nos tritium 1016 dial and hand sets plus nos crowns, case tubes, crystals, etc.. What is to keep me from putting it in a super fine case, claim it is 'like new' and sell it for a high price? Nothing really. It just never happened. "How much is too much?" I figure 'Frankensteins' are not much of a loss if: 1. You can do the work yourself and not pay out a lot of labor costs. 2. You can sell the watch on the forum for minimum or no loss. 3. The parts are worth close to what you have in the watch if you want to part it out. A 5512/13/1680 in a Yuki or MBK case, Yuki etc dial/hands with a 1520/60/70 (holding movement cost to around $1000), and a good bracelet is not a bad 'investment' for around $2000 for an everyday watch. It sure beats a genuine 5512/13/1680 etc with a ratty dial/hands, tired movement, rotted out case, and stretch-o-matic 'parts is parts' oyster bracelet for $7k or more.

Im glad it is an absolute v6s bezel, mate. Cheers More than 1 road to Rome...

I think it is too fu_king expensive!

I'm liking it- nice gloss and the correct OCC on the dial. Only other thing would be a little aging of dial and hands, case also.

Beautiful! Nice work with this. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Just came in the mail today back from the great Pratt.. VERY pleased... Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Wow what a collection A! You have good taste and good photography skills!

I've got a very similar watch, actually I've got two of the same watch. Here's a pic of one of them on the left Your dial is in better shape. Movement is the Valjoux 72 and I date the watches to the late 50s- possibly early 60s before the Carrerra with the V72 which came out in 1963. These watches are worth around $1000 on ebay, some sellers try to sell them for more but don't have much luck. I don't know which set of hands are earlier, yours or mine. They may be from the same time, or at least are very close timewise. Slay also has a similar watch but his is the V23 bi-compax. https://rwg.cc/topic/183103-can-someone-help-me-identifyfind-these-hands It would be worth getting yours serviced definitely.

Looks like my back yard lake, minus the pretty lady of course! Yes that's my back yard just got done mowing it!