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I started this build about 5 years ago, and it's still not done. Started out with an idea...build a "close as I can get" Daytona. I found a NOS El Primero movement...seems like a good place to start. So that led me to getting Phong's case. Then I found a gen dial and hands...then a bezel...then gen pushers...you know the drill. I even found a genuine rotor to finish off the build nicely. I sent the lot of parts off to a watch builder (whom I can't locate anymore because I lost access to the email address that we'd conversed over) to put everything together for me. He came back with a laundry-list of gen parts that I'd need in order to make it work. "No problem...do it." 6 weeks later, I got the watch back with a note that said the case wasn't drilled correctly and the pushers wouldn't engage. This really aggravated me, but I figured that Phong would fix it for me. As expected, Phong offered to replace the case, just send it off to him. No problem! ...then I mis-placed the watch. Couldn't find it anywhere. Looked high and low...not in my safe, not in my watch box. GONE. I was [censored]. I had about $5,500 into the build. I was upset for a few months, but eventually got over it. Then, today happened. I found the watch. I'm packing to move and was digging through my "I never wear these sweaters" drawer, and there it was. Just sitting there looking at me. Wound it up, set the time, and it's ticking away. But it's still not working correctly. I'm positive that Phong won't replace the case now, as it's been 4.5y since we talked about it, and I don't have that email address to go back to him. I opened the back up, and can click the chronograph pushers from the inside. They click, but do nothing. It doesn't engage the second hand, or either of the other 2 hands. So now I'm in the hunt for a talented watchmaker that could work on this for me. Hopefully, they can fix the movement and make the pushers work somehow. I don't know...I'm happy, but now frustrated again. Here are a few pics I took when I had it on the old bench a few min ago. Any ideas?

That HR case is so thick.... It's definitely better after a little diet! The bezel was carved too to reach a closer profile to genuine. A swiss T39 was shaved and repolished to recreate the same side profile as the stock HR sapphire and so be pressed fit WITHOUT GLUE in place. A clean and tidy build, as the bezel insert was shaved thinner for it be be clipped in as well. No glue here ! All clean and dry fitted.

682 arrived today! Thanks Sead!

I finally contacted the seller and he said: "It is an invisible said pump(spring bar), that assures(insures) the retention between the sel and the link" Well, it is something strange indeed, but it's common from what he said

088 on viet alligator strap Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

Really not sure about this one. I enjoyed trying it on at the local AP store a couple of years ago. Now it just seems like it fades into the ether. As if it has no voice or personality, or perhaps genuine originality. Maybe it's my sorta disdain for AP these days... Trends, clichés, fashion, new money... Yes the design is historic. Yes AP has a great story But like most things in this reality, money can buy you an AP or some other pedigree bespoke watch... But money cannot buy experience, patina, integrity, blah blah .... My rant is silly. Suffice it to say, I'd rather drive my air-cooled bat out of hell with all the right things wrong than drive a 2018 that any player with a big bank account can just go out and purchase. This watch belongs to which kind of mindset? I'm confused now! I guess that's what Hublot is for! To neuter the thirst for something original! The ups and downs of this hobby for 3 decades perhaps has got me twisted today!

Beautiful watch! I have an HR as well and this motivates me to shave some off! Great job! Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Look what showed up today:

Amazing watch! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another today...

Totally Tropical Taste...

Love the watch, LOVE The texture of the dial and the black band. What size is the watch? im guessing its 42-44mm if so its too big for me. But Its a SWEET WATCH!!!!

Thanks. Might go with this from gunny