Leaderboard

Hi Pete, you're touching on a very common topic with this... what do we do when the supply of NOS genuine parts runs out? I've got a 6536/1 Submariner from 1958 and spent many years sourcing the pieces to put it back to as-new condition (plus a lot of accumulated wear). My original bezel was so worn, there was NO lip remaining to hold an insert. I started the search and finally found a genuine NOS bezel, and paid dearly for it... and discovered the hard way that it fit the 6538, with a different diameter. I sold it on (someone got a screaming deal) and kept looking for a genuine 6536/1 part. I have yet to find one. But I did find several aftermarket bezels that ranged from terrible to pretty darn good. So I kept the best one, an extremely generous friend sent me a vintage fat fonts insert, and voila' the Sub was reborn. To my eye it looks exactly like the genuine piece, so I'm happy. Now the question: what will the boys on TRF and VRF say when their vintage bezels pop off (they are soft metal and they do get loose) and they're unable to find a replacement? Now, they look down their long nose and sniff at "replica" watches that have one aftermarket part. What will their song be when their favorite vintage piece loses its bezel? Will it become an unwearable paperweight, or will they follow the path I did? At what price are we willing to accept that good aftermarket parts are just as good as genuine? And so here we are at good old RWG. We're willing to accept gens, frankens and nasty cheap $100 replicas. In the end these are just wrist watches. It's the meaning our hearts give them, that make them valuable. Do some searching for threads by freddy333 and cc33 about bezels. They've posted some high def photos showing the pieces available from different suppliers. Suppliers and factories do change though, so you may be starting from scratch. You also might try contacting Mary, she has her own parts subforum here. She is amazing... tell her exactly what you want and chances are she can find one for you. Be kind and gentle with her, she's a treasure. Good luck!

My watch has been modded this week by Tripdog. Maybe he can help you out. The two pictures with the watch on the leather strap are before modding, the other pictures I received yesterday from Tripdog. Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G960F met Tapatalk

Gerald Genta Collection~

Hi folks, I'm a newbie here so apologies if this is a thread that has been exhausted but some of the threads I've managed to find seem quite old. I own a genuine GMT master 6542 that I inherited form my dad. It was fitted (still is) with a steel smooth bezel from A Rolex Milgauss 6541 after the original bakelite bezel disintegrated. I've tried without success to find a genuine replacement bezel set due to the rarity of such a piece, as you can probably understand. I have come to the conclusion that the only way I can get the watch looking right is to try and source a high quality after market bezel to give the watch back some of its originality, albeit not original . I'd be grateful to any members if they could share some of their knowledge and experience to point me in any direction where I might be able to source one. I'd be very grateful. Thanks in anticipation, Pete. I've attached a picture of said watch. PS The strap is not original and I know I should screw the crown in.

Yeah, I noticed both of those points, too. I'm happy with it. Will post some pics once I (finally) get it installed.

First desk diving mission out in the real work world for this build. The new XF000 mod with Roli Pre-A 002/009 dial/hands and a DSN 002 Case-back. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Modded V1/V2 Noob LMPO

Sent from my Lenovo P2a42 using Tapatalk

Hi Pete, Funny running into you here. I was just reading your post over in the Rolex Forums about your watch yesterday and thought that the smooth bezel looked great on it. You are incredibly fortunate to own an original 6542 Most of us here can only dream!! We do however enjoy building our own watches from both gen and aftermarket parts. We do it out of the love for the various makes and models and our interests in horology. We are a very friendly and helpful community The scene here is not as shifty and shady as some tend to think I have a bezel assembly from NDT Trading. on my 6542 Its a pretty accurate example as the numerals are narrower and the lume actually glows http://ndtradingcorp.com/view-290-one-ser-bezel-insert-rolex-gmt Here is a photo of my piece for reference

I doubt this is readily available but I have fabricated a few for the 6497 movement. Please PM me if you want one. I’m able to supply it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thx! Indee a rare piece. The watch came from TheSociety and I was lucky enough to source a sealed gen T20 plexi which is incredibly clear and has an amazing curvature. Also added a phong insert which actually is the closest you can get. Getting a gen insert is probably out of reach nowdays. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Not mine, but I wish it was. Only with me for the new hands and pearl. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

“That’s what she said...” [emoji28][emoji28][emoji28] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Going swimming

Again.

Speedmaster Professional

Love that lume..