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Veyron, Angus has the B1176 caseback again, when did you check with him? Re: T48 spring loaded crown, this is of course just my opinion and in no way reflection on T's superb work. I think SL-T48 crown in case of manual wind models is better suited for the latest cartel caseset/crownguard combo. If you read Babola's review, that's the case he's using with it to test. That caseset comes with a crownguard that has deeper than normal crown cutout and a short lever stub. As a result of this the stock rep crown appears to sit too far from the case exposing the tube, though the rep crown is also shallow. That case is perfect for the shallow dish SL-T48. However, what DVN has is a very good EL/old cartel crownguard with proper crown cutout proportions and a long lever stub similar to a gen CG so if he goes with a SL-48 he will have to mill the stub down. As a result of this the crownguard will not work with any other crown in the future should he wish to swap for a Gen crown or a 2nd generation spring-loaded T48 with deep dish due to come in November. Hence my recommendation was for the Palp B version crown which is a deep dish 1.2mm tap, very similar to the classic non-spring loaded T48 that's unfortunately not available anymore.

That's so cool, love the details, and the watch ...ahem this goes without saying its superb! Really really great stuff.

This is a sausage dial 111 with what looks like a checkered vanilla ETA6497 with stick-on foil plates to simulate OPII movement. Old EL sausage dials are great, not without their shortcomings but overall the best marina L SWISS L sausage dial made. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to make this a proper 111 unless you are prepared to drop in a gen movement because the rep movement will be the biggest tell. My mod list would go like this: Ditch the EL display caseback Source a 'B' series matriculation Bxx00/3000 old school solid caseback (will turn the watch into a PAM00001 'B') Ditch the EL Crown Add a Palp version B crown Add a relume of the dial and hands, Zigg-y, Goin, Domi or Hijack can all do this Have the lever/pin fix done on the CG Strip double A/R from the crystal Install an H3 high cannon pinion, polish the cap Mill the handposts install minute hand flush with pinion cap

Mickey, This is not Eddie Lee, it's a Honpo which is as good if not better. They came with <100 individual serials and amazingly good caseset and dial. Enjoy, it's a keeper for sure!

Great idea What are you making if it's not a secret?

EMM, Me neither, the bezel+ratchet assembly transfer is likely to become a show-stopper. I know there was someone on this board (I think ChinkieChunkie) that replaced old cartel 24A bezel assembly with an OEM one so I know at least in theory it can be done. Can it be done in practice with DSN & Cartel parts - remains to be seen. Looking at DSN's midcase - it appears to be the same one or at least come from the same factory as all of his cases as of late. And though they have wonky lugs and somewhat incorrect proportions they take gen crystals and gen crownguards. It makes me somewhat more hopeful the Cartel 1:1 case might fit with his bezel. Either way, what the worst that can happen?

it's all for the case, I'm not worried by the crystal especially since DSN will eventually correct it.

rolli, can you point me to a 25D with rings, all of the ones I'm finding have no rings. That of course doesn't meant that there isnt't one.

It's possible, but yes, 24 is one of the longest running T dials upstaged only by 243 'I'

EMM, small correction T dials on 24 extended well into G year.

Dani, My guess is as good as yours at this point because I don't have DSN's 24a or a cartel 199. I would also have to get my 199 with a 6mm cyclops which may not be available anymore, it was a blunder from the factory and later models came with correct 7mm cyclops. I know what I need from DSN in order to make a 199 into a 24A. In the event the operation fails my contingency plan is the 24D caseback. Other than that the rest will be easy. The work scope flow is like this: a) DSN - 24A handstack, dial b ) DSN - 24A bezel with ratchet c) DSN - 24A caseback d) DSN - 24D caseback a0) Cartel 199G complete watch a1) Cartel 199G bezel b1) Cartel 199G handstack, dial c1) Cartel 199G caseback d1) Cartel 199G crystal If ((a0 - a1) + b )) = then ((a0 - a1 - b1 - c1) + a + b + c)) + strip A/R on d1 + good CG + Palp deep dish crown + good DW = Grail 24A else ((a0 - b1 - c1) + a + d)) + keep A/R on d1 + good CG + Palp deep dish crown + good DW = Grail 24D P.S. I actually thought this through back in November 2009 when I learned DSN was going to make a 24A

my plan is to make a 199-24a hybrid

Rolexaddict sounds like a lot of fun. All this Rolex discussion is great, albeit a mild salve betwixt the worldly wisdom pearls of jew-spotting methods. Please don't stop, you are a great asset to this forum!

Well, I guess the bottom line is - fix the crystal & caseback and we take care of the rest on our own? My build plan: 24A: ETA7750 base Deep dish Palp crown JF, OEM, reshaped V/SNembo or Old cartel CG Taka/2geek DW OEM rubber, Yellow Velcro or Coramid

The fact that they became en vogue as of late the same way AP did in late 90s

Rolex? Anonimo? Manometro? Ennebi Fondale?

Sounds great, Andy. I will try to get a high res pic of the dial with my good camera to get as much natural color as I can and I'll shoot you a PM to discuss the details once I have the hands in my possession.

Good day folks, Having recently acquired this dial for my 1680 project I'm at a bit of a loss how to make matching hands other than sending them out to our resident luming pro - Zigg-y. Is there a pigmentation technique that would allow me to achive a blond or navajo white shade hands to make them look less anemic lumi-white? This is the handset http://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/6960394/7605713.htm and this is what I'm trying to match:

going to make separate thread...

Thanks, Flex, do you think they're better than clark? Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to post a picture of the dial I'm planning to use them with. Freddy, ISWYDT know where I could score a set?

Thanks guys, yeah that was my thinking after I read Yuki's description "Can 100% fit for Tudor ETA cal.2824/2784 automatic movement". But I'm not hell-bent on using Yuki, if clark is known to work I'll get them instead.

Hi, Wondering if anyone's tried and succeed in fitting these onto ETA2846-2. I guess they're cheap enough to throw out in case they don't fit but on the same note, does anyone know where to get a set of white lumi hands that will fit 2846? Thanks!

Marty, I think the best one would be the old fantasy DSN dial, ca. 2006 that comes with contemp. style markers but a T-SWISS-T. What people have historically done with it was a relume and "-" removal from T-S-T by Zigg-y. I have this dial in my PAM1B. If you're going for a more rare, PreA redial by PSC look (there's only a handful of those reported, probably more reps out right now then gens) then FGD 01/04/40 PreA dial is a must.

Shawn, Well, I think it's safe to say that with 20 tube installs luck has nothing to do with it. Thanks for the info.

I've read somewhere on this board that Cousin's tube is not much better than rep in quality. I'd probably get one from Ofrei, eWatchparts or Yuki