docblackrock

Based on my previous experiences, Parcelfarce may equally leave it on a random doorstep of their choosing, play football with it, lose it, steal it etc. A lottery really.

Still cogitating on the MY insert my friend? Pffff, seen glaciers move with more speed Just do it, you won't regret it. Gaaah, what a gorgeous piece JoJo. Was reading one of the Sunday supplements last weekend, a big section of unpublished photos from Cubby Broccoli's on-shoot archive. Quite a few from Dr.No, FRWL, and Goldfinger. Some very clear shots of Connery wearing his 6538. Not a patch on yours though....looked too 'new'

I know someone who does the same, and freely admits it....partly in jest but not completely. On a serious note, sorry to hear that Stilty - enjoy the summer with your family and the best of luck in finding something come September/October.

Hmmm. Well you did almost make him crash his car recently whilst DUISDUF - that's Driving Under the Influence of Staring and Drooling at a Ubi Franken. So I'd say that evens the score in the vs. stakes.

If you're machining aluminium from scratch, then I'd second that dual-size - think of it like a cylinder with the opening on one side 44m and on the other 47mm. The two ridged/octagonal hand grips can be placed 10mm or so down from the end (one at each), enabling a good grip from the opposite side. If that makes sense? Sure someone can mock up a quick sketch. I'd definitely be interested, but not at 80 - I think a dual opener at 60 would be your magic price point.

I spy with my little eye..... Is that a T19 or T16 royal domeness?

Mmmm.....gilt If I may be so bold, may I suggest a little vintigising of the Luminova pearl? Call me picky but I always prefer collars and cuffs to match.

Well this side of the Pond, it currently comes in at 4300 euros - which for a 1950-type case, manifattura movt, and such an instantly classic design, is a frickin' steal in my book.

Kruzer, just wondering is this the German-printed 'Vintage Panerai' book?

I've said before but the 312 represents everything I like/want/need in a PAM. An almost perfect combination. I'm also down on my AD's list, but it'll be 2010 before I get the call Congrats on your new purchase, Pro(je)ctologist, just don't wear it 'on the job'

Privileged to have a preview look at this new Ploprof today.... Not on the classic 'sharkproof' bracelet, but on the new black rubber strap (they do one in orange too naturally). Utterly speechless. It's a huge MF even by divers' watch standards, but it's also gorgeous in that most ugly of ways. The orange bezel-lock button (out of sight in this pic below), well it's difficult to stop playing with it....push, click, release....repeat ad infinitum. I would buy one in a heartbeat.

Ha ha that 'vehicle' is a great comparison. Agree the cyclops is a bad move - they last used it over well over 10 years ago on the 6000 series, god knows what possessed them to dig it out again. Also not sure why they've messed with the classic 'Racer case design, a bit too angular, Genta-esque almost, and those bolts on the bezel look a bit HBB-ish, you know a bit like anti-theft screws in airport toilets....not exactly my first choice of style when considering a new timepiece

Some day soon, BT, I promise. Waiting for my Leica to come back from hospital, required to do it justice. She is a beauty though, same gorgeous case, but a really lovely anthracite dial with that eye-catching silver 9 subdial. I kind of got bored with my black dial rep, especially since I have an Aquagraph. And as you know well, the blue dial is a bit off with the gen, even if I prefer the rep shade. So this grey dial is perfect, even if it's a little busier what with the tachy scale. COSC spec is just the icing on the cake.

in my opinion of course

If that's another alias of wholesaleoutlet, then don't buy from that seller. Mr Slimeball as he's known here. Purveyor of aftermarket crap. If you're lucky enough to receive something, it's just as likely to be the wrong item anyway. You can pick up half-decent aftermarket inserts from a variety of other sources, Clarks, Cousins etc. The best outside of gen IMO is from MY at CWP as it will fit a gen pearl. Oh and by the way, it's the same insert for the 1665 as the 1680. It's actually referenced as a 5513 insert, even as a gen part.

Very nice write-up. Reminded me a Paneristi/Rolex blog (can't remember which) in which this guy was on a PR tour of Seiko and spent a lot of time visiting watch haunts with leisure pics thrown in as well. I've only ever done a couple of flying visits in and out of Narita for work (with a night or two's stay) but no more than a snatched hour or two leisure time. Which believe me is excruciatingly frustrating and actually worse than never visiting in the first place. It's top of my list to go back for a couple of weeks or more - a week between modern Tokyo and Kyoto, and another travelling around the country, visiting more rural Japan - but for now like Ubi says, living vicariously will have to do.

I'm with PP, I think you were certifiably insane letting that 1680 case go just for the sake of a serial no. Would have more than sufficed to house the gen dial/movt whilst you continued your search. Don't understand it at all....

Ah, the "rubber-clad", not that new in fact. Personally I hate it with a passion. A destro dial on a non-destro case puts my OCD into overdrive, and all that texturing, eeeuwww! Looks a dog in the flesh too, cheap on rubber (with that cheesy 500m endlink), and odd on bracelet. I much prefer the new and limited-production COSC Aquaracer, the grey dial version of which is now in my collection together with its Aquagraph 'daddy'....

One of my favourite stores....aside from their custom PVD pieces (for some reason they appeal more than Karim's ProHunter series), they always have an eclectic selection of vintage Heuers, Omegas and Breitlings from time to time. Not to mention some great books, clothes, accessories etc. Cool cafe also. Not exactly value for money, but a nice place to while away half an hour or so.

Remind me....it's not a straight swap is it, or even as simple as a retap? Recall some major case mods required, not to mention adhesive...yes?

Seriously? That's a WM rep base? Christ....

Aaah, that's INCLUDING crown, they like to embellish Friend of mine has one and it wears like a 42mm just thicker. You'll have a job finding a similar style in a mid-size, so I'd just get it and see if he likes - as we all know, big watches are very much in vogue, so it will definitely pass the 10 year old 'cool' test. Plus he will always grow into it. A perfect 'first' watch IMO.

B, I know that Parisian seller, and he's very much above board. What I don't know is enough about COMEX history to know if there was any suggestion they ever commissioned such a watch, however the word 'prototype' on the caseback would make me wary - not something I'd expect to see, numbered or otherwise. It certainly has more Doxa Dreadnought DNA in there than Omega Ploprof, in fact so much that it looks like a redialled DN. Something I'm not sure Doxa would allow COMEX to get away with. The lack of supporting paperwork doesn't help either - even a letter of acknowledgment from Marseille would do the business, hard to believe this hasn't been obtained by a French seller. However playing Devil's advocate, I am aware many companies prefer not to officially acknowledge prototypes. So all things considered, I think there's some very reasonable doubt there about its provenance. Your own expert reservations are on the money I think and combined with the price realised - nowhere near high enough if this were indeed a genuine prototype - suggest this is a ringer. A nice one admittedly, but a ringer nonetheless.

Considering the brief and the 'safety' aspect, him being only 10 years old, I'd seriously have a look at this.... (model no. MTD-1054) For loose change back from 50 euros () you really can't go wrong...

Shameless cross-promo I know, but since there might be a interested party lurking here.... http://www.rwg.cc/members/FS-Gen-TAG-Heuer...gra-t98208.html