docblackrock

Just curious, any takers on this one yet? And the gen.... not 100% accurate and annoyingly so, gen has anthracite 'radial burst' dial (rep has matt black, this bloody HBB-esque obsession) but with same hands used in SS golf variant (reps too) so no excuses really But at that price, perfect for the late night stealth visits to the driving range

Hmmmm I dunno Alan. Even through my bleary-eyed mist this Saturday morning, my spidey senses are screaming "franken" - MBW case and a very familiar-looking NDT dial - I"m sure Freddy our resident NDT dial man can confirm this at a mere glance, the thin 6 and 9 indices. Odd though as the seller is reputable but still that's no guarantee these days. Caseback is strange though - not as 'stamped' as I've seen most gens (in the flesh as well as pics), but clearly much better than standard rep. Weird etched look to it. Suspect also that there is no movement shot either - odd seeing as his 1655 Explorer has one, he's clearly not deficient in the caseback removal tool area. Interesting too he's started this one at a relatively 'low' franken price of 10,000 kangaroo dollars, when the 1655 has a market value Buy Now price. Says to me this is a bit of a 'list and hope'. If it were 'kosher' this would go for around A$50k. I was telling Nanuq only the other day about another MkII like his I handled the other week at a vintage dealer -

I think one thing some of you seem to be overlooking is the fact that this modified movements are not churned out of the backside conveyor belt of some humungous Chinese CNC machine. These movts are modified by skilled hands, and that takes time, effort, labour and money. There comes a point I imagine when the time and money invested does not make for more profit, quite the opposite, particularly if there are QC issues, which is always a potential with this movt. So I see this custom run and others of this type as loss leaders, a way of creating a huge surge of demand, picked up by early adopters, and then the mass production using the simpler, more reliable, less accurate movt to satisfy orders almost immediately after. Total speculation of course. I don't want to read these threads too much now, as prefer to get the pleasure and surprise first-hand.... Current status: Current mood: Anticipated mood after the weekend:

Ah ok, you like the big gold medallion 'old man' dress watches Ignore my suggestion of a Monza then. A little off-brief.

How about this dress watch? *disclaimer - shameless plug warning* http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=75127

Problem with his ISP maybe? You using the tick-can-roger-something-thingie address?

I'm glad you feel that way since I was using a hint of sarcasm. Ah but there is something healthy in a cynical realism. I just hate politics and politicians without exception. The Bush's, Blair's, Brown's, Berlusconi's and Sarkozoy's of this world......the largest collective display of corrupt buffoonery since the ENRON-sponsored Laurel & Hardy Impersonators Conference took place in the Jack Daniels Brewery. Read an interesting article in the FT or Times a month or so ago.....about Europe's female-majority cabinets. Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands. The 'real' Big 5 in my opinion. Enlightened and ahead of their time. Let the women run the show I say. Can't do a worse job.

Errr, 'bye then.

Why isn't there a fourth "Who gives a crap" option here? You know for us "insular cynical arrogant Europeans" (I can hear the hackles rising already over the Pond ). Honestly, black or white, one or two X chromosomes, unfortunate friends or husbands with 'form', they are all politicians the world over when it comes down to it. Interested only in the absolutes of power and money. Parasites surrounded by sycophants. Who'll f*** you over in a multitude of differing ways. Just depends on your poison, and how you choose to take it? On your knees or bent over double? Ghonorrhea or chlamydia? Strangulation or asphyxiation? And with that, I'm off to my 'weekend' log cabin in the remote Scottish Highlands to continue to write my manifesto

One final thing, this bezel click thing. Dealer descriptions say 12-click. Rep now confirmed by Lani has 24. Nitpickers says 'crap'. But last time I checked, the genuine definitely had 24-clicks. And so it should as the bezel is marked with indices upto 24 (usually a clue ) and it is, after all, a GMT (usually another clue ). The 16710 with its ratchety 120-click was just ridiculous, and should be considered an intermediate stage in the ongoing evolution of this venerable model, in the same way the 16710 was an improvement over the 16750, and the 1675 over the 6542. Although if you're one of those poor sods in Newfoundland, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Burma, the Marquesas, and peripheral parts of Australia that use half-hour timezone deviations, then you're buggered.

Yes why not because it's easy to heat the crystal, then shear off the cyclops, coat, and then cement back in perfect alignment........errrr. Unless Jakub comes out and says he can 'mask off' the rest of the crystal during the AR process - which I doubt is possible given the conditions - then this is not going to be an option for most. To be honest, the naked eye difference is negligible and only noticeable in side-by-side comparison with the 16710. Lani, what can I say except you know what you are responsible for If you need me to email you those pics on your other thread as hi-res, then just let me know.

Ethics? ETHICS?! Ah yes, vague recollection of the concept. Removed in final year of med school. They "get in the way" you see. I'll pass on the popcorn but it's getting late here so a nice cup of Kona wouldn't go amiss

I'll second that. I'll go further and say say she should look at getting a white/silver dial Rolex Oyster from the year of his birth. You're looking at a couple of hundred over and above that budget. Nothing says timeless more IMO. Will give you a referral if you drop me a PM.

Ok ok, nag nag pester pester.....these are the very best two I have on my old hard drive - full frontal and an oblique - not mine you'll note, but 'procured' in the good old-fashioned 'Peterman' sense

Right I'm sick of this and Lani's slacking , it's finally here, so it's about bloody time we have some pics in this thread, including macro shots...(wooo! ) ....of the genuine 116710, mwahahahaha.....

My advice is of the wide berth, 10-foot bargepole variety. The movt is the only thing there of inherent value (and even that less than half of total) - who knows what condition it is in or what rusted POS was the organ donor? I find it increasingly bizarre more and more people willing to pay this kind of money for the 'idea' of having something original, rare and valuable when the reality is anything but. The value of a Franken should be made up of the sum of its parts, nothing more. Not much difference here between those scammed for $1000 for a $200 Sub IMO. You'd be better off using that two and quarter grand (sterling) and sinking into something worthwhile and original, maybe a decent 5513 or similar.

I believe we may see Tommy back in a few months, once the leaves start to turn brown

Maciek, this guy is very well-known in London circles as one of the foremost Rolex dealers. Slightly controversial (some auction dealings which I won't go into here) but respected in terms of what he can lay his hands on, especially in the vintage market. The Pro-Hunter types are nothing new or strange. Bamford & Sons have also been producing various PVD Rollies (vintage and modern) for the last couple of years also. Same deal, pre-RSC-serviced, warranty via an indie Rolex-trained watchsmith. If you do a search I recall posting about these (5513 and 1675) a year or possibly two ago. Price is at a premium, way above list, but you have to realise these are not aimed at the safe queens who are looking to make an investment, just collectors who want something 'a bit different' or like the military look.

Custom dialmaker, you'll know him I'm sure Like you, I finally got hacked off with that fly in the ointment, turd in the shallow end etc. namely the MBW dial. So a quick but very specific commission later, and the job is in process. First try was rejected at his end, but second attempt ready in a few weeks, hopefully much better. The NDT trading dial was provided as a template but with the obvious errors pointed out, so we'll see. As for the red text, I actually prefer/specified a nice almost-pinkish tone, in keeping with the early dials on which red was painted over the white text, fading nicely with time.

Very nice Freddy. Yep tough call on whether to perform a feet-ectomy or pony up for a c.1570. Reminded me I too have a much improved DRSD redial on the way, will post pics when it's ready.

CrazySaleMan rocks!!! PM'd him just 20 mins ago, and by "super special EMS lightning speed return fax" (only $50 extra - bargain!), this baby is now on my wrist.... Mmmm, matt laminate and 100gsm....

Vintage Area

Why not just spend that

I prefer the classic blue Monaco on the bracelet, however if you want a non-OEM strap, you could do worse than look at the Hirsch Amazon Corvette in Dark Blue - 22mm of course - ref no. 15502880-2-22. If you're in the US, I believe Watchprince do great deals on Hirsch straps. Or try Walt on TZ.