Slartibartfast

To be a bit more helpful about this, my homemade flat top 3 overlay measures 9.14mm from centre to middle of date window, and has an overall diameter of 23mm. If the flat top 3 DW's are compatible with this, I'm back in. Stilty, would you please supply some dimensions. Thanks.

Bump this great review to the top. Just found my next TAG methinks!

Thanks Stilty, but I am pretty sure that my rep 1655 dial is no where near gen spec. as the overlay on the ETA movement is much smaller to fit the date window. I will duck out of this for now......but thank you for all your work so far! Good luck in your venture.

Wow Lani, that is one beaut of a 1655! I love the crysal. That makes all the difference IMO. Great dial work by the Master! Can't wait to see it fitted with the Stily DW.

Hi GB109 and welcome to the forum. Mrs Slartibartfast has a Rolex ETA DateJust two tone with CZ dial, and loves it. Also has a TAG Link (quartz) white faced and is not so keen, though loved it at first, has gone off it. But most favoured of all is a two tone Omega Constellation (quartz). This is a small slim well built rep that is good to go for everyday use. She has been complimented on it many times! As you will guess there is a small watch theme running here. I am thinking about surprising her next with a two tone Cartier Santos (very nice). Either way you jump, I am sure you will be hooked!

Count me in for one for my 1655. Great work Stilty! Sorry forgot to add.... 0.07mm thick, "flat top 3", for that vintage look.

Anyone comes up with a flat top 3 date overlay, or replacement wheel for the ETA, then count me in too! Nice work guys!

I think the complexion of RWG has changed over the past year or so. It may be that there is not such reason to stick around and take part as much as before. When I started (for a short time) on RWG1 you had to dig around and find out about dealers, how to contact them and where to look for images of their wares. PMing board members was part of the growing process. Now it is possible just to flap your Visa at a web shop and sit back and wait. This is bound to change the way (newer) people regard this place, and this hobby, as the investment in time building relationships just ain't required. Maybe I've gone a bit off topic here, but that's my 2 Penneth.

Agreed! Show us all some more close up pics of that beautiful lume job.

It's all subjective. I think that if you've slapped a Pam on your wrist, everything else is going to seem small (other than a Big Pilot maybe). However I am quite comfortable wearing my Tudor Prince. Lovely little number at only 34mm, and on a 7.25" wrist, does not look out of place IMO.

Is this guy serious???!!!??? $207k???!!????

Welcome to RWG, Michael. Now let me think of what I can send you. ;-)

I have overpainted dial markers with Noctilumina in the past, but you need to be careful of maintaining clearance between the markers and the hands. I have tried to remove the lume from metal insert markers using a pin. DISASTER "do not try this at home", it marks (and even removes) the chrome finish (good job I tried it on a junker dial first). I would also like to know if anyone has advice for how to achieve this successfully. For removing the lume from the hands, I have just dipped them in paint stripper. Works a treat and takes just a couple of seconds! (have a look at the 1655 report in my sig)

Got mine from PT some two years ago. bullet proof build quality, as heavy as a brick. Runs like a dream, and worth keeping.

Great looking model. Love that deep rehaut. Great finish on the strap too.

Great review, as always BT. I have been an Explorer fan for some time now. Maybe will take the plunge some day soon. You certainly make them look tempting, and give invaluable advice on choice!

Excellent looking strap, on a classic rep. Good choice!

Unlucky....better luck next time!

Read, read and read some more. You will save yourself a lot of grief by sticking to the reputable collectors listed on this site. And enjoy!!!!

Welcome. Stick around, and you'll learn a lot!

Let me think........P...it's coming to me...Pa I know, Patek!

Fabulous review Toadt. Brilliant reference piece, that I will be bookmarking. Great stuff!!!!

Thanks, doc! I agree that with a 'small' mod to get running seconds at 3 on a cheap CN movement would be good. But the case is a little too far off the mark for it really to be worth it at present.

Well you can't argue with that. I'll just fetch my snglasses.

It seems so! Quite uncanny, as I also have a blue Airking (which I had before the white faced model I bought from you). Spooooky! Your Airking has been changed into an Explorer 1 BTW, with a dial purchased second hand off the board here. Still going strong!