rmcsherry

I know FGD found a great looking Helenarou case a while back (which has now been discontinued) that was as close as we

...Anyone who has the capabilities to do this to the accuracy required has my support, and a spare NOS bridge plate for reference! I think modifying the existing plate is easier (by filling in the void that has been left by the alarm gear), but the intermediate winding wheel / transfer gear for the alarm version is completely different to a non alarm. See the attached photo - the transfer gear on the alarm is pivoted to wind either the movement or the alarm depending on which way you turn the stem. Ideally, we'd create the non-alarm plates, but this would also require fabrication of the new smaller transfer gear (I've given up looking for a NOS one after 4 years!) and possibly some modifications to the keyless works below this (I can't be sure that this would be necessary though)

Has anybody got the new Graham deployment buckle from Angus? I've had a look, and it looks great - but the Graham sticker is really badly printed. I know this can be re-made for next to nothing, but I'd rather wait and see if the delivered item looks as poor. Has anybody received one yet? It'd be good to know if the photos are simply a prototype or the finished article. EDIT: With photos

Do different models / ages use different crowns? I've just looked at a 000, and it certainly appears to have 12 teeth making up 1/4 of the crown (i.e. 48 teeth).

He's tried to sell some of the stuff on the accessories corner before, without any luck (unsurprisingly!). The dial is just an engraved prototype (they all claim to be from the book), and Piero from Club Panerai sold 2 for 250 Euros each this year - so that is quite a mark-up. Whilst none of this stuff can easily be authenticated, I'm 95% sure it's all genuine - but the prices are obscene. If anybody wants to lend me $1,500 for a lever and machine shop to finish of my 6152, I'll be very grateful.

I was browsing the 'net the other day, and found this image which surprised me: It's an Ikepod Seaslug GMT - the original isn't very expensive (can be had for $1,000), but this rep looks pretty affordable. By the looks of things, the case is good, the dial is good (although the model name is incorrect!) and the movement appears to be an A21J auto. I've been thinking of getting a genuine Seaslug for some time - but if this exists as a cheap rep, I may get one to help me make up my mind about the style of the watch. Any ideas?

After waiting for 3 months to send my 036 to The Zigmeister, and a month to get it back in perfect condition with numerous modifications, my girlfriend decided to throw the watch to me across the garden. Having been on my wrist for one day, I was unimpressed to find a dented case and broken balance staff sitting on the floor. I

Tourby, you are the master! That looks great, for once the alarm gears aren't bothering me on the movement! You work with the best, and the results definetly show - well done, the buyer is a lucky guy.

Looking good, FGD. Rolli's PVD is great, and Rob has performed an excellent job as always. All you need now is a vintage 47mm to dwarf them all

Looking great - hopefully it'll inspire me to finish a couple of mine! The GSD strap works nicely with it. Well done!

Never really needed the central wheel / canon pinion / winding wheel / mainspring either. Still - I've got a box with each of these parts sitting, waiting for a home!

Looks good to me - besides, a Cortebert 616 for $250 should serve as quite a nice parts 'bin'! I think I should stop looking at eBay, I either get frustrated at what I can't afford, or frustrated at what I've just missed!

I hate it when Google reveals that I've just missed a great ebay auction by a couple of hours. Check this one out - a steal at

Looks great, especially the strap and buckle- is that PVD coating, or did you get the chemical blackening / black rhodium plating (or whatever the original used)? More details?!

I just received these back from The Zigmeister - as expected, they are unbelievable. The old-style 036 from Ruby has had the AR stripped, vintage tritium relume, stem fixed and best of all... 'L Swiss L' magically turned into 'T Swiss T' (although the macro lens on this camera can't capture it). The lume is the work of a master, the text is the work of an artisan - I couldn't be happier with the final results. The DSN 082 dial is in a Joshua case, thick crown, high beat movement, C3 relume and both watches are currently sporting new GSD straps. So, thank you very much to The Zigmeister for the great service - both in terms of quality of work and contact. The last picture is more of a sneak preview into my next MM-dial project - pictures to follow during the summer!

Wow, I've never seen that version before - is it engraved, or foil plates? The picture looks great, much more realistic that the other E-series reps (engraved or foil) that I have seen.

You could always buy a DSN and take a file to it - if you're looking for a decent CG, you'll be removing the pin / lever anyway so that you don't have a recessed / flush pin. Plain CG's are hard to come by without a case to match.

As far as I know, he sells cheap reps on iOffer - and has reasonable feedback on the forum if you perform a search.

...forgot to add, if the movement is a stock 6497-1, have you considered a Flavor Flav flat-top canon pinion? They only really show up in photos, but it's a nice finishing touch.

Same again - the watch looks awesome, but gold & tobacco don't do it for me. Black hands are tried and tested - they look great, but have you got any silver hands to try? They could look really nice, and they'll keep the distinctive appearance you're going for.

Excellent news, Tourby - I'd be in for two Ti for a 6497 and one SS for a 6497 when they're ready! Cheers.

Looking great, Simon - only two more mods to go!

It would of been good, I'd have all the parts you could ever want. I can't believe it; during my office move last week, a non-alarm stem-wound 240 was lost. I'm hoping it'll resurface, otherwise I'll be very upset!

Thanks for the information - the NOS 6497's are getting quite rare, the engraving "Seventeen 17 Jewels Swiss" doesn't exist on modern ETA's. The other replies are useful, and the 089 looks amazing with the Simona!

That strap does look very nice, could certainly be a contender! What's the movement in that rep, by the way? It has very unusual engraving (Seventeen 17 Jewels Swiss)