JoeyB

Would I lie?    

I'm guessing that the painstaking work it took to make this exclusive report for RWG isn't good enough for you? https://rwg.cc/topic/127434-pilot’s-cabin-or-executive-suite-no-the-mail-room

So, freddy sold his watch...

I doubt Stefano would take offense. He just pasted a chart he found. I have never had a gen in person, so all I can go with is what I have had in my hands. The first pic is the Tiger2 case with the 6mm rep Brevet crown from Rafflestime, and the 2nd pic is the cartel case I just replaced with the same crown. A coincidence, the first pic you posted with the leather strap is in my files used for reference. I'd think that over the years parts replaced were not always what came stock.

That is the Tiger2 case engraved by JMB.

Actually, if you look at the chart, the 6200 used an 8mm crown. There is a 'debate' on which was the very first Submariner. But most 'experts' say it was the 6204.

6204 re-done

I think you did a very good job. You need the right springbars.

 I will disagree with freddy, the 6204 used a 6mm Brevet crown, according to the chart on Stefano's site.

http://stefanomazzariol.blogspot.com/search/label/ROLEX Submariner ref.6204 SUB- AQUA

Here is mine:

Well done!

The Opera browser will not work on my PMs either. I really do not want to change browsers. Can this be fixed?

I tried that, doesn't work with Opera. The box doesn't expand to allow typing a reply.

This is what I get when using IE, replying using the 'quote' button in your reply. The 1st reply comes up as well.

My Opera browser allows me to make a new topic post and to edit, but in trying to reply to an existing post, I do not get the full 'reply' box. I get the 'Drag files here to attach, or choose files... Insert other media...Off...Notify me of replies...Submit Reply' box, but no place to type any message. The same result in all the 'mask' functions as well. And no signature, but I am assuming that is still in the works.

Using the IE browser, I can make a reply, but regardless where I click, this at the end of the thread, it still quotes the 1st reply.

I hope we can get Opera to work. I hate IE, and not a fan of the others.

Here is the link. It's is a really nice and easy build. 

http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/144657-making-a-gen-style-16710-case-out-of-a-16570-case-and-tw-bezel-assembly/

The hands in my pics are both 13mm for certain, were in silver from Helenarou several months ago. They had the gold for a while, and said they had just received the silver when I ordered. I took the silver down to bare brass using 1500 grit sandpaper, wanting all brass hands on the Submariner. 

The 13mm minute hands I used are available for ETA from Helenarou. 

I know for certain that the 25-116, cyclops for the 6542/1675, fits the Tiger V2 case. 

I didn't even know what a 6542 was, let alone ever saw a picture of one until I came to this site and saw you in the middle of your first 6542 build. At the time RolexAddict introduced me to vintage Rolex 1675, and we went on a quest to find a dial that was correct without the word 'Date' after Oyster Perpetual. This site was then, and I think still is, far and away the best for vintage Rolex builds. Your 6542 build was the very first on any site, which proves my point. You blazed the trail which made it easier to do for the rest of us. 

So, ummm...what have you done lately? 

I only copy from the best, freddy333, RolexAddict, phong... 

Sorry Joey, poorly written from my side and was not meant as negative criticism for your bezel (which is what i chose myself for my project as you know). Edited my post now. The phong is more expensive and based on my subjective and non-professional judgement (note: only based on photo) I deemed it as a bit better. Each member can judge for themselves based on pictures and I would be very happy if someone with hands on experience of both options could chime in with their opinions. That also includes you Joey

OK, thanks. My bezel is a direct copy of phong's. The bezel itself is made of brass and is genuine nickel plated, per the gen. So I felt I had to question it.  

Hi guys, 

 

I want to build a 6542 Gmt gilt dial... for me is the KING of the watch... but.........

 

it's one of most hard rep to build... 

 

Regardless which way you choose, there will be a lot of work needed on the case. 

The cartel 6542 is not a good choice. It is too wocky and the lug holes are in the wrong place. The 1655 Explorer II is a better choice, grinding off the crown guards, or the Tiger 2 case, if you can find one.  

The 25-115 plexi was discontinued by Rolex long ago, which is why they cost so much now. Rolex dealers were instructed to use the 25-116, the difference being .5mm date-mag placement. 

The DG3804B is an easier movement to use for any GMT build. It will fit either case with the movement ring you can get from Rafflestime, or mod your own. I have both the ETA 2846 and the DG3804B in my watches, and have no issues with either one. RolexAddict also recommends the DG3804B. 

The genuine crystal is mounted using a pressed on retaining ring. The bezel uses a hexagonal wire spring to attach it to the retainer. The bakelight insert should be secured to the bezel. Rolex used at least 6 different suppliers of the insert and bezels. Some bezels used clips that bend in on the insert, most are secured using cement. 

The dial you found for $450 is incorrect for a 6542. It says' 'Superlative Chronometer', which began with the 1675. The correct 6542 says 'Officially Certified Chronometer'. The correct dial is a 'pan' style, that snapped onto the original movement. This will be very difficult to make work on an ETA or DG movement. It is thicker and needs longer pinions for the hands, and still an issue with clearance for the GMT hand. 

Good luck!

 

Another (I think cheaper, but also inferior) option for bezel is the one from JoeyB:

 

"inferior" how? 

I have no experience at all with the Tiger V3 case that comes with the mineral glass crystal. So, I don't know if it will take a T19 or similar acrylic crystal mounted gen style using the retainer as the V2 does. If it does, let us all know for another source of a less expensive case, as the V2 is no longer available. 

I thin out the case by taking down the lower edge of both sides of the watch. I use a big buffing wheel, which rounds the edge a bit, but gives the look of being thinner. When the top of the side is beveled, it is very close to the pics I've seen of the old thin cased Subs and GMTs. The caseback is simply wrong, but I'll live with that. 

The case engraving is by our own JMB. As you can see, he does a great job.

I make my own dials using water slide decals, and I lume them using a water based acrylic glow paint that gives the grainy texture and light lume to be age accurate.

The 13mm minute hand is from Helenarou, and the second and hour hands are pieced together. I could not find a pencil hour hand, so I took a rep maxi minute hand, cut and pieced together. The plated silver hands have a light plating, so I take them to bare brass 'gilt' using 1500 sandpaper. In a little time the shine fades nicely, but so far -3+ years-, none have tarnished.   

The genuine 1675 takes a 5.3mm crown, the 16710 takes a 6mm crown. 

Thanks for this info, we can't have enough references duplicated or not. Please don't refrain from posting becuase there might be a historical post, every new view point is a valid one !!!

One thing that I feel is confusing currently is the repeated reference as Michael Young as CWP. Why is this? If we look at his web site it clearly states CLASSIC WATCH REPAIR. where as Clarks routinely refers to himself as CLARKS WATCH PARTS which is also routinely abbreviated to CWP. So when we have a post that includes references to Michael Young and Clarks at the same time it is hugely confusing. Can we agree to reference Michael Young as CWR or am I missing something?

In dbane's opening post he writes "Here's a T19 from Michael a Young at CWP". To my recollection, 'Michael Young', 'Classic Watch Parts' and 'CWP' have always been synonymous, meant the same source. I don't think I've ever read anyone here refer to Clark's as anything but 'Clark's' or the man himself, Gary Clark.  

I tried to get a pic of the distortion for you on my Clark's T19. Straight on there is no distortion. Angled you can see the distortion around the perimeter. 

This is a Clark's Tropic 19 that is modded to fit.