alligoat

I can't say that TTK's is exactly the same as the three ETA watches, but the cases all have the same serial #'s. Like Tourbillon pointed out, dial variations and date locations are always a challenge and may not match up. Likewise the pearl might be different, but it could just be a different batch. Neil says they're not from the same factory. As is the case, since we're not in China, we'll never know the whole story.

I did get my partner a two tone Ladies Datejust from Paul a year and a half ago. She liked it so much she went out and bought a gen off of ebay. Ironically, the Paul Datejust has a slightly larger date mag than the gen. You'd never be able to tell it's a rep unless you took the caseback off.

Thanks Mahler. I'm getting to the point where I think I pretty much know how to regulate these watches w/o messing them up!

So for the rest of us, a 3/16th or a 13/64 would probably do the trick.

small tap is 2.50 x 0.25mm and the large tap is 3.00 x 0.30mm. At least for the Ofrei ones. The ebay ones should be the same, but read the fine print and ask questions.

Thanks Marrickvilleboy for clarifying that. Also, rather than trying to put a 2836 in a TTK, it might be a whole lot easier to just order a new sub fom Paul, Andrew or Eddie Lee. The watches are the same, only with the ETA movt. In swapping out the asian 21j in a TTK for an ETA, you have to cut/file off the dial feet, get new hands to fit the ETA movt, transfer the date wheel to the ETA movt, or get another one, glue the dial to the movt or attach it w/ dial dots, put the ETa hands on and make sure the datewheel clears the underside of the dial and then put it all back together. I have the TTK, and my theory is ENJOY. I will trim the cg's eventually, but I doubt I'll ever put a gen tube and crown in, or ever do anything else to it. When you only spend a little over $100 on it, it just doesn't make sense. At least w/ Paul's, TWG's or EL's you have the good ETA to start with, and a watch that can be maintained for 20-30 years if you do happen to spend $300-400 modding it. The asian 21j just doesn't have that kinda future at this point.

I'm a 4-1/2 to 5. Thanks to RWG, I've learned to do cg mods, lug hole drilling, tubes and crowns, but I'm still on the learning curve. Next is on to TZ school level 1 thanks to the RWG lottery, but I'm afraid I'm flunking Photograhy 101 at this point in time! Also, my watchmaker is great and lets me watch him do stuff and I've learned alot from him.

The 2824 and the 2836 are similar movements, closely related , but not exactly the same. 2824 is 4.6mm tall, vs the 2836 at 5.3mm, I believe. 2824 is strictly a date movt, and the 2836 has a day, date feature. The height of the two movements means they fit differently into the watch case.

I think your dad might enjoy this watch and it's not a bad deal w/ the ETA movement in it. Certainly, the crown guards could use a going over and siliconing the o-rings is always a good idea to make it WR. It's not a MBW, but it's still a nice rep. The only other drawback is that it doesn't look like a 40 year old watch- it needs a little tender loving aging- throw it in the dryer with some pebbles for a few turns.

That GMT's lived a full life. I especially like the alternating red and black datewheel and that 1030 movt. Hey Randy, I was reading about PG and what was referred to as her lesbian band of girls in PG's Flying School the other nite. I guess that was one of the little nuances that I missed in the movie. But heck, I was only 12 or 13 when I first saw it in the 60's. Guess I'll have to watch it again sometime. Wish we could get a better shot of her watch

I'm with Klingsor and Nanuq. My fantasy watch would be this 6542, white dial, black bezel and a rivetted bracelet.

Beautiful job Randy! I'd definitely like to get a couple.

Is the gen a 6542, or a 1675? Date mag on the rep is kinda small, the bezel is different from the gen and it looks like a sub case- not the GMT crown guards like on the gen. But as XRT says, it's a start. Also, I thought they added the Date to Oyster Perpetual on the later 1675's.

That certainly is a nice 16613. From a Taiwanese gentleman, I would think it's the TW sub case and it's very well detailed for an earlier 16613- Swiss T<25 on the bottom of the dial, open 6 in 26, and of course the great rehaut, and excellent crown guards. A very nice watch. Of course, the other two are nice, also. Just not as mysterious. Three excellent watches.

The Noobmariner is a nice watch, but it is too modern- 2005-6, not 1982. A good place to start would be a TW sub case with the lugs holes. May not be easy to find, because people are realizing what great cases they are, so they're hard to come by and they are no longer in production, as far as we know. A gen dial, the older version without the white gold surrounds, cream dial as you refer to it, would be a great and from there a gen insert and Rolex crown and tube would complete the major parts list. An eta (2836) and an old style date wheel w/ open 6's and 9's would complete the package. Wouldn't it be great if the dealers came out w/ this watch!

A vintage MBW case is going to be smaller than a 16610 era sub case. Case diameter is going to run in the 38.5 mm range w/o the bezel. My watchmaster has 5513 on one end between the lugs and an L serial # on the other end- the L serial is bogus (1989-90). I've seen similar on vintage MBW's. A 16610 case is going to run 39.5mm to 40 mm and have 16610 inscribed between the end lugs. Serial #'s should have a letter infront, starting w/ R- 1988+ L E X and so forth, up to D for the latest, as I recall.

Very interesting! I don't know how cls happened upon this, but if the GAF boys did, I'm sure it could get ugly for Phong Dinh. Interesting how he says you'll make money on this. Of course, it looks like he's already made the money when you pay him! I wonder if the GAF boys moniter this, or the other rep sites???

Thanks for the link, Mickey. I happen to think that's a pretty good looking insert even w/ the stock pearl that it comes with.

Beautiful collection, Pug, and yes, your picture taking is excellent, too. It's interesting for me to see that you have a number of asian 21j's. I, too, have a number and just had one stop this week- it looks similar to the movement in your gold Day-Date. It was a great "beater". the kind you wear doing yard work, working out, etc. If it gets bunged up, you don't care, you just hate to see it stop running for no particular reason. Guess I'll see what the watchmaker has to say. That Speedmaster Moon watch is also a good looker- with the copy movement, whatever it is!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...p;rd=1&rd=1 Maybe you can click on this link

Sometimes I wonder if Luenfat and Holiday aren't the same seller. They say 18k, but look at the end link on B1- looks like ss on the side, i.e. gold plate. Solid end links and an old style clasp. B2 is 19mm, good for a Date, but not the Sub or modern Datejust. I stay away from X-jewelry (B-3) cause none of his stuff ever worked out. B4 stole his picture from Watch Prince and charges half of what Watch Prince does, can't say if it's real- maybe 18k on brass. Here's another link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290050777380&rd=1&rd=1 At least you know it's gold plated, and the price is reasonable, so you're not getting ripped off

A 16000 series Datejust would have a 3035 movement as Randy says. The 1575/1565 would only be in a 1600 series watch. The 3035 went into production around 1977, first in the Datejusts and Dates and later in the subs.

You need to take the bracelet off and see what the SN and model # are. I've seen pie pan dials on early 1600 Datejusts, but not the 16000 series. A pie pan dial is sloped down around the outside perimeter of the dial. I can't tell from the picture if your's is pie pan. Your crystal is (or should be)plastic, and the movement would be the 3035.

Well, the guy sells a lot of other stuff, so maybe it's a good deal. You never know until you try, and that's what you got to do from time to time. I buy alot of stuff, just to see what it's like. And Bill said it was OK. But Bill said it was OK, before you posted the link, but maybe he was reading your mind!

That would be a good price w/ the Rolex datewheel overlay. Sure hope it comes with a stem. I just got a 2824 from ofrei or borel, sorry, can't remember, but w/ shipping, around $75 and I'm buying a date overlay from Luenfat- $15, so I'm $90 into it. This deal would save me $20, but unfortunately I need the 2824, not the 2836 this time around. Thanks for the link