Ronin

...But I do read/speak/understand Japanese....and this is NOT Japanese. ;-)

I never considered a 5517 until seeing your build! E X C E L L E N T ! ! !

...for the record PolexPete, put me down for 2 as well...

Funny thing. In all the years of Rolex anti-counterfeiting techniques of stickers and rehaut engravings...The ONE thing that they abandoned-> Silver Brushed DW's seem to be the toughest thing to replicate. Silver under bright light Even somewhat shaded

I tend to stop at 50% the cost of an actual GEN in doing builds/mods. However, if the build contains GEN parts that could be parted back out, and resold, if need be, I might go higher.

Count me in as well. This is the best yet. Observation: Most people are hung-up on silver, even though Rolex RSC often replaced them with white. So far every attempt to duplicate "silver" ends up being a "bigger tell" because it is so hard to match the exact silver and brushing. The silver usually ends up too dark. Rolex Silver Datewheels actually look more "White/Bright" under bright lights or from a distance IMO. Just my .02. Edit to add, especially under the high magnification of something like a 1680

What is scary, is I can identify that CLOCK/Watch. It is the IKEA RUSCH Clock. If I had to guess he just bough it and is carrying it via the shrink wrap around his wrist. They come in different colors. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70098989/

Here is my 1016 Build. http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/151625-1016-wip-almost-fin/ See also, http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/156859-1016-on-bracelet-or-leather/ Honestly, from an on the street and wearing it perspective, don't get hung up on fractions of a mm. My 1601 based build was as easy as 1-2-3....

Exactly. I was commenting on attitude. I think "disclosure" is key in the re-sale market. Example, you SHOULD be able to Sell Franken's with Gen Rolex SN, and mis-matched parts or even an aftermarket bezel on eBay as long it is disclosed as such with out getting flagged down. As far as unscrupulous sellers, as always buyer beware, and hope those DO get flagged.

Great observation. It is only logical as time passes and reality sets in. Time to soften the edges so to speak. I was recently at a Concourse d'Elegance car show where it was TOTALLY acceptable to have Porsche 356/550 based Replicar's displayed as an offshoot of the vintage Porsche section. A few years ago, the 356 community was pretty split and there was a lot of ANTI-Replicar people. This year however the tone seemed different, and the Replicar's were of great interest. The "new logic" I was overhearing was: I can drive (and enjoy) the ~$30,000 replicar daily, and not worry about getting rear-ended in a GEN 1950's era Porsche. Plain and simple. If something is NO LONGER produced, and parts availability scarce, it is time to embrace and celebrate enthusiasts and the aftermarket who are keeping something once great-- Alive!

Sub Day

As mentioned. Baking Soda, or Dr. Scholls shoe powder.

Depending on how all out you want to go, and if you are open to DG2813 style movements... A Yuki adapter or Stilty (if he is still around) ring with a few seconds of dremel work on the adapter + a "recent" batch of 21j's with passable font and proper distance for a GEN dial will drop right in. (NO OVERLAY REQUIRED). I have one of these movements if need be.

Great idea. Also, I would love to see the watchrecon equivilant that parses the FS sections of the rep forums. Just a thought.

Not really a fan of Macallan until I had this, ACE'd in Chateau Petrus casks. Currently on shelf: 1984 Yamazaki* Lagavulin 16yr Ardbeg 10 Bowmore Darkest 15yr Hakushu 12yr* Yamazaki 12yr* Bruichladdich Laddy 10 Tullibardine 1993, Sherry Wood *Technically not Scotch from Scotland, but the Japanese are doing wonderful Scotch Method Whisky.

Looking good!

Beat me to it. Yes, a patent expires. However, things like Tank could be a Registered Trademark, which also creates another set of issues. However, unlike the @#$%^& @ Monster (Cable) who tried to sue anyone with Monster in their name back in the day. If you are in non-competing industries it is less of an issues. IIRC Monster tried to sue a Auto Transmission Repair company and Monster.com (the Job/carrer) company claiming they had exclusive rights to Monster. But I digress. There is also something called Prior Art. You could not generically patent a "round" or "square" watch generically for example because it is too vauge and assumed that it has to be that shape to begin with. In short, as long as a consumer is not "confused" or "mislead" into thinking they are getting the competing $$$$$$$ brands product, then they should be OK. Cartier vs RW on the dial is a lot different then say Cartier -vs- Kartier | Carier | Carrie, etc. Then there is clear potential for confusion.

Excellent!

That would be right at home in Nanuq's pocket or under his Rover tire.