Ronin

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!

Some of these like Cartier are mostly bluster and bullying. Probably don't ahve a legal leg to stand on. Some things that are clear patent infringements are a different story. Panerai has been pretty sucessful defending it's crown/crownguard/locking mechanism. Hardly ever see any watches with anythiing even similar on the genuine market. On the other hand you have things like Mercedes hands that Rolex uses, copied by hundreds of brands.I doubt that those hands were patentable or copyrighted, as they are not something unique that Rolex invented. Also over time patents expire and become public domain. that's why we have generic drugs, brand patents expire and others step in to make the same drug at 10% of the price.

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. 

Non-Issue.  You will be fine.

Also, when traveling, I tend to wear long sleeves.  NOT because of reps, which it would hide, but consider the following;

1. If you are sporting serious bling, it will make you less of a target of would be petty-crime or mugging.*
2. I really don't want my bare skin touching a.) the guy next to me on the plane, b.) grimey arm rests for 4+ hours.
3. A long sleeve button down or sweater can be more fashionable / professional.  If you look like a mature traveler or business guy, less issues

Again, you will not have an issue...  *And America is actually safer from "petty-theft/crime" than say the pickpockets in Pigalle.

Nice.  Now repeat that picture with a Dunhill Lighter.

280/9315

580/93150

380 Might Be Right.....  501 might be too narrow as it is for a GMT/ExplorerII Case.

Finally, the lug holes might simply be drilled a hair off and that is the root problem.

Keep the comments coming.  I will shoot it with a 9315/558 when I get a chance.

Cool.

Personally I don't like the 1016-leather combo, doesn't work for me since the Explorer is the pure toolwatch.

Over all I don't like the 7206 that much and I think I would put a 7836 or 78360 on it. Imho it would be more correct since you have a service dial.

I would sell the 7206 and get a nice 7836/78360 instead and you have probably a bit money left as well.

I have to say, you make some excellent points.  Thus, my 3rd choice.  While the 7836x is the correct, non-safety clasp counterpart to the 9315x, I have a MINT 9315 sitting in my safe.  With the correct endlinks (558) for this DJ 160x case, it could be the perfect mash-up for a 40+year old watch.  (I am not a purest, and matching a 783x vs 9315x is a plausible real world scenario).

Definitely the bracelet. What's C&I?

C&I were the USA Market 7206.  Key differences are the clasp is a bit larger, and lack the Steelinox marking, etc.  Also, the Rivets have dimples in the tops of them.

So, I have a dilemma.

I finally installed the C&I 7206 bracelet, with minimal stretch for its age, on my 1016 project (Project: http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/151625-1016-wip-almost-fin/).

I then received an offer of $750 from an acquaintance who wants to buy the bracelet from me.  I am on the fence.  I don't need the money, but I am also luke-warm on the "fit" (primarily endlinks).  I also need to remove a link (which is no big deal, I have a tool that makes quick work of R&Ring these links).

Finally, I could install a 9315 w/558 end-links (558 are the correct link for the 160x case).  This would proved the best bracelet fit, but I loose the rivets.  It does fit the "Service Theme"

Photos to help with decision.

On the Fence...

Excellent job, and excellent photo journalism.

Question for the group, I built mine out of a 1603, so what, if any advantage does a 16200 case hold.

All I did was swap crystal, JMB, and opened the lug holes on the 1603 and added a service dial.

This has never failed me:

http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/151625-1016-wip-almost-fin/page-2?hl=%2B32mm+%2Bsocket#entry1162009

Edit:  That is a 1016 post that a 32mm was appropriate for, you will notice I mention 36mm for Sub/GMT.

I am not a Patent Lawyer, but Patents do expire, and that is why the likes of Invicata, etc can more or less copy the designs without issue.  As long as it does not contain a Rolex logo or association they are free and clear.  I believe the current Patent last 7 or 9 years.  This is also why Rolex makes major changes in about that amount of time.

First of all, the writing is on the wall that the next Bond will be (not sure how to be politically correct, so I will just say it), black actor Idres Elba.  Welcome to:  "this ever changing world in which we live in" [Paul Mcartney - Live and Let Die]

http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/10/this-idris-elba-to-play-james-bond-rumor-just-got-serious/

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Personally, I like Daniel Craig, and HE could be the best Bond but, other than Casino Royal, the scripts have been lacking.  We had Quantum of Suck, followed by Skyfall which might as well have been a mash-up of Batman, Bourne and Bond.  You had a "Joker+Bane" villain, and Skyfall Manor (might as well have been Wayne Manor, complete with Alfred), and dead parents that sent him on his course.

That said.  Connery still #1.

(Edit to add, just watched "The Living Daylights" (Dalton), and damn, that was an excellent Bond film.  Dalton played it more like Craig, however coming off of Moore might have been too serious)