Ronin

Surprised there is no explanation as to what is going on with the new badges and loss of power max, and member since… Was it just a forum update that was unknowingly applied, or was this a conscientious choice by the Admin?

Edit to add, those viewing this on Mobile browser only probably have no idea what we are talking about. Only noticeable on full desktop 🖥 browser version of the forum. 

I miss POWERMAX

Wow Naunq! amazing.

I think the other trick is to actually beat it up, then have it polished (lightly).  If you did the "Jar of coins" aging, then polished it, then wore it hard, you would achieve a believable aged case.

I use two lever style hand pullers, and sometimes these plastic tools you get from iFixit to fix iPhones, to unfold the links.  I then use brute finger strength to fold them closed, sometimes with the help of a wooden block to press against.  HTH

Yeah, whats up with the badges. "We don't need no stinking badges!"

Ditto, I have been here for 12+ years and got my 1yr badge and "Newbie" status.  🤣

Edit to add, didn't our avatar used have something like "Member Since 2008"?  or am I delusional?

My TD of choice has not been slow to respond per se'.  However, his responses have grown short, sometimes missing the question.  Actually, I believe some of the responses are coming from their employee's and not the man himself. 

Ultimately my TD comes through, but any QC pic issues or concerns are rebuffed, blamed on photos, or "will check with the factory" then after a week they ship the same watch with the QC concern anyways.  

I would say something is up.  Maybe the recent raids have them in a bad mood.

R U S H - 2 1 1 2

Going off of memory of a post I saw on another forum, the reversing wheels and attachment to ratchet wheel notoriously strip/implode on these. 
 

I think a proactive service of the auto winding system might help prolong this. 

2 hours ago, mysterytour said:Anybody got a lead on a manufacturer with a high quality Submariner, turn an old rep head on to a new TD. 

 

Yeah. The VSF 216610 is amazing. There are posts about it in the Rolex forum here. 

I have one of these in my parts drawers. The applied lume plots were laughable. Can you tell me more about the crystal and bezel swaps?  Did it require much mod. Was your bezel a click, wire, or nylon tension system?

looks like you didn’t drill the lug holes fir 2mm bars????

Fantastic!!! 👍

Similar situation here. Got the Gen’s I wanted. Was gone for about 5 years.
 

In 2019 I became frustrated and put off my what was/is happening in the Gen and Grey markets. Not to mention I have owned Gen’s from all the major brands and actually had many issues requiring warranty work that usually came back botched (Tudor).  When paying >$5k for a “Swiss” watch that has QC issues it sent me running back here. 
 

I think the price hikes are relative and generally worth it. A Seiko Turtle will run you the same as a NOOB, VS/VR, GM, BP; Rolex, PAM, Omega rep that is damn close. Get an ETA base run it till dies and swap in a Gen ETA/Sellita.  
 

If you haven’t handled the VSF 216610 Sub, it is worth every penny. The VS3235 movement is a true custom clone 3235 movement with an astonishing 72± hours power reserve.  Takes Gen Rolex calendar parts. If you can service ETA, you can service this. 
 

I go back and forth. I am fortunate and grateful I can walk in to a Rolex dealer and get what I want. At the same time the lure of Reps is equally, and at times more fun and satisfying. 

Ditto! I usually say something like "It's my own Restoration, a real Frankenstein <with a laugh>".  Also, "Swap-Job".  This will flush out people who have read the "The Rolex Report".  Or if it is a straight up Rep same as you: "MBW, Vaclume PAM Mod, Trusty VSF "Special" 😛

21 hours ago, Nanuq said:

I had an interesting email back-and-forth in the last couple months with a very well known vintage Rolex expert and I suggested many of the pieces that show up at GTGs wore aftermarket parts disguised to look distressed and old, precisely because of the lack of genuine parts.  I said IMO that is no reason to retire a watch.  We had to agree to disagree.  I think he's in for a rude awakening.

Amen! Just as Rolex purists have no tolerance for us, I have none for purists.  Name one other hobby involving mechanical components that does not have aftermarket parts available. The Vintage Auto scene is the closest parallel.  It's great if you have a 'trailer queen' just like a 'safe queen' more power to you.  However, reality is I doubt that 1969 Porsche has Original Tires, Brakes, etc. 

Franken's have started showing up at Red Bar and other GTG's.  I say bring it on!  Be honest and transparent about it, and you will probably make some new friends.  If you encounter someone who thinks you MUST buy a rusty $800 NOS Mainspring, or $500 'brittle' non-water resistant Tropic 29 vs a Clarke $20 NEW Mainspring or $12 replacement Tropic 29...agree to disagree. 

I think the Rolex craze and shortage is helping to bring more acceptance. At least in WIS circles I run in. 

Nice! Go BIG or Go Home!

Came across this posting from Angus (PT).  GMF, NOOB, and V6 have been mainstays over the years.

Thoughts?

I don’t want to speak for Nanuq. But, I think what he is saying is if you think Phong is tough to work with, MQ is is tough and of lessor quality. 
 

If you have high expectations, or expect customer service, on par with Amazon/Wal-Mart or eBay you may need to recalibrate your expectations. 
 

These guys don’t chit chat, educate, or answer more than one question.  You take the risk / GAMBLE that you will get what you want.

If you want a 6542, that still won’t fool a VRF/TRF or RWG guru, that is the closest to Genuine, 10x5 powered,be prepared to gamble $7000 with Phong. Simple as that.  
 

If you want something turn-key, and done right, I doubt you will find it or be satisfied. That is why most of here have taken the DIY approach and/or learned enough watchmaking to correct/finish/fix the final details.  
 

...again the last thing you want to do is send these guys paragraphs of txt., or a large list of questions.  Give them simple marching orders, cross your fingers, hope for the best, and be prepared to fix something on your own. 

Yep. Sounds right. My last international watch order hit the USA and took a full 7 days after clearing customs. 
 

Google: US Post Office Slowdowns.  Sigh...😞 

We were still receiving Christmas cards in February!  And I am in a major metropolitan US city. 

Short answer = yes. What country are you in?  Many TD's stopped using DHL.  Also, the USPS is a $hit show these days thanks to politics.

VSF and ARF got hit the hardest according my TD of choice. I’ve had “parts” on order for over 2

months. 

11 hours ago, RickFlorida said:

How does one even get a hold of Phong?  I asked him a simple question a month or two ago and never heard back. 

Are you contacting him on WhatsApp or email?  Did you email a bunch of questions?  
 

From my experience, he prefers WhatsApp and “few” questions. Either you know exactly what you want and are ready to pull the trigger -or you will not be a priority. HTH. 

16 hours ago, alligoat said:

Don't those little arrows on the back of the bracelet mean push pins?

Yep! The theme this week is what can we get from Seiko.  Looking closely at this, this is basically an early Seiko 7002 (pre-SKX) bracelet. 

Will it take 2mm bars?

10 hours ago, automatico said:

eBay item number  203114283734 

These are positioned as "SeiLex" Seiko+Rolex Homages.  Rolex'ish Case meant for a NH35/36 (aka Seiko 4R) movement and therefore the larger 28.5mm dials meant for SKX's and SRP's. 

If I had to guess, the Bezel is a "Nylon" ring tension bi-directional system on the acrylic dome models.  (Similar to what BP-Factory uses on some of their Vintage models).  Guessing the sapphire get click bezels.  The Nylon system sucks. Breath on it, and the bezel rotates.  At least the "Wire" system can be tweaked for tension.

Also, the adhesive rings for the inserts are usually too thick, best to just use GS hypo... 😞