Ronin

Love it. I am a big fan of the "Service Look" and wish Service Dials were more easily obtained.

One of the best instrumentals.... The Rush in Rio version of La Villa is very fun (wait for Alex/Geddy to break into Stan Getz Ipanema mode around 6:52):

Very nice. There are a lot of Seiko fans around these parts.

Love the Seiko and Fortis above!!!

^Was just going to say that. Great minds think a like.

Below is my UBI 5513 (with the I-Beams that make Freddy333 wince ;-) ) but this to me is more representative of a 1974->1977 model. Note the ROLEX tightness, and Swiss marking at bottom. (IIRC this is NDT and not perfect either, but works). [edit to add: the dial you posted above the SWISS T25 at the bottom screams BOO]

Reminds of a MBW dial, but with the I-beam 3-6-9 markers. Personally, I am not as big of a fan of the R O LEX spacing. Although this was common from 1.5mil serial number in 1966 off and on until about 1973. Given the meters first, this would most likely be late 60's. The "Swiss - T <25" however is not correct font/spacing to match with the meters first. Check out the dial archive on VRF: http://www.network54.com/Forum/539572/

Great shots! Nice watch...

E x c e l l e n t !

I am with Freddy333 on this one, and the thing to remember is context. If you live in a rural setting, vs a city setting, or wealthy area vs area hit by recession this is all moot. Honestly, in my neck of the woods the REP to GEN ratio actually favors more GEN's so the "it must be fake" comment is out of context in this case. Most of the bartenders, waitresses, and staff at some places may not say anything, but many KNOW and NOTICE as well. Depending on the place this could be good or bad. To answer the original question: BOTH, but leaning to status symbol. Rolex is to watches as Apple is to Computer/Gadgets. I know more people toting Apple devices around as a status symbol, then watch wearers these days.

Ditto. I never go to any one specific forum, unless to post. I simply live off the "View New Posts" link in the upper right corner. At the current traffic and signal to noise ratio here, it makes blowing in and out and catching the correct content I am after a breeze. If we see a major spike in traffic, then maybe it would make sense. Helpful hint: Please be descriptive in your post titles. Makes it even easier to spot content. You know something with 1680, 6263, etc in the title is vintage, etc. (or if Freddy333 makes a post)

Time for a new thread. Yesterday was the first day of Fall/Autum.

Wow, really steller pics today guys! Also, some cool dress watches! @Freddy333 great composition ^

Back in April, and christened on a dive trip in Hawaii!

@Cats, excellent photo!

@highoeyazmuhudee - Funny, my MBW 5513 from you had the Rotor fall off the bearing race. I simply replaced it with a gen rotor assembly. QC is lacking it appears these days.

Perhaps an optical illusion of the white dial, but that dial looks big. 29mm ish????

Love that dial! Great job, can't wait to see the bracelet on it.

Basically, any anti-persperent/deodorant with aluminum, and other metals. Spray or Roll-On. (Studies suggest link to Alzheimer's/Cancer's) Here's the thing: I too sweat a lot, but now only use the "hardcore" anti-persperent if I have a public speaking event, job interview/important meeting, or extended travel day. 90% of the time I wear no chemical based colognes, anti-persperent/deodorents, and never body sprays. Since I have stopped using anti-persperent, a funny thing happened, I actually sweat LESS. It will take your body a month or so to adapt and go back to working like it should, sans chemical aids. You body is designed to sweat for a reason, and blocking this with toxic chemicals is not a good thing. Also, sweat in and of itself should be odorless (unless you eat lots of garlic). Body odor occurs when bacteria begins to grow on your skin, and often in the moist areas. To prevent bacteria, bath/shower regularly, and if you need an evening clean-up under the arms, just do it. Tips/Tricks for kicking the Anti-P/Deo/Smelly chemical habit: 1.) Dress in layers when you can. T-Shits actually have a purpose under cloths to absorb the bacteria forming moisture and keep your outer layer dry. 2.) Bath/Shower daily, twice if you work-out that day. 3.) Quick under-arm wash after work, mid-day. 4.) Trick to kill bacteria odor-- (Road Warrior trick, devised after I forgot AP/D once) "Mouthwash" your arm-pits. (Dillute, or follow with water wipe down to eliminate sticky feeling) Final public service announcement: sinus and allergy suffers really don't want to smell your cologne, AP/D, body sprays. Etiquette dictates you should only smell a person from an "Intimate Distance" = 1/2 inch away (Man or Women).

I think you hit the nail on the head Ubi. With the years to come, and parts scarcity-- our vintage sports models I fear will be reduced to: 1.) $$$$$ All Original, Fully Documented/Packaged 2.) $$$$ All Original, possible missing some documentation or packaging 3.) $$$$ Well maintained, possibly with service parts, but fully documented 4.) $$$ Well maintained, but service parts detracted from original model, missing docs/packaging. 5.) $$ Genuine turned Hodge-podge/Franken as the result of unavailability of parts. 6.) $ Franken's built by the likes of us, Phong, NDT, Yuki, DW, etc. Crazy thing is-- shopping in category 4 through 6 above may be the sweet spot for people who like to wear watches and not be afraid to wear -vs- Vaulted/Winder-Queens. ??? @southcoast68 ^^ That could blow up in their face as a PR nightmare. Imagine the headlines: "Rolex buying up their old vintage watches, destroying, to control market value".

If your target market is someone with a eye towards the Vintage Rolex 5517, 5512, 5513, then I say go without the date. I just checked out the photos on the site, and the blue lume including @ 3 where the date window would be is very cool. Personally, for your watch, I like it without a date. Anymore- with computers and phones prominently displaying date, I don't think you need it on what could be a "grab and go" tool watch. I like my no-dates since I am not compelled to keep them on the winder to keep them wound and thus at the right date. One other small thing I noticed in your pictures is the caseback says "Swiss Automatic". Will you be offering these in both ETA and Seagull versions? Keep up the good work.