donerix

The PT 6542 case takes smaller dials. Even if you sand down the rehaut (to get rid of the wok) you can still put a 27.3mm dial in.

Looking good, And Ebzen is a guy that deserves it. Well done Ubi.

New watch (thanks Ebzen) and new matching knife. Nothing really special but great every day tools:

I am thinking the same way regarding the dial....but if I change my mind who is the best lumer for the job As for the bracelet: I wish I had a gen bracelet, but for now I would rather spend my money on a movement (hint!!!)

I am quite happy with that came with the case. So who would you recommend for the lume job? BTW - received the Yuki bracelet and after a little prying the gen spring bars went in. The fit of the end links isn't perfect, but until I find a gen bracelet it will be fine.

So the dial at VRF is actually a 1675?

Frankfurt Airport:

Freddy: Do you know when they switched from "Officially Certified Chronometer" to "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" ?

Freddy: could you explain why you think it's aftermarket? Looking at the engravings on the caseback I thought the same at first, but then I saw other gen pics (like the one from Praetor above) that look exactly the same as mine. If it is aftermarket I have to say that it is very well made IMO and it looks spot on in comparison with the gen mid case I bought before. Worst case that it is a very good aftermarket case it was still less than a Yuki, NDT or Phong Handling it I would still say that it is either 60 years old or somebody from Freddy's caliber made it look that way. What should I do with the dial?

Today's flea market find:

Thanks Freddy for clearing that up: Unfortunately - Instead of solving the movement issue I dug myself a deeper 6542-hole when I visited a monthly flea market in the outskirts of Munich today: It was another day of rain, but I needed to get out of the house, so I looked in the weekend newspaper for something to do and found an ad for a monthly flea market not too far away from where I was that was gonna happen "rain or shine". I love wandering around flea markets so I hoped in my rental and went there. Due to the rain not many visitors attended and therefore the vendors weren't exactly in a great mood. Getting wet within minutes I started wandering down the first row of stands which held some nice old German antiques, but of course I was looking out for those flat cases with see-thru tops that often hold jewelry and WATCHES . A few minutes later I see a van with an awning in the front and went - by pure instinct - for the covered area to hide from the rain. There was all kind of stuff including uniforms, swords, DVDs... and one of those cases. One customer was checking out the stuff in the case so I could only get a quick look and saw nothing really interesting. Well there was something that looked like a steel DateJust case in the front right corner with a black dial in it. The other customer took his time and I decided to move on, but here was nothing really exciting in the other stalls and the vendors started to give up and pack up their goods, so I started to head back to the car, but not without taking another look at that "DateJust". This time there was nobody else and I asked to see it, What I saw was this: I almost couldn't believe it, but yes it was a 6542 case with caseback, plexi, dial and crown. After a little negotiating I bought it for what I thought was very reasonable (less than what just a caseback alone sold for recently on ebay). Here some more pics: The case has been somewhat over-polished, but I don't mind. The dial has no lume left whatsoever, so now the question is re-luming it or leave it untouched? I would be interested if someone could tell me if this one of those 115 crystals (even if it is cracked). It seems a bit lower than the 116 and the upper edge is a lot rounder. Do you think it is authentic? I think so, but I am open to any suggestions otherwise.... So now I need two movements - OUCH

Natalie just emailed me the pic of the movement without dial: It looks like it's all there, but I am not sure since she left the washer on the center and it does look a bit different than the other GMT 1030 I have seen What do the experts think?

Enjoying some rare Munich morning sun:

I am 43 years old and it's the first time I regret never having had a sister (or any other sibling that would spend that kind of cash on me). Your brother should feel pretty lucky PS: Did I mention that I am up for adoption?

Welcome to the forum. You will find a lot of very helpful and knowledgeable members here (and of course the occasional douche), but I have to warn you: this place is highly addictive and probably as expensive as serious cocaine habit. Enjoy the ride...

Freddy: Thanks for digging that up from your archives. I am awaiting a pic of the front of the movement without dial and will post it when I get it. PS: I could see that they used a 1036 balance [censored] to turn a 1065 in a 1065 GMT, but I guess I could live with it in the end as long as the movement functions properly

Just looked at it. What's funny is that the movement on the pic is actually a 1066. Maybe it's not of the actual watch.....

Thanks again, Freddy. There was a moment last night when I was very close to get up and send that costly email This is the movement in question (sorry no real pic of the front of the movement without dial): So you think this could just have the GMT hand on their but without function? BTW - this is not the dial that would come with the movement. It's this one: Thanks again for the great advice

I was thinking along the same lines, but I am just worried that I won't find the missing parts. The 1065 GMT would need nothing, so maybe not a bad way to go and keep a few Joachimstalers (love that one BTW, being German and all...) I am going to sleep over it now...

Thanks Freddy. I knew it was worth waiting to hear what you had to say I was offered a working 1065 GMT for $2,500 today. I guess I have to sleep over it. Eric

At the airport in Nice waiting for a delayed flight to rainy Munich (really don't know why I am leaving):

That picture was from another movement for sale (just for comparison) which sold for over $2K. But I guess it will be easier to find a 1065 and then try to get the GMT module, at least it comes with the date wheel. MIght take a bit longer than I was hoping

You snooze you loose. It's gone, damn I hesitated too long. It still needed the GMT module though, the search continues. I still hope Freddy stops by and gives me his opinion

LOL - just found a three year old thread from Freddy asking pretty much the same question: http://www.rwgforum.com/topic/84877-can-you-convert-a-1030-calibre-to-1035-gmt/ Shows you how far ahead of the game he is.... I am actually considering going straight for the 1065 to not have to deal with the conversion. By taking the risk of somebody else buying it I am going to ask if some of the experts here (Freddy please ) could give me an opinion on this one: http://cgi.ebay.fr/Vintage-Rolex-mouvement-1065-For-6541-6542-5508-6538-/180704110265?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2a12cde6b9#ht_500wt_1156