donerix

I am by far not as long around as some of you guys, but even I understand that the more and more exact reps coming out these days are actually taking away some of the fun. A watch just feels more special when you have done something to it. Got the Pam26K and the new AP Diver V2 and while they are great watches they don't really give you that spark. I took the DIver in the water not even worrying if it will hold up because worst case I just send it back and get a new one... My solution are the vintage watches, they leave you more creativity and ingenuity and actually let you tell a story, a new story with every watch Photography is another topic that keeps me inspired, looking for new backgrounds and props and working with new and different editing tools. Apart from that everything you do for a long time will loose it's appeal at some point, just like sleeping with the same woman year after year (there comes a point when you have to get creative )

Received the gen mid case and since I still had Serge's watch (I was literally already on the way to the post office to ship it out) I couldn't resist to compare the two: A few differences, but all in all not too shabby. Also tried on some of the PT parts on the gen case: -caseback fits perfect -Clark T-116 fits, but then the NDT bezel assambly is a bit loose, might work with the gen crystal which is a bit thicker -bracelet doesn't fit, big gap between endlinks and case -PT dial is about 1mm too small to fit, but I bet the InGod dial will fit. -my gen datejust crown fits, but I really want a 6mm Brevet Money-sucking Franken-project here I come

No wristy today, but received my gen 6542 mid case just in time to compare it to my build for Serge, A few details can be improved, but all in all not too bad: Anybody knows which endlinks are the correct ones for this case (unfortunately the PT bracelet won't work (big gap between case and endlink), but the caseback fits

Details please! Looks great. Two new ones for me today: 47mm Destro Egiziano with my first Nicaraguan caught, skinned and naturally tanned Sharkskin strap: And AP Diver V2 on bracelet (heavy chunk of metal): I think it's too much metal for me, anybody has a rubber strap with metal connectors I can buy (didn't think that one through when I ordered the bracelet) so I can use all the straps I made for it

Funny, but suddenly the word "grail" does come to mind Wonderful piece, makes you suddenly understand what those guys on VRF are talking about when they mention "history". No rep will really ever have that and that's why gens like this one are ultimately unreachable. Enjoy it, I am sure your late friend will do so as well watching from above...

The Grail: I have been thinking for a quite some time now and I always get confused with the term "grail": By definition it is: "the object of an extended or difficult quest" So my ongoing Angelus 6152-1 project (16 months in the making) and my just started 6542 Franken ( so far I only have a gen mid case) would qualify. But if I look at my grail watch as the watch that I would buy if money and availability where taken out of the equation I don't know if I could really just settle for one watch (which would make life probably a lot easier). Or if I think of "The perfect watch": Then I want the stylishness of a vintage Rolex Cosmograph or Big Crown, the size and wrist presence of a Panerai 6152-1 and the ruggedness and everyday convenience (including water-resistance) of a modern Sea-Dweller - ALL IN ONE WATCH. While my GWSD of all my watches probably comes the closest to these goals it still doesn't give me that ultimate satisfaction that I am looking for. The AP Diver gave me some goose bumps, but somehow the weird mix of elitist sky-high gen price tag and readily available mass produced reps in amazing quality (V2) take away from that special feel - it's like buying a DVD with Eva Mendez knowing that she will never return my imaginary phone calls and just hitting rep(lay) over and over. Maybe the quest has to continue for that there will always be a grail watch - seemingly unobtainable. But then maybe one day someone will build my personal Ultimate model, until then I will happily try out every watch that gets me ticking

Despite it's complications I still like the Cosmograph for formal situations: Or a big crown sub: Or even a GMT or Explorer: I think that's why I like vintage rollies so much, they work in almost very environment. Ian Fleming knew it a long time ago ....

Well, with the qualities of your builds you must be topping out by now. And speaking of parts hunting: I might need some help soon. Got myself in some trouble while browsing ebay unsupervised: 6542 mid case, that's all I got so far (and already spent more than on most of my other builds HELP !!!

And the 6542 craze continues: Alone at home and searching for stuff on ebay I came across this gen 6542 mid case: I just bid thinking that somebody is gonna bid a lot more anyway, but ended up winning the auction, so now I am stuck with a Franken project that will probably bankrupt me. Where to get a case back? And the one correct crown I saw was almost $400 ............... arghhhh.

I start feeling really inferior with my Spinmaster. I guess time to trade up

I am flying there Wednesday morning. If you want one better let me know asap and I can still make it and bring it to Miami. After that I will be on vacation for two weeks in Europe.

Now - WHO is your neighbor?

Not that far off:

This is my dream configuration: black dial, no Daytona, V72 (I assume) and screw down pushers. I usually like the black bezel even better, but this looks beautiful. FAP engraving on the case back maybe??? Enjoy it

If you have a sample strap that I can use - yes. I am not sure what case size it is so the lug part of the strap might be different.

Still raining here:

To make it water-resistant you have to either use only shark leather (some are soft enough to do so, others are a bit uncomfortable). Or you use a water resistant material for the lining. The thread and glue will hold up. Of course if you take it in the water you should make more of an effort to maintain the strap by regularly treating it (mink oil works well for me).

Sorry, will be a while. The shark skin is in my place in Miami, I am still in Nicaragua. I will be there next week, but then go on to Europe. I will show some pics of the hide and then take orders with a completion of mid-August. Should look like this:

Well I guess I got lucky. I bought my GWSD at MBK last year. I had brought a gen 39 replacement crystal with me (mainly to verify if the newer MBWs accept gen parts) and had it installed by a watch repair shop right outside MBW (up by the Sky Train) which the nice guy from Nah Piek showed to me. I took it in the water one hour later and since then never had a problem. One hour after purchase in the hotel pool: At home after some mods:

Looking at your pics I would almost say the strap is the biggest tell of all. And I thought the rep rubber was actually quite good, but the difference in texture is obvious....

One of my neighbors found this one in his well, killed it and gave it to me. I had to skin it:

Just don't wrap the nice bike around the tree Everybody has the right to an opinion. I guess we agree to disagree, end of story.

Thanks rsea, your's isn't too bad either

Around $200, depending on the base case I find. Sned me a PM if you are interested.