what2

the trusty model looks exactly like you describe, a too wide smooth bezel. The perfectclones version seems much closer to the truth

I did not see the perfect clone one, Trusty has a 40mm version that is basically a daytona with a smooth bezel, the perfect clone 37mm is what I was looking for. Thanks

Does anyone know a source for this style rep chronograph?

thanks

I had the chance to play with one of these and a gen in the same day... the gen was older of course but the only thing I noticed was "stiffer" steel in the rep, the gen was easier to bend and shape, where the rep held its shape to a greater degree.

this one was advertised to have an authentic ETA movement

I was thinking along the same lines... same question about finances more or less, with the new no crown guard cases from the cartel how much are we gaining with the extra $700 or so for a yuki?

I may give it a shot, now that I have a real hand setter I need a new challenge and way to screw up movements

thanks I will send it to you to be put right, but I would like to pay something. Is this the sort of thing that the timezone watch school would prepare me for?

I think I am going to send it out to a watchguy I know that will work on eta based reps, I went to open my tool box and for a second I heard the watch movement crying. I do have another dead eta in my box, I might try taking that one apart and see how it goes. Then again if I would take the TZ watch course like I have been thinking about for like the last 7 years I would not have this problem.

my watch tools are like the roach motel for movements, they check in but they never check out. Guess I will have to order another watch and start again....

Finally got my 1680 back together, found a spare second hand, it looks good enough... went to put it back together and the stem will not "lock" into the movement... help???

not sure what it is with this watch, I even bought a hand press, man how did I ever do without it?

Got a very nice 1680 rep a few weeks back, faded the insert, tumbled the case and bracelet... then I noticed the shine on the "lume!" Figured I would try the oven method to turn down the shine and make the lume look old. Popped the hands and dial in the oven, 5 minutes later looked almost there so I left them in and started watching pawn stars. Note to self... 45 minutes is far too long, dial looks old but has bubbles, and the female part of the second hand popped off to who knows where, which I figure means I either warped the hand, or it was epoxied in.

Living by the old motto "when life gives you lemons drink scotch" I figured this gives me a great opportunity to build a tudor snowflake, which leads to my question.... any source other than yukiwatch to get a snowflake dial and hands set, for less money?

I think I have a catalog that carries aftermarket versions of the whole kit for about $8, message me if you want one or two

I think I am going to ask around to the various sources to see if anyone can provide a 5513 case with the 5517 parts, probably the cheapest and quickest route

then I am guessing my best bet would be to somehow get a 5513 case, but with 5517 bezel insert, dial and hands? Closest I could come to a 5517 that uses springbars, right?

wanting to build a 5517 type rep, but would like to have spring bars. I see two choices I guess, buy a 5517 from Paul for example and cut out the bars, or take the 1680 rep I just got and replace the dial-hands-crystal. I am guessing there are probably other ideas I am missing, any help? If I were to simply buy a 5513 type rep which seller has the model that is closest to reality right out of the box? Other question is besides the spring bars are 1680 cases much different from 5513 cases?

I had the same idea, unfortunately the hour hand got mangled when I took it off, and is off with a professional to try and get reinstalled. I tried baking the hands, and while the hour and minute hands darkened only slightly, the gmt hands darkened to nearly a perfect match to the dial.

the dial I am looking at is made for a 2784, not the 2824. I am getting a 1680 rep with a eta 2846, and the hands and dial I am thinking of putting in are made for a eta 2784

actually that is why I asked, I am thinking of turning my new 1680 rep into a vintage tudor rep

I have a 1680 from puretime on the way and was wondering if dials and hands made for an eta 2784 will fit a 2846?

I used bleach and then after 30 seconds or so wiped the insert with a cloth. Make sure your bleach is actually good old fashion bleach, alot of them now are "color safe" and made up of other chemicals

I have the presses, for some reason I cannot get it back on

took the hands off my new josh vintage GMT and just cannot get the hour hand back on. Anybody out there that is the zen master at replacing hands that is willing to do it for me? I can pay of course and I am in the US

jeff

I would, but it is in pieces as I have started the ageing process. The folded link bracelet is about 90% there to being a rolex orig, the design seems exact as I compared it to a couple of gen rolex links I have laying around and the appearance is pretty much the same and the design is more or less exact. The rolex do have an edge in "finish" as the edges are sharper and a bit more ragged on the rep bracelet. The steel is a little different in that they links are a bit springier than a gen and harder to open and close when adjusting the size. The good thing is that once you twist, turn and pull it for a while it gets that old about to fall apart look I am after. Only real difference is that the rep comes with highly polished sides on the links, but a 220 sanding block took care of that.

The case is very nice, with a substantianal gasket on the back, and two in the crown and tube. The crystal is a press fit, around the outside of the lip of the case, and not going anywhere. I had planned on taking the crystal off and the epoxy it back on, but even pretty good pressure on the case press will not pop it off. The movement is even held in by two screws and plates, with a brass spacer ring.

My basic opinion is that I bought the watch for the look, but when I took it apart came away very impressed with the construction and attention to detail. I have been beating up the case and bracelet, working on the bezel for the aged look, tomorrow I am going to bake and coffee the dial and hands and hopefully get it back together and working.

I really like the explorer, the bracelet is about the closest I have seen to a real rolex folded link oyster, and just as much a pain to change the size. A quick run through coffee grounds with the dial and hands and it will be nice. I like how the date wheel comes with a "pre-aged look"

I expected to like the bonds sub more, but I think I am more impressed with the exp 2 than I thought I would be, might let the bond go if it does not grow on me. Pictures later, on my way to hockey