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Lovely pair of photos, ZK. Sub to end the week:

I see what Akira sees, but sheesh... It's not as if the main complaint with Yuki's 7206 was the clasp!

Episode III: Backstroke of the West?

R: I noticed that, too, but thought I was seeing things. What the hell, Omega? Is it possible that the rehaut is pinching that plot in place?

Hello, old friend! Another old favorite:

Dreaming is free, kid, but I'm not the one hanging around fashion models in Manhattan! I'm no expert on MBWs (I just wear one!), but the biggest differences I see appear to be the pearl and the rehaut. Is it just me?

Thanks! I don't know if the combo was ever used back in the day, but it's a near-perfect match to me. There's hope for you yet!

All Valjoux 7734 chronographs have evenly spaced pushers; this is true of the gen 7032 and of DW's case. A possible source of confusion is that later Tudor chronos used Valjoux 234s, and those movements (closely related to the 72) required an asymmetrical layout.

HB, S! Remember to take some time to say thanks for everything you have. Like the Ingy, the Tudors, the GMT...

Just when I thought I'd start saving my pennies for a Tudor Pelagos, Omega goes and releases a Speedmaster I've wanted ever since it made that half-hearted "1957 Reissue" in 1998. "First OMEGA in Space"* aka "Wally Schirra" aka "CK2998 Redux". I'm sure I can think up a bunch more later. Some early thoughts: I love how the mid-case looks, and how it recalls the proportions of the Pre-Moon Speedy. What's the lug spacing on this one? Is a bracelet a possible option? Sapphire crystal is a mistake. Perhaps the mis-matched chrono hands are based on a real example, but I really think they should have been all sticks or all Dauphines. If anything, the running seconds should have a thinner hand than the other two. A bit more creativity on the dial would've been nice. The '57 Reissue's dial would look good in this one. So would the hands and bezel, for that matter. (Wonder if they would fit?) My biggest issue with the "Schirra" is the price. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the MSRP of CHF 4750 given the inflation of Omega prices in general, and of its special editions, specifically. But I can't help thinking that that pile of cash would go a long way toward buying an original, straight-lugged c.321 Speedy, though probably not a CK2998. Best-case scenario for me? One of our friends in China decides to rep the new case, sending us all scurrying to bid on old Lemania 1873 chronographs! Still.. Nice one, Omega. (*When did OMEGA become all-caps?)

There is no issue. The pusher layout on DW's 7032 cases is correctly symmetrical. To be precise: it's symmetrically correct!

Twofer Wednesday:

I don't like how Omega is turning the rubber straps into billboards for the model. I suppose it makes more sense of you drive a lime-green Porsche with CARRERA plastered onto its flanks. I'm surprised there's no talk about my favorite Omega in all of Baselworld. No, not the Z-33! (Good guess.) I'm talking about the CK2998 remake, straight-lugged Speedy!

ChiMan: How hard would it be to convert a V72 DW case so that it would accept a 7750? I bought a small number of V72 cases during the "DW's going out of business" scare, and I'd like to make immediate use of at least one of them!

I remember doing an eyeball estimate on the dimensions of a proper 6238 bezel some time ago. I can retrieve my notes if someone wants to revive that project. Like jmb says, it would be a piece of cake for him to turn one out, and it would be more straightforward than blanking an engraved 6239 bezel. The problem with a 6238 build is still the dial, as there are no satisfactory ones out there. The best remains the cartel 7750 dial that's on alligoat's transitional. DW produced a small batch of 6238 dials two years ago, and they were some of the most horrible dials he's ever produced. Here's hoping for a decent one from one of our aftermarket friends, as I would definitely go through the pain of another V72 build just to get a good 6238 at the end.

Very cute, ZK.

My date is correct, too!

My only Hamilton:

Very good response. A little skepticism is always in order whenever a new cause becomes fashionable. I'm still ticked off for paying $10 to see Machine Gun Preacher, when I could have watched Drive again...

Congratulations! Can't go wrong with a genuine PO.

Oh, you know how it is, K. Someone reads a few pages on VRF, sees a few pictures on Maron's site... A few days later, he thinks he's the Explorer Know-It-All!

Nice, eclectic selection today! Here's a Longines to add to the mix:

Dee: I'll be very interested to see those photos, too. I remember when Mulholland was selling domed T22s for $250 two years ago. Maybe I should have bought one then. Anyway, here's my Fasci "gen-spec 1016" springbar versus a Nam Hing "gen-spec 1680" bar: During my Space-Dweller build, I saw a lot of variation in the crystal profiles of T22s. Here are the ones that I believe to be the most correct, and that I used as references:

I haven't seen an original 1016 springbar (#23-9293), but I use the aftermarket ones from Australia. I'll try to get a picture up later. Similarly, I've never seen a domed Tropic 22 up close, either. Every 1016 I've handled has either had a service crystal or a non-original dome. Regarding the three photos you've shown... It's strange how cloudy it looks around the edge, but I think that may just be an odd angle on an otherwise correct crystal. Similarly, I'm having trouble reading #2 in isolation. #3 shows almost no vertical "shelf" beneath the dome. Maybe the crystal has been polished a lot, and the bezel could be pushed down a bit more?