lhooq

I didn't realize how much I missed seeing those classic By-Tor shots!

Looking good! I know I shouldn't be surprised by the factories anymore, but it's crazy how you're wearing yours while gens aren't expected in shops until the end of the year, at the soonest.

Nightwatch: Thanks! The leather NATO on the Junghans is from RWG member mcotter. The straps on the Hanhart and the Gallet are from Stowa, which carries some of the best low-cost, pilot-style straps I've seen.

082 again.

It really makes you admire whoever designed the IWC Ingenieur/Aquatimer bracelet: Grab two toothpicks and you can resize it in less than a minute!

DH: ChiMan12 wrote about this mod a few years back. From what I've read on other forums, several modders do it on a regular basis.

Excellent review, ww, and I'm looking forward to seeing the pics. Shame about the bracelet; I wonder if the gen is like that? After all, Omega made a big deal out of its revised Moon Watch, which is basically the same as the last Speedmaster Professional, but with a screwed bracelet and a fancier box.

Thanks, guys! ST4: As you might be able to deduce from my second pic, I rather like what Autodromo's done to revive the best of early 1970s designs! Small correction, though: That's a Heuer Carrera from 1970. The Autavia has a rotating bezel. Umpa: I very nearly bought an MBK Royal Oak (ref. 15400, in blue) while I was in Bangkok a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, the seller (an old RWG member) backed out at the last minute. Bc1221: I definitely exceeded my silver-dial Daytona quota. But every time I try to put one together in black, fate intervenes!

Interesting, tonytuzz. It looks like the insert is the same as the one in the photo I posted, which is like a hybrid between Mk1 and Mk2 i.e. the UPH text most closely resembles the former's, while the numerals are closer to the latter's. I'd be very interested to see close-up shots when you get it.

I love chronographs.

For me, the worst part about DW's acrylic bezels are the mess of letters forming UNITS PER HOUR and the opening that's too narrow for a proper T21. However, DW has fixed some of the former by recently releasing a new insert, seen below. New fonts for both letters and numerals, plus corrected spacing. Hopefully the print quality is still good, but I'm in no hurry to order from him again. Ever. Yikes, that was a bit big. You can compare with the older DW bezel in my ancient bezel comparison thread. Also interesting is DW's new batch of dials, which includes the prototype Yacht-Master. Unbranded, of course. (Wink-wink.) I say again: This is NOT an endorsement for dealing with DW!

Trusty makes a good out-of-the-box 1016, but it's a lot harder to recommend now than it was a few years ago, thanks largely to jmb's efforts toward democratizing the Explorer! The dial still holds up pretty well, in my opinion. The big downside of the Trusty is that your mod selection is very limited. If I recall correctly, neither a T22 nor a T21 will work due to inaccuracies of the old Datejust rep, on which this 1016 is based. You can use a T19, but you'll need to work on the outer diameter a bit and reduce its height substantially. A gen crown should work on the rep tube, as long as you use the newer type that takes a 5.3mm DJ tube.

As dropbear2008 noted, the bezel in the OP is supposed to be a Mk4. However, I don't think the fonts are very accurate, either for the numerals or the UPH text. For example, the loops on the 6s and 9s are too small, and the 2s and 4s should be more pointed. Character spacing is also a problem. At every point on the circumference, the numerals are too far apart from each other--and often aligned crookedly! Honestly, if it weren't for the wrong inner diameter, I'd say that DW did a better job overall on his 200UPH bezel.

More BB:

Remembering Amsterdam with my Speedy.

This has been a pet peeve of mine for both this watch and the new line of straight-lugged Speedmasters. If Omega wanted to pay homage to the old folded-link bracelets, brushed mid-links flanked by polished outer links would have been both more respectful and more practical. (You're most likely to scuff the wide bits in the middle!) Personally, I think Omega would have done better by giving ALL the links a brush finish. I'm holding off from ordering one of these until I've actually seen the gen at an AD and confirmed that it won't look silly-huge on my 6.5" wrist. Still, I'm really looking forward to seeing what dead reptile donerix puts his "Master Master" on!

Could you give a reason why?

As projects go, this one was pretty straightforward. It all started in July, not long after it was announced that "the factories" had tweaked their superlative Black Bay rep and created a blue version to match the one announced at Baselworld this past spring. Honestly, I've never been that interested in the Black Bay, since I saw it as a mish-mash of confused historical influences. Snowflake hands on a rose dial? And what's with that colored crown tube? But you do grow fonder of some things over time. It helped to have tried on the gen a few times, as did seeing cyberwarhol's rep up close during a GTG some months back. And, yes, the palette shift from burgundy to royal blue did much to change my mind. I'd had my fingers crossed for a blue Pelagos (still do), but this was the next big thing. So there I was in mid-July, looking at QC pics that highoeyazmuhudee had posted for an upcoming delivery. They looked terrific, in my opinion, but I've long favored the blue/gilt combo on Submariners. Why, just take a look at the fantastic 5512 that ChiMan built for me so many years ago, and that I still wear regularly. I quote myself: "I would love to see the blue Black Bay with gilt hands/dial. Now who can I convince to take one in red and silver?" To which sneed12 replied, "If you're serious I'll swap with you." Having set some funds aside for a rather pricey Fifty Fathoms, I really didn't need to spend another few hundred bucks on another rep. However, opportunities like this don't come up every day, and I really wanted to see how this thing would look! I PM'd S and let him take care of the ordering and assembly. There were several delays. First, the seller was about to send two Black Bays in the wrong colors; add a few days. Then the clasp of one of them broke, requiring sneed to drill out a link and rebuild the clasp. At this point, the movement swap was made: Add a few weeks, as he had to order new drill bits, but eventually it was all done: Easy-peasy, I suppose! You've all read enough about the Black Bay rep, so I won't be making a full review. I think the gilt dial/hands against the blue bezel and tube look amazing, so full marks to me and my vision! Similarly, I'm sure S is enjoying the Canadian colours on his Black Bay. I will note that the BB feels a lot bigger and much heavier than I'd expected--and that's saying something, considering how I've grown used to the heft of the Fifty Fathoms! Right now, it looks like it could be a go-anywhere, do-anything diver, but let's see if it has as much staying power on my wrist as my beloved 4-liner. Old and new: Of course, I couldn't help but see how it looks on Tropic rubber: Big thanks to sneed12!

Loved the series of photos in the OP. Great work!

I think the main reason for the micro-rotor resurgence (from high-dollar brands like Patek and ALS) is aesthetics. Everyone has an exhibition caseback these days, and it just won't do to have half the movement obscured for even a moment! Sad to see efficiency sacrificed for looks, but as with IWC ditching the Ingenieur's antimagnetic properties in favor of a sapphire caseback, it's in line with watches becoming jewelry more than anything else.

So... About that whole thread-crapping thing...

VERY good. Thanks, ww!

CK2915 on pigskin: