txcollector

Based on Mickey's description of the Volcano I think it depends on the case. Mine has 4 short screws (per gen) so the gen kits work well. The Volcano seems to have a long screw that goes all the way thru the case. The kit wouldn't work with that I think. Vac is the master. The lume is perfect in terms of brightness per gen. The gen is not like the Omega or Pams so it is really gen like.

Interesting. The Black Themes seems to have the same strap system as the gen (btw that case is a work of art). Could it be that the Volcano comes for a different factory? BTW, the lower right screw is really hard to get in, not matter which kit (and the one I lost originally). I think some of these cases are hit and miss.

Exactly. I actually bought the rep kit for less then $20 I think. I got the APBands used for about $100. Not worthy in my opinion. Also many folks lose a screw or two (I did). APBands sells just the screws and they work fine too. I'll be posting more pics this weekend with all 3 options (bracelet, hornback and alligator).

That's the APBands hornback. I was told you can't distinguish from the OEM. I haven't seen the rep but word on the street is that is not good. I bought mine with the bracelet and got the higher end straps from APBands.

you have a PM. My time may not be relevant since I had a batch of watches with him and I got caught in the middle of one of Chief's runs.

I have both the rep kit (bought it separate since mine came with the bracelet) and the APBands kit. To be honest I can't tell which one is which anymore. I have one mounted on my hornback and the other on the black alligator. Both work fine. They fit with no issues.

Doc, The main issue is the inside opening. The spring loaded get too thick and they don't fit. Can you measure the inside/outside of the tubes?

Nice job T. Thank you for having a watchful eye.

It's not a very good rep. The dial is bad, the bezel is bad. I don't even count this as a first try more like a pre-alpha Look at the DW, how glossy the dial should be, the Omega logo/writing should be raise, the numbers should be raised, the OEM bezel is made of a different manufacturing process that allows for the numbers/markings to pop. I'm sorry but this is more an inspired watch than a tentative at a rep. If you like that look Ofrei sells a glossy dial that's closer to the liquidmetal than this rep. There's no OEM bezel available though (and I doubt we will ever see one)

HBB RG

AP ROO Black Themes for me

what model did you have?

Thanks folks. It's very interesting. I like the bracelet a lot and it it really becomes a dressy watch with it despite the size. With the hornback it's very sporty. I also have an alligator with black stitching. I'll be posting better pics later.

Folks, I'm so pleased that I have back my Black Themes now with Vac service and lume. Currently mounted on an APBands hornback. Stunning.

it's very hard to find larger tubes. I have been looking for one for a gen manual crown and it's impossible. I'd vote 2.

very nice. Almost impossible to distinguish from the gen.

but not the same type of crown/CG. It would easy to knock off that crown and get water inside the watch. I agree. My statement did not make much sense Again I think any Patek is just a very expensive piece of style. Even if it suitable for diving I'd not put $25K under water.

strange, most references say the Jumbo rates at 120M not feet.

I don't think I agree with that. The DateJust doesn't have a similar style crown/CG and case. Although I agree the lack of a timing bezel reduces the usefulness of the Nautilus during a dive it is nevertheless a watch that you use to time your dives about 100M. I can't say the same of the datejust. With that bracelet that would be hard to do however the Nautilus can fit under the sleeve. Most dive watches are too bulky to fit under the wetsuit and require rubber straps or complicated mechanisms that don't work so well in bracelets.

The Nautilus was a response from PP from the trend in the 70's of cheaper very accurate quartz watches. Patek saw sales going down and they had to expand the line from their traditional Calatrava and complications to more sporty watches. The Nautilus collection kept with Patek Philippe's elegance and sophistication so the idea of a dive bezel or any other obtrusive dive watch feature would not go well with the brand. The original Patek Philippe Nautilus watch became the innovative trendsetter in the category of sports timepieces. The timepieces of those days were traditionally produced from gold, while Nautilus featured steel unconventionally oversized and uniquely shaped case. The design was based on the universal shape of a porthole found on virtually all maritime vessels. The Nautilus design is based on a 3 piece case held by four small-sized vertical screws that seem to be threading into the distinguishing flanges of the case. The vertical screws in comparison to the ones that go through the case into the back offer one more advantage - they provide more exterior space for movements. In addition the Nautilus had many dive/sport features for its time: Rated at 120m/393ft with a screw down crown protected by a crown guard and a tightly sealed case. The fact is very few divers actually put their high end watches to normal everyday uses. Unless you are going below 300m constantly it's unlikely you will be wearing your Rolex, Omega or any other high end dive watch (I certainly do not ).

It looks strange. The only thing good is the bridge. The back of the case is missing the traditional Titanium and Ceramic, the strap links cover are short (should be long), the DW is incorrect (should be sunken like Francisco mentioned), the engraving on the rotor is too deep.

W, look at the bright side, now W is a perfect good short for your id. Also watch meister is a fitting name, isn't it?

this is awesome Sander. I see this method as easier to do since the only additional part (apart from the dial) would be the DW. In the DD approach you need a new movement and some serious case mods. However this DW mod won't fix the crown position. Between the 2 methods (Dubois Depraz chrono module vs using the ETA 2892 on a modified 7750 based sec@12 donor, which one do you prefer?

I'm sorry but this strikes me as "since I can't get a bargain here I'll just share and look good". I wonder if you had a chance to buy those for cheap if you would be so willing to share.

I think your curiosity is fair but I wonder what would make you post ongoing auctions here.