ubiquitous

Looks like an Alpha to me...

Yep. The tip/boss has been broken off.

Looks like a great time! And a great way to spend a birthday...

The case surface prior to being PVD'd is what ultimately determines it's appearance once coated. i.e. if you have a shiney, polished case and you PVD it, you get a shiney PVD case as a result. If you media blast the case prior, you get the matte finish as a result. Not sure that there is anything you can do to turn the finish on your watch to a matte finish if your case is actual PVD.

What cracks me up is that on most any gen forum, you'll always have the closet rep owners. And we're talking some of the more prominent folks on those forums. I wonder how many of those same people, who would look down at a person or categorize them for simply wearing a rep have a rep or two in their own collection? Probably more than one would think or realize...

Ubidonna

Both. And sometimes at the same time...

If anyone ever asks me... I can take pride in stating the truth: 'I built this watch from parts' Usually, that strikes up quite a lot of curious discussion to which most typically end with the interested party inquiring 'Uhhhh... How much do you think it would cost to build XYZ (or insert any random watch model, brand, etc)...?' BTW, I would have busted up laughing if someone told me they paid $1300 for a new replacement bezel insert. RSCs charge $50 for those.

PAMman- I'd consider that to be a franken. At least in my book...

For a basic phone, with very little in the terms of techie-gizmo-whirlydingies, I think a rep phone is okay. That's mostly why I bought my Vertu rep; very little to do with any features other than simply using it to talk on. For a smart data phone like the iPhone 3G, just get the real thing. Less hassle. Less headache. Everything works as it should (hopefully), and they're not that expensive anyways.

Personally, I would define a franken as: -Gen dial -Same base caliber movement as gen -Additional genuine parts (any combination of crown, crystal, bezel and/or insert, hands, bracelet case, but not necessarily inclusive of all) -Built from parts or dismantled watches i.e. I would consider these to be franken pieces: 9411 frankenstein: -MBW case -Gen dial -Gen hands -ETA 2783 (same as genuine) -Gen T-125 -Gen crown -Gen tube -Gen insert with tritium pearl fitted -Gen 580 end links -Gen 78360 bracelet -Gen 93150 clasp -CG's shaped -Lug holes drilled 16520 frankensteins: -Gen case (white)/aftermarket case (black) -Gen dials (both) -Gen hands (both) -EP 400/3019 movements (both) -Gen crystals -Gen crowns -Gen tube (white)/aftermarket tube (black) -Gen bezels -Gen 503B end links And I would consider this one a modded piece... 16610 modded WM9: -WM9 case -WM9 dial -WM9 hands -ETA 2836 (Swiss) -Gen 295C -Gen crown -WM9 tube -Genuine bezel assembly -Genuine insert -TW Best end links modified -WM9 outer immediate links -Noob main links -WM9 clasp Even though the Sub also has a long ingredients list comprised of several parts not original to the watch, the basis for the project is still largely based on the WM9 with some gen parts simply added. The following is a sort of grey area for me... Completely built from parts, but very little to zero gen content: Pre-A 002: -Jimmy case -FGD dial -DSN hands -Swiss 6497 -Jimmy crystal -Kruzer crown (gen?) -Jimmy tube -Unknown CG -Jimmy bezel -Dirk 2nd gen PAV style strap I'd almost be inclined to term this as a 'kit' watch. Or DIY piece...

I'll be using a Jimmy case for my Pre-A 002... Seems to be a decent choice for that one, since the lugs, CG strap screws are all within reason for such a model...

Considering the amount of time and effort involved to build, plus the sourcing and purchasing of parts, etc... Still worth more than $2k. You did the right thing... Based on personal principle alone. Monetarily.... Your 1016 probably has more value and worth than a dollar amount could justify.

Looking good! You're on your way...

WOW! Now that is an incredible work of art! Love that dial... The indicies... The movement...!!

Well.... The 44mm Luminor case is almost pushing it for me as it is. Lugs aren't overhanging... They're about even with the wrist now. But any larger and they will be!

In what position does it gain +5 secs/day? Or is that an averaged figure across all positions? Depending on your wearing habits, the gain/loss figure may not even be an issue. P.S. +5 is within COSC specs...

Hmmmm... This looks interesting. I may need to research While it would be a neat and interesting piece in general, I think it might also make a nice gift for someone in my family... *scratches notes on notepad*

I see some folks wearing their watches like this on occassion- Usually the older 60+ generation. I've also seen those same individuals wearing their watches half way up their arm as well (bewteen their wrist and their elbow). For the younger folks- If they even have a watch, it's usually dial side up on the wrist. I do notice that many seem to forego the wristwatch altogether and tend to rely more on their cellulars these days...

Not yet, Pugs! Tempting... But I don't think my wrist can handle a 47mm case... Would be nice to own one, but I have a feeling that I'd be spending more time staring at it in the watch box than actually wearing it...

Thanks, guys. I think my personal preference is going to dictate that I find a few straps that are solely dedicated to each watch. So, SIBs are okay After having slept on it, I think I have an idea of what I plan on doing... Which will probably be boring amongst the likes of the RWG PAM consensus, but will be consistent across the watches that I plan on building That is, until I get the itch to maybe go vintage? Tempting... But I don't think my wrist can carry a 47mm watch like some of you guys can

Unfortunately, the dial won't fit an El Primero The EP400/4030 has the Subdials configured differently- The subsidiaries are grouped closer together- The 4130 has the 9:00 and 3:00 subdials slightly raised above the center axis, and the subdials are spaced further apart: But it might fit nicely on one of those faux chrono versions with seconds at six and dummy hour/min counters (i.e. with those posts removed and hands affixed DW MM style). As for rep dials... I built this one for my Uncle, which had a pretty decent 116520 dial...

Hmmmm... On my case, the color has gradually become lighter?

The CC tones the PVD down a bit... A result of wearing off gradually methinks. It really adds a nice finish to the DSN PVD in general- Takes that chalky finish off and adds a bit of a shine. Not sure what would happen if all of the PVD coating were to be polished off, though. That might be interesting...

1) I may have a spare stem. I'll need to look. I've been giving parts away lately and may be down in inventory (so no promises)... 2) As for the movement; if you can post a pic of it sans rotor, it may be easier to ascertain. Additionally, you may want to have a look in Eurotimez' section as he has a quick at a glance guide for determining Swiss or Asian origin of movements. 3) This particular watch is a bit of a mix between the Nautilus 3700/A and the 3711/G. The 3700/A is the original SS Jumbo, 42mm in diameter, thin markers, no seconds hand, etc. The 3711/G is a 42mm WG Nautilus, thicker markers (more similar to the 5711), seconds hand, etc. Since it's not accurate in detail to either in particular, the presence or lack of seconds hand really shouldn't matter Just my opinion. Still a fantastic watch! Cheers, R