ubiquitous

Exactly what I was just thinking...

The strange thing is... I already have my near complete 1665 (white font) Just waiting on the new datewheel to finish. The Double Red wasn't, and isn't even in my near term plans... Afterall, one SD is enough, right? Over time, these parts have just collected. I rec'd the dial yesterday, and as I was putting it in the parts box, I realized that I had enough stuff to build a nice DR... Most everything except the watch. Funny how things work out, eh?

What have we got here? Ziggy lumed DRSD dial: Genuine insert: Genuine crown and tube (forgot to inlude the tube in the pics...): Genuine Tropic 39 Superdome: Genuine 2.0mm springbars and genuine 580 end links : And, before anyone asks... Not for sale... (sorry) Cheers!

Click should be soft and quiet... Link.

Something tells me this man might fancy a Rolex or two. Can't quite put my finger on why... But I have the suspscion that he is a fan of the old coronet Great collection! Very impressive!!

Oops... Yes, the crystals will fit an EE... I guess I should know this since I did one last December...

1) Depending on the size of the opening for the existing pusher, you could use a 2.5mm pusher from Ofrei. Not sure if you are looking for screwdown or pump pushers, but they do carry both. 2) ajoesmith did a step by step tutorial on how to freeze the 6:00 subdial. 3) You can simply cut the end link hoops out to accommodate the springbar. I've done it on a number of end links, and it works fine. There is really no need for the hoops,a s the springbar and last link work together to secure the end link. 4) The correct crystal is a T21. If you are installing on a non-DW or EE, it probably won't fit. The case will either be too large, or the lip for the crystal will be of incorrect size. 5) Probably something I wouldn't recommend doing, unless you have a very steady hand. Best of luck! R

Thanks, K. I was actually blessed and gifted this watch by Omni. By his generousity, I am the owner of this great Nautiuls, which happens to be a TW Best. Not sure if these are available any longer; nor who would carry them. These days, watchmaster's Jumbo Nauti is the one I'd get... Since the TW Best has set sail for retirement, WM's is the one to have...

W- Not sure if the gen dial would fit... It's possible, but without actually trying to physically fit it, it's hard to say. Of course, the datewheel needs to be lined up in the window, and more importantly, the dial needs to fit the case... I believe people have fit gen dials in the Nautilus... But the AP... I'm not so sure...

Absolutely... I've always looked at the Nautilus from a very far distance thinking to myself 'what on earth were they thinking?? And now... I have one in my collection (and it's one of my favorites). Funny how tastes change, and styles once thought of as repulsive now have an unusual allure to them. Oh yeah... I have one of these too... But, to be fair... I've always loved the Royal Oak. AMK- You'd be surprised how big the Royal Oaks actually wear. Their diameter across 9:00 to 3:00 might sound small... But the case wears much larger because of it's lug to lug measurement (and inherently, the lack of lugs as the bracelet blends into the case). Give one a try... You might be surprised!

Thank you everyone for the very kind words. This watch is one that I rarely wear. It's completely wrong with regards to comparing with a genuine 3646, but as it is one of my very first projects, it carries a lot of sentimental value. The project began with a 183 Blackseal case. Since there weren't any 47mm Radiomirs around at the time, I had to make do with what was available. The dial is a wm dial, as is the solid caseback. I have been collecting parts for this one off and on for well over a year, so, by adding the crystal, I feel a sense of completeness. I was going to have the lugs replaced with soldered wires, but I've since changed my mind in that regard... The crystal measured a little south of 37mm (I think?)... I gave it a brief measure, but didn't note what the final measurement was. Fitting was a breeze... Just popped out the old crystal in a press, and pressed the new one on. Nice and straight forward. No trimming or filing... It sits nicely above the bezel... A nice, unique look. So, in the end, I have a neat little hommage. It was fun building it... And, maybe now I might even wear it Thanks again for the kind words... It's always a treat to share with my friends here... Kindest regards, R

Chrono hand... As in, subdial/register hand, or center seconds stopwatch hand?

I dunno, Tony. I think if any auction is ending in ranges that high, there is foul play amidst- either shill bids, or someone buying the watch in hopes to flip it, represented as a genuine for unscroupulous gains. I mean, for one.... If one has that much cash, liquid or credit, that he or she is willing to spend on something with non-genuine known origin, why not just buy a gen? At least then you have an investment. I've demonstrated that these watches are certainly available in a price bracket that isn't that far of a stretch. Certainly not that big of a difference for someone willing to drop that much cheddar on any watch, let alone a frankenstein. So... For me... I'm looking at it from this angle- Why bother putting the money into something that: 1) Will not pass as genuine to vintage collectors (they know better and know what details to look for). 2) Will not pass as genuine to any RSC. 3) Will never be mistaken for genuine and sold for $80k to $100k at Christie's, Sotheby's, Antiquorum etc. in 5 years. A rep is a rep is a rep. It's certainly not an investment. And, for me... When it comes to money, I think as logically as possible with my purchases. I work too hard for it just to carelessly [censored] it away. I only wish I had that luxury...

Yes... My perception of reality is that a franken 6263/5 can logically sell for $4k to $5k on the Bay. This is considering that it costs $2.5k to $3k to build it (even if you have to have your watchsmith put it together). That, to me is realistic. Or perhaps I am grossly out of touch, and maybe I should start buying V72's and cases from David to turn a 5x profit? At any rate... $12k (yes, that's $12,000.00 US Dollars) for a fake just doesn't make sense to me. Does it make sense to anyone else? Like I said... Maybe it's just me who needs a reality check.

Believer that it's a bunch of shill bids? Yes... I believe it's a bunch of shill bids. Since you have a vested interest in the subject, of course you're going to pump this up as much as you can. But I maintain my opinion... Who in their right mind, or warped perspective is going to drop that much for a fake? You can have nice genuines at that price. Hell, I've even gone on to show that for $18k, one can have a genuine vintage Daytona; with people spending this much money on a fake, a few thousand more for something real should be no problem for them, as they're willing to throw so much money away into a worthless object. And yes... It is worthless. It will never have the provenance or prestige of being genuine. So, why bother sinking that money into it? If you're building it... That's one thing. You may have different reasons for building... I know I've dropped $3k into my EP400 Daytona... But I have no intentions of selling as it carries too much sentimental value with me. So, for all you franken builders out there... go out, buy a bunch of V72 cases and movements. Put them together and build a small fortune on eBay! And I'd still like to see these completed auctions in which a Daytona sold for $12k...

Like I said... If someone wants it bad enough... They'll make it happen. More people with resources than you may realize. Or maybe not. Seems there are plenty of people willing to pay 5x to 6x the cost to build a 6263/5 frankenstein for a completed watch on the Bay... Right?

Oh... Also forgot. Once the watch is completed, you can go and sell it on eBay for $12k, right Tony?

Sure they can. If they can't assemble it themselves, they can certainly have their watchmaker/service guy do the work. Just a matter of collecting the parts. If people are patient enough, the right parts will come along. Collector is a perfect example of exhibiting the patience required. But, it's technically not difficult to do such a project. The parts are out there... There are people who can do the work. So, in my opinion... Anyone who wants one bad enough can construct the perfect V72 based vintage Daytona rep. Be it with their own hands, or via someone else's. Money + money + money = impossible is nothing... -river

Beautiful!! The vintage box is just icing on the cake!

Case 1 Case 2 Case 3

Tribal- The day disk is held on by a small clip on the center pinion. Simply push the circlip off and lift the day disk.

Frank- Very nice. There is something about a faded bezel insert that really adds a nice finishing touch to a vintage.

Clasp and links are genuine. Clasp has a date stamp of 1969. Only problem is that it's missing the last link, and the end links (which are not removable).

GREAT review! And an excellent comparison between the two! Top notch, as always!!

...is always nice After a couple of years of working off and on with this project, I'm calling this one done with the addition of my davidsen plexi crystal...