GarrettP1

I read the discussion in the Homage forum that A6497 movements with an 8 day power reserve are about to be imported. Does anyone know about this? I'm in for a couple if it happens. Thanks, Garrett

Who does darkened tinting/AR on a crystal for a stealth type watch? I am not having much luck via search functions here, nor on Google. Thanks! Garrett

Thanks once again. I am looking for a 47mm Egi style case. I have found the 52mm and the 60mm, but not the one mentioned above. Any suggestions? Garrett

I am upgrading some of the instruments on the dash of my Hummer H1 truck. I'd like to add a clock to the panel, and a Bell&Ross in quartz (with the lugs removed) would look great. A mechanical movement wouldn't be practical given the need to wind it. Can someone here recommend a particular quartz model that we know has the removable lugs? I've looked at some the recommended dealers sites, but most of the quartz reps don't seem to have the removable lugs. Thanks! Garrett

It sure looks like a Venus 178. (I have one from an older Breitling) Manual wind, triple register. I always meant to see if a Rolex Cosmograph dial (excluding footdials) would fit. Garrett

Best looking Tudor that I've ever seen. Is there a place to purchase those pushers? I covet them. Garrett

Does anyone have a source for the chronograph pushers that are used on the Spitfire model (gen or rep...doesn't mantter)? Wakmann (in Germany) made a case almost identical to the Spitfire a few years ago, and I've been trying to get my hands on a set of pushers for awhile now. Thanks, Garrett

Is it a polymer or a ceramic? (I'm guessing a ceramic....I'm using more of those in surgery these days...very strong and light...good in compression, not so good in torsion) Garrett

I agree with you about the watch for sale. It's merely a franken, and although it looks nice, it's not particularly valuable. But, that case....I could do things with that case! I need one. Garrett

I just found out that there is this new thing called "Google"..... Okay...it appears to be a case from Wilson Watch Works. I like it, and want to use it on another project. May have to pick one up. Garrett

And maybe I should clarify too: The seller on ebay describes it as a custom German case. I think it probably came from China, as a rep of the IWC Pilot series. The pushers and crown are different from the gen, and I didn't see this item on any of our trusted sellers selections. Thought someone here might know. Regards, Garrett

http://cgi.ebay.com/IWC-SPITFIRE-CHRONOGRAPH-CUSTOM-MADE-CASE-VAL-7750-MVM-/290455631169?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Wristwatches&hash=item43a0813541 Sorry the hot link didn't take. The item number is: 290455631169 What was that watch case originally? I'm interested in doing something similar with a 7750 movement I have. Thanks! Garrett

A contract is only as good as it's enforceability. And that is (for the vast, vast majority of cases on eBay), zero. Sorry it happened to you. Garrett

Thanks to you guys, I have gotten into collecting and restoring chronographs from the 40's and 50's. Typically I'll find a particular movement, then a case to match (in terms of dimensions), and finally a dial. What I would really like to do is create a fantasy watch, with one particular movement, a nice case, and finally a dial that brings it all together. Where could I send a dial to be modified to include "Breitling" or "Omega" or the like? I've found several dial restoration places that can do this, but they are adamant that they will only restore a dial like this, not change it. I can understand their concerns about patent/trademark issues, but given how out of date these dials are (1948), their concern seems misplaced. Can anyone recommend someone to me? Thanks! Garrett

Freddy, What's the price range that those 72c Rolex dials are selling for? I saw one on the 'bay quite that was quite similar that was going for $300. The dial was in perfect condition, and that alone made me assume it was of recent manufacture. Thanks, Garrett

I am wondering if this was originally a repeater pocketwatch? Hence the location of the keyed winding gear seen with the case back open. Garrett

I saw a Rolex chronograph from the late 40's the other day.....2 register/subdial layout. Probably a Valjoux 23 movement. I've been trying since then to find someone who could replicate the dial, even if it's not entirely accurate. I just liked the styling of the watch. I've tried the usual suspects (International Dial, etc)....but no luck. Jewelryandwatch.com would make one....but $650 seemed a tad steep. Found a company in Israel that specialized in this, but they only will restore a gen. Rolex dial. Suggestions? Thanks, Garrett

Thank you Panerai for this post...very important information. I am a physician myself, and prostate cancer is extremely difficult to get a handle on with regards to treatment. If you take all men over 65 who die from other causes (heart attack, car accident, stroke, etc), a very significant number of them will have some carcinoma cells within the prostate on autopsy. The point being that quite a few men have prostate cancer cells (that are living and active), without developing signs of prostate cancer. My father-in-law was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago, and with quite benign treatment (TURP and ongoing chemo) he shows no sign of the disease today. The main point is follow up with your physician, and regular check ups. And, whenever possible, ejaculate like it will be your last. Your prostate will thank you (not because you are preventing disease, but just because it's happy). Garrett

The subdial layout can definitely be altered without a complete re-manufacture, but I am not exactly sure how it's done. I've chatted with other watchsmiths about this procedure...the last over at WUS. For certain it involves changing the cam on the movement, but I suspect it also includes changing the plate as well. I was in contact with a watchsmith who used to do this, but I haven't been able to recontact him via email as late. My current watchsmith says he can do it...if he can, I will post (here) what is involved. Garrett

GP, The Val. 7750 (and A7750) as well, have a different subdial layout from the Val. 72. The 7750 typically has minutes at 12, seconds at 9, and hours at 6. Rotating the movement (in the 6263 case) 90 degrees gives you a 9,6,3 subdial layout, but with the minutes at 9. The 6263 has seconds at 9. The 7750 has a cam which can be switched to change the subdial layout/configuration. What I haven't been able to determine is whether the plate needs to be changed in addition to the cam mechanism. My 7736 project continues. The movement is about 0.6 mm too wide to fit into the DW case, but, my watchsmith is looking to see if he can mill a little bit off the plate to allow it to fit. Otherwise, the case itself can be milled out abit to allow the movement to fit. Garrett

There have been some nice 6263 Daytona's here that use a converted manual-wind Valjoux 7750 (or even A7750) for the movement. The subdial layout is different on the gen 6263 (Val. 72). Do these conversions change the subdial layout to the correct configuration? Or, do they remain as they were on the 7750, so that with the movement rotated in the case, the minutes are actually at 9 (while the subdial marker will have the calibration for seconds)? Garrett

GP, My watchsmith called me today to tell me that he hoped to have the movement finished (overhauled) at the end of this week. I ordered some hands from DW, but they haven't arrived yet (he told me that a new run of hands was coming off the assembly line). I hope to have the whole project wrapped up at the end of March. I'll keep you guys posted. Garrett

Done. But please, instead of calling me "Your Eminence", just say "Eminence". It's less formal. Garrett

GP, Why does the 12 hour totaliser hand need to frozen into place? I thought the Val 23 tricompax worked well in this regard? I'm eager to learn about this. Thanks, Garrett

I really like the clean look of the Sea Dweller 16600 dial, and white gold surround of the markers. I've checked the usual suspects to find one (Yuki, jewelryandwatch.com, etc), even Fleabay, but no luck. Suggestions? Thanks, Garrett