wiesn089

My Grand Seiko SBGR083. +3 seconds a day on average. Depending on the way I lay it down I can get it to +-1, but I usually just keep it in my box.

I believe it depends on three aspects. 1) Grail material. Have you been lusting after a particular watch for quite some time? Have you tried modding one of your reps to a certain degree of perfection, yet the tiny flaws still matter to you, even if no one else notices? 2) How much you are into the technical aspects of watchmaking. Most higher end gens have in-house movements. Besides their technical merits to some of us they are simply more appealing than your average run-of-the-mill ETA or Asian clone movement. 3) Craftsmanship. Are you willing to pay extensive amounts for a slightly superior fit, feel and finish? If at least one of these aspects is one you can't live without, you're probably better off with the gen. Or, for that matter, if the watch in question is ridiculously expensive/ unobtainable a gen powered franken / genstein. Many of us start out with standard reps, move on the higher end frankens and in the end are only satisfied by gens. We tend to be obsessed with the small details normal owners don't even notice... well, at least I know I am .

That's actually an A-series 5402. These are very rare and extremely sought after. I'm not aware of any decent replicas of either this one or the new 15202.

Very interesting topic. I wasn't aware that independent watchmakers could do that. I always assumed there were some special tools involved to get nice gen spec chamfers etc. Actually I am on the lookout for a Rolex serviced gen 5513 atm just because of that reason. Knowing someone else who is able to do that would save me a few hundred bucks, I suppose. Please keep us posted.

As always absolutely stunning . I love LV subs, great job!

Tough call. Judging by your first picture I'd also consider a relume, but on the other pics the lume looks pretty nice... If it doesn't look rotten, I'd probably build a rough tool watch, perfect match if you ask me. Beautiful dial one way or the other.

One of the largest German media outlets Der Spiegel actually ran a story about that http://spon.de/aedqE. Cool to hear a first hand account of what happened. I'm by no means a fan, but I can understand Putin in a way. Very few governments will stand constant outside berating and broken promises. Things have definitely gone out of hand over there though but being that he's ex-KGB to the bone I don't see him backing down anytime soon.

What a stunning collection Dan! I'm really glad you still enjoy the black one. I knew it would get a good home, but that you got her a sister to keep her company, that's just something else! Very, very jealous, wear them well.

Amen to that. The new SD is nice, but the price just ridiculous. That blue dial milgauss with green crystal is probably one of the ugliest things ever to come out of their factory... Utterly disappointed by the Pepsi GMT in Wg, come on who wears a tool watch made of gold?

I think I'll just keep saving up for one of Phong's midcases. It's a gen movement, dial, bezel assembly, crown and crystal build so I think I'll just bite the bullet and spend a couple hundred more... Thanks anyway, very informative posts you two.

Great post, thanks. What's your take on Yuki vs Phong concerning accuracy? I was always under the impression Yukis' weren't any good? I have a gen dial 5513 project in the making and my main concern is accuracy...

Looking good, gotta love a nice LV.

Have you thought about getting a gen dial instead of building another one?

Awesome.

Actually this one looks absolutely aweful. Practically everything about it is wrong. I highly suggest you get yourself a copy of the book "Daytona - a Legend is Born" before you embark on a V72 build of one of these. Read, read and then read up some more. Almost all rep dials are totally flawed. Some of DW's batches of standard dials weren't bad, though you might want to exchange the coronet for a gen one. Maybe a member has still one lying around unused.

Hey guys, anybody seen these? I think they look very promising. If you take into account what gen ones go for I think these are reasonably priced. Bet there is some negotiating space as well...

Very, very cool.

Look what arrived in the mail today. Had to postpone my Milsub project again, but now I'm all set with two dress watches - one white, one black - and it didn't even break the bank. Chose this over a Skyfall AT, and I think the added exclusivity and golden accents were well worth it. I'm totally excited, will sport this tonight at Valentine's Dinner with my wife. If you're on the fence of getting a Grand Seiko, don't hesitate to do so, the quality is just outstanding.

Most definitely, but well worth it.

Wow Valty amazing builds you have finished recently. Did you mug a Leprechaun? Edit: Didn't notice the thread resurrection, some stunning 16520s in here nevertheless, congrats to all of you.

Looking good, congratulations.

Cool sistem51, Eton! I'm planning to get one once they become available in my country. How's yours treating you so far?

Well you'll have to take into account that they won't pay anything near secondary market prices, because that's where they are going to price it at. My guess is they'll offer you around 1000GBP if that and won't be very flexible from there.

Love both!