Martyd3

It's been a while, but I decided to try my hand at another 1665 mod. This started life as "PT" Rolex 1665 DRSD with a gen ETA slow beat movement. I've done the following mods so far: Shaved CGs Beveled and polished lugs Lugs drilled and gen spring bars installed New period correct crown (may be gen) with a Yuki tube Aged and matte sprayed MBW dial Relumed Clark hands New date wheel overlay (this one is nice, but I am looking for other options) Insert recessed and aged Case edges lightly softened (I want to do a bit more aging to the case, but nothing too drastic)

It's not hard once you've done it a time to two. You remove the hands, release the dial pins (some use screws, others little "c" shaped clamps that you rotate out) and gently remove the dial. Some dials may be attached with double sided tape, so you need to slide a razor blade or something between the dial and the movement to loosen it. If all goes well, reassembly is the same procedure in reverse. It's always nice to practice on another watch first. Good luck with your efforts. Marty

I've gone the gen bracelet and ends route before, but is it worth it? I can pick up nice bracelet with 585 ends. I'm just not sure if I should do it.

I see some pretty glaring issues with those dials.

EL Case drilled for double screw bars 111J crystal with AR removed WSO CG modded to fit case and pin polished Gen Swiss 6497 w/ H3 cannon pin Southy prototype dial w/ my lume FGD hands lumed to match the dial Jakob case back

I used 380's and they fit pretty well. All l had to do was open them up a bit.

I got a pair of gen 380B's.

I couldn't bring myself to touch the crystal. I got a good deal on it, but it was still expensive.

The dial is from DW and is unmodded. I have Yuki hands, which I will get relumed to match the dial and installed at some point. I think all three chronograph hands are from Yuki's hand set. I honestly don't remember. I know the thin sub dial hands may not be 100% correct, but I like them. When you shave the bezel, you will lose part of some dots. It can't be helped. Look at the 90 thru 120 on my watch. It is not noticeable on the wrist. IMO, it's better to lose the dots, rather than shave down a $200 crystal.

You have to shave down the inside diameter of the bezel. It's not that hard to do. It just takes time and elbow grease

Specs: Gen crystal Gen Sub crown and tube Freshly serviced Val. 7734 with 45 min counter and black on white date wheel Gen 380B ends on a Yuki Folded link bracelet

FGD dial and hands with my vintage lume Serviced Asian 6497 with sub seconds removed H3 cannon pinion installed Case from River with DLC by Avitt Sapphire crystal with AR removed Jakob case back

Ronin is right, Bill is a QC freak to the point of it being dysfunctional. The Kingston is the 4th Mk II watch that I have owned. I have never had a problem with any of them. Not a spec of dust on the dial ... nothing. I would never pre-order anything from Bill (I just don't have the patience), but the watch is great. He under priced this one. I think the $1445 pre-ordering price for the Project 300, is a much more realistic estimation as to how the Kingston should have been priced. Unless someone throws a Tudor Snowflake or 1680 Sub in my face, I don't think I will be parting with mine

Yes, I did get the kit and I did pay over list, but not the crazy prices you have been seeing. If someone wants to offer me $2500 for it, you can have it! I am not sure if the watch is more special or rare at this point. In my opinion, Bill Yao created all of the hype about it ... maybe by design or maybe because he is in way over his head. First, why only make 300 of them? He knew from day one that it was going to be popular, so why not offer 500 or more of them? Second, why not manage expectations? He gets all of this input on the Mk II forum and people go crazy. They think they actually have a stake in the designing of the watch. Like it's their baby. I realize that there is some marketing value in doing that, but I would put a stop to all of the happy horse [censored]. Bill is obviously a talented guy. Why not design the watch, built it and then offer it when it is ready (or close to ready)? Third, why do all of these one off custom watches and put them together here? All that does is eat time and Bill can't keep up with the demand. I would offer a couple of different configurations and leave it a that. You can't call Rolex and pick your bezel color, dial color, date wheel color, lume type ... etc. It's just crazy. Last but not least, if the watches are truly Swiss made, get the samples, QC them, make any necessary changes, approve them, have them built there and be done with it. Marty PS. Thanks in advance for getting me thrown off of WUS

I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but is this an EL 111 case?

Finished up my 009/A last night

Just in case anyone else needs it, the stem is a tap 0.90 and will fit Valjoux 7732, 7733, 7734 and 7736. I found one on eBay.

It's for my Monte Carlo project. The stem that came with the movement is too big for the Sub crown. Thanks. Marty

No time to write a review right now, but my first impressions are that it's very nice.

What a POS. http://forums.timezo...521#msg_5582521

I think he meant that Bill Yao (Mk II watches) is known for his Omega homages, which isn't the case. He may be confusing Bill and Mk II with Eddie Platts and Timefactors.

I've built multiple pre-V's ... they are easy and fun to put together. I think I enjoy luming the dials and building them more than wearing them. Most of the parts are now readily available. The SMP chronograph was a franken, not a grail. Anyone can build one of those.

Better pic attached.

Here's a good review. I think it's a great watch, although drama behind it is something else altogether. I think 30 or so, of the 300 made, have been delivered. http://forums.watchuseek.com/f325/fi...ml#post3505280

My brother is a di@k too. I've dealt with that kind of humor for years I am building a 009 and 205a, so I doubt if I will miss the 201a. They are a dime a dozen anyway. I have two on my workbench now, that I am reluming. As far as the Seamaster goes, that is a great watch. There is a gen of it in my future.