JoJo35

That dial looks fine enough for a rep. Trust me, there are lots of other things about your rep that will give it away in a heartbeat to anyone who knows what they're looking at. I say put the watch together and enjoy it. Either that, or find forty large and buy a gen JJ

While going over some equipment today with a group, we began to check out a new digital Geiger counter. Just by chance I was wearing my great white today, so I decided to see if there was any life left in it. It may not glow that well anymore, but sure enough the digital readout on the Geiger counter started climbing soon after I held my arm under the meter! You wouldn't guess the look of shock on everyones face, and when I stepped back into the crowd, someone took a few steps back! I had some fun explaining the realities of radiation, and the difference between the stuff on the watch dial vs the stuff that you need a lead shield to hide behind!

Been there done that. The reason I was heading to Rolex was for RSC service for the TT in my opening post. JJ PS: Wempe would not budge off list price on a new green milgauss. I found one at a local AD that got the sale @ 10% off list

This watch is actually a new (NOS) and never touched MBW that I had originally bought from George. I found the dial on this watch especially unique, in that if you'll take a look at the photo below, you'll notice that the characteristics of the lume is IMO, spot-on in appearance to aged genuine tritium. I'm not talking about the color of the lume, which is also identical to some aged tritium I've seen, but of the way it was applied to the dial. It just looks very old. Another nice note is that is that the crystal is nicely domed, and has a very close appearance to a superdome T19. Besides the crystal, as with old case MBW's, it has the same retainer-ring design as a gen, and as a result will accept a gen crystal and gen bezel/insert

I had a great time in the city yesterday. I met up with Jetsons, and hit the watch district off 5th avenue. I found a nice little vintage shop, and became an instant celebrity when they saw the 5513 on my wrist. I was able to personally inspect two gen DRSD's, a 16550 cream dial, a 6265 Paul Newman, and a beautiful 16520. Then for laughs (and this is always fun), we took a walk down Canal St! Believe it or not, I think the Canal St reps peaked a couple years ago and are actually getting worse in quality now! All in all, it was a great day.

Hi Kurt, I can imagine the look on your face when the watch took off like that! I've never heard of a movement doing something like that (especially a new one). I've contacted RG, and asked him if he would kindly try to source a new eta and send it directly to you. Or, if you would prefer, I'll pay shipping back to me and I'll issue full refund. Cheers, JJ

That looks nice toomuchgear. The strap appears aged a bit, did you do anything to it to give it that washed out look, or is that just the photograph? Cheers, JJ

RAF

He's playing his golden harp!

I'm heading into the city tomorrow, where I plan to visit Rolex on 5th Ave. If anyone might wish to gtg, shoot me a PM.

That looks like the right thing. The threads should start about half way up the inside

Yes, it's close, but still way off (IMO). Nothing like your gen BC! IMO, the "2000ft=610m" throws it way off and is an easy spot if your a rolex nut (like us, haha) JJ

Nanuq, check VRF regarding this Ranger. It has already been called out as a fake JJ

That watch is awesome B. I've got a 195 out for special treatment too. I can only hope it will look even half as good as yours. Wear it well!

My prayers go out for you, get well soon Nikki

Thanks for the compliments guys After recently selling my shark, I missed it and knew I needed another one. This beautiful example has a hacking 1570

Looks nice, thanks for posting. I'm waiting for my 18mm RAF's. I got an email today saying they were delayed.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll admit I like them all, however the color change 1016 is one of my favorites too (I guess you have to see it in person, it is especially beautiful in the sunshine). freddy, are you kidding??? lol ..the 45 year old "fat font" gen insert looks aftermarket??? Hmm.. I wonder what Mr. Dowling would say???

...I mean after all, James Bond was driving along in an Aston, Honor Blackman was flying over fort knox while wearing a 6542, it was an era of free love, and some of the best watches of all time were produced doing that time period! Someone recently noted that I seemed to be stuck in the sixties, and I suppose there could be worse things!

Thanks everyone for your comments. Alligoat, you are correct, the serial number is just over one mil, putting the watch into early '64.

Those of you who appreciate mid-sizes should like this story Sometime last summer I was planning a project that needed a gen 1560 movement. I began searching on the bay, in hopes that I would find a movement that wouldn't cost too much. Experience taught me to search for a complete watch, since bare movements proved to be questionable at best. I finally found a 1005 Oyster Perpetual that had a 1560, and was fairly reasonable in price (considering the average price gen movements go for). When the watch finally arrived at my doorstep, I quickly unwrapped it and removed the caseback to take a look at the movement, which was indeed a 1560 that appeared to be in good running condition (It was, after all, a forty five year old watch). It ended up on top of my parts box as other projects and "life" took priorities over my anticipated watch project. Only recently, I was cleaning up my workbench when I decided to have a better look at the watch I had bought. I took a closer look at the dial, and (I'll be damned!) it was an untouched original underline dial! Woohoo!!! Ok, I know it's only a 1005, but it is a very rare one. Underline dials are few and far between, and the reasons for the underline are still hotly debated on gen forums. Here's some pics, enjoy:

None of these guys brought back a NOS 6541?

Thank you for sharing the terrific story. I think that many of us here have traveled the same route, in that our interest in replica watches inspired us to move on to begin a gen collection. I have recently made that step myself with the purchase of a gen green milgauss, in addition to a few vintage gen pieces. The Exporer II is a classy piece. Congrats on your choice. I'm sure it will bring years of enjoyment. As far as the rep, the white gold surrounds were correct for the tritium 16550 Explorer II (not sure which version you have). Enjoy your new rolex, and wear in the best of health JJ

Very nice pictures Justasgood, thanks for sharing. Underlines are nice. This reminds me of a watch I bought last summer. I was in search of a 1560 movement for a project, so I picked up a two-tone 1005 off ebay. After the watch arrived, I took a quick look at the movement to confirm it was indeed a 1560, and then placed it on top of my parts box where it sat for months. I picked up the watch one day when I was cleaning up my bench, and took a better look at the dial..... What was that I saw???? Yes, you guessed it, the watch I bought for parts was after all a 100% original and genuine "underline" dialed 1005!!!!! A classic gentleman's watch, it now resides in my watch box alongside my other prized catches. I'll take some pics when I have some extra time and post up. JJ