JoJo35

looks great, nice job

Are you looking for a gen or rep?

I think you'll get a kick out of this praetor: http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/thread/1293753321/A+little+treasure+from+the+Bay... lol, I think I like yours better

Thanks krpster! I guess it is what it is, each of us have their own level of what they feel comfortable wearing. I'd pick up a gen 16610 for a beater, but I'm still trying to funnel some of those funds toward a "grail"

great looking watch, wear it well

The good news is that a genuine bezel snaps right in. The bad news is that the rep retainer ring rubs the gen insert causing the bezel not to turn. The only alternative is to trim the height of the retainer ring, to shave the insert, or to seek out a gen retainer ring. Yes, the case is a WM9 V1

Very nice, thanks for the tip. I didn't think it would make such a difference, and never bothered to get one. I'll have to fix that! Wear it well, these WM9's are great pieces (see my "tool watch" thread)

IMO, the thought of owning one of today's new rolex as a tool watch almost seems ludicrous. What was once an affordable watch that was used by countless divers and other hard working professionals, it seems that modern rolex has turned into a luxury item that rests on it's tool watch history, but advertises it's products to yuppie wannabes (kinda like a yuppie on a Harley, ugh!). Anyway, my point being, where does that leave us common folk (you know, sub-middle class commoners who wander aimlessly around poor towns like NYC?)? Well, I suppose we could invest our bread crumbs in a used 16610, but that would still take a lot of saved crumbs, and then we probably wouldn't want to truly use it as a tool watch and accidentally scratch it. I found the only realistic solution was to build one, so pictured below is my beater... oops... I meant "tool watch" This is one I can wear everyday, and not give a damn about getting a scratch on it. Loaded with plenty of gen parts, including the dial, bezel assembly, insert, crystal, and tube/crown, it looks as it should. As far as functionality, it has the heart of a recently serviced swiss eta 2836-2, and it successfully passed a pressure test, so I won't hesitate a moment while using it to time my bottom times on the U-853 or in the Devil's Throat.

it looks great, nice job

A few years back, a good friend of mine who was one of the top open class amateur bike racers in the NE told me that he was rip'n around Bridgehampton one day, when he looked in his mirror and saw a car. He told me that he couldn't believe how fast it had caught up and passed him. When it boils down to it, a bike could never beat the right car on a track.

Looks real to me , but hey I could be wrong, although I have never seen a tapered aftermarket second hand. Here's an excellent thread from VRF for those who may not have seen it: http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/thread/1289058227/Little+reminder I'd post this up on TZ, but I've never been much of a TZ guy. The same post is up on VRF; however, everyone over there should already be aware of the link I posted. Cheers, JJ

IMO, it's easier to sand down the insert. Just go slow with a dremel, and keep trying it until it's sanded enough and looks right.

freddy is right. I just measured mine, and it's 8mm to the outside edges. Cheers, JJ

This is a pretty nice looking watch B. Here's an interesting conversation from a short time ago over on VRF: http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/thread/1288038526/Tudor+Heritage+-+is+it+living+up+to+the+hype- Take note of what JB and Arthur said. Cheers, JJ

fake? you're kidding right?

A little over 39k now. It still has a way to go before it's up to fair market value

Hey K, ya still out there? I'm still very interested

It may be the Mk2 version. Here's a good info source if you haven't already seen it. Enjoy your piece and wear it well

Very nice indeed. Is that an F series? I went down the same road, as I had a nicely modded LV rep with gen crown/tube, lumed dial and hands, and a gen insert (which I kept ). I ended up selling the rep and bought a Y series in brand new condition. IMO these will be classics one day, with the first year Y and F Mk1's definitely the ones to own.

Wow, thought this thread was long gone! Guess I may as well post up a pic of an old gem

For anyone looking for the V1 dial and movement, I've got a brand new set for sale, in addtion to a new V1 bezel

PM sent

..bailed, like almost everyone else!

Don't know who may still have them; however, both parts are incorrect.

Either way, I still like B's watch better. Home built and didn't cost him a mint. IMO, if one was seeking a red 1680, why would a reasonable person settle for a lumi service dial (at that price) when there are plenty of tritium dialed original red 1680's out there?