JoJo35

Chief, Thanks for your comment regarding the dial. As far as the quality of the gen vs rep dial, there really is no comparison. Unfortunately the pic is out of focus, and I really didn't bother doing it over a dozen times to get the focus/lighting perfect. However, the printing and "crispness" of the gen dial is clean and perfect as it should be, and blows the WM9 dial completely out of the water. I'll admit the pic is really lousy. With that pic I was actually trying to capture the etched crown on the crystal, and I think the focus is slightly forward of the dial. Besides that, because of the way the lighting has to be in order to see the etched crown, it casts weird shadows, and showed off every single spec of dust on the crystal (there was a lot, I photoshopped most of them off the dial, but you can still see the dust that appears to be on the hands, but is actually on top of the crystal above it).

The crystal is a genuine

Bingo! You hit it alligoat! Yep, as you probably already know from every one of my other projects, I could never stand to look at a rep crystal, no matter how good it supposedly was. As far as the other items you mentioned, the washer and click spring from the WM9 worked fine, so IMO there certainly was no sense in replacing those with genuine. This watch has stirred up some of my interest in 16610's again, so who knows, maybe I'll find a nice gen to add to my collection

Hmm... ok panerai153, you hit just about everything (almost ) I was thinking of naming this thread " P series love", since the watch is basically a tribute to the P series. Starting off with the most important and visible part, the dial: Yes, this is a genuine "P" series dial, with (by chance more than anything else), the "flat S" is the same as the WM9 dial that replicated the real thing. Next, of course the bezel, which obviously wouldn't work correctly without a genuine retainer. Sitting nicely within that bezel is a genuine "flat four" old stock superluminova insert (again, correct for a P series 16610). Obligatory (of course) is a genuine crown and tube ...and finally, the hands are the original WM9, artistically re-lumed with superluminova by none other than the Zigmeister

Thanks Justin Yep, believe it or not I've always liked the 16610! Years ago I had an MBW 16610 that was modded very nicely (and since sold), until the WM9 came out and I jumped on it. Just around that same time, I began collecting gens, and my rep projects took a back seat. Finally, I realized that I needed a good daily watch, so the WM9 project got resurrected!

Thanks for taking the time to post up panerai153. The movement that is in this one is a Swiss 2836-2, newly serviced and timed by the Zigmeister As far as the endlinks, you're right, and to be honest I really don't care either, but then again I'll still be on the lookout for a gen 93250 or V1 endlinks so I can fix it. Everything else is done to the hilt . I'm surprised that there are no guesses on the gen parts yet? (not counting the bezel, yes Vly, those cuts gave it away )

Thanks for the heads up, still a lot cheaper than buying a gen bracelet

Thanks for the heads up, still a lot cheaper than buying a gen bracelet

This bracelet is a hollow mid link from one of my watches. I sold the WM9 solid mid link years ago, and now as I look back I certainly should have kept the better end links that came with that bracelet. Oh well, no big deal really, the important stuff that matters most is always the dial and bezel/crown anyway. I'll be on the lookout for a gen bracelet or a set of WM9 V1 endlinks if they pop up.

Thanks Vly and praetor!

Well, it has been a good two years waiting in the parts box, and finally it is all together. A hearty thank you goes out to my good friend the Zigmeister, who took the time to put together this work of art. I'll let you guys guess what it has in it, although I'll start off by saying that it has the movement from my very first MBW newly serviced and purring like a kitten under the hood. Here's a few quick pics I took, please don't mind the errant dust

Freddy's formula makes total sense regarding the financial aspects of putting together these toys. However, I think one must also consider the value regarding the passion and fun of creating something from "nothing" (so to speak). Take for instance, my white 1680. My first really good franken; in retrospect I can say it was a valuable learning experience which led me to where I am now regarding my collecting. The watch is an old school MBW, the case is probably five years old (which I bought new), although the rest of the completed watch is as old as the hills. A 1570 motor, an old flat silver datewheel, gen hands, gen dial, gen crystal... etc. This piece obviously blows Freddy's formula out of the water, but to me that wasn't even a consideration. Yes, I can certainly afford a "perfect" box/papers Mk1 white gen, but to me that wasn't the point. The enjoyment I got out of building this one was worth a helluva lot more to me than the cost of building the watch compared to buying a 1680.

Am I the only one who spotted the fake bezel? Too many things off about this one; I wouldn't even consider it. If I were you, I'd just cough up some $ and make WM an offer he couldn't refuse

bidding on this pos: http://cgi.ebay.com/290499770776

looks like a swiss movement

Dusted off and wound up one of my oldest today, a 6569 with a 1030 movement. Still purrs like the day it was born, thanks to a careful and complete recent service from the Zigmiester. I've actually been thinking of selling this one if someone may be interested in a classic vintage:

Dial doesn't match the case, which only re-affirms my suspicions. I have a correct gen case and dial I'll sell you if you're interested.

Not really unobtainable. One recently sold, and the last time I checked, another was still on the market. Stafano's pic is nice, but unfortunately has an incorrect second hand.

It looks like the dial is a repaint. What serial # range is the case?.

Looks great! A gen LV insert is definitely the way to go. PS, For those who may be looking for the ultimate LV upgrade, I've got a gen LV insert for sale now in the tools and parts f/s section. If I didn't pick up a gen LV, I certainly would have kept this rare part. Cheers, JJ

Nice watch ROG, and a very thoughtful gift.

I would make one out of a piece of music wire, but these are always on ebay for about ten bucks lol, I love the pen idea!

I was thinking of the 666

As Alligoat stated, it may be a 5k watch at best, but then only if the bracelet is not a rep, plus it looks like the op dial may be a re-paint. This guy is dreaming unless he can get some better pics

...it has a "cross" on it??? http://cgi.ebay.com/160505240636 Good Lord I just wish I could add.. hey pal, ever hear of a thing called brevet???