freddy333

Shear is generally reliable, but not infallible. I have never seen an original 1016 without the SCOC & SWISS - T < 25 on the dial. But, as is often the case with vintage Rolex, never say never.

Running the latest version of Firefox, I am getting the error if I try to Edit a post I just posted. Once I am in the Editor, the system will not allow me to do anything (including go to the Full Editor or Cancel), instead returning the same error as noted above. Page refreshing or flushing cache has no effect.

Still wearing the whiter of my Newmans on Sunday

Why not just buy a good rep (research the gen you are interested & then peruse the RWG dealer listings for the version YOU like best), which, in the case of an Explorer, is pretty close to 90% correct out of the box. fyi - the 5500 came with either a 1520 or 1530 movement, 6635 or 7205 bracelet (both with 57 end links), a 5.3 Twinlock crown/tube & a Tropic 11 crystal

You need better pics (check out the photography forums for tips), but what I am able to make out looks good.

These inserts will fit a gen bezel without modifications to either the insert or the bezel. So it should also fit any aftermarket bezel made to gen specs.

If gen, it fits within either heading, so take your pick.

At this level, you need a gen crown & gen or more gen-like bracelet. Otherwise, nice job.

Looks great so far. If you look inside the new tube, you should see some splines There is a tool/wrench that fit into the splines & is used to screw the tube into the case

If the replacement movement (sent by the original seller) is wrong, I would send the whole thing back for refund. Then, get 1 of the ETA-powered versions--either correct hand stack (chs) or incorrect hand stack (ichs)--from an RWG listed seller.

Congratulations on getting a proper cleaner. Now, have you got a 2nd job to fund the cleaning/rinsing soups?

That seller is Mr. Slimeball (research his name before hitting any of his buy buttons).

If the (gen) hands are original to a (gen) watch, then the lume should match. A Mismatch generally indicates that either the hands or dial are not oem.

To my eye, the relative height of the crystal (above the plane of the bezel) is always the give-away. If you are fortunate to have 1 of the low-profile rep cases, the difference is minimal & it is doubtful that the average gen owner or collector could ID it as a rep without close inspection. And, even then, it may pass

You can almost trip over the number of threads discussing this problem. Read this & use the search if you require more info.

Ofrei prefers to deal with professionals only, so either order via their website or phone with part numbers/quantities.

Always best to phone Ofrei for info or to place an order with a part number (unless you ask for him, you are unlikely to speak with Bob). Here is a summary of the most salient rules regarding emails to Ofrei -

Still flying around with my favorite GMT

For starters, your date window sucks. Rolex would never let a dial like this leave their factory

Gen is definitely on the left. By-Tor wrote the definitive review of the 116520 & the dials have been top-notch for quite some time (to the point where I have twice refused amazing deals on gen dials because they were not sufficiently better than my rep's to warrant the time it would take to swap them ). Unfortunately, they have a way to go on their cases.

Depends on which crown is fitted & the condition of the crystal & seals, but I believe Rolex sports watches, unless otherwise specified, are spec'd to 100m.

In spite of its delicacy, I have become quite fond of this watch. So, still & again