freddy333

Are you sure about that gap? Here is a better pic --

It all depends on the accuracy of the clone. If the interfacing components match OE Rolex spec, then you should be able to replace the clone parts with gens (or other gen spec parts). Although my hands-on experience is limited to Daytona 4130 clones, you might check out the threads detailing my gen parts transplants for The Big Kahuna and The Golden Cuckoo.

"It's time to reboot the United States back to 21 November 1963. While not perfect, the United States was a safer, freer, cleaner and more productive place for law-abiding Americans to live and work. The "Great Society" has been a failure, resulting in increased violence, regulation, filth and loss of productivity. It's time." -- posted to the book of Zuckerberg 2018

There IS an alternative -- Kevin O’Leary Wants to Be Buried With His Watches If I did not know better, based on their actions (for all but 4 of the past 15 years), I might think the US government is a domestic enemy. "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." -- US Army oath of enlistment (Title 10, US Code)

I think there are a lot of DJ & Explorer builders/collectors today & a dwindling pool of decent gen 7206/58s. Hence, the skyrocketing prices. As has been said, today's 'insane' vintage Rolex price is next year's missed opportunity. The last cherry gen 7206/80 I purchased a few years ago cost me $2,200. Today, similar condition steel Oysters are running closer to $3k+ -- & rising fast. Complete 7206/58 = $2,500 Sometimes, it pays to be a hoarder.

Wearing 1 of Nanuq's old favs today --

Wearing the Pagani today --

Wearing the Big Kahuna today, but would have worn Goldie if I had not been out with a friend today & unwilling to risk the unwanted attention such a watch attracts.

I wanted to accentuate her red-handed highlights & I think this does the trick.

Denatured alcohol or Windex/glass cleaner.

You are making my point.

"Were" is the salient issue. We no longer are, nor have we been for several years. I think a simple perusal of RWI's daily postings will demonstrably illustrate the point.

I think what the forum needs is more members with watchmaking knowledge/experience.

Strapped on The freddy333 Daytona today

I have had this press for many years, but, to be honest, I rarely use it. Most of the time, I use a rubber-jawed vice & the nylon spacers. Obviously, you have to use care with a vice (ie, check your alignment BEFORE starting & do not press too hard!), but I think it makes it easier to apply even pressure. But, in general, any press will do as long as you have a proper, well-fitting, set of spacers.

Wearing the old Comex today

Wearing my 1st ETA 2846-powered rep/franken from the 1980s

Of all the watches in my decades of collecting, there is only 1 watch I have never been able to pull the trigger on -- the Coke Sub. Every time I see 1, I get that familiar itch. But because they are a fantasy model, I just cannot rationalize wearing it because I do not spend money on watches I do not intend to wear -- at least occasionally. So I will have to envy yours. Thanks for posting this classic. Wearing the Pagani today

Shooting that watch against that background absolutely nails it! Well done.

I am surprised he did not post it as an auction. But it will be interesting to see if he actually gets $1.7k for used aftermarket parts. In an somewhat related matter, I am in process of updating my 1st franken. This was 1 of the 1st reps made with a good, Swiss-made (ETA) movement back in the 1980s. Shortly after purchase, I figured out that its dimensions were the same as the gen DJ of the day, so I took a chance & purchased gen two-tone end links & steel clasp (at that time, you could walk into an AD & order Rolex parts from the mothership without a problem -- other than the cost). As it turned out, they fit perfectly. The watch has since been upgraded with gen crown/tube & I am awaiting the arrival of a gen xtal & bezel. Once received, I will either update that original thread or post the result to a new thread. Now, with 4 decades of natural patina, it is interesting to hold it next to my gen DJ of the same vintage & see two genuinely vintage Rolex watches.