freddy333

15 years ago, when many of us were called crazy for paying the (then) outrageous prices being asked for vintage Rolex parts, I used to tell people that, based on recent history, a year from now the price is likely to be (at least) 20% higher, making today's outrageous price will look like a bargain. But even I never expected the current Vintage Rolex-Mania we are now experiencing. And the mania shows no signs of dissipating any time soon. Things have gotten so crazy that, to paraphrase automatico, most of my collection (some composed of NOS Rolex parts) would be financially and literally unobtainium for me today. But the same rule applies: no matter how crazy Rolex prices are today, if you can afford it, buy it. Because it may be out of reach -- if available at all -- this time next year.

I have 2 & to answer my previous question -- the black 6542 contains a modified (to add GMT functions) ETA slow-beat, and excepting the insert (from JoeyB) & the dial (repainted by Kirk Rich--Rolex's official US dial refinisher) the white 6542 is all gen (mostly NOS as of when I assembled the parts). There are numerous threads detailing the stories of these watches that you should be able to find via the search.

My experience has been exactly the opposite, assuming you know what you want & are able to articulate it, MQ generally follows through. Remember, also, that English is not the 1st language for these guys. So you need to thread the needle between detail--getting your point across & confusion--not overwhelming them with too much info that can lead to misunderstandings. Further, Ziggy used to send me (& post publicly) pics of the nightmarish mess he often found inside most of Phong's expensive 'new' builds.

Been there, done that. Unless someone here has them, I think your best (& easiest) option is to take the bracelet to your local watch maker & have him replace the pins. Most watchmakers stock these. Otherwise, most watch parts supply companies sell them, but you will need to know the size & thread pitch for proper fit. Best option is to replace the bracelet with a better bracelet--either a gen or 1 of the generic, Swiss-made replacements most watch parts supply companies sell. These tend to be Rolex-quality, but without the brand markings.

I bought a couple of those many years ago & still have 1 of them around somewhere. I recall that they weigh less than the folded gens, but otherwise appear to be nice bracelets for the price.

If you are looking for the best price on a good watch & it is cheaper online, then buy online. Simple. But if you are looking for the cheapest watch online, then you get what you pay for. Taking your premise to the next level, I believe there are 2 types of watch collectors--those who only buy their grail watches if/when they find them cheap & those who find the best price on the grail watches they buy. The former tend to spend their entire lives looking, the latter owning.

Beater

Nice 'Graph! Never saw that 1 before. Well done. Sadly, due to their widespread notoriety, any credible-looking Newman, especially in gold, is no longer a viable watch to wear -- really anywhere (& no, this 1 is NOT for sale). But as it has been many years since I posted her in a wristies, although I am wearing the usual 'Dweller today, I thought some might enjoy seeing goldie again.

A "full wrist"? Well, if Castro could do it........... Everything scares the Apple watch kids.

Since you asked............ In the dozen or so years since this thread began, I still LOVE, frequently wear & find this watch to be a perplexing enigma. It is the only watch I have ever come across in nearly 40 years of collecting that I cannot conclusively ID as either gen or franken. Over the years, I have encountered a stream of gen Rose Tudor 7016s with solid provenances that caused me to vacillate my view of this watch back & forth. To date, I still cannot say, with ANY certainty, what we got? Were they gens or 25+ year-old frankens? The dials & casebacks are probably aftermarket. But am I prepared to put money on that? Nope! I just do not know? Then, as now, (with the possible exception of its original crown (which I replaced with a new 703 & tube), & even then?) the watch has the feel of a vintage Sub; not vintagized, but genuinely, & for the model's age, old--inside & out. But, whatever they are, all who were fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time got the deal of the century.

Let's play spot-the-rep. From an arm's length, can you tell which is which? You old-timers, who know the histories of these watches, please withhold your responses.

There you go. Thanks, alligoat!

Anyone that is aware of the correct bph for a gen 6542 & close enough to the watch to note the movement of the sweep seconds or gage the beat of the movement will undoubtedly detect the many obvious tells of a non-gen dial, handset, bezel, etc. So if you are able to find a slow-beat ETA, great. If not, I would not fuss over it since no one but you (& RWG) will know the difference.

There were minor dial variations &, as JoeyB mentioned, variations in perspex inserts--some flat-faced, some concave-faced & with at least 2 types of fonts, but I am not aware of any variations in 6542 cases.

Things may have changed since the last time I spent time going through the dealers' listings, but Silix used to have a 6538 rep that had a case similar to what you might need for an A6538 & it was reasonably priced. So you might start there for the case. Generally, I have found that, when attempting to recreate rarer models (i.e., the A6538), you should factor in the likelihood of some Dremeling or shaping modifications in your plans. In some cases, you may be able to piece together multiple rep watches to assemble something close. But if you are as neurotic as most here, it will take some finagling to get things to fit/look right. Most jewelry stores will be happy to engrave a caseback for you. At least, I have never run into one that refused to take the work. However, I would avoid those that sell Rolex for the obvious reasons. I assume this is your goal, albeit in modern form:

one80: If your heart is set on a particular model & it has to be all gen, I would follow Nanuq's experience & deviate where necessary to end up with all gen parts. In that case, you may or may not live long enough to complete the project. On the other hand, if your goal is to end up with a gen vintage Rolex model, set your sights on a more common vintage model like the 1680/5512/5513. There are many more gen parts for these later vintage models floating around at much more "reasonable" prices, which will make your search easier (i.e., less costly & time-consuming). All gen except for the self-patina'd caseback (from Phong) --

Generally speaking, there is nothing in a 1036 GMT that cannot be replicated with standard machining, let alone CNC equipment. In fact, a properly CNC'd 1036 GMT would likely & easily outperform the original! So there is no reason, mechanically- or materially-speaking, that no one has yet rep'd a proper 6542 movement. Although, today, I think it would be prohibitively expensive & time-consuming to locate all of the parts to assemble a gen 1036 GMT out of NOS gen components, it could be done. As others have correctly stated, gone are the days when mere mortals were able (or could afford) to purchase gen Rolex components for "reasonable" prices.

A minor detail, but I think the CCP run China more like authoritarian capitalists rather than communists.

Well done.

Yes & for a variety of reasons.

Sorry, I misunderstood. Unfortunately, I have never seen individual Rolex crown components for sale. I suspect this is because when the internals wear out, Rolex always replaces the entire crown/tube assembly.

Very interesting. I wonder how they are able to sell "Rolex" signed watches with Rolex movements & not get sued by Rolex? The Man Making New Rolexes Old Again

It has been several years since I was active in Daytona projects (& things may have changed since then), but many people modded movements from el primero-powered Zeniths they found on ebay. But with so many people building frankens & Daytona prices skyrocketing, I suspect it may be much easier just to get on a Daytona waiting list. If there is another option, another member with more recent experience may chime in.

Rick - You can buy Swiss-made crown tubes from most of the watch parts houses (Ofrei, etc.) & they are functionally, if not literally, the same as Rolex's. Same metal, same function, same lifespan & same feel. Many watchmakers with Rolex parts accounts use them.

A good, clear pic taken outside at dusk (not in the dark) or in shade would be better, but I do not see anything here that, assuming the watch appears otherwise legit (i.e., it is not a brand-new looking 40 year-old Sub, etc.), would cause me to question the watch from an arm's length away (my benchmark). I would stop worrying about it & just enjoy it.....until/unless you come across a gen dial/handset (& have the cash to purchase).