freddy333

Definitely, his dials have problems. This 1 (below) arrived with the T SWISS T painted white (which is incorrect for a 3-color Newman dial - I re-painted it red), the subdials are a bit too small (leaving a wee bit too much space between their outer edges & the dial's outer minute ring), the coronet was crap (it looked like it was hand-made (with an axe) by a blind man, so I replaced it with a gen) & the subdials are a bit too shallow (the subdials on the gen are set so deeply into the face of the dial that they cause a shadow to appear around their circumference under all but the most direct lighting conditions). But, it got the all-important long-tail 3 correct & the fonts (crisper) & colors (truer) are more gen-like, so, overall, using my rule-of-thumb (does it look gen from an arm's length away or from the next table in a small restaurant?), I bought 1 & replaced my DW with it. As it is now, if he fixed the subdial issues, I would have trouble (reliably) ID'ing this watch as anything other than a gen Beware that the printing quality of his dials (I am talking about samples of the same dial) varies ALOT & I passed on a number of his previous auctions for the same dial until this 1 came up. Addendum 1 of NDT's PN dials gets the subdial depth nearly correct. Unfortunately, the rest of the dial is crap

Great review & pics.

Ending the work week still wearing this But with its new/correct minute hand

UPDATE 2 out of 3 correct hands are now fitted. After trying out 4 gen minute hands, I finally found 1 that actually fits the A260 caliber Now, all I need is the ss hand & this 1 is complete. I have a blued hand that fits (& looks very sharp), but all the pics I have (or have seen) of De Luxe 6202s show them with all steel (white) hands. I have another 2 ss hands en route &, hopefully, 1 of them will fit the bill (& pinion ). But, even with its current ss hand, this watch is definitely an eye-catcher.

I seem to recall that a couple of years ago I transplanted the bezel from a standard pre-Daytona rep (with symmetrical pushers) onto a DW case without any problem. I thought I took some pics, but they were lost (along with a couple of gigs worth of gen pics) when my computer crashed earlier this year.

Excellent point & a good habit to get into when buying anything watches or watch parts, even gens. Always specifically ask whether what is pictured/described is the actual item you will receive. I cannot tell you how many times I have received a gen crown, crystal or handset from an honest, reputable seller that was clearly not the item displayed. But, in my experience, honest sellers, when provided with good, clear pics illustrating the problem, always admit & correct their mistake without fuss or debate.

I probably should have added this - The principle difference between the average rep case & any 1 of these (very expensive) specialist cases are their shape & dimensions, which tend to be closer to the gen than the average rep case. The metal is the same metal that is used to make the typical rep case, the dial blank/paint is the same (&, believe it or not, some specialist dials often leave more to be desired than the typical rep dial) & the ancillary parts (pushers, crowns, etc) are the same. Again, the only real difference (that you often pay 10 times more for) are the case's shape/dimensions.

Why not get a DW 7750 case, which has the asymmetrical pushers, & then swap out the crown/tube?

I wish her the best on the operation, but, to improve her chances, you might ask her husband if he has contacted any of the top 4 cancer treatment hospitals (in the world)? #1 University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX www.mdanderson.org #2 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY www.mskcc.org #3 Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN www.mayoclinic.com #4 Johns Hopkins Hospital Baltimore, MD www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Gee, I guess I have to begin another wristies. Still wearing what I wore to din-din yesterday

Based on recent auction sales (by reliable dealers), it is clear that vintage Rolex parts prices have returned to pre-2007 levels of insanity. Need proof? Click here

Since some have reported problems trying to fit gen movements into their MBWs, I think it is worth noting that my 1665 & 5514 MBWs (each now hosting 157xs) each came from George, who, if I remember correctly, went by the handle of 'Watchmaster'. So 1 has to wonder whether there are dimensional differences between the MBWs from George & those sold by others.

NDT is 1 of many aftermarket parts sellers who also sell a handful of frankenwatches (watches built from parts - some gen some aftermarket - of other watches). Their pricing is high (contrary to the claims of many aftermarket parts sellers, there is little/nothing about the quality of their parts that differs from the average run-of-the-mill rep watch) & it takes a bit of experience/expertise to sort out the chaff from the wheat. Their 'refinished' dials are, from my experience, simply new/aftermarket dials with variable accuracy (this is where the experience/expertise comes in). When buying parts from them, be aware that, unless otherwise noted, they are designed to fit gen watch cases/movements, not rep cases. As for their complete watches, same rules apply. However, be aware that, like standard reps - regardless of advertised claims - there is little/no QC involved in their construction, so you would be wise to keep your expectations low & to have the watch professionally serviced upon receipt (& be prepared to pay to repair on your expensive 'new' watch).

Switching to this on my way out to dinner

The 1575gmt uses a different date indicator seat (calendar ring - part 7965) than other 157x calibers & it may have only 1 ruby.

Nice find. The 157x is a very reliable & relatively simple movement to overhaul. Just be sure the watchmaker you select has a Rolex parts account (which infers that he meets Rolex's experience/workmanship standards).

As is often the case, the bracelet makes the watch sing. Please post more of this beauty, Flex.

It is well into Wednesday & no one started the all-important Wednesday wristies? For shame.

Nice find, Jojo.

The passionate chocolate exclamation mark GMT. Nice.

Congratulations on the new house, By-Tor! Just before midnight

I never noticed that before. Thanks.

About as good as it gets.