freddy333

Ok, gang. Here is the 1st quick-&-dirty pic of the (nearly*) complete albino GMT 6542 *The date wheel is on its way to be refinished & I still need to locate the correct calendar ring (which is taller to give the date wheel more room & will fill the small gap between the case & dial, which you may be able to see in the pic). As it turned out, the white dial really was the correct choice, as this watch is now 1 of the most beautiful in my collection.

Wearing 1 of my Subs today

Definitely not & I know what you mean . As soon as I glimpsed the white dial in the case, the case was closed (no pun intended). I knew it had to be white. Game over. Waiter, check please. That white dial makes the early GMT pop in a way that the black dial, as cool as it is, cannot.

I have been considering getting an aftermarket caseback (Yuki & NDtrading both sell the reasonable facsimiles) & having it engraved with the Pan Am globe, but, 1st things 1st. As I was assembling the Phase II watch, I found that I may need to replace the calendar ring. The only part I did not replace even though the parts list shows a different part number for the GMT is the calendar ring. A couple of watchmakers told me they were virtually interchangeable throughout the 103x series, so I did not replace it. It seems the watchmakers may have been wrong. Trouble is that the GMT calendar wheel (the wheel that drives the date wheel) stands a bit taller than the original 1036 calendar wheel & this causes the date wheel to likewise rise slightly above the top face of the 1036 calendar ring The result of this is that the date wheel rises up above the top of the calendar ring's surface & pops out of its channel. Once I snap the dial onto the pillar, the date wheel, which is sitting up a bit too high, is coming into contact with the underside of the dial, which keeps it from revolving. So I am putting the word out trying to locate the correct GMT calendar ring.

Thanks for all the input, guys. White it is. Seeing how well the dials (both) came out, I need to have the date wheel repainted as well. So, for now, I will put the watch together with an all-black date wheel. The finished Phase II (gen-powered/cased/braceleted) product should look something like this

The T<25's were all service/replacement dials. The originals had only SWISS at 6 o'clock. As I understand it, all of the white dials (only about 150 or so) did originally come with Perspex inserts. The (most) official recounting I have is that the white dials were constructed from the left overs of the original 6542 manufacturing run, which was designed from the beginning to produce a set number of watches (for Pan Am flight personnel).

Nanuq - Agreed on all counts. The thing is that, from what I have seen, 1950s Rolex watches contained even more than the usual Rolex variations. As far as the triangle at 12, there are flat tops, curved tops, flat top triangles close to the minute track, flat top triangles away from the minute track, curved triangles close......well, you get the idea (2 out of several variations - note the distance between hour/minute markers & shape/position of triangles relative to minute markers - dial at right (excepting dial color) is very similar to my white dial) In the end, I think there is more than sufficient variation on the albino theme along with enough debate to make this 1 fit right in, with room to spare.

Normally, that would be the obvious answer. The problem is that it took me 2 years to gather up all the parts for this 1 & I was extremely lucky to run into a couple of the NOS gmt parts. But the dials are too good to let either sit in my parts bins. Again, normally, I would probably do that & the thought has crossed my mind (several times). But all the parts for the Phase II watch (with the exception of the insert) are gens & valuable, so I do not think modding is an option here. Anyway, there are so few (authenticated) white 6542s around (I have only ever seen pics of them) & I have seen them with 3 different casebacks (1 with a plain caseback), so it is probably best left as-is. Oddly, I was thinking the white dial's date window looks a bit small (the black 1 the gen KR-repaint dial). Each has its strengths & weaknesses. The paint/finish quality on the black is clearly better (nearly equivalent to Rolex's application quality). Also, as I mentioned to Nanuq, its date window is the proper shape/size. On the other hand, I think the fonts are more accurate on the white dial & there are at least 4 different coronet styles that I have seen on 6542s & each dial fits right in there. But the word ROLEX & the line below it seem more accurate on the white dial Here is the most common version of the 6542 (note the style/shape/size/position of the fonts) 3 albino gens Rarity aside, & just looking at each dial on its own, I am kind of swayed in favor of the white dial, mainly, due to its more accurate fonts. I think it is also quite spiffy looking with a nice contrast between the dark red/blue insert & white dial.

Thanks All. Each has its pluses & minuses. Here are a few quick, side-by-side macros. Let me know if they sway you either way

Nice, Ronin. I suspect someone in the Great White North will have a pickle-in-his-pocket over that 1. Wearing my beater today

To Happy Motoring! So, which would you choose - pilot's cabin or executive suite? (Sorry, neither is for sale)

Comments?

To be honest, I am not quite sure? All of my Rolex parts & service manuals show 1530/157x balances with adjustment screws. But I have seen a number of gen watches with balances without them. I think I read something about chronometer spec movements having a different balance, but I have been unable to substantiate that, so I am not sure what to tell you.

Your hard work shows , but I think you need a better insert/pearl .

I agree with Allgoat 100%. Generally, having fewer features is better, but, from a casual glance, this 1680 has fewer obvious sins than the 5512.

Ticking tunes Saturday

I hate being a jerk, but I also do not like getting taken by 1. So I would send him a polite email asking what he feels would be an equitable amount (for both of you), considering that the mistake was his & you won the watches fairly? Then, you can either accept his offer, make a counteroffer or register a formal complaint with ebay &/or Paypal.

Well done, TT.

I am not very into pre-war, but an interesting piece.

007-ish today

Ditto Martyd3's comments.

CHS ceramic today

I would bet both bracelets have been available for some time. It only takes the right inquiry placed with the right seller to open the floodgates (has anyone asked Yuki to source them).

Wedge a thin knife or stout razor blade between the bottom of the bezel & top face of the case. Once in, remove & repeat @ 180 degrees from the starting point. Repeat @ 90 degrees & again @ the other 90 degree point. Depending on the fit of the bezel around the crystal (how tight the coupling is), it may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so to get the razor in. But once you are in, work the blade around the entire perimeter of the bezel until it loosens enough to be removed.