freddy333

Based on some recent transactions with them, my opinion of J&S has changed. They are selling frankens (gen components that did not leave the factory in the form J&S are selling them in & some casebacks with modified model numbers). As best as I can tell, J&S are NOT in the business of selling collectible watches - they manufacture them (from unrelated gen parts). Buyer beware.

Please do not re-post entire picture sets when replying. When 2-3 people do this, others end up having to scroll down an entire page just to read 2-3 new lines of text.

Still dragging this around with me today

Considering the rarity of the gmt components, $5,100 sounds about right to me.

I have to agree with Nanuq - my 1665 beater has been seeing the most wrist time Followed by these 2

Still wearing my beater today (Sunday)

I have to be the dissenting voice here. As long as you drop the watch off in person, were it me, I would give an RSC 1st shot at it. If they refuse to accept it (some RSCs will not work on vintage watches more than 25 or so years old), then try Ziggy or an independent Rolex-trained watchmaker. As long as you are crystal clear as to what work you want done & what work you do not want done & the watchmaker is Rolex-trained with a Rolex parts account, you should be fine.

How did I miss that?

If he did, that is the best aftermarket crystal I have ever seen. And by leaps & bounds. On Wednesday, I saw the gen up close (was not able to actually handle it ) & he even got the gen's slightly opaque crystal dead on. That is quite a feat if he made it himself.

Where did you find the dial & crystal?

Sorry to hear your of your bad experience. Not only could things have turned out much worse had they found your larger cache (you likely would have been arrested (or heavily fined) as a seller of contraband), but, also, if any of the watches -- real or fake -- had been Rolexes. Many countries treat Rolex infractions more seriously than other brands. Never a good idea to travel with more than the watch on your wrist unless it is a gen & you are carrying the original sales receipt. Even then, if you are entering/leaving the US & carrying any additional Rolex watches, you can still run into trouble.

Ending the work week wearing my trusty old beater

PM sent. Failing that, why not just post your question here?

I saw these listings a few days ago. Their dial is pretty much useless unless you want to chance a professional redial (sometimes the repaint is a spitting image of the original & sometimes it is a spitting image of a poor aftermarket). Assuming it is 100% real/correct (not missing any of the oem components), if you can get the movement for less than 2k, you are doing well. I am still of 2 minds about these parted-out watches. On the 1 hand, this is often the only way for types like us (non-uber-wealthy) to assemble these rare vintage Rolex models . But, on the other hand, I also consider it sacrilegious to slash the herd just to squeeze out a bit more profit.

Too bad they got the dots wrong (should be tiny squares).

It could be a reaction to the current economic conditions (which are generally improving). Instead of trying to increase sales, some vendors try to make up for lost profits by simply raising prices. This seems like the last thing you should do when money is tight, but it never ceases to amaze me how many companies (who should know better) do that.

Were it me, I would go with a DW caseset (to supplement whatever gen parts you are lacking) & gen bracelet. There is a huge number of threads devoted to DW Daytona projects that I would encourage you to search out, as well as researching the gen you are interested in.

I assume you mean the 50-year old version & not the current model. No, but the thing is so huge & hideously ugly that I felt no remorse in leaving the store without a try-on. However, I did try on the white gold Daytona again (the steel Daytona, according to the store, continues to be in very limited supply), which is still a looker & it may have provided the inspiration I need to finally get around to correcting the lume problems on my rep's dial

As a matter of fact, yes.........

Oops. You are correct. Metres, not feet. Still, Patek states -

From my Patek catalog - the depth rating on the Nautilus is 60'-120', depending on the particular version. I think that pretty much answers the question.

I wish I had taken my camera. They even took the Deepsea out of its case to allow people to take pics & people were taking ALOT of pics. The event was nicely catered with constantly flowing champagne for whoever stops in. Oddly, there were more Rolex company & media people there than the general public (I was 1 of only a handful of people not connected to the event when I was there around noon). If you go, also check out the 3 cars on display on the lower level of the mall (a black Maserati, yellow Lamborghini & white Ferrari).

Ditto.

Rolex is sponsoring the 50th anniversary of the original Deep Sea watch at Liljenquist jewelers. From the invite - 'Meet U.S. Navy Captain Don Walsh, who piloted the historic bathyscaphe to 35,180 feet. See the Rolex Deepsea Special, never before seen by the public.' Hurry, the event ends at 2pm today.

Another day with Mystery