freddy333

Overall, looks great, especially for a 1st build! However, I am wondering if you have the correct crystal? It could be due to the angle of the watch in the pic, but it looks like the cyclops is not centered over the date window.

An interesting item, but definitely a case for buy the seller before you buy the watch.

I am not familiar with Fizcard & have not purchased anything from Andrew for awhile, but I seem to recall he had multiple payment options. You might try 1 of the other options, or email Andrew & ask him for assistance. He is usually very helpful.

Big Kahuna today --

There is crazy inflation & then there is crazy Rolex inflation. The latter is generally crazy even by crazy standards. That is why it is said that today's crazy Rolex price will be tomorrow's bargain.

I would disagree somewhat with your description of the 23-300 as being delicate. I have overhauled 2-3 of them (1 sitting on my bench now) &, while not in the tool watch class, I would have no qualms wearing 1 as a daily driver. But I will acknowledge that Pateks generally require a higher level of care when being maintained (due to their haute decoration), parts are costly & difficult to source.

Top shelf as always.

I am assuming you did this early on, but have you checked for damaged/missing teeth on any of the wheels in the train? The mainspring would likely slip once per revolution of the offending wheel. This is something that should be easy to spot with a 24-hour timer record.

If the mainspring is slipping, then most likely either the spring is slipping on the mainspring arbor, the click or click spring may be loose or defective, or the escape wheel is slipping past the pallets. If you left the pallets in cleaning fluid too long, it is possible they may have shifted out of position, which could result in the escape wheel slipping -- & intermittently unwinding the mainspring as this occurs. Unfortunately, I know of only 3 ways to verify this type of problem -- replace the pallets with a new (or known good) set, put the movement on a timer with recorder for 24 hours & watch for telltale signs of slippage in the readout (eg, a sudden & significant drop in an otherwise regular pattern), or sit & watch the movement until it slips & see if you can see where it is slipping. Since this is a 2783, I think the easiest avenue would be to replace the pallets since they are not expensive (here is a new 1 on ebay for $12).

Wearing the Big Kahuna

Presuming the entire movement is clean/properly oiled/demagnetized -- it sounds like either the cap jewels are dirty/worn (remove/inspect/clean/oil), the balance cock/bridge is not properly seated or the hairspring is hanging-up on an adjacent component (ie when the movement is moved/shaken). If/when you eliminate the 1st 2 issues, I would remove the balance, remove the hairspring from the staff (use a small screwdriver to slide the hairspring collet off the staff) -- then re-attach the loose hairspring to the cock/bridge & allow it to sit on top of the cock/bridge. Inspect the hairspring's positioning for flatness/proper centering over the cock/bridge (if the collet does not naturally sit directly over the cap jewel holder in the cock/bridge, you will need to reshape the hairspring so that it does). There is a good guide on TZ that you may find helpful. Correct as needed or post a few macros of the hairspring (attached to & sitting on top of the cock/bridge) so I can see its condition/position.

Wearing The Big Kahuna today, but on her red/white Horus rubber strap --

That has definitely not been my experience with Rolexes, in particular, & quality mechanical watches (eg, ETA), in general. In the decades I have been collecting, I do not recall having come across any professional/full-time watchsmiths reporting these types of issues being more common with Rolex calibers than other brands. Usually, it takes a pretty significant impact/shock (or monkey) to tangle a hairspring &, of those I have untangled, all were in watches that were either dropped, worn by owners involved in traffic accidents or mangled by third-world 'watchmakers' (who have been brought to 1st-world countries to do their damage). But I am just a part-timer, so I may be wrong.

I understand your hesitancy, but I have never found most properly maintained Rolexes to be fragile. My experience has been quite the contrary. However, the fact that virtually every kid & crook clocks wrists today, searching for Rolexes to envy or steal, makes the wearer a target. But, then, I think that our rulers have permitted the crooked classes so much latitude that being clocked by a crook is just another reason to remain situationally aware -- & (lawfully) armed. I worry more about watches developing problems because they spend too much time sitting idle rather than suffering damage from being worn.

Sorry for the off-topic response, but I cannot help myself -- 'Bidenomics is working.' -- Biden

Entering the new year with The Big Kahuna --

A beauty! You inspired me to swap The Big Kahuna for 1 of my Subs --

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 --