freddy333

Stephane -- It looks brilliant just the way it is (I am assuming it is Valjoux-powered). What needs 'serious help'?

A Perfect 10. It should come as no surprise what I am wearing today (Sunday)

Looking at the profile views, Honpo's appears to be using a standard SD case, which is wrong for this model I saw this the day he added it & I started writing a new thread about it, but as I was copying some of the pics over I noticed the case size being wrong, so I abandoned the idea & decided to wait until someone gets all the major parts correct, which would be alot more newsworthy.

Thanks all. The surprising thing about this project was how relatively easy it has all gone together. Those of you who have been following the story know the issues I ran into in getting the insert over the 'red ring'. But, although they came from disparate sources, many of the parts snapped together perfectly. The 2 remaining questions are whether the 27mm diameter replacement dial will fit the case (the original dial was 28.5mm, the dial that is currently in the case is 28mm & both fit comfortably) & whether I can successfully broach the proper handset (with small GMT hand) to fit the ETA. But if all goes well, this project should be complete (pending some later decision to modify the engine that powers it) by next weekend.

Wow, I think I forgot to thank the most important catalyst for this project -- By-Tor. Had it not been for your reviews & our email exchanges on the subject of GMTs, this project would never have come about. So Thank You, my friend.....You taught me

Thank you. Truth be told, the GMT was never 1 of my favorites either. It was actually By-Tor's colorful & brilliantly-photographed GMT reviews that initially got me hooked. But, in the end, my inherent preference for vintage drew me to the 6542 & the original's Perspex (bakelite) bezel insert finally sold me. Now that I have spent a day wearing it, I have to say that it is an extremely comfortable watch to wear & the toned-down vintage colors give the watch a more subdued appearance than later models. All in all, I am glad I came around.

My, my.......compliments from Tribal AND Nanuq on a home-brewed 6542 that was just a backup project until the DW 6542 got off the ground......& this watch is not even finished yet (with some of the best parts yet to come). I thought, for sure, at least 1 of you would pull this thing apart. Thanks again, for all of your help on this.

Outstanding. What is the story behind that?

Sometimes, words just do not suffice.

It always helps (when selling a gen watch) if you have the original paperwork that goes with the watch. For a rep, it is only useful if you want to include them in a display, as some members do. I would not recommend using papers in an effort to try to pan-off a non-gen watch as a gen.

Thanks. I used the stock ETA 2836-2 & dial that came in Josh's GMT (the ETA will remain unless I break down & buy a gen movement, which was never part of my plan for this project). Both were simple transplants from 1 case to the other. Both installed & lined up perfectly (the same cannot be said for the insert, which required a bit of Dremelic nudging of the case to get it to fit). Unfortunately, the other handset (with the smaller GMT hand) is made to fit a Rolex 106x calibre, which has smaller pinions & I do not have the correct size broaches on hand. But I ordered a larger broach set, which should be here early next week & then I can get the other hands installed & do a better comparison to see which I will end up using. I did find a number of gen 6542s (2 of which belong to Dowling) that have the larger GMT hand, so, worst case, the handset I have on the watch now would be acceptable (though I may redo the lume again).

Actually, Rolex has the coolest watches........at least, they used to. But I know what you mean & appreciate it.

Exactly & thanks.

Some, but it all depends on which reps, which parts & how much work you are willing to do to make them fit.

Hmm, I thought people would hate the bracelet. Thanks.

I guess it is turning out better than I thought. Thank you, but I still need to install the final dial & handset.

It was between double-sided tape & silicone sealant, but I went with the silicone because I want to be able to r&r the bezel & the tape removes the paint on the underside of the insert. Also, the space available between the insert's 2 points of contact -- the edge of the bezel & the inner edge of the case -- was very narrow. Silicone was easier to apply & seemed to remove much less paint during my testing, so I went with that.

El Fako.

The map context was not an intentional nod to Dowling. I used it because I wanted something to set the PanAm/travel mood, but I do not have any PanAm paraphernalia on hand. So I went with a map instead. I am still considering options for the dial/hand patina. Alot will depend on how the dial looks when it arrives. The hands in the pictures are probably not what will end up on the watch. But specifications, as they say, are always subject to change.

Thanks. The insert is from Michael Young. I found a few other aftermarket inserts floating around, but MY's is the only 1 that looks like some of the gens in my archives. The bracelet is a cheap, generic aftermarket (no Rolex markings on the clasp) that I have seen on many gens. Apparently, alot of the original 6542 owners either could not afford or could not rationalize the cost of Rolex replacement parts, so many of these watches were fitted with generic aftermarket jubilee bracelets when the originals got changed, which suited me just fine. It sort of fits, psychologically, because someone who owns the real deal is less likely to feel compelled to search out (& pay considerably more for) gen parts to fit on a watch he knows is gen, which left me alot of latitude when choosing a bracelet.

My 1st choice would be 4 & the price is probably between $5k-$6k+, but, without paperwork, I would want it opened & inspected by Rolex or a Rolex-trained watchsmith unless the seller's credentials are absolutely stellar.

Thanks, the crystal is a gen T116 & I am awaiting a new (proper 6542) dial & a larger set of broaches so I can fit the final handset (with small GMT hand). Here are a couple more close-up shots Oh & my sincere thanks to Tribal, Nanuq, JoJo, deltatahoe, kent2, Ziggy, carlsbadrolex (again, sorry to see you go), Alligoat, Docblackroc & everyone else who provided input and/or moral support. This project would not have made it this far (this fast) without your help.

I would keep 1, 3, 5, 7 & whichever other 2 you feel the most attached to.

Silix. Why?

I still feel that the only real give-away is the rep's narrower index markers. And, even that, without seeing it next to a gen, is a tough call, at best. Yes, the cyclops is not ARd & there are other subtle differences (you cannot have an exact copy of a several grand gen for a few hundred dollars), but only that small, knowledgeable group of WISs will get that (most gen owners know NOTHING). When viewed from the distance of an arm's length away (my benchmark for success), the chs GMTIIC is a legend in its own time & for good reason. Thanks for the post.