freddy333

Mixture of 2 reps (low profile case (with modded CGs) & movement from my 1st generation 116520 rep, dial & rotor from Joshua's 2001 116520 rep) with the addition of gen crown/tube, hands & pushers.

Only you can make the call as to whether the real thing is worth $10k over a good rep. What I can tell you is that a Swiss 7750 will have the same problems the Asian 7750 has once it is fitted with the extra gearing that relocates the secs subdial to the correct location at 6 on the dial. And the Zenith movement will not fit into the current 116520 Daytona case, because the subdial locations are different. So, if you want the current 116520 Daytona, your choices are pretty much down to either an expensive gen or a (graphite treated) rep (I would recommend Joshua's unless you want to try to source 1 of the rare 1st gen 116520 reps with the correct low-profile case & build a franken out of 2 different reps).

A wise choice. Wear it well.

Old news, but still useful.

All of the watch parts supply houses sell them (ofrei.com, cas-ker.com, cousinsuk.com, julesborel.com, etc.).

Yes, the clarity & sparkle of Clarks lens is equal to the gen (it might even be slightly better). That is what ultimately sold me on them. They are the 1st & only aftermarket lens I have seen that looks like a gen Tropic. The principle difference is that the inner surface of the Clarks superdome is slightly flat vs the gen, which results in a slight refraction of images around its perimeter. That is, if you place the Clarks lens on top of a crosshatch pattern (crossing horizontal & vertical lines), the lines have a slight deviation from true around the edge of the lens. But this anomaly is only apparent around the lens's perimeter, not the center. And, again, you would probably never even notice it if I had not mentioned it. Both lenses appear nearly identical when installed on a watch. In addition to my previous comparsions, Nanuq posted an even better 1 early last year or the year before.

A great magazine, but I think WatchTime is still probably the best if you are looking for useful info along with your watch porn.

Mezz -- The gen super domes have not been manufactured in years & the material does degrade with age, so if you plan to get your watch wet or wear it in the water, I would go with Clark's. They are nearly indistinguishable from the gen tropic & they are alot more reliable if used under pressure (under water). In addition, the flat top is the correct lens for the GW.

Our mail server has been the target of a number of spam attacks (a hacker/spammer sends out millions of spams encoded with non-existent email addresses using our domain name forged into the FROM: address, which in turn generates tens of thousands of rejection messages that flood (and shut down) our mail server). Currently, when these attacks occur (about once/month), we simply shut down sendmail, which then discards all incoming mail. This of course eliminates the overload problem, but it also makes our mail server useless. But it also fails to alert the sender that THEIR message was rejected by OUR server because the return address in the original spam was bogus. I know how to configure the access database to allow incoming mail from a specific domain or IP, but how do I REJECT ALL mail from ALL domains & IP ranges? Specifically, will the following /etc/mail/access block ALL incoming mail, but still allow us to receive mail from me@mydomain.com, myfriend.com & 24.22.56? 10.0.0.2 RELAY me@mydomain.com OK myfriend.com OK 24.22.56 OK 0 REJECT # If the line above will not work, maybe the following line will TLD REJECT Again, my goal is to configure sendmail to allow incoming mail from a list of legitimate senders, but to REJECT mail from ALL other domains & IP ranges. I know the RELAY and OK lines are correct, but I do not know if '0 REJECT' (or 'TLD REJECT') is the correct form to block everything else (and without blocking the previous OK lines)? Anyone know?

Depends on where it says VC. If the VC is where the O1 is on my clasp, then it references the date of manufacture. Generally, there is a letter or 2 (coding the year) followed by a number (the month). I have never seen a VC, so I am not sure what that stands for? Are you sure the clasp/bracelet is gen (rep bracelets are sometimes stamped with non-standard reference numbers)?

Took the 6239 out to dinner

I believe it is engraved in the inner sides of the case (rehaut).

As I was posting my last message, I happened to catch the tail end of the new C-Class Mercedes tv commercial. What caught my attention is how utterly hot-rod-like these cars are & how the marketing emphasis is no longer promoting fine luxury cars, but, instead, pitching boy-racer toys with lots of smoke & tail slides. This would have been unheard of 5 years ago, but now it is reality. And Rolex is doing the exact same thing.

Yup, just like the Milgauss & Daytona. These are not 'tool' watches anymore.

This is gen

Even the pearl looks like a fake on the new Sub (too tall). It is truly amazing how this new watch not only incorporates, but seems to celebrate many of the 'inaccuracies' that we have come to accept as distortions in the world of low-end rep watches (the exception being the ceramic bezel, which is a good idea & 1 that was long overdue). When you consider the new Basel models in the context of the recently released Milgauss, Yachtmaster & others, you get the sense that there is a consistent pattern developing that denotes a sea change within Rolex's design works. Clearly, Rolex has decided to turn away from their traditional, (mostly) understated market niche in favor of a more glitzy, Swatch-like approach ('Vegas, Baby!!!!') -- adding eye-catching bling to the entire line & for no other purpose than to catch new eyes. Somehow, I just cannot envision any of these new Rolexes on the wrists of men of classic style like Cary Grant or George Clooney, Rolex's traditional target audience. But I will bet that Bruce Willis & Snoop Dogg already have their orders in. The end of the true gentleman's tool watch. On the other hand, every time Rolex releases a watch that deviates significantly from the previous model (the Daytona Cosmographs come to mind here), there is an initial repulsion from existing customers that lasts about 6 months. Then, a few notables buy them & slowly the tide changes & the new models come to be accepted as modern (& worthy) updates of their elder cousins. That is exactly what happened after the recent Milgauss release & I would expect nothing less with these new Basel models. And, to be fair, I do kind of dig the new Yachtmaster, Daydate & no date models (the ones with circular sections in the center of the dial). I would never wear any of them in public (like mopeds -- fun to own, but you would never want someone you know to see you with 1), but I can appreciate them for what they are - (Rolex) quality, state-of-the-art bling-bling.

Gen today

A few observations........ After the initial shock subsides & a few of the more senior members of TZ purchase these new models, they will be accepted & even preferred (over the models they replace) by the majority of WISs. For modders of modern Subs & Seadwellers, it looks like MBW is out (as the base upon which to begin your mods) & Canal Street is in. The CGs & width of lugs makes these new models look like copies of el-cheapo fakes. Add the wide 'mud flap' lume markers & garish colors on the dial & you have a winnner. Rolex's recent design direction towards 'Vegas Baby' (bling) is just another reason why vintage is the way to go.

I have 580s on mine, but I agree with Repaustria that 585s would be the best option on a 1665.

Interesting thread. How could any mere mortal remain unemotional over Ubi's 16520s? But, for me, the ultimate object of lust & jealousy is Avitt's (rarely seen) silver dialed DW, which was the catalyst & inspiration for my Newmans (its black dialed sister ranks a close 2nd). The enigmatic artistry of this watch is palpable & magnetic

No, I am talking only about double reds, not the standard Sea Dweller (Great White).

Just to keep the story alive, I would definitely be in for 1 of the NDtrading 1665 DRSD cases at a reasonable price. That is, something below $500. At the price Phong is currently selling it for, I would/will stick with my MBW. The Vietnamese cases have more accurate looking backsides & their (working) HEV is more accurately located slightly above dead-center (it is dead center on MBWs). But their CGs, while nice, still need modding to match a gen DRSD. All in all, I think the pluses of the Vietnamese cases exceed the MBW's minuses, but not for $1,200+. Note -- I am aware of 2 different versions of the Vietnamese DRSD cases. 1 is the earlier 'Patent Pending' & the other is the 'Rolex Patent'. Personally, I think the latter is nicer & a bit less rare so it would raise a few less (knowledgeable) eyebrows if worn 'in the wild', as some of us are known to do.

Just take the broken springbar to any local watch, watch band or watch repair shop & they will sell (or give) you another. These are generally stock items at most jewelry stores (if they sell watches). Any shopping mall that has 1 of those watch band kiosks will have them as well. You might pick up some extras since the springbars that come in many reps are of questionable quality & limited lifespan.

Ben -- Welcome to RWG. The answers to your questions are no & yes, respectively. My advice, if you want to avoid looking like you are wearing a 'fake' Rolex, skip the gems altogether.

Great to finally get to see them altogether.