freddy333

Thanks Doc. The dash looked like a Cobra kit (I have built 2 of them), but the windscreen looked it came from an old MG or Jaguar, which is what threw me. Looks like a great ride.

Doc - Great shot, but that dash looks familiar. What is it? Moderators - What happened to the little ratings icons?

Need to impress important, no-nonsense clients today, so I am going with a special no-nonsense watch -- Patek Philippe 5107 (Jack Purcell on passer-by sold separately)

That is a beauty. Is there a story that goes with it?

Universal Watch did a beautiful job on a couple of my watches (including the dials) several years ago. They are not cheap, but they do consistently good work. They specialize in restoration of old timepieces and can make any part that is no longer available.

It sounds like either the hands are loose (broken joint between hand & tube), which seems to be a pretty common problem on alot of new reps I have seen or the cannon pinion is spinning freely on the center wheel post. The second possibility is what I think Ziggy is referring to (and he is probably right). To test for either, hold the watch vertically (6 o'clock closest to floor) & set the hands to 3:15. With your finger, tap the side of the case while watching for any movement of the hands. If you see movement and you feel normal tension when you move the hands via the crown, then the hands are probably loose on their tubes. Replace the hands. But if you see movement & feel little or no tension when turning the crown, then the cannon pinion is probably loose on the center wheel post & you will need to increase the tension between the two parts. If the watch is new, I would send it back like Pugwash suggested.

PM Sent

Nice shine, Gio, but no amount of buffing will change the (cool) color tint of steel to match the (warm) color tint of gold. Nothing short of gold plating will do & I have not found a good source for that yet. This looks promising, but I do not see a white gold option listed.

Why would you even consider replacing a Plexiglas crystal with a sapphire? That would change the watch's appearance & definitely reduce its value. On the other hand, a competent watchsmith should be able to renew it to showroom condition, which, considering its current state, would make alot of sense.

Here is another slant on this question that I believe makes it even more relevant for RWG members than it is for TZ members. And that is after spending alot of time, money & effort to build or mod a franken watch, do you wear it daily (use as a beater) wear it often wear it only on special occasions wear it not at all (winder/case/safe queen) I guess I sit on both sides of the fence because my Double-Red is my daily beater But my Newman's are rarely worn

To the Mods -- It has been more than 1 hour since I posted this thread and the number of views reads '0' even though the current number of replies is 12 & I am sure the actual number of views exceeds that by a wide margin. I understand your desire to improve the speed of the site, but I really think the site was better off prior to the upgrades when you switched the counter updates from real time to '30 minutes'. I have not seen any difference in page loading times anyway.

I think it is interesting that Patek turns that same idea around and suggests that you ARE just taking care of the watch for the next guy (your kids). I have a feeling this thread is going to get alot of responses..................

There is an interesting discussion on the topic of 'Wearing vintage Rolex on a regular basis' going on at TZ & it goes to the question about whether people actually wear rare Rolex watches out in the wild (This gen Comex Seadweller being worn on a Hawaiian beach is worth between $50k - $100k+) Since this question has been debated here a number of times, I thought RWG members might find this enlightening. Here is the link

Good job!

You should set your camera to Macro or take the picture from further back (your point of focus is behind the watch). But it looks like the end links are either too small and do not extend the full distance from the end of the bracelet to the edge of the case, or, as Andy suggested, the lug holes are located in the wrong place leaving the end links too loose. Whatever it is, I have never seen that before & I would probably send the watch back to the seller. The only other option would be to scout around for a pair of better fitting end links, which will probably require a number of trial and error fittings.

The Newman made quite a splash last night, so I may wear it again tonight But banging around in the beater now

Thanks, Mezz. The last get-together I attended was attended by only 2 people -- DuDro & moi. In the meantime, here is a quick & dirty peek into my (strapless) Daytona drawers

Ziggy, all I can say is the days of the digital watch are numbered. But, then, you probably already knew that (the topic had to have come up during one of those 135 email exchanges).

It sounds like the springs inside the springbars (the small metal tubes with pins on the end that connect the end links to the lugs) have lost their tension, which is a common problem with rep watches. Just take 1 of the springbars to any watch or jewelry store (that sells watches) & buy a couple more (they may even give them to you since they do not cost much).

Just out of curiosity, how many times did you inquire?

Nice watch, but you must get tired of all that sun & fun & water & fun & sun...........

What is red, white & black? Me & Newman (on a hot, new Italian strap) on our way out to hear some cool jazz Everyone have a good Friday evening.

I am only an amateur, but I can easily tell the difference between an ETA & a vintage Rolex movement by listening to and/or winding them. And the difference in the fit & finish between the gen and MBW (even when modded with gen parts) is palpable when handling these watches. I can understand a watchmaker being surprised at how good your reps are, but if, after handling them, they thought your MBWs were gens, I would seriously question their experience level.

I hear your frustration & understand budget constraints. And you are preaching to the choir when it comes to a preference for vintage over modern. But......... Your kitty is so close to the entryway to a 14060 that I think you would be crazy to spend nearly the cost of a modern gen (which is likely to increase in the future) on a (rep) watch that has no real (legal) value. As an example, this 14060, which comes with box & papers, could probably be bargained down to your 1400GBP and there are others at a similar price level.