freddy333

In many cases, hands can be made to fit by enlarging the opening (using a set of broaches) or reducing the opening (gently squeezing the hand's opening together with jewelers pliers).

The original post referenced the (true) story about a man who was fined a large amount because he was caught bringing a bag of "obviously cheap and fake looking" counterfeit Rolexes into the US (he was fined for the total retail value of the gen counterparts of the 'fakes' he was smuggling), supposedly for his kids or relatives. I have never heard of anyone being stopped or questioned because they were wearing a reasonable-looking rep watch. As far as carrying a couple 'extras' in your baggage, I think that depends on how they are carried and whether you look like a person of means on a business trip or a tourist who looks like he/she is trying to smuggle a bag of "obviously cheap and fake looking" counterfeit watches into the country. Use your head and you should not have a problem.

If you buy a watch to keep, it is generally best to avoid gold reps since the 'plating' is thin (no matter what marketing hype the seller uses to try to convince you otherwise) and usually wears off before the watch requires normal servicing. Sometimes it lasts for a couple years and sometimes it lasts a couple of weeks. It depends on the quality of gold, how well the plating was applied & how often you wear the watch (the oil in your skin slowly deteriorates the plating).

I agree with Hyster. If you are dumb enough to carry a bag of illegal contraband (reps) through an airport, you deserve to suffer the consequences. And, for the record, that story about the fellow who got caught with the bag of reps is not an urban legend.

I would ditto doc.

Actually, I have always thought that Watch Repair & Mods were 2 very different things, at least in intent. And, as such, I think they ought to be given their own separate forums.

Right now, I am walking the streets with my beater But today is Friday--the day people get paid...the day people get what rhymes with paid.......so, tonight, I will be beating the streets with this t-o-s-s-e-r

Outstanding idea, but I agree with docblackroc--probably best discussed in private.

I wish to add my kudos to the growing list of admirers of that brilliant photo comparison. More than the crystal (which is fine), the weaknesses, to my eye, are the wider/thicker crown, thicker crown guard profiles (viewed from the lug ends), narrower bezel insert font and MBW dial. And even with those, I doubt that most people would be able to ID the MBW on its own--a testament to the quality of both MBW and the artist(s) who improved on its original design. It is that good. On the other hand, it just goes to show you that no matter how much effort & care goes into accurately remanufacturing the case, the MBW dial remains a watch's Achilles' heel. Though, to be fair, I think the dial's inaccuracies are somewhat mitigated when the rest of the watch is so convincing. I realize it sounds a bit contradictory, but, as we all know, with so many variations in the gens themselves, identifying a rep at this level of refinement becomes more art than science and the rules become somewhat fluid, if you know what I mean.

Well, like I said, what I can see (not alot) looks nice. But I cannot make out any details beyond the basic shape. If you want comments, you will need to post some clearer and larger photos. And your movement pic never materialized. Did you post it?

What I can make out of your watch looks nice. But I think either the original photo size was too small and it got distorted when you enlarged it, or it was too large and got distorted when you reduced it. I would try to resnap the picture (save as .jpg) at 800 pixels (wide) x600 pixels (high) and then do not resize. That is the optimal size for Web viewing and posting here (it should fit comfortably on most people's monitor screens).

Sounds interesting, but where are the pics??? Here is one of mine to fill the space (100% gen Frankenjust 16014) Click here to read the story

Good post, Offshore, and a great book. But I think for most people (exceptions being pro watchmakers & serious modders), Edge's review is all you need. I have used 3 different crystal presses and quickly came to the conclusion (after buying 2 higher-end models before giving Edge's recommendation a try) that the model Edge recommended really is best for most jobs (I kept 1 of my other presses, which has been used only a few times in the past 2 years (mostly to close quartz watch cases (the lever-style presses are better for snap-back cases)) and sold the other).

Nice piece. I love the simple, understated look of that watch.

Actually, no. The case clamp issues involved the other (6239) Daytona and remain to be sorted out (though I am working on it) That watch was a nightmare compared to the 6241. I spent weeks on the 6239 and it was like pulling teeth every step of the way. Nothing fit right, nothing went together as it should & I had to do an extraordinary amount of filing/grinding/sanding/polishing just to get the V72 to properly fit into the case. A nightmare (but it will be worth the effort since the project's outcome has far exceeded my expectations)..... (I modeled my 6239 after the 6239 in WatchTime's 'Special Rolex Edition', including its early '300 UNITS' bezel & unique (and very sporty) red chrono seconds hand) By contrast, my 2nd Newman project, the 6241, went together in about a day and without much ado. After grinding off the small locater tab on the edge of the pillar plate (this locates the movement into the spacer ring used in the Enicar's & some other cases), the movement slid right into the DW 6241 case like a woman's hand sliding into a (faux) fur-lined custom leather glove. And a good amount of the time I spent working on this one was wasted crawling around on the floor searching for dropped parts (all eventually found, so my record of 0 lost parts remains intact!) and correcting mistakes caused by my own carelessness & imprecision. There are definitely variations in the cut, dimensions and precision of DW's Daytona cases. In any case, thanks Alli.

This link is pinned at the top of the Watch Repair & Upgrade forum. Always remember - Search & ye shall find.

Yes, I remember that Discovery Channel show as well. But the Timex commercials were real.

Ouch!! Do you remember those Timex ads from the 60's and early 70's featuring John Cameron Swayze demonstrating watches being dropped, sat-on or taken for a swim in a dolphin's mouth? Well, I think you just topped them.

I am very happy for you and I hope your new watch arrives before you spurt! I still remember what it felt like waiting for (what seemed like eons) my first rep to arrive back in the early 80's (yes, I have been collecting watches for a while). Ever the tinkerer, I immediately set about replacing the end links and clasp with gen parts (back then, you could walk into most ADs and buy or order Rolex parts right over the counter without any problem). Although I have since retired that original rep watch (I stopped wearing (yellow) gold several years ago), I keep the watch (which still runs!) around for posterity Today, with a few notable exceptions, I only wear stainless steel. Here is that first rep's modern counterpart (a 100% gen Frankenjust)

A quick snap of my latest Newman Project just before it hits the street

At first thought a Vintage forum seemed sensible. But the more I thought about it, the more I came to side with By-Tor, but not for the reason he stated. Considering that the majority of postings in the Rolex forum relate to vintage models (and mostly Subs & Seadwellers), I think that adding a Vintage forum would suck the life out of the Rolex forum.

Outstanding example and thanks for the link.

To understand a puzzle is to solve it. -- Mao Nice work, jf.

Speaking of rounds & flats.....I am loving my always centered and Rolex-serifed 3

Working He valve here