freddy333

Yes, as well as all other non-democracies (democracies do not attack each other). No to belabor this (too much) in a wristies, but, as history has proven (repeatedly) - the only thing a bad guy with a gun fears is a good guy with a gun. No amount of polite talk or cult of personality can or will dissuade a thug from taking advantage of the innocent. When the good guys with guns outnumber the bad guys with guns you have peace. The converse nearly always results in war.

Peace through superior firepower.

Wearing my beater today

Ending the work week wearing my beater

Nice promo. Sadly, there were likely many arms' worth of Rolexes lost on 9/11.

Why on earth would you ever want to change it?

Tools of the trade

Nice work.

Ditto.

$1,500 for a 6542 movement? If you can find 1, & that is a big IF, it will cost you (at least) 3 times that & will likely need parts/work on top of that. If you go the 1675 route, I would stick with the 1675 as is.

Yes, but the tools are pretty much a staple of every professional watchmaker's toolset. & just about every pro watchmaker can - or, at least, should be able to - do the job for you. Alternatively, you can replicate the same finishes with the appropriate (for your watch model) Bergeon finish or Scotch-Brite pad (for a brushed finish), a Dremel & some green rouge (for a polished finish on stainless steel). Simply remove the bracelet & disassemble the case & mask-off (with masking tape or similar) the sections you do not want to refinish. I would recommend practicing on some unimportant parts before targeting your pride-in-joy timepiece though.

Just about any professional watchmaker can do that for you. Case refinishing (done after an overhaul) is part of basic watchmaking. Check with some local watchmakers to see if they are rep-friendly.

Phong's engravings are variable. Sometimes, they are nearly perfect, other times, they are laughable (& I am being kind). I am not even sure he does them himself? Unfortunately, I do not know of a 100% reliable engraver to suggest as an alternative.

Looks good, but are you sure the dial/bezel are gens? It may just be the pic, but the metal marker surrounds look a bit thick for a gen dial. Assuming the dial/bezel are gens, next, I would be on the lookout for either a gen or CHS ETA movement.

Ending the work week wearing my Pre-Comex

Depends on the condition of the gaskets and depth of tube in the case. Generally, anywhere between 1.5-3 is about right.

Phong's are probably the most accurate pre-assembled, gen-powered 6542s. NDT makes something similar, as do other franken sellers. I would recommend that you spend alot of time searching our archives for others' reviews before buying, as these watches tend to look alot better on the outside than they actually are on the inside.

Congratulations. Let the obsession begin.

Wore my steel '39 today

Both look good. But, sometimes, a change is nice.

Ditto above. Pass on this 1 & research some known gens.