panerai153

LAni, I have to say, I'm in awe of your collection. You have some beautiful examples of the wonderful world of watches in your collection. many years ago, I started "collecting" vintage fountain pens. I have had a love affair with pens for almost as long as I have with watches. I "collected" for quite a few years, and thought I was going in the right direction. Well about that time I had occasion to visit a really well known collector who lived fairly close to me. Turned out we were in college at the same University at the same time, but didn't know each other.I told him what I was collecting, and showed him some photos of my pens. "Well he told me, What you have here is and accumulation, not a collection". I was a little taken aback buit asked him to explain. What he toold me was to have a real collection, you must narrow your focus. Collect one brand, one color, one size, etc. but narrow your focus. What you have here is all over the place, 10 different brands, all types, sizes, etc.I suppose he is right to a point. i did try to narrow my focus to one brand, and indeed up with a pretty nice collection of one brand, about 100+ pens. However, I still bought others that made me happy. These were added to my accumulation! So, while Lani's and mine and lots of others of you out there may not be collectors in the strictest sense of the word, what we buy are watches that make us HAPPY. And for me I think that's the most important point. It would be interesting,incredibly expensive and probably challenging as well, to be able to collect every variant of the Rolex Submariner, from the very first to the latest. But would it be gratifying? I think not. I think that after the hunt was complete, one would tire very quickly of that sort of collection. Whereas one like Lani's with lots of different brands, models, colors, etc. would hold your interest and thus keep your passion up for a long, long time.

Andy, That is a great site, but it really brings out what some of the folks over on the genuine forums like Vintage Rolex, Rolex Forums and TZ Vintage Rolex say, there are so many variations, time overlaps, redials, etc. that NO ONE really can say with any degree of certainty whether or not a variation is correct. I visit those forums frequently, and they have some pretty heated discussions when some variant shows up that most aren

I started off with genuine watches many moons ago.I have always loved watches, probably from a Psycologist viewpoint an "obsession" At that time, there were no reps that I know of. I have always been a fan of Rolex, because they personified the quality and wearability that I needed. I had a progression of Rolex models from an AirKing through several SD's Subs and at two different times 18k Day/dates. I couldn't afford to collect, so progression was trade one and buy another. Remember this was way before the internet. About the mid 80's reps begin to appear on the scene. The Rolex models were awful,but all of a sudden they were everywhere. Of course at some point in time, anyone who saw a Rolex assumed it was fake.I hesitate to even call these watches replicas, because they were so far from the real thing! About this time, I decided to venture out to other brands, as Rolex prices had gotten pretty high, and i was disallusioned with all the attention. All of the watches that replaced my Rolexes were genuine watches of various brands.IWC, Breitling,Maurice LaCroix,Oris. While I liked most of them, they really didn't "move" me.The only one's left are a 14k Gold IWC Calatrava, which I consider the ideal dress watch, An Omega Speedmaster "moon" watch, An Omega X-33, A couple of Doxas and an Ocean7 LM-7 Ploprof which to me is a great "tool" watch. Around 2004-5, I was trolling the internet,looking for a Rolex 1680, and came across TRC. Curious, I got on board and realized that there were reps out there that with some modding were 99%+ of genuine. Also buying reps wasn't going to bust my meager watch budget. Reps have given me a chance to participate in modding watches bringing them from good to great. I also realized that a rep with a genuine ETA movement was essentially the same watch as the genuine at 10% of the cost. So more bang for the buck. Reps have given me the opportunity to "test drive" watches with out the cash outlay of genuine. I tried out a GMT Master rep and ultimately invested in a genuine 16750. Others have been sold and not replaced with the genuine model.So I suppose Reps have given me the opportunity to try watches that 1) I may like, but may not, 2) Watches I simply can't afford in the genuine model 3) Allowed me to participate in and gain a great deal of knowledge about watches on great forums like this one,interacting with other watch "fanatics" with a mutual bond, WATCHES, WATCHES,WATCHES. Prehaps from this, I would venture, my quest has been backward, genuine to reps, rather than reps to genuine.At my age, nearing retirement, I probably won't buy any more genuine, unless as someone said, I win the Powerball lottery and end up with a boatload of money. Highly unlikely, so I will be very satisfied with the few genuines I have left and all the nice Reps that I have and those still out there waiting to be discovered.

Probnably right about SteveM, he mostly specializes in vintage parts, not to say he doesn't have aource for new, because I believe he does. May not have one in stock right now though. I would keep looking on TZ and Rolex Forum sales forums. Wouldn't hurt to post a "Want To Buy" on those forums either. If you go to the Rolex website, the current Milgauss has the EasyLink clasp which is the same as the GMT IIc Ceramic. It looks exactly like the one shown on the Milgauss the seller has for sale. i would think that this is a genuine watch.

Chef,looks like you are ready!! That's going to be one sweet watch with all those mods. I can't wait for mine either. I'm pretty far down the list so I'm sure my watch is going to be a while coming.

My pick would be the Rolex 16610. Timeless, small enough for a small wrist, and suitable for dressing up or down. My choice would be the BK/WM9 version, or if you're willing to wait until prehaps your 30th birthday, the WM9 SeaDweller (may be out by then), LOL

Freddy, Thanks very much. I was certain that was the correct reference number, from your post a couple of weeks back. I sent that reference number to the seller and he responded that he had the crystal in stock. unfortunately, the one he sent wasn't that one. I did get an email back from him today, and he told me that the one he sent was the correct reference according to his charts, but he may be looking at the previous GMT Master II 16710. The seller was very helpful and told me that he would search for the correct crystal, and in the meantime send this one back, so hopefully it will work out that he can find one, otherwise, I suppose I will just live with what I have. Thanks again

Thank your friendly Anesthesia provider for that nice little safe trip into LaLa Land! I have to agree, the Colonoscopy is definitely anti-climatic after the prep. Glad you did well.

@By-Tor I know, I should have been more accurate in my post. From what I can see, there is a whole lot of light reflecting off the cyclops. No matter how you turn it it seems to reflect about the same as the rest of the crystal. This isn't 100% accurate though, because it's still inside the clear plastic package. Main thing I need to know is the corect crystal # for the ceramic ( which I 'm pretty sure I have from the post about crystal replacments a couple of weeks ago). Also what the crystal I have here fits. The number 25/295/C *AT-04 This crystal may be for a GMTII, but not the Ceramic. Thanks

I need some help from some of you folks who have modded the Rolex 116710 Ceramic. Namely replacing the rep crystal with a genuine. Here is my dilemma. I bought a crystal from a watchmaker who told me in emails that he had the correct genuine crystal, which I was under the impression had this reference number: B25-295-CAR-C1. I wrote that number on every piece of correspondence we exchanged, including the Paypal payment form. Well, the crystal arrived today. I don't believe that it is correct, however I am hesitant to take it out of the package which is sealed. I don't want him claiming I swapped crystals and tried to get my money back.It doesn't appear to be AR coated, however it's difficult to tell inside the plastic packaging. First clue when I unwrapped the package, the crystal was in a plastic bag, looks like from Rolex,but who knows. Packaging can be faked pretty easily I'm sure. I remember seeing one posted on the forum a week or two back, and it came in a square plastic "blister pack" of harder plastic. Also this crystal reference number is 25/295/C/ and below that is *AT-04 Thanks in advance guys, I don't want to go off half cocked, but this crystal wasn't cheap and if it isn't the proper one I have no use for it

rgriffin24 has it right. You guys are all laughing because it truly is funny, but if you've had a couple of bowel preps, It's funny, but you know why it's funny, because you had every one of those thoughts.My brother who is a Gastroenterologist got me back for all those years of being bullied by his older brother. About 6 months ago, I had my colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the prep he used was a gallon of Go Litely, this was preceeded by 2 glasses of Fleets phosph Soda mixed in Sprite. As Marty said, it's tastes like limeade flavored pee. like Dave Barry, after about three or four glasses of this stuff, you better have your pants down and be sitting on the pot!! When you get the urge, it's a 5 alarm fire! Then when you think it's all done, you have to drink another glass and in about 5 minutes the volcano erupts again. I will be the first to admit, this is probably one of the worst experiences I have gone through.Now I know why one of my patients, several years ago threated to kill me, when I jokingly told him we were going to have to postpone his colonoscopy!! I'll never joke about that with a patient again.

@jamesg Thanks a lot for the correction and the information. I was looking at the other end of the clasp where it appears one section should telescope in and out, never looked at the other end! That is really a very simple and elegant way to take in or let out 5mm. Cheers

Your projects look great, congratulations and my hat is off to you for what you have learned in a few months.

A previous post about bracelet clasp failures with the DSSD bracelet led me to wonder about the Glidelock on the GMT IIc I'm sitting here looking at the bracelet on my GMT IIc Ceramic. It looks like there should be some adjustment in the clasp mechanism (Glidelock). I'm sure the purpose of the Glidelock in the genuine is to allow for a small amount of adjustment to compensate for normal changes in a wearer's arm. For the life of me, I can't see where the Rep bracelet adjusts. Does anyone know the secret button to push, or any other means of adjustment? Looking at this bracelet, It looks far more suseptible to failure than the older Fliplocks with the springbar holes in the clasp drilled all the way through.Maybe Rolex designers just couldn't stand the idea of their new bracelets having holes drilled through the clasp, but it sure is more comforting to know that you have a springbar going all the way through, rather than sitting in a small indent in the side of the clasp.

Thanks very much to all of you who posted. I wish I could write to every one of you to thank you for your wishes for a speedy recovery. My motive in this post was to tell my story and to let everyone know that even though most Prostate Cancers are usually slow growing, some are not. Early recognition is the key. If you get PSA

Nanug, you are so right. unfortunately, eating right (my wife is a healthy food nut, we never eat fast food everything from scratch. As much organic as we can find) Exercise is so important. I never use the elevator at work, I climb stairs all day going to visit patients, Labor and delivery from the OR, work outside keeping up a big yard and adjacent 15 acres of land. All of this is great, andI'm sure has helped me immensly to heal quicker and with no complications thus far. But the key as you said are the exams, especially the Digital (Rectal). I'm sure I had this cancer for several years as it is very slow growing, but a Digital exam by a Urologist, or at the least and internist or family Dr. who knows what he's feeling is of utmost importance. That's where I went wrong.

Make sure when you use the paint stripper or acetone (works equally as well) you do this in a well ventilated place. I have remooved the paint on a coupls of 1665's and I almost killed myself trying to do it in my shop. I moved outside to a picnic table and it was much better. Save those brain cells!! We need all we have left.

First off if this post is inappropriate for this forum, mods feel free to delete or move. Since it is a general discussion forum, I thought this would be the best place to post This post is directed at all you forum members, male over age 40. Although I

I bought some from Snap On several years ago, and they have done really well. Bought them off the Snap On tools website

JJ, That is a great story, and probably one that quite a few of us older folks can relate to. I got my first rep loooong before the internet. Saw and ad for

Try the Rolex Forum sales forum as well as vintage Rolex Forum

Those were some wild and wooly days, TRC was foundering. Some days there would only be a handful of posts. Although it was a great forum, like all good things sometimes they run their course. At the same time, over at the

Sorry about the post. Using my wifes computer because I can't climb stairs yet post surgery. At any rate, parts come up for sale on Ebay all the time. Unfortunately, vintage Tudor parts are getting very pricy and scarce. GAvidoc did have some stuff available, check the sales forum. You can use one of the old style MBW 5513 cases, and then go genuine or aftermarket from there. Good luck it's a great watch. I have a geniuine 9411/0 Blue Snowflake and itt's one of my favorites.

Just for reference, when did you place your order? I'm probably 2056!!! Thanks. At any rate, judging from past projects it will be worth the wait.

c Congratulations. You certainly hit a home run with your first watch!!