VesperMatt

Love that circular date window and the machine-like main hands (reminds me of when the T-1000 turns his arm into that giant sword like thing). Not really into that much red though. Stuff that has too much red is hard to make look luxurious IMO. Might dig a version of this that was the inverse of the red and black on the dial. Glad they didn't limit the audience by putting 'Ducati' right on the dial, too.

And I like the walnut. Makes me imagine Don Draper's office in the first three seasons or some mid-century bachelor pad. I also think because of how dark it is, it would mesh easier with dressier outfits. I imagine the guy wearing the teak version has board shorts and a flower print shirt on (which I think is supposed to be Nixon's demographic, though).

Just went through this myself. +1 to Offshore. Shipping to the US was quick and good prices for a nice kit. I ordered the basic kit as well as the Rolex caseback tools. Be sure to mention you are with RWG and you will get a significant discount enabled within about a day. As far as the caseback tool, I found out after (through threads on here) about the HORB screwback case opener. I haven't received it yet, but seems like a cheaper alternative to a dedicated Rolex opener. Maybe someone who actually has direct experience with both can list the pros and cons of each.

I wanna play, too. I don't wear any of my big name gen or rep watches to work (sometimes my Tudors). So allow me to intrude with my Orient, everyday knock around sub homage, on my new Heritage-style NATO strap.

Very honorable. I have an uncle who is going through treatment right now and while its not really discussed, it seems that prolonging the eventual is the best we can hope for at this stage. His hobbies and small business are his only real relief from worrying about mortal things, and are in many ways better than any 'therapy'. What you did for that guy was really great and I'm sure was a significant part of making his final days actually enjoyable.

I love the 60s and was really into 60s British Mod Culture when I was younger, which lead to an interest in Vespas. I've had several Vespas (and a Lambretta) over the years and used to ride them everywhere so people came to start calling me "Vespa Matt" or simply "Vespa", as the name Matt is so common. Funny thing is, I started selling Vespas and hardly ever ride them anymore except for test drives and the like at work but the name stuck.

I originally joined the forum to find/build a 6538 Big Crown Submariner as a homage to the watch that Sean Connery wore in the 60s James Bond films. After a long search, I've finally found a car to use as my base for my Aston Martin homage! Spent about a year looking at rusted out cars to finally find this baby in pretty decent shape but in need of some engine work. Can't afford a DB5, but I'll live with this for now [: 1974 MGB GT

I have one, bought it after I sold my first iPad. It sits on my night stand and is used mostly as an alarm clock. Occasionally use it as an eReader or to play Angry Birds, but thats about it. Even with it overclocked and running a custom ROM its just a li'l too clunky. Apps scale up well for it so no honeycomb really isn't an issue, but the size of it while good is a little too redundant with my phone. I've gotten an iPad 2 since then, which I use for reading blogs (Flipboard) and most casual web browsing around the house and I just got a new Nook (B&W Touch), so the Tab doesn't see much action anymore. Plus side, there are refurbed 3G units for $350 without contract - stick to those vs the WiFi only version because the WiFi only version new is the same price but has a slower processor, crappier bluetooth, and some other downsides. At this price and size you may also want to consider a Nook Color which can be hacked to be pretty full featured and has a big dev community behind it. I wanna like the 7in form factor and I thought it would be a good companion for my Air... but it just doesn't quite 'fit in' with all my gadgets.

Do you have pics of the original case and the Yuki case side-by-side by any chance, Freddy? Here is what I'm thinking just from what I have gleamed from the boards so far. - ETA 2824/2 Movement $140.00 - ETA Adapter Ring from Yuki $78.00 - Yuki Case $800 OR NDTrading Case $1050 - NDTrading Gilt Dial $350 - Clark Gilt Hands for the ETA $15 - Repro Riveted Bracelet $150 This brings me at under $1,800 for the ETA movement or I could go with the gen 1030 and be in at about $3k. I am leaning towards the ETA movement because what I've seen online, most people seem to agree that its not worth it to put in a gen movement. I like to think that the gen movement would help me resell this if I ever decide to fork over the money, but is there any other benefit to it? The fact that parts are difficult to obtain for the 1030 is off putting as well. Am I forgetting something? Anyone else have suggestions on better components I should be shooting for?

You guys definitely seem the friendliest of the bunch from websites I've been going to looking for info on this. Man, some of these watches that you guys mod have me drooling, and these reps are uncanny enough to make me do double takes on my own and wonder whats probably not original on them. The only new(ish) watch I own is the Tudor, which is decidedly retro... I refuse to buy anything new and get hit with depreciation/taxes. I am seriously considering a Deep Sea or an Explorer rep when I finish my Bond homage project. Hehe, I feel like I'm in a candy store.

Hello, this is actually my third post here since I dove right in and posted my question in the Rolex forum. I'm 26 and started collecting watches about two years ago. I started with a vintage 1964 Rolex DateJust and I've added other gen Rolexes and a Tudor Heritage Chrono to my collection since. I also have a vintage Timex and my daily watch that I wear is a Orient Snorkeler (sub homage). I don't have any replicas yet, but I came here because I'm investigating making a decent large crown 6538/5510 Rolex, as James Bond was one of my heroes growing up and I'm a bit of a fanatic... but I can't justify the money required to get into one of those watches in even rough shape. I'm also hoping to expand my knowledge of the workings of watches so I can start messing around and doing customization/service of my own. Looking for suggestions on quality tools and case back openers if anyone feels like steering me in the right direction! You all seem like a really friendly bunch, so I'm excited to tap into your resources and knowledge! Matt

Thanks for the warm welcome, I just stayed way too late after work combing through the forum's search results. @JoJo, PM sent! I look forward to gathering some insight. Almost all the 6538 posts have 'ooohs and ahhs' for your watch but unfortunately it seems any post by you is now missing the actual photos of the watch. Some of the work shown on this website for reps is astonishing. I don't have a huge collection by any means, but it makes me look at my watches and wonder whats really original on them.

I have been searching the forum the past few days for information regarding a Big Crown Submariner build, and I have found a lot of questions but no real answers, so I was wondering if maybe some of the people who have completed the build could chime in on their experience and guide me a little. I'm sorry if this was answered in another thread and I didn't see it. I've been collecting watches for a couple years now but what originally got me into them was Sean Connery and his big crown sub. I have no experience with replica watches, although my everyday watch is Orient's interpretation of the submariner. I found out about the MK II Kingston way too late, and the price on the second hand market seems astronomical to me for a brand that is relatively unknown outside of watch circles. I also think that we'll see the prices drop drastically when all 300 are on the market and trading hands. I am looking for the best interpretation of a 6538 or 5510 big crown sub. I would like something that looks genuine. I've seen cases from Yuki, ND Trading, and another place and (think) I've settled on Yuki's case for price vs quality... but I do see some people who have had problems with the case. Aside from the couple of 'success stories' on their website, is there anyone here who has completed a trouble free build using his pieces? Originally I wanted to build the watch using a genuine 1030 Rolex movement. It felt to me that the watch would seem less like a replica if I stuck to as many genuine parts as I could. I have access to a genuine 1030 movement from one of my watch guys for a price of $1350, which includes a complete overhaul of the movement. The downside of this would be repairs down the line if it ever breaks, but I feel like it would be worth more money down the line should I ever decide to resell it. My main watch guy, who I usually bring my watches for service, was originally on board and described it as something 'awesome and would love to do it' when I asked about him assembling the parts. Now, after sending him a link to the Yuki site, he has pretty much crapped on the idea and told me its a waste of my money and that he doesn't think I'd ever be able to get any money back out of it and that he explicitly does not deal with replicas. He said he would still put it together for me, 'albeit reluctantly', but would never sell it in his own store (not that I would ask him to anyways). He also though, is very out of touch with Rolex it seems and had no idea that even big crowns without original parts ie service or aftermarket parts are going for $20k+ I know my vintage guy, selling me the 1030 movement, had a big crown, with service dial and not original hands, that he wants $26k for! Does anyone have completed pictures of a Yuki or other brand build? Is it worth going for the original Rolex movement or would I be better off just popping in an ETA with the adapter ring, since the watch will be 'worthless' anyways? I am not particularly interested in trying to age the watch or make anyone think it is a genuine Rolex from the 50s (I actually plan to have the serial # engraved '007'), but I would like something that is as true as possible to the original and not something someone would think looks cheap. And I plan on doing some more searching on this, but seeing as how my watch guy has really crapped on the whole idea of this, how difficult do you think it would be to learn on this watch to build it? I understand I would need a tool to take the case back on and off and I believe a tool to put the hands on. I've googled instructions on servicing a Rolex. Is this something I could do pretty easily, considering I wouldn't be getting into the movement itself? Thanks, I really appreciate any advice considering I'm new to this, Matt