Mendota Explorer

Not sure why there would be a suggention to buy the VRF subc, and not the 904L ARF w/yuki or "sh3135v2" from Puretime. Mine is pretty close to perfect. I went ahead and dropped a gen 3135 (w/blue parachrome HS, and free float balance wheel) and Dial.  Local AD did full inspection and never even suggested or hinted of suspicion that there wasor may be a problem? Total investment $2650. Throw in a additional $140 for box and custom papers and you're set. Just maintain your scruples and dont succumb to the urge to see what you can get on eBay - at some point you would get caught, especially if it became a habit after making 5K a pop profit

2 hours ago, jackflash said:

Ruby is a pleasure to deal with compared to MQ. Cheaper too. She’s currently listing the following 1665 dials:
http://rubyswatch.com/Products/parts/sub-1665

Do you know if she can also provide hands that would pair up with her dials so the lume is matching?

Hi guys...my 1675 ended lady week...
 
Vietnam case completly reworked
Gen mk5B dial
Gen Nos flat Cap plexi
Gen jubilee 
Gen silver datewheel, 3, 6, 9 open, 26 close
Gen insert
A perfect mix of hands...gmt hand has the correct red shape, second hand flat shape
Eta 2893-3
 
 
 
 

Go vintage, and I'll tell you why.  There is so much less scrutiny AND there is so much more interest in "old stuff" when you encounter a regular civilian.  What I mean by that is if you are wearing a brand new, flashy, and shiny modern Rolex this is going to draw more comments of "hey, nice watch."  Then you are left with the dilemma of how to respond.  Do you just say "thanks" and leave it at that, or do they continue asking questions about it and share how they have always wanted one, or whatever the case may be.  The lingering and nagging reality, no matter how freaking awesome the rep may be (50th anniversary SD43 or the latest Cameron Deep Sea) many of the general public will always have a gut feeling about "cheap Chinese knockoffs."

With vintage, it flies under the radar with the average civilian, but with other watch enthusiasts it can draw the right kind of attention.  You can talk about the build, you can talk about the history of the piece and what drew you to that particular one.  Then you can share details about your build with them.  How you tinkered with it yourself, or how you worked with a really cool watch builder wherever, or how you sourced parts for months (or years) to make this build.  Honestly, every watch person I have ever talked to and every civilian I have talked to about vintage pieces has always responded VERY favorably when I share that I love vintage watches and I am building up the courage to assemble and build my own vintage watches.  I use the vintage auto restoration analogy all the time because I think it is the perfect comparison.  Not one person on the planet (besides maybe a hardcore auto show collector guy) would ever fault someone who restored and built a classic Vette using a mix of aftermarket OEM spec parts.  They would all say "awesome Vette" and talk about it fondly.  I think vintage watches are the same way with everyone except the most hardcore of the collectors.  It's for personal enjoyment.

Good luck!  If you decide to go vintage, there is no better place to be than right here.  The most brilliant minds in the horology world reside here on this forum and they are willing and happy to help in any way they can. I love this place.😀👍

Wow!  Stunning!

Ha ha, no, I'm not kidding. :-) Your gen crystal is nice, don't get me wrong, but I think Rolex goofed by adding a cyclops. I think the watch looks a million times better with no cyclops. Just my opinion. ;-)

Great work with yours.

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You need a Prof double AR crystal with no cyclops. That would really make the dial pop.😀

That is fantastic. Enjoy it!

How much is Prof's crystal versus a gen crystal?  I told myself I would never buy a modern Rolex rep again and would ONLY do vintage builds from here on out, but damn this is my favorite modern reference and this looks so damned good.

This looks great.  How difficult was it to source the right crystal for it and where did you get it?  Part of me thinks Rolex should have released this without a cyclops, to really pay tribute to the Sea Dweller history.

The new one will be an improvement. If that is a gen insert it is from a 16750 I am still a bit rusty on IDing inserts
 
I buy my rep inserts onl eBay and age them myself.
 
I could help you out with that If you need one and have a specific fade in mind.
 
A selection of a couple of my favourites
 
 
Sky blue / cherry red. Denim / salmon and Sky blue and light rose

 
 
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Sky Blue - Cherry


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In the process of acquiring a RJ 1675 that needs a new insert.  The one installed is to my tastes (maybe I am wrong?).  I am not new to vintage with a '87 Speedy and a 70s DJ.  But I have not known stress like it has been to shop a nice Pepsi insert... Between the goals of "period correct/close" , to "perfect" level of patina, avoiding reps/aftermarket, and budget... I've spent many nights trying to strike that balance. 
 
Looking for any tips from the pros when it comes to insert shopping.  I bought one already, and will be heading into NYC tomorrow to visit a store to see another.  Maybe I am over thinking it?  What do you guys think of the one currently installed vs the one I purchased... Still checking another one out tomorrow...
 
current insert

 
newly purchased (yay or no? improvement or no. more importantly gen or no.......)

 
back of

Hello guy
I show you my last build spec:
-JKF complete watch. by myself I mod the CG, is the first attempt so it’s not perfect, maybe are too thin..I create little bevel on the lug the jkf was too sharp)
-eta 2879 low beat (remove the data quick set, so now is like the 1570)
-Viet dial (the dial fit perfectly without any mod to the rehaut)
-grey data disc
-clark plexi
-retain washer cousinsuk
-wso 580 endlink
-raffle hand deep yellow
-phong blue tudor insert faded(I’m going to change it with a chocolate insert if i will be able to faded the black Slay insert over a oven)
-2mm spring bar (the hole of the jkf was already for 2mm)
-athaya crown and tube

 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Beautiful! Both pieces are amazing.

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Exactly my friend ! Never use it because I don't have 20mm straps, but it's not bad at all.

Who is the seller for your 16mm buckle?

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Where did you find the 16mm buckle? It looks like a good one.

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Very nice!

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Beautiful!

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Beautiful. Simply stunning. I say this every time, but your watch box contains every single vintage grail of mine. Every one.

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Wow. Wow! Even the so called gurus and the top experts are engaging in shenanigans related to this vintage watch tulip bubble. Unbelievable.

This guy thought it was on the up and up and he was buying from a world renowned expert. I would have had faith in Dowling, too.

My guess is Dowling never in a million years thought this buyer would even look into it, or if he did he would just keep coming back to Dowling since he is/was so world renowned. Dowling probably mistakenly thought/assumed that he would have a lifetime relationship with this wealthy buyer and would have carte blanche to scam him whenever and however he deemed appropriate. A little here, a lot there, take the pieces back on "trade" and keep the cycle going. Like Bernie Madoff. Even Madoff started out completely legit. He just succumbed to his own greed and the ease with which he could take advantage of clueless millionaires.

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Love it. I could look at these all day, or apparently all night where you are!

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That looks fantastic. The dial on the Cameron d-blue really pops with the multi color.

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Nice! He did a great job with it. Do you feel like he did case work to bring it into more gen proportions, besides the brushing and polishing, and adding new bevels? That's one thing I have been wondering about - does or can his process take the place of having to grind and shave case dimensions ourselves?

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Am I reading this right? He's asking $75k for a franken he built?

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