Mendota Explorer

Just like restoring a vintage automobile, keep a log book with all of the details, receipts, dates, notes, etc. related to the watch and build history. Make sure your better half knows where it is. In my case, my kiddos will get anything I buy or build and if it is gen, there will be documentation, and if it is franken there will be documentation, as well. The same advice holds true for any kind of collectible. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

What are the build specs on this gorgeous piece? Dial, hands, insert, pearl? This looks fantastic and is exactly what I would like to build. I was hoping to practice on the 2813 parts but I might have to go with the ETA version if the 2813s are all still coming glued. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Just be aware that the WSO are not necessarily "plug and play" and you may need to work them a bit to get them to line up with your lugholes if using gen spec 2mm bars. I tried 2 different sets with my Puretime red 1680 and neither set allowed the tips of the bars to align with the lugholes. Others have had similar issues, so you may need to open or close the clamshell, or shave some metal off the leading edge that touches the case between the lugs. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

That's good to read. It sounds like the problem is with the 2813 versions. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yes, that's the one. A member over on RWI has purchased several recently and all of them have come with the seconds hand glued to the movement, as if they ran out of the correct size hands and just started gluing another on there. He said it is beyond ridiculous and incredibly frustrating because that means if you plan to keep it all stock, any dial or hands work has to take place assembled. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Gorgeous! I look forward to building one myself someday. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

@droptopman - yours looks fantastic. I'm thinking about maybe picking one of these up for sailing on the lake. Which TD did you use? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I've been reading that the latest production runs have been shipping with the hands glued onto the movement! So if you have any plans to use new hands, a dial, or movement, you have to replace all 3! You can't even remove the hands to work on anything even if you plan to keep it all stock. Has anyone else experienced this? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I could be totally offbase, but this is honestly why I'm feeling like it is better to buy modern gen Rolex, but build frankens or at minimum work with one of those impeccable dealers for any vintage pieces. The chances are good that vintage pieces out in the wild contain aftermarket parts and are some degree of franken, anyway, so at least if I control the build process it is transparent and I am 100% aware of every part that went into it. If it is going to be a franken, anyway, then by golly I want to be the guy who made it happen. It is a heck of a lot cheaper that way, too. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Agreed. I attended a bachelor party 20 years ago with the son of the personal and corporate lawyer for a famous billionaire corporate raider. He went to high school with my friend, and we picked him up at his dad's house for the party. In the garage were 3 Shelby Cobras. One was fully original and worth tons of $$, and the other two were kit cars that his mechanic built for him. When we asked about the kit cars, he said why on Earth would you risk driving the real one when the kits are equally as fun to drive and look identical? He said his dad only shows the real one and drives it on special occasions, but the kits he can take out whenever he feels like it. This is from a guy who could easily buy as many real ones as he wanted and drive THOSE as disposable cars. LOL Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Beautiful. Outstanding work with this! Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Very nice work. Looks great. What do you do when it is the other side of the crown that needs the shaping? The crown on my 14270 rep doesn't have the sloping angle at the cap where the coronet is. It is very boxy and squared off. Is there any way to fix that? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Good to know. I replaced the gasket in my Puretime red 1680 with a gen gasket and it was much thicker than stock. I greased it really well when installing it. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I have the same one. Works very well. How do you tighten the caseback to the fully closed position? I put my case in a holder in my left hand, and held the tool in my right hand, but I could not tighten it the last turn. There's probably one more revolution it could make. It slipped off a couple of times at the end, so I'm thinking maybe there's a better way to get more leverage. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Very nice looking watch! I'm really liking this one and the Black Bay Black. I still need to try them both on. Nice job with the review. Your pics are fantastic. They really help sell the watch. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Actually, the 5510 used the new (at the time)1530 movement, not the 1030. Just wanted to clarify that. Nice looking dial, by the way! Is that Tonneywatches? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I think you are thinking of the Athaya 8mm Brevet crown using a larger stem. Athaya will include a stem adapter for you when you order that one for a big crown build. Just ask him for the adapter. It is only a couple bucks more. Are these JK factory watches the new Cartel pieces? I've seen them referred to as Cartel, and then also JK factory. I'm just wondering if they are the same thing. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

What year is this one? It is gorgeous. I swear, you own every single vintage piece on my wish list. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

But the EU parliament building is right in the heart of Brussels. That's what he's referring to. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Bart, I really like how you added the crack and hole in the seconds hand lume. It is a really nice touch. I've seen lots of pics of gen hands that show crumbling and cracks or holes in the hands. Wonderful job with the case and dial, too. I'm sure in real life it is even more spectacular than the pics reveal. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Here's an article in "a blog to watch" about radium and tritium. Technically, since the half life of radium is 1600 years, they said radium watch lume can still glow 25 to 50 years after application as long as the base paint (binder) is still in tact. So it really comes down to how well the lume was applied and how it has held up after all of these years. For that watch to have all the lume markers, hands, and a pearl all glowing like a torch is interesting to say the least. Hmmm. http://www.ablogtowatch.com/what-you-want-to-know-about-watch-luminant/ Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Another question - can this case also be used for a 6538 build if we aren't using genuine caliber Rolex movements? I know the 5510 used the 15xx and the 6538 used the 1030, but if we are going to be using an ETA could we use that case for both? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yes, this looks fantastic! Beautiful build. I'd really like to build a 5510. Would you recommend this case to those of us who don't want to shell out the Phong prices? So this is 1/3rd the price? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yes! I honestly have to say that I decided not to pursue a 6538 and 6200 budget build because the parts just didn't seem to be worth it. After seeing this latest revision you did, I'm back on board! I want to make one of each. That dial is beautiful. What are JK hands? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

If you must have rep sunglasses, then head over to RWI and start looking at the Ali Express thread in the Off Topic area. Dozens of members have purchased rep glasses and have posted reviews of the glasses and the sellers. They have tested them with UV cards and the good ones are blocking both UVA and UVB and have glass lenses. There are rep Ray Bans and Persol, Tom Ford, Oliver Peoples, and a few other brands reviewed. You have to buy the seller, though, and that is a moving target. Some sellers started off good and then quickly went rogue. I haven't bought anything but just thought you would like to know if you are set on getting some rep glasses. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk