Mendota Explorer

Thanks. It has a sticky date change every once in a while, and could use an improved insert, but otherwise it is great and keeps fantastic time. MD2020 replaced the crown on it after it got stripped. This was right before he wigged out on everyone here. I actually thought he was going to keep it and my 1680 because he had them for almost 6 months. That must have been the beginning of his issues and I was lucky to get my pieces back with everything done as expected and done right. :/

Nice! Love it!

Gen? Looks amazing. On the other side of the tracks, here's my Noob V2 from 2008. Still ticking. [emoji1]

Thanks. The only reason why I know this is I'm currently scouting out parts for a 1675 build and the crown guards are such a huge deal with these builds. The gen shape is very distinctive. Yours is gorgeous! [emoji2]

Whoa! This is fantastic. Can you share the details? Gen? If not, the crown guards are perfect!

Damn, I sidelined my 6538 budget build due to busy life getting in the way, but I'm really wanting to get back to the planning stage again after seeing this. I might have to dust off the spreadsheet and get started planning again.

Who is the TD if I may ask?

Looks very nice! Did you send the original Silix dial to Big Dazza to work on, or is that a separate dial that he aged? Just wondering if it is possible to make the stock Silix dial look that amazing.

No way. I just learned that a big watch parts supplier is located here in Mendota Heights - Esslinger. They are right by me. I wonder if they have a store front or if it is just a warehouse? I'm going to have to check them out. [emoji106] [emoji2]

Mmmm, let's see which is better - Farrah Fawcett from her Charlie's Angels days or this pair? Very close call but I'd rather have this pair here. [emoji106] [emoji2]

4-hander today!

Wow! Great pic! [emoji2]

I hear you. I want to learn how to work on all of this stuff myself. It would be awesome to have someone locally to learn from. Kind of like looking over their shoulder or even you do the work while they give you guidance and input. [emoji106] [emoji2]

Looks awesome.

A little lube always does the trick!

I'm also in the Twin Cities. There was a guy in MPLS a while back, but I don't remember his name. He wanted $50 to change a crown (not the tube, just swapping the original crown), so I'd probably recommend using one of the great and skilled guys here on the boards unless you want to try learning to do this yourself. Just my opinion. For all I know there could be an awesome person right here in our back yard that is willing to help and also show us how to do stuff.

I just read about this same fact the other day over on a Hodinkee article. Very interesting detail to know. It made me think - everyone doing aging to vintage watches is going about it the wrong way. They age the watch parts to make them look used and worn, and they fade the insert to make it look like it has seen years of sun, but then they make the hands and lume plots dark and heavily patinated. That would imply a safe queen with little wear. [emoji106] [emoji2]

How does the Audi handle? I really like the lines. I drive a Saab 9-3 convert in the summer and a 9-5 Aero wagon in the winter. My wife drives her SUV all year round and thinks I'm nuts for keeping 2 cars. I keep telling her that my convert was my first love and predated her, but she's not buying it. She wants me to trade in both my Saabs and get something bigger to haul around the kids, and then the bonus is she can use the 3rd garage stall for kids' bikes, cozy coupes, toys, etc. She says we can always get another convert once the kids are older, but I've had this one since it was new. It has been paid off for 10 years so it only costs my pennies to own. I just can't part with it. Am I nuts? It serves no practical purpose with 3 little kids. On the flip side, I like the fact that it has very comfortable back seats and kids' car seats easily fit back there. My boys love going for rides with the top down. Another plus is the gas mileage is phenomenal.

We needz to start a new thread. It's Sunday the 12th. [emoji12] [emoji1] [emoji106]

Dry bike chain lube works well for a lot of people.

Good work so far. I'm planning to do a 1675 using the Cartel 1655 as a starting point. When you say a lot of metal needs to be removed, is this from the inside shape or outside, or all over?

I'll look for a link but all I did was Google rolex watch strap buckle and it was the very first Ebay pic that appeared. On my phone search results it always shows related Ebay listings if applicable. The seller has tons of sizes stainless or gold plated.

Very nice pic! It is gorgeous!