Mendota Explorer

So a good recipe for 5513 could be Cartel case, Helenarou dial, either TC hands or Clark hour/minute with Cartel seconds, Athaya 702, and call it a day. Is the case back acceptable? I've read so many differing opinions that I'm not sure.

Oh, and I'm assuming this is all for ETA clone and not for the 21j version.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

The HR 5513 dial is in my opinion a better option than the Yuki dial. It's cheaper, has eta dial feet, and the fonts look better to my eye, especially the S in Submariner which has always been a flaw in Yuki's Rolex and Tudor Submariner dials.

Which hands are better - the Helenarou hands or the Yuki hands that come matched with the Yuki dial? Or can you keep the stock cartel hands? Once you add in the cost of a new handset, doesn't that make the Yuki and Helenarou similar in price?

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I used hands from Rik's place. The flat ones that fit a gen movement. I had to broach the holes to fit. Then i removed all the lume and relumed to match the dial

Wow! That pic is amazing.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

For a start, doesn't a 1016 need a 19mm bracelet?

As said above, the lugs are 20mm. You are thinking of the 34mm Rollie cases that have 19mm lugs.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Agreed!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Nice work@Nightwatch! Those look amazing. Where do you buy the lume powder and what should we use as the binder? I'm assuming you mix some powder in with a binder and then mix in your color of choice. A member on another forum also recommended adding in a little mineral spirits or white spirits (depending on where you live) because when it evaporates it leaves the lume plots looking dry with that distinctive grainy texture of old tritium lume.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

@mech500 - how much are NDT dials?

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

This is spectacular! Just gorgeous. I love it and now I want to build a 5513!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Looks like the crown may not be screwed down very tightly, but like has already been said, that pearl stinks.

Tell me about it... I just paid almost $200 for a 'vintage' HP 32S calculator that I use for work... FML

LOL - the 32S. I have 2 of the 10B model sitting on my desk right now. I keep one in my briefcase and the other on my desk. I've had them for 18 years. I can whip out am schedules and payments so much faster than using my software. In the amount of time it takes to load up my software and open a new file window, I can run multiple pricing scenarios on my 10B. I just can't share it with anyone. I love my HP. I even tried installing an app on my phone to run am schedules and payments, but it doesn't have that tactile feel that the HP does.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Very nice. I like it!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Four years ago I found a birth year, 1972 red 1680 in mint condition online. All original with very nice matching patina on the dial and hands. The price was $9,000 based on the exchange rate at the time. The bummer was it was being sold over at a reputable dealer in Italy. There's no way I would buy a watch like that oversees, plus I didn't have the resources at the time, but the price certainly was great. I question if you could get a similar condition, all original red sub like that today at that price. :-/

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

What I like about the Tudor dial is the curved text at the bottom, along with the Rose at the top.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Amazing. Just gorgeous.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

The Cameron dial far and away a fantastic looking dial. I really like it. It looks. Gorgeous.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Very nice piece!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Nice looking dial!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Great review!

I've tried to link to Andrew at Trusty Time through the link that you mention, but without success. How can I possibly reach this dealer ?

This is so outdated that there have been probably at least 5 improvements since then. The new V6s is much better than this one. Andrew has also had several websites since this one. He's probably in the trusted dealer section here. Check there first.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Fantastic! These are amazing.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I've been wondering something - does he ever build frankens with all genuine parts? I've seen tons of these great builds using blends of various aftermarket parts and gen parts, but does he ever build some with all gen parts including the movement?

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I would send the case to Zocker /swiss machines and have them put the bevel on the lugs, that would finish this off nicely 

Agreed! They would really make this look amazing.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Cod lock. Love it! Seriously, where would any of us be without these forums? I think the only safe avenue is to enlist the aid and support of all of the dedicated Rolex lovers right here on the forums. From what I've read, it sounds like Bob Ridley and ABC Watch Werks are way better options than RSC.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Why did RSC mess with the crown guards? I don't get that. They took so much metal off. Was it to fit the new, modern crown they put on?

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Has anyone heard if his Rolex 6mm crown has been completed yet?  He said he was working on this about 2 years ago now.  How about the 6538 case?  He was also working on that, as well.

I have read some pretty nasty posts on other boards about "fake Rolex" watches and the people who wear them. I have come to think it, especially when it comes to vintage watches, as no different than a Cobra replica. The original is a rare and expensive sports car and a whole industry has developed around replicas of the Cobra. They're accepted and admired and no one calls them "fake" Cobras. The same is also true of classic cars. Its rare to find a 100% original muscle car for example. Many are restored to original condition while others are "resto-mods" and may be fitted with modern components. I think the work being done by the modders is indeed art and the purists / watch snobs should accept it for what it is. I wouldn't drive an original '67 Cobra 427 thats worth a million (at least not often) likewise I wouldn't be inclined to wear an original vintage Comex Submariner too often. THe replicas allow an opportunity to enjoy these classic without the fear of putting a sizeable investment at risk.

This is so true. In fact, even owners of gen Cobras own kit Cobras. Case in point- I was at a bachelor party for a friend when we were right out of college. We went to pick up a buddy of his whose dad is the lawyer for one of the richest billionaires here in MN. He was a famous corporate raider back in the '80s. Anyway, we were picking up the buddy at his dad's house and in his garage were 3 Shelby Cobras. One was an all original and fully restored gen, and the other 2 were kit Cobras. He said his dad would never just take the real one out for a spin, so he had his mechanic build him 2 kit Cobras that he could drive whenever he wanted and not have to worry about dings or miles. He said the kits were equally as much fun to drive as the real one was. This was coming from a car collector who showed his gen Cobra and also owned other cars, as well.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk