duke1973

And like you said be sure to use a dab of blue loc-tite on the permanent screws to keep them from falling out again in the future. Also make sure to use the correct, tightest fitting screwdriver you have to prevent it from slipping and scratching up the watch. If you use the loc-tite you don't have to really supertighten the screws, just get them snug and the LT will do the rest.

Don't take it anywhere near water and get it straight to PBDad. He can fix the sealing issue and have it tested after he's done. It's probably the Helium valve where the water is getting in and PBDad will epoxy it shut.

I guess I'll try one of their inserts. I know what your talking about Woof, I usually buy WM pearls in 3's so I can pick the better of the 3 to use. Between the crappy lume application, gold coloring of the ring, and the $8 friggin' dollar shipping for 3 pearls that could be shipped for a buck! I'm just wanting to know if anyone has actually bought a complete insert to see if it comes with their WM pearl already installed. It appears everyone does like we do and just gets the pearls separately and uses the rep insert or a Clark's.

It may still show up, some members have horror stories of watches taking 3 to 5 months to get there!

Watch International

I guess he was bored and wanted to entertain us???

I personally feel it's VERY important for you to let us know the dealer! Because of his careless mistake (aside the fact he LIED and tried to deny it!) he just basically screwed you from buying ANY rep from ANY dealer for a long while! If any dealer just screwed me to where I couldn't buy ANY reps because of his bull$hit mistake I damn sure would wouldn't want it to happen to any other member! I have a passion (read addiction) and I buy about one to two watches a week from our beloved TD's here and elsewhere. If this would happen to me and I couldn't buy any watches for a few months I would be out for blood! Well, that's a little harsh but you get my point. Not only did he LIE, cost you excessive customs fees, try to deny the mistake, ultimately he stopped you from buying ANY reps from ANY dealer for the foreseeable future! Do us all a favor and save this from happening to us.......

This is exactly what I though, but looking at the website pictures I can't tell if their insert uses their good pearl?? It's more of just wanting to know because it's bugging me so bad! HaHa I emailed them 2 different times and have yet to get an answer...

Oh boy! Another "watcher build" in the works! Can't wait to see it, you chose an awesome watch to mod. This watch just looks so good, Rolex did well on this one IMO!

I'm curious how good the Watch Material insert is? How is the printing, is it as good as Clarks? Also does it come with a WM sapphire lens pearl installed? Or do you have to buy the insert pop out the original and install the WM sapphire lens pearl? The insert in question is the Watch Material 16660 insert. Does anyone know if it's the correct size for the SSD or the new SD? Thanks in advance for your help.

Click the "edit" button near the bottom right corner of your post, when that screen comes up there will be another box at the bottom that asks you to either save changes OR "use full editor" click the full editor button to edit the post title etc.

Here's to hoping there's an awesome Sea Dweller in the batch you got! I'm wishing......

I'm sitting on the fence in anticipation of buying a TC sub and have not committed yet because of the very same reasons Cougar. I'll be following this thread with interest! I'm torn between the two and have had a hard time deciding which to get, I'm a lume freak and the BK has the edge so far. But if the TC is a better overall case I could always have the dial and hands relumed if it's not good enough. Can't wait to hear the responses from the TC/BK owners!

I've got to get one of those EXP II's SOON! I've been sitting on the fence about it for 2 weeks now with the only thing holding me back being the 12 o'clock marker being a tad crooked on the white dial. The black dial is much worse from the pictures. Your's doesn't look bad at all! I think you just pushed me over the edge with your pics! Thanks for the review and pics, now it's off to PC webby to do some ordering!

You should be able to find one in that price range, sans box and papers. I know I don't have to tell you but.....Be sure of the seller and you'll be fine.

Excellent job on this one! Thumbs up!

I'm with you Star, I'm dumbfounded by the sky high prices too?? The sellers are just trying to salvage what they can from their old WM9's I think because the TC is here and is better in a few ways. They want to try to get some of the crazy high amount of money they shelled out for the WM9 back a year or so ago because they foresee the price bottoming out on the WM9 and need to move them now before they loose hundreds....

The current "Classic Sea Dweller" with Superlume is the best one available right now. It has afew small flaws but over all it's a very nice rep. The only things that really need attention are the the Crown Guards and a new pearl. Other than those two immediate tells that watch is pretty damn good IMO. The crystal is a tad too tall and has an incorrect bevel and the crown is a bit too tall also but these are less noticeable unless someone knows what they're looking for.. Your first link is NOT it and it has rehaut engraving that NO Sea Dweller has ever had so it's totally wrong.

pbdadcustoms @ yahoo.com (no spaces)

The cost of an excellent 3135 that is either fairly new or freshly serviced could run you $2K +. Then the other gen parts will add up quickly. If you want as close to gen as possible in a franken build just prepare to invest what a good condition used gen will cost you. I agree with preacher, you'll be so close to gen but still have the little nitpicky tells that will still drive you crazy. When for just a little extra cash you could've just bought a gen not worry about a thing!

Lovely! A beauty of vintage transitional dial.

rsh did a comparison between the TC and WM9 V1 I believe? He just posted the thread today on RWI or RG?

Oh yeah, that's one I forgot. He does do a pearl mod with matching lume and clear epoxy top coat.

The 3135 is gonna be a spendy venture, I would use a 2824 and be done with it! No one will ever see the M'ment anyway and that's a HUGE expense just to satisfy a "super franken". I say this because I had the exact same idea but finally realized it doesn't make sense to drop that kinda money on a gen movement when the 2824/2836 will do the same thing..

I'll try to remember.... For $335/365 He does: relume, matte spray the dial, repaint the bezel insert numbers to look bolder, greases all seals and o rings, reworks the bracelet by sanding the sharp edges and putting a more gen like polish/brush finish on it and also oiling it to make it smoother, and a pressure test to 3ATM. I might have forgot one two small details?