rolojack

Base watch used here is the JF version. Case was deeply modified: shaved to a slim profile, and considerably trimmed on the sides as the original lugs size is as wide as a sub-C !!! Dial is a real gilt made in Vietnam. See the brown hue of a true gilt when exposed under the sun! No black paint gilt wannabe can do that ! Athaya crown, JF bezel and insert all modified. Insert was shaved to paper thin to have the correct visible step around. Swiss 2846, Clarcks hands and SK crystal. One of the most attractive Tudors !!!

Yes !

You had a private preview of that...

Now the parts list of the three watches for those who haven't guessed: Cartel ST 19 case and movement. Vietnam bezel insert and custom dial, Athaya crown, genuine T21 and Alpha thin hands. Full case reshape and engravings, hands relume and relacker for the subsidiary...

This one has first generation style pushers ! It might be the last time I can perform that mod as I found out I can't do it on the current version of the cartel pushers. I can only do it on the older version without groove. The ring of the newer version can't be mounted on the proper tool... Too bad. So: here goes my last set of old stock cartel pushers... If anyone has one of those older reps: keep in mind we can turn them into something like this:

What can I say.... Usual (sus) specs... Eye candy. The funny thing here is three gentlemen wanted pretty much the same thing at the same time. So: I had to pleasure to have three Black PN Daytonas on my working table at the same time ! What a sight !!! Enjoy the pics !!!

This watch only needs love now... But thanks for offering!

This poor baby came into my arms for a salvage mission... The cartel mid case was butchered to host a DW bezel - unsuccessfully as it was holding on with glue... - the original pushers were replaced by after market gen style pushers - so since the L shape extension was gone the chrono could not reset - the dial was/is quite overly done. Say ripe. But most of all it was dirty. Let's not confuse dirt and patina. Hands lume was gone, crystal was cracked... ST19 was not modified so the totalizer hand was not in line with the dial. Dial was glued on, like... Damn. Lots of glue! So much it dripped into the movement. Only good points were the original coronet - poorly installed as the rear was not resurfaced so it was not sitting well and the glue was visible on the sides - and the genuine crown and tube. Such projects are thrilling !!!! Really. To take over a failed project and make it into someting nice is such a pleasure ! Case was reshaped. Sides and lugs. Bezel seat on the mid case was machine turned to get rid of all the scuff marks of the previous job and create a clean step. Bezel rear part was modified as well so the fit is now perfect and no glue is needed for it to fit tight. The challenge was on the pushers. The L shaped extention designed by the Cartel fits on a C clip design pusher only. So I had to modify one of the two gen style pushers into a C clip fit. Cut it, create a groove, and more importantly create the L in question using a piece of solid brass. Dial was stripped clean and coated with a matte finish. Relumed as well as the hands. Genuine coronet and index were cleaned. Coronet was resurfaced for a clean fit glued FROM THE BACK of the plate using the dial holes, not from the front : piggy style... Now it's a sweet little watch about to return to its daddy !!!! Thanks for looking !!!

I laughed!!! Men, you're funny! I'd say I 1000% agree on all. When in Europe. It's a matter of environment as always. Some places makes us accept the heavy bling game... Like Dubai. Wearing a vintage piece in your McLaren simply won't match! And those watches are made for those desert boys. Now that they don't have to pick up camel [censored] to make a fire by the tent anymore things have changed...

That's the spirit!!! That's what a community is for!!!!

It looks like we might have a new ingod type reseller here... I dealt with her before on eBay and all deals went smooth.... It looks like the dials are rejects thought... As they all have a defect, but it's definitely excellent value for the money!!!!! That will allow us to build daytonas for less!!!! http://Rubyswatch.com

... His watch his rules. He doesn't want to contribute, so be it.

Sorry guys, the owner asked for the pictures to be deleted....

... sorry guys: the owner requested me to remove the pictures of his watch... There will be others soon !!!

That booklet you got is madness!!! Full set is super classy... it really completes the watch.

I don't often get to work on these.... It's a pleasant watch. I'm not sure of the specs as I only modified the case and assembled the watch here, so I'll let the owner step in if he wants to tell us more about his watch.

These watches are the ultimate tool watch !!! The dents are the scars one needs to feel the warrior ! It's the only model for which I recommand a subtle aging when otherwise I prefer a serviced look. A crisp 1665 simply lacks charm. Base watch was a JF. Vietnam made dial, swiss T39 and Athaya crown. A full reshape of the case was performed to achieve this look. Crown tube seat was recessed as well, so the crown is now where it should be. Note the aging done between the lugs: the serial numbers were sandblasted, then the surface was rebrushed to simulate what salt does over time on metal. Surface is a bit grainy and engravings are not as sharp.

For your eyes is a all Vietnam 6263. V72 was partially Rolex converted, and the case was reworked to reach a very near 1:1 shape and details all around. Dial is rep, and for you to consider how convincing it is see the pictures of a genuine one at the end... Only difference really is some tiny details of the subdials numbers. The "4" mostly. However, that being said: it's not something you can notice when seen in the real world. Bezel is genuine, Crown is from Athaya. Enjoy the pictures !!!

This is probably one of the hardest dials to get right... Very subtle. And the silver sunburst is absolutely unforgiving as every small printing detail shows. If there's a flaw, you'll see it like an apple tree in the desert ! Usual specs here. ST19 case, Athaya crown, Vietnam dial and insert, gen coronet and T21... A great late 70's classic !!! A statement really.

I've often been asked how a modified ST19 case compares to a Vietnam V72 case, the latter known to be the closest to gen you can get. Even if I always answer after my mods the cartel case is very close, I'd say 99% because pushers and crown position SLIGHTLY differ, I feel I'm not believed... So here you go !!! See a Phong case beside a Cartel case. Both refinished of course as a stock Phong case isn't that exciting... And you can see for yourself how similar they are on the outside. I won't say which is which... I let you guys guess since some say it's obvious.... It's often stated as a no go the cartel is thicker. It isn't much, it's because of the stock shape, very straight on the sides, that one you'd get the illusion it's much too fat. A V72 movement is not taller than the ST19 (Venus 175). ST 19 is a larger diameter, but that doesn't show once cased. Also, at the end, see a genuine bezel beside a combo of a cartel bezel modified with a Vietnam insert and reshaped. Of course the font differs, I've never seen a 1:1 rep of a 6263 insert, but overall we're there ! It's close enough to be enjoyed when worn. Pictures are unforgiving... End word : a ST19 build is about 1/4 of the price of a V72 build...

No it isn't....

WOW. Magnificent. I love it!!!!

The metal bezel is something else right? It's really beautiful in hand. I don't really count my hours... Only the result matters!!!! I redo untill it's right.

Gosh, the day cartel will do engravings like that chicken will grow teeth... No. I refinished the mid lugs as cartel stock shape is concave and awfull, then Joe did the engravings. After his works, I rebrush the mid lugs with a tool of mine to achieve that very genuine like look.

It is... Thank you !