blue.

Would be great if you can post some photos of it.

Aham, the Bracelet topic is an issue for us all! WSO- WholeSaleOutlet How good are the general after market bracelets that are offered for example from Startime supply and others? These do not have any stampings at all, though rep clasps can be swapped for sure. Example of an DJ band: Has anyone tried one of these?

Thank you for the suggestion! Sent her an inquiry. Though could not see if she has any website to choose from. Sound good Looking forward to hear from you some rough review of it when you receive it. Yes, I saw the incorrect number stampings. "The construction of the last link connecting the bracelet to the springbar is wrong (there is no rep bracelet that got that detail right)." True! Thanks for the opinions guys!

So I was thinking about some possible bracelet swap/update on my Explorer 1016 and stumbled over Yuki´s 20mm solid oyster bracelet. The clasp coronet looks appropriately placed, otherwise all other engravings seem not that correct (which does not matter that much to me). Endlinks can be changed with proper ones, for sure. It is quite possible (I assume) that gen spec 1016 spring bars may fit in that bracelet, due to the fact that the spring bar in the endlink looks like the Yuki Sub springbar, "lhooq"had reviewed it with some other gen spec 1016 spring bars some time ago. What do you think about this bracelet? Anyone can share his opinion, especially if it is suitable on an Explorer 1016? Any better solid oyster bracelet alternatives (reasonably priced)? Here are a couple of images from his site: Thank you in advance for any opinions and suggestions!

An interesting topic I have been thinking about since I bought my first MBW Explorer! No doubt, reps are a very special hobby. Special in all its facets, meaning that the topic is not discussable with everyone, everywhere. There are a "handful" of people who can understand this specific watch collecting, modifying etc. area. Each of us has different motives for buying a rep or building a franken and that makes our community diverse and interesting. Some of us feel a joy possessing a timepiece that comes from a significant era, a watch model that has its fame from being used in inspiring events, explorations, expeditions ... A timepiece that is no longer produced, something of ideological value and of really high value if we talk about the genuine version of it. Others feel much closer connected to the historic heritage that a watch model resembles and on top of that are "rebuilding" it themselves, which is of an enjoyment and little adventure for itself. Back to topic. As someone who does not know personally any "trustable" watchmaker in may geographical area and have been scared seeing watchmakers not being very carefull with a +36 year old Seiko ... I simply do not trust every watchmaker in my area. Of course I see it as vital to first get to know that person with some small talk, look over his abilities and somehow see what he/she (yes, saw an old watchmaker lady in one AD here) had done in terms of Service for other clients. But when it comes to reps, no way (with some exceptions) that some watchmaker would take seriously our reps and would work on the equally carefull. There are probably two options when it comes to a movement service or repair: 1. Remove the movement by your own and hand it over to the watchmaker (talking about ETAs, Sellitas etc. no rolex clone movements). I think the abilities to disassemble a movement from the case, crown, hands and dial are not that much (one would need the screwdrivers, case back opener and hands remover). 2. Send the whole watch to some of our community watchmakers and modders that have an excellent reputation. The only possible problem I see is the shipment, better to first ask if they are in your area CONUS, EU, etc. Good luck!

You know you "have" to somehow digitize it somehow for us 1016 fans

I would suggest some Nato combinations for the much sunnier days: and for sure an oyster bracelet that would complement to the great gen.

It is getting emotional What are your "ingredients" in your special "drink"?

1680, nice advertisement. Origin and translation please

Congrats for the beautiful 1016 build, denimhead! I like the smooth stack up of mid case, JMB´s bezel and the Tropic crystal. That typical bezel-crown overhang is quite good! Wear it often and in good health

Found some gen bracelets. But the "price is also pretty gen", they usually go around +- 500 $, this one is a lot steeper: http://www.chrono-shop.net/en/gmt-divers-/1389-new-rolex-78350-557-19mm-stainless-steel-oyster-bracelet-datejust-oyster-perpetual-daytona-.html

Then a "DLC only („Diamond Like Carbon“)" coating is just fine and very durable. You really do not need applying any special varnish, as this will add micrometer thickness where you don´t need it. Hopefully someone will chime in who can do such coating. Otherwise, I remember on the other watch forums (non rep forums) some people mentioning of user who can do it (Watch U seek forums like ... hommage forums, modder forums). Over there a lot of people mod Seiko watches and there are plenty of good modders too. Here you can play a bit with your project. "Blacken" has a configurator: http://www.blaken.com/en/home

Nice idea! As my avatar shows an early Explorer in DLC coating I am with you on this project Keep in mind this is just a coating, despite DLC, PVD etc. It will tear down on some edges a bit if the watch is worn as a daily beater. Good luck with the project and keep us updated. P.S. That avatar got me into Rolex some years ago

I may mention Yuki´s 19mm solid stainless steel bracelet, but have no experiences with it in person: Does anyone have that bracelet? It seems quite good in the pictures ... any opinions?

Great Literature! Would be great if we had some of the books as PDF versions: "100 Years of Rolex" a rough preview here Vintage Rolex Sports Models Please share download links, if someone has already some of these as PDF. (or is willing to scan/photograph these fantastic books, would be great) Thanks

Great Build, Chiman! Allow me to propose you an idea about an addition to the back case (not my parts... though)

What a precision and craftsmanship!

Nice one JMB! I see that "Explorer type" dial attracts a lot.

Great build, rolojack ! It must have been quite an adventure to source and customize all parts. Wear the 6238 often and in good health

Thanks for the advice

Hello from Mediterranean EU As currently here is as hot as it can get in a typical summer, wearing a watch with solid link bracelet is somehow not that comfortable as it should. Nor is the Explorer 1016 with solid link/folded link bracelet (in my mind) compatible with a sweaty wrist. So I tried a spare NATO strap I had for another watch, just out of curiosity on my MBW Explorer 1016 and here is the result: Watch: MBW Explorer 1016 ETA 2824-1 gen Spring bars- gen spec. "FASCI" Bracelet NATO 18mm The NATO strap was in my watch parts case for about a year. I had purchased it together with another colour combination in order to test which one would sit better on another vintage watch (heritage gen with 18mm lug width). So, I was tempted to try out the navy blue & yellow NATO on the Explorer and the result surprised me positively. I know the width of the strap should be 20mm but if you examine the current combination, a bit thinner NATO (18mm) is less dominant on the Explorer, allowing the case to "shine" more than the strap. If we speak about the experience of wearing the watch in the hot summer, the NATO strap allows the case to sit a bit higher on the wrist, so more air circulates around wrist and watch, further the weight of the 1016 is reduced for sure by 3/5. Personally, I think the Explorer 1016 is best worn with the solid link/folded link bracelet but a NATO strap brings in some diversity. As soon as the temperatures fall, the solid link bracelet will be back on the Explorer.

Congratulations gentleman. Those are some nice time pieces. Have been thinking about a DateJust for some time but currently am unable to find a rep from the dealers (for example a 16014) that would accept gen parts (crystal, bezel, crown/tube, dial, etc.) Something like this gen: Is Matt someone that I can contact for such builds? Wear your Date Justs in the best of health.

Nice build dutchguy2 Wear it as often as you can.

Congrats, Zeleni. That is a nice Explorer. How do you feel about the "Swiss Made" on the MBW dial? I personally had some doubts about my MBW Explorer ("Swiss Made" tag) at the beginning but as soon as the watch arrived it felt good enough to no longer bother about this really minor discrepancy. Wear it often and in good health

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