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blue.

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Posts posted by blue.

  1. Aham, the Bracelet topic is an issue for us all!

     

    WSO?

    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:

    84j7.png

     

    Has anyone tried one of these?

  2. mary from watch internation sells a very nice, if not the best folded link bracelet for gmt and explorers @ $50

    Thank you for the suggestion! Sent her an inquiry. Though could not see if she has any website to choose from.

     

     

     

    I ordered one today. I'll post here when it shows up!

    Planning on using it on my 1016 too.

    Sound good :)

    Looking forward to hear from you some rough review of it when you receive it.

     

     

     

    It's hard to say if it has solid midlinks or the correct hollow ones. The numbers on the bracelet, clasp and endlinks are wrong. The coronet looks good though (mouth could be a bit smaller) but the position is good as well, clasp has

    only the famous 6 holes. The construction of the last link connecting the bracelet to the springbar is wrong (there is no rep bracelet that got that detail right).

     

    All in all, a good base but requires a bit modding I'd say.

    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!

  3. 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:

    DSC_6488.jpg    DSC_6480.jpg

     

    DSC_6485.jpg

     

    Thank you in advance for any opinions and suggestions!

  4. 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!

  5. It definitly won't be a daily beater : more like a show piece !!!

     

    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

  6. 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

  7. so i buyed all , any suggestion for digitalize ? 2qs8lfo.jpg

     

     

     

    Great Literature!

     

    Would be great if we had some of the books as PDF versions:

     

     

    "100 Years of Rolex"

    9jge.png

    a rough preview here

     

     

     

     

    Vintage Rolex Sports Models

    Vintage-Rolex-Sports-Models.jpg

     

     

    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

  8. Hello from Mediterranean EU B)

     

    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.

     

     

  9. 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:

    187158d1292783022-rolex-datejust-ref-160

     

    Is Matt someone that I can contact for such builds?

     

    Wear your Date Justs in the best of health.

  10. 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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