jackflash

Go for a XVIII. A future classic, not essentially a dress watch, but it works with both suits and jeans. IWC has dropped the altimeter date and returned to a dial closer to the Mark XI: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-iwc-mark-xviii-2 http://puretime02.com/mark-xviii-iw327001-v6f-best-edition-black-dial-on-black-leather-strap-a2892.html

Congrats! All the best for your next 500

Yeap, the Clark T19 does that to the rehaut. CWP T19 is better, but pricier.

... Well, it looks great. I'm sure your client will appreciate the hard work.

Very nice! But with that dial shouldn't those CGs be pointed?

Looks to me like the double sided sticky ring is already in place, you can just make out the 3M logo in your shot of the bezel assembly. If that's the case, just remove the backing paper and place the insert.

DRSD 1665 today

Not having compared them side-by-side I can't say. However, if you go for a gen Omega Seamster 300 handset you will still need to source a silver second hand, as the gen Omega is white. Personally I'd go the HR route.

You can pick up some from Helenarou, you just need to trim the tail of the second hand slightly: http://www.helenarou.com/5517-milsub-super-lume-watch-hands-correct-sec-tip-for-e551728242836.html

I've only seen one, and yes the thinking at the time was that the civilian version would be more desirable after decommissioning. And yes, there were still traces of the fixed bars visible after conversion. The only reason it was done in the first place was to enable it to be worn with a bracelet rather than a NATO strap. I'll post some shots if I can track it down again. Here's one on the Antiques Roadshow, not particularly well appraised by the expert though: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02dl7lc

Yes, a few were decommissioned and had the fixed bars drilled out to accept regular spring bars.

Check yer drawers chaps! http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-37455782

This! Don't go for a Clark T19, they distort the rehaut too much. Well, what you have there is a 5513/5517 Milsub dial. With the circled "T" for Tritium. So really the case should have fixed bars rather than spring bars.

Yes, the body of the case is slightly thicker than is should be. But it's the curvature of the lugs that need a little work. Here's a thread I started about modding the Cartel 5513 you might find useful:

That should be a T19 crystal, T127 would be for a 1680.

Yes it did. Also, the new cartel case with the better crown guards is actually a 1665 case without the faux He valve. So a bit chunkier than 5513 should be.

Try an oil bath. Soak in WD40 or similar overnight, flex the links back and forth until they are freed up. Clean the bracelet throughly in soapy water to remove any oil residue (not great for your skin). Then dip bracelet in baby oil and wipe clean.

Dust

The rep case lug holes are too small to accept the gen-spec 2mm spring bars. So many modders decide to drill the lug holes out, not only to accept the 2mm spring bars, but also for a more gen-like appearance.

Too kind! Thanks!

Very nice it is too!

Thanks guys. One more on the wrist.

Decided to fettle my v.1 Cartel 5513 with the infamous stubby crown guards. What I like about this case, compared to the new generation, are the slimmer lugs. Apart from tweaking the crown guards, I relumed the Helenarou dial and combination hand set (Clark hour hand and Helenarou minute hand). Done

Those are the right parts. However, the problem may be the stem being too short.

Nice idea. That should do it.