dbane883

I do.. but sometimes I wish I didn't

Buffing wheels (usually made of compressed felt) are generally very uneven and the bumps will heat the metal at different rates. At the microsopic level, there is some supercavitation going on and the uneven buffing wheel will create some gouging as some parts of the metal is heated more than others. The contact patch of a spinning felt buffing wheel is actually very small..so if a small gouge develops, it will tend to get bigger, not smaller the more one applies the case to the buffing wheel. Kinda like how moguls develop on a ski hill...As skiiers go around one small bump, and as the sun heats up the hill at different rates due to shadows, the moguls will get bigger and bigger. The final buff of rouge should be relatively quick and prolonging the polishing makes it worse, not better if you want a mirror finish. I think the principle of the lapping wheel/case holder is to distribute the pressure more evenly. If the angle of the case is not maintained, there will be uneven pressure resulting in imperfect results. Bite me J . Find a watch yet?

You're correct. The tapered spindle type of buffing wheels are still used for debuting, final buff, satin effects etc. I was referring to the Dremel mini buffing accessories like this: However some watches, like the Grand Seikos (arguably the best case polishing ever), does not use a traditional buffing wheel at all. It's all done uses continually finer abrasives in the so- called "Zaratsu" method of polishing katana blades. My goal is to replicate the process the Grand Seiko polishing masters use. Not sure what abrasives they use yet, but I've amassed a small collection of PSA backed abrasive discs for experimentation. The finest I have is a 0.05 micron lapping disc, typically used to polish the terminations/connectors for optical fiber. I think 3M makes even finer lapping film than that, but sourcing those in an 8" diameter is the least of my issues right now.

It's gonna require a different type of case holder but yes, that's in the plan. Crisp lug bevels are the hardest part about case polishing.

Won't work for couple of reasons. But the 3135 has feet positions at the 12 and 37 minute marks; the 15xx is roughly around the 30 and 55 min (can't remember exactly) marks

Contrary to popular belief, Rolex, AP, Patek do not use Dremels and mini buffing wheels acquired at Home Depot to polish their cases. They all use special "lapping" machines which look something like this: Very simply, it's a vertically mounted, variable speed disk grinder whereby various abrasives can be applied to create anything from satin starburst patterns to mirror finishes. The horizontal rails are mounted perpendicular to the spinning disc plates and a special contraption rides freely on the rails and looks like this: This holder is similar to a high end pan/tilt camera mount and holds the watch case to the abrasive at a specific angle. Once set in place, the case can be manually rotated. An angled work rest can also be attached for other polishing requirements: These machines are very rare and start at about $25k USD and go up to $50k or so depending on the attachments. This is not exactly walking around money for me, so as such, I have embarked on building my own "ghetto" version. I'll be using a 3/4hp Leeson motor controlled with a KB speed controller. I happened to be in Ohio the other week and dropped off at Beaumont Metal works to pick up a heavy duty grinder work rest. The base unit will start off looking like this: I managed to get ahold of some 16mm SS rods used for CNC milling and will be fabricating a mount for them. I will also be fabricating the angled case holder which will be the most challenging part. Will let you know how it goes when (and if) I complete this time-wasting project . Wish me luck. To see one of these in action, this video is a good example. Watch closely at the 2:00-2:15 mark: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zn0UHZuOEeY

In other words: Who has the best GMT?

Couple movies I've seen recently have had a Rolex appear in them. Affleck is wearing a vintage Pepsi GMT in GoneGirl. But couldn't take a snapshot in the theatre. Just watched "Unknown" on my iPhone and Liam Neeson is sporting a DSSD. Paused and took a couple of screenshots:

Ridiculously large. Wristwatch included for comparison:

Are you referring to the dimensions of the bezel insert? If so, the 16610 insert dimensions are: OD: 37.65mm ID: 30.7mm

There is no clear documentation nor official opinion from Rolex saying that the dial is not genuine. Until that happens, they will try to fetch the highest price and allow the market to decide how "genuine" it is. I suspect it will sell on the high range of the estimate though. I think it's a legit dial

I am by no means a Breitling expert, but is the gen date wheel as low as this one?

Yeah.. fully aware considerable marketing was involved with the blue spring to give the perception it was better. I dont beleive any tests have proved that it is... If it was so great, then why are they now including the new "Syloxi" hairsprings in some watches? http://www.ablogtowatch.com/rolex-begins-using-silicon-syloxi-hairsprings-caliber-2236-watch-movements/ I just figured that it might be a possibility that some late model 16610's slipped through with the blue springs. Or said in another way, is a G-series (i think that was the last model) 16610 with a blue spring completely inaccurate?

I will warn everyone buying this though, separating the ceramic insert from the steel bezel is not an easy task without the proper tools. You must separate the insert prior to installation (although I think it's theoretically possible to press the whole assembly onto the crystal gasket). But I fabricated my own dies to separate the insert, which is held in via friction like the traditional steel inserts.

I think he will list them one at a time...

Here's a comparison of the bezel I received compared to my gen 114060: 100% legit. Plus there is some protection provided by paypal, so i say go for it boys.

This is what I received the last time.. Everything was included. The bezel was a completely assembled unit with retaining ring, and the springs were included as well: here you can see the bezel, the xrtel washer, and the thin retaining ring:

The bezel springs may be compatible, but I doubt the retaining ring is.. 99.999% certain reps wont work with it... Inside the gen bezel, and underneath the ceramic insert, is a flat "stabilizer" plate.. i would think it's included, but cant tell from the pics

However it was cheaper the last time and included the retaining ring as well as the bezel springs... Not sure if those are included here as well...

I've bought from him before. It's legit

ROC PN.. Could be yours for $500k Could be trash.. could be treasure. Interesting debate: http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/message/1413226856/the+black+ghost+ROC+Paul+Newman+dial....

Can anyone confirm if Rolex ever used the parachrom balance wheel in any 3135's in the later versions of the 16610 subs? I think there was an overlap with with SubC's and the 16610 and just wondering if the newer hairsprings were ever used in a sub prior to the modern ceramics.

I have a confession. The colours of the rep pepsi is better than the gen. Honestly, the $37k gen has a horrid froot-loops blue and red: The rep is not accurate, but in this case, I don't think you want it to be.

Travel safe 007. Make you you build a special compartment for your gold sovereign coins.

Not sure why you want to carry your collection around in a bond-like briefcase. But try Jed at TimeTraveller. He's got a couple of decent travel selections: http://www.thetimetraveler.co/accessories/boxes/