Stephane

New York City - Summer GTG Dear All, It might sound weird that a European member post such a thread. But, I love New York and would really be happy to come again in August. I plan my trip with a couple of friends from my country, but they still didn't give their final "ok". I would be in NYC one the following weeks: - From Monday 18 till Saturday 22/23. - From Monday 25 till Saturday 29/30. If I commit to be there, I will be there by the way. This is not just a fantasy, I mean it. We could have a wrist shot session together What do you think? EU and AUS members could mix a GTG and a touristic stay in one of the most fantastic city of the world, if not the city. Locals could meet some new members. Cheers Stephane @Kruzer: I'll bring cash this time

Hmmm, if the dates match, why not a Big Apple GTG I plan to be there around the second half of august (18-23 or 25-30)

Thanks Dizz! Me neither by the way. I started to gather informations from the web then went to MM to verify them I'm pretty sure there might be mixed 1680/16800/16800 watches somewhere So hard to cover it all, specially with various models for the far east or US that never came to EU...and the other way round! According to what "experts" say all over the web, yes. But I have no idea is this is 100% trustable. Rolex has so many legends and so many variations in their models.

Wow, beautifull photo Bazz. Now I see this, I might keep my Speedy a bit longer instead of selling it @Scoobs: your watch grows on me ...it's really nice!

you frighten me Laz...or you gave me an idea: let's continue to put toghether as many subs as possible and organise a Sub GTG in around 5 years !!! We will need a ferry to bring them all @Tribal: yes, the dial is hard to find. I was lucky but of course mine is not imaculate. But really, on the wrist, it is absolutely impossible to spot the damages. Even on the photos, they do not really appear unless taken in a certain angle and with a direct light.

Hmmm, interresting. I love this hobby

Update july 5th, 2008: Because I have 3 vintage SDs, I always dreamed that the Great White would have the latest version of the case back. Oh, of course, some Great Whites came with a "Double Red" case back. But I prefer this one Two good friends of mine, Yello and RepAustria put their efforts together to offer this one to me. Guys, thank you so much. You did a fantastic job in finding one Yello and by aging it RepAustria!

Great idea D4Me to encourage new comers or older members to post their photos. I would add that as long as the photo is not blury, and the watch can be seen, what the community want to see is ...a photo For sure, we have some real great photographer here (Pug, BT, Bazz, Pix,...to name only a few) but nobody expect every single photo to be a piece of art!

I have no idea if another crystal would fit Mrandazzo We'll see. The one I have is not the Clark that is usually used on genuine, but the other one. @ Tribal : What would the right case be in your opinion? Cheers & thanks again

Thanks TT. And still...nice feature

That is so true BT

I like the feature. I'm not sure I like what has been posted here.

Wow, guys, thanks so much for your nice words and comments. I was about to quote all of you and reply to each one. But I think ElPrimero sums it up Seriously, I would like to say the following: - I have been a Rolex fan for a long long time but I didn't have any knowledge about these babies. - I learned every day because I once became a member of this community where I met some great friends and some great artists. I won't name them all, you know who you are. Some sent me a part really difficult to find, some sent valuable information and some took the time to work on my watches (Thanks Tribal for your patience ). - BUT I have to add that I met a very nice person here, a "Rolex Living Bible", Monsieur MM (MM = Mystery Modder). Not only he can put these projects togheter which is trully wonderfull but also he did educate me and still is educating me about the history of Rolex. Some of you know who I am talking about. For those who don't, sorry to say that I cannot share the information on who is MM as I promised I never would say it. We put togheter a lot of watches and accomplished some crazy projects like the 1665 Trilogy, or the (soon to be published finally) 1680 Couple. I am the one who goes "on stage" and collect the congrats. I think that today it's fair to say that if my sick mind envisions the projects, none of them would ever have been come to reality without my friend MM. Cheers and thanks to all of you. A special thank to MM: you rock Stephane

Rolex Submariner 16800/168000 Project Dear All, Here is my funniest project so far: a rep of a transitional Rolex Submariner. Preambule I have no intention to pretend this is a 1:1 rep as it is totally impossible to build such a watch yet. Let's say this is my attempt to create a different Sub with the help of MM. The final goal is to wear a heavily scratched and beaten watch. A watch that would have been abused for almost 20 years, since 1989! 16800, 168000, 16610, transitions… Once upon a time, there was a Submariner 1680 with a plexi glass and a slow beat movement (Movement ref: 1575). We all know the watch don't we? The date cycloped Sub mother. My understanding is that the 1680 migrated to the 16610. That is true of course, but didn't happen in one step though. In 1977, for the 16800, Rolex introduced a sapphire crystal, a higher beat movement with quick set date (Caliber 3035 which was said to be worse than a 1575 according to MM). The dept rating on the dial changed from 660 to 1000 feet. A star is born (I mean the 16610 is on it's way). On the above photo, we see a 16800. It has a sapphire crystal and a mate dial, without white gold surrounded hour markers thus. Around 1985, the dial changed for a glossy one with lume markers surrounded by white gold circles (see photo here under). The movement was still the same, the 3035, and so was the date wheel. 1989: from what I found, there is one more variation before the 16610 birth: the 168000! This one carries white gold surrounded hour markers too but a different steel quality (904 instead of 316). (EDIT: and date wheel (like on the 16610) as the movement is now the great 3135! According to Alligoat, that is not true Thanks for the update ). It was produced during less than a year and was replaced by the 16610 with the same steel grade and movement. My Noobmariner The project started with a Noobmariner that I got from TTK. It's a 70€ watch! My NoobMariner testimonial is here The LugHoles The first step to build a "transitional" is of course to get a lugholed case. As I had no TW Best, I decided to go for the Noobmariner and find a way to have lug holes drilled. Unfortunately, it was not easy to find a member here to help a few weeks ago. After Omega's thread, we know it is possible. (Good luck with the 1.000 PMs Bobby!) Anyway, my friend Rosnik helped me and sent me back My Noob with "pre-drilled holes" for the Noob bracelet that is. The next step was to drill them a bit more to accept gen springbars. That is what MM did. Now that it is done, the watch accepts genuine 501b end links …and a genuine 93150 The dial That is the dial I was offered by a guy on eBay. It's not in perfect state of course, but I like it very much. Bear in mind this project is about a beater. Now, it is installed on the watch and looks much better. The insert We went for a genuine insert and pearl of course that I bought on R-L-X.de. It is the most expensive part of the watch and it looks great too, isn't it Beautifully cracked pearl! The Crown and tube, the crown guards I've been fortunate to find a matching old genuine crown. It is a 24-703-0 but the older one. The coronet is higher and thinner, and the cutout at the base is more elliptic than round. The tube is a Clark one though. The CGs have NOT been shaved as how they look out of the box is closer to how they looked on the 16800/0. I am following my friend MM's advice here and agree. Hands, Lume and Crystal. The Noob hands needed to be aged so they match the dial colour. No PhotoShop, not special exposure, this is a genuine dial...remember? As you can see, the hands and markers match…and have no lume anymore I have a Clark crystal ready to install as this one is not accurate at all Movement. The movement is the original Asian one, from the Noobmariner, and honestly, I like the look of it very much. The end The Jury says: because of the "modern" date wheel, despite the movement is the slower beat one, the here above modded watch is now a 168000. Yippeee Hope you enjoyed this nice little project. Thanks for looking and reading. Cheers Stephane

Hello all, I decided my week-end would start at 3PM today. The main reason being that I received some watches back from MM So, now, I can't wait to take photos and post some new reviews of some nice projects that are (almost) finished. Have a great week-end Cheers Stephane. Yes, another sub

Enjoy the holidays Cats. Good choise the Seiko!

I received this kind of letter my self, but it was a certified hard copy. Two watches were seized at the customs. The lawyers asked me to pay 250

Indeed Language barrier ? I know Bobby is drilling other watch parts...

Looks great Bobby. You have balls Are you drilling anything else...?

I love it By-Tor, really But...you are a true pervert showing this beauty to me :: Thanks for sharing though

That is indeed a rep like watch. Poor Rolex fans It hurts. You're right. We should buy a gen 16610 NOW. They will grow in value for sure. Anyone want to trade a gen Explorer II for a gen 16610 (both with lugholes pls)

Wonder who that might be hmmm ? Me too Thanks for the information Laz. I really wouldn't mind to put my hands on "good" MBKs but like you say, got to be lucky to have the right batch

Thanks Laz. I agree with you 100%. One of your MBW is closer than the other though. Can you share the origin of the second MBW? I'd like to order some to put on my watches when I don't wear them and swap it for the gen when I do wear them!

Welcome and good luck ... ...it is not easy to discover a new addiction ::

Indeed, but still very very nice Pug. Thanks. Loving them.