importr

Folks, this is more of a question of ethics! Is it considered wrong/improper to destroy a historical item to use for a modern purpose? Namely: Cutting up a WW1 or WW2 ammo pouch to create watch straps? I know a lot of peeps already do it, and I want to try it myself. But I am asking myself, Is it right?

The lines on the SELs appear to be well defined, like gen. I'd want to see a pic of the clasp, and then a pic of the caseback. There are differences between gen and rep...

Found these from Strap Code: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/21mm-Black-Calf-Watch-Strap-316L-Solid-Buckle-/230578809438?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af916a5e http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/21mm-Sport-Racer-Type-Kevlar-Watch-Strap-Black-Stit-/220821317413?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369f9e725

Hi guys Can anyone suggest or recommend a thick (but not disproportionately thick) strap for a Top Gun? Whereas I like the latest version of the rep Kevlar, I'd like something that keeps the rugged theme, but actually feels right for the watch. I think the TG head is a tad too heavy for the rep strap. Ideally the new 21mm strap will still able to retain the 18mm IWC buckle. Last night I tried a 22mm Hirsch Liberty (black calf/white stitch), it looked well suited but it also looked like it was squeezed. I have a grey Tootall IWC strap, but it doesn't suit the 3789. I'm thinking desert/tan like the B&R Heritage. Or vintage brown ammo/baseball ? help! Or should I just stick with an off the shelf item like a smooth calf from Waccex? A bit boring, but safe http://www.waccex.de...products_id=786 cheers

i think watcheden IS asian7750 ??

Great stuff. I'd already guessed that the 111 was gen. I've never seen polishing that good on rep gears before. congrats

Yes it will. Both are 21mm

Jesus! Laz, you have great taste in watches Really enjoyed the trip and thanks for sharing the sentiments See you in the bar sometime !

Yep the ring is to be right on the edge. That distance you refer to is no more than 0.5mm. You gonna try it then?

Just thought I'd throw in a little visualisation. Excuse the clunky graphics !

Sorry, i can't do that request as the DW@6 was modded to removed the teeth, then attached to original DW. Therefore the alignment with date window is perfect. However, what I can say is that a unmodified DW@6 will almost certainly be off by >1/3 a number when viewed thru a date window @4.5. If you're planning on fitting a DW@6 without raising it - i'd say don't do it. The sunken-ness will still bug you. It's only worth doing if you do the mod as described. The gap between gear and calendar plate (if thats the correct terminolgy) is less than 1mm. I'd say closer to 0.5mm.

Is it possible to solder the ends together , then rub it smooth - when setting the shape? Or is it too thin to solder?

Yes I also tried fuse wire. But what I had was either too thick or too thin. I guess I got lucky....

That could work, if you found the exact size. Not sure if the glue solvent would accelerate the rubber perishing?

I was just gonna use an old 7750 DW, and thin it out. But I need a jewellers lathe, which I obviously don't have. I have about 20 old 7750 DWs! If I could machine them down, they would be a perfect mod for all the existing tricompax reps out there!

The multiple piece approach could be fiddly to apply, as they will be tiny. Slightly out of line and it will jam on the gears. Plus if one fell off, its gonna be stuck somewhere?

Just one continuous length. It's easier to manage this way and probably more secure. I would prefer to use a metallic ring, but don't have the time or resource to make one. Hence this cheap alternative. I think it is 10lb fishing line

Yes, the gears are above the old DW (still in place) but underneath the new DW as shown fitted above. The glued 0.3mm fishing line forms a solid ring (under the new DW) which just clears the gears. If you look very closely by numbers 6 and 7, you can just see the old DW

I recently picked up a new Navitimer tricompax (thanks GK) as a base for modding. I've been told by a rep dealer that there were 3 'factories' producing Navitimers, and I believe that this is the latest and possibly only version available. It has a different case from my v1's. Taller strap lugs (incorrect compared to gen), sliderule better than v2, dial better than v1 & possibly v2. It has high beat a7750 decorated and also has the signed rotor. The sapphire crystal has the most AR I've seen on any standard Navi rep. However, it has a terrible hue to it, making the subdials and sliderule look beige. So bad that I felt it was unwearable as is. I had seen this bad AR on another rep sometime ago. Today I decided to open up this new watch and take a look. L to R: v1- no/very light AR; v3- single AR; v1 with Taka AR Look how beige the v3 looks. It is worse in natural light. Here we see the difference against a white background. The v3 has a beige crystal!! I swapped the v1 crystal for the v3, so that it is wearable in the meantime while I send the other to Uwe for double AR treatment. I was also bothered by the infamous sunken date. I remembered that I had a spare ETA 7750 dw @6 lying around. I decided to have a go at the raised DW mod as perfected by the modders on these forums. First, i snapped off the teeth using fine pliers. Then smoothed off the inside with a round file. The DW thickness is 0.5mm. Then I used - wait for it... fishing line to raise the DW! It just happens to be 0.3mm thick - which was perfect to make the assembly 0.8mm overall. I glued the line to the underside edge of the DW. This took a while using a sharpened toothpick, being very careful not to let excess superglue run or stick to my fingers. I then marked out the plate to indicate the original DW numerals to align the new DW later This was carefully glued to the outer edge of original DW. The mechanism was tested and dial added. I put tiny pieces of sellotape under the dial near the feet to slightly clear the dial from new DW. Refit dial and test. The DW mod took me about 1.5 hours to do. Here is the non-AR crystal and raised DW! Admittedly, the date changeover isn't as smooth as i'd like; due to excess glue touching the transfer gears, but it does work nevertheless. I'll fix it for good when I get the treated crystal. I'm much happier with the colour of dial and sliderule now. ...and a few quick & dirty shots of this work in progress

Good comparison, thanks. As has been said, the rep is good value for money, as long as you can change out that awful pearl. The rep SMP bracelets often have incorrectly polished edges. Whereas your Gen, and my gen SMP GMT have brushed bracelet edges.

Lookin gooood! can't wait to get mine On the gen, all of the metal parts and logo are supposed to be the same colour. The rep has a steel CB though doesn't it?

I find that rubber straps on deployant are extremely comfortable. Such as 43mm Carrera 1 Vintage, Carrera Racing, even a Skyland on a DP2 deploy is seriously good. Allows me to keep the faith whilst not getting bruised!

I use the chrono fairly often, not only for mundane cooking, but for when I go running (i often use a G-Shock but sometimes use a rep), when I take my 2yr old boy to the pool (to be sure that he doesnt get exhausted), and also when using paid car parking etc. Oh, did I mention that most of my 7750 reps are ETA powered? lol I hardly ever, ever use the chrono on an a7750!!

Even I'm tempted by this one! But I just made and paid for an order so I dont think I can ask Josh to include the Explorer