TeeJay

I've mentioned it a lot recently, but, what is wabi-sabi? Although it was other vintage watches which first made me appreciate this aesthetic, this was the watch were I first put it into practice as an active modification: Since receiving this generous gift from Slartibartfast, I decided to turn a watch I was not particularly keen to wear: into one I would wear happily. The watch has undergone some fairly extensive vintaging on the case (possibly too much) but overall, it is the crystal which has since guided my abuse of the new bezel insert. I never envisaged the totally stripped insert [seen above] as a permanent component, and didn't want to go for the same bleached out look of the vintage sub, but equally, I didn't want the new insert to look pristine, or it would simply look like an after-market replacement. I wanted it to blend with the rest of the watch. To that end, I used a 4-surface nail file to remove some of the paint at the edges of the insert, and then pitted the insert. Here're the two blood-brothers: The damage between 10 and 11 on the crystal, is from where I used a pocket knife to cut away the cyclops. I managed to buff out some of the damage, but some of it was permanant, so my only option, was to re-position the crystal so that the marks would appear to be impact damage sustained during wear, and then blend it in by crazing the rest of the crystal. The crazing of the crystal was achieved by first slashing at the crystal with my pocket knife a few times, then using the 4-surface nail file in a circular motion all over, using all four rubbing surfaces, to reduce the scuffing from 'cloudy', to simply 'scuffed up'. The pitting was achieved by placing the flat tip of a jeweller's screwdriver against the insert, holding it in place, then lightly tapping the back of the screwdriver once with a doorstop, and then using a thumbnail to remove any loosened paint. Individual indents was the aim here, not long gouges, which I grouped together to line up with the major scratches on the crystal. Overall, I am very happy with the overall effect, and how the watch looks. I still have plans to obtain and install correct Snowflake hands, and a correct caseback, but those additions will be some time before I have the cash to put them into action. Infact, were it not for Slartibartfast's generous gift of the dial, this project may never have gotten off the ground at all, as a gen dial would be out of my reach, price-wise. Of course, I had to get a decent wrist shot Coming inside, I saw that the hands were 'flaring up', so decided to take a couple of quick lume shots to show just how nicely the dial glows. If you'd be interested in acquiring the only other existing example of this dial, then hurry, as the auction for it ends soon here: Tudor Snowflake Dial 100% (minus shipping costs) to RWG Thanks for reading

I wish I had the spare cash, bro, that dial's got all the makings for a perfect project... Best of luck with your sales

I'd disagree that Paypal is the best option to use on CQout, simply because the in-house escrow service offers better protection for funds. A deal I had going though was cancelled as someone had put multiple negative feedbacks to the seller about the same issue, which automatically booted them. To be honest, their communication had gotten ropy, so perhaps they were one of the frequent 'burn outs' one sees in this hobby, but, either way, my cash was safe, and refunded to my account before I even realized the deal had been cancelled

Of the forum listed dealers, I would personally recommend Narikaa and WatchEden as being awesome to do business with. Another site I do business on, is called QCout.com. The site is something like eBay, but one of the payment methods offered, is an in-house escrow service. If you're not happy with the goods, you return them, and the site returns your money. Likewise, if a dealer gets kicked off while in the middle of a transaction, the deal gets automatically cancelled, and you get your money returned. If a dealer gets more than 3 negative feedbacks, then they are gone. Personally, I find that very reassuring. You might not necessarily find the range as you might with a forum dealer, but, the majority of the most popular watches are available, and in 'budget versions' which are still (in my opinion) excellent value for the money. The best thing to do, (either here or there) is to read dealer feedback. Even the most popular dealers (here) occasionally get complaints, but, they do take care of their customers, then there're others like Silix, who, in my experience, really aren't as reliable as one might hope for... If the worst comes to the worst, if you see a watch you like the look of, post a link to the forum, and the experts can give you a 'yay or nay' Best of luck (and welcome to the forum )

You've definitely been lucky. My vintage sub was the wrong dial variant (it should have been the 3,6,9 dial) My first X-32 was missing faux-screws from the case-back, and the battery for the hands was near dead, and the replacement which was sent had the exact same problems, then, on top of that, the Jubilee bracelet I ordered at the same time as the vintage sub simply never arrived at all (I told Silix to just forget about it ages ago) All in all, I would say that there if someone is looking for a 'budget dealer', there are more reliable ones about than Silix (just not necessarily on the 'forum trusted list'...)

I'd have to say the reverse of Maxman. You will be lucky if you receive precisely what you order, and communications to resolve it, while polite, will be painfully slow. I wouldn't use them again as a dealer or recommend them to anyone else...

With reasons like this to watch Trek, all I can say, is 'live long, and prosper'

A fine strap for a fine watch

I voted yes, as I think everyone should be able to benefit from being a member here. But. I can understand that there would probably be someone who would cry foul if a mod was to win, so I can totally understand the mod's choices to not enter into raffles etc to maintain that impartiality.

I don't know the gen well enough to say if it's a good rep or not, but it looks like a nice watch in its own right, I'd say go for it

That's a fantastic watch, I love the tuxedo dial An awesome purchase, I hope you'll enjoy wearing it

Some awesome watches and photos so far No change for me, but here's a half-assed lume shot

I agree, definitely the lesser of two evils to go with the Yuki bracelet and case 'as is', as at least the quality of the bracelet, will compensate for the hole size, rather than the hole size trying to compensate for a less accurate bracelet That might well be the situation, if I recall, I ordered mine when Silix first made the offer of a group buy for reduced price on them. The watch received was the incorrect dial variant, but in time, the watch has certainly proven a valuable addition to my collection, in that it allowed me to get into the vintage aesthetic and modification... I really need to find my camera, as I want to get some photos of the vintaging I've done to the NATO Snowflake's bezel insert. Very subtle, and not in the same league as my previous abuse, but this time, with small 'impact marks' (created with the edge of a screwdriver rested against the insert, and then tapped on the top) in line with the scratches on the crystal. The effect I was aiming for, was occasional 'accidental damage', rather than decades of aging or significant 'wear and tear', so I'm really keen to get the photos up to get some feedback on the project

In that case, I think I might be tempted to try the bracelet with the case as it is, rather than enlarging the existing holes. That's interesting about the case etchings on yours, as on mine, it has 16110 at one end, and R863698 at the other...

I'm glad to hear that it wasn't just my watch which had the bent springbars, that certainly makes me feel more comfortable about installing a different bracelet I've still got the mid-70s end links which were fitted to the vintage sub, I'm planning on using on a future watch, either a Tudor Sub project, or a 1655, but I haven't quite decided which. I think most likely a Tudor project, as I love the Snowflake dial in my Project NATO (I'm just not so keen on the NATO strap) so I think a Tudor Sub (on SS) would get some good wrist time and be a good combination of parts:) Thanks for the recommendation, I might well consider adding one to my 'to buy' list. I know I want to install an MY 'coin-edge' bezel to the watch, I guess a 'period correct' bracelet would also be a good addition, and a little abuse vintaging should blend it in with the rest of the case Out of curiosity, when you had the lug holes drilled, did you just enlarge the hole overall, or was it done 'off-center' to re-position the hole for better end-link compatibility?

That's a shame indeed. Nothing more frustrating that getting something 'nearly there', but not being able to complete on the situation. I'm not sure if this is a situation you've experienced with your low-profile case, but with my Silix one, I cannot re-install the original factory bracelet, as it was held in place by severely modified/bent springbars, which got chucked out long ago. This is why my vintage sub has the modern end-links: That is the only bracelet end-links which would fit onto the case... I'd be interested to see if one of these bracelets would fit to the case, as I haven't drilled the lugs, but given the other situation, I'm concerned about if it would actually fit... I hope you manage to get the situation resolved, I guess if the worst comes to the worst, you could always sell on the bracelet you have

Here's a replica photo...

That's a shame Might you be able to swap the endlinks for a set which would fit the 2mm springbars?

My bro is speaking the truth here. Don't get too caught up in the minor details, and simply enjoy each watch for its own merits When I first got onto the forums, I couldn't see myself ever wanting a Panerai. Not long after, that was all I wore for about a year... Now, I'm back into Rolex, and by extension, Tudor... the 111h is an awesome watch. My only different recommendation, would be the 112, which has a '9' instead of a second sweep hand. I never had one in my collection, but always wanted one, so might indeed treat myself to one in the future. They're a watch which can take some getting used to, but once you're 'in the zone', you will be hooked, and it's just a case of finding the right watch/strap combination which works best for you

I like to wear bracelets quite loose myself. I think if I could get a stretch bracelet loose enough through added links, then I'd probably be prepared to give one a try. My previous reluctance to try a riveted bracelet was the lack of diver's extension, but if the stretch can provide that facility, then I could be tempted to reconsider at some point

I must have miss-remembered, but I understand what you mean about the tension between the links. I guess because the tension comes from the springs, there's not really anything you could do to relieve it, where a regular bracelet can be lubricated...

Well, other than blocking an entire IP...

I just got one as well

I know what you mean about the context, I think it's safe to say the line between 'replica' and 'aftermarket replacement' has been crossed with that piece. That's interesting that it would stretch enough for removal from the wrist, but totally understandable that it's not an ability which should be over-taxed... Am I correct in thinking that you've said that the stretch bracelets are the least comfortable? If so, would that be due to it stretching, then 'pinching' on the wrist?

That's a shame about the tube sizes, but the two bracelets are indeed scary-close. Not being a vintage expert, I wouldn't be able to tell the two apart without being told which was which. Possibly, in a side-by-side comparison, which might show one as having more wear than the other, but, by itself, (and knowing that there are sick individuals out there who scuff up watches for the fun of it ) I could easily see myself believing someone telling me it was a genuine bracelet... Out of curiosity, is the stretch on the bracelets enough to be able to remove the watch without using the clasp, or is the idea simply as a 'comfort thing', to allow for wrist expansion/contraction from heat? Or, another idea, is that how the watch would have been put over the sleeve of a wetsuit, without a diver's extension?