TeeJay

Leaving tonight for Italy, Jesolo, close to Venice for a week of farniente.

I'll swin with my Sub...

I proposed to my girlfriend to dive with it ...and she said "I prefer my sub!".

Have a safe trip, my friend, and lots of underwater photos of your sub in action, when you return

+1 for Ebel Discovery. It's the most accurate replica watch I've seen. CHS Explorer II (black Noob version without engraving) is definitely in the top 15 overall but the fat default crown is just awful. It needs the gen crown modification to be awesome so it doesn't quite get to the top 5. Here you can see Jmarin's Noob ExpII compared to gen. The cg shape ain't 100% but still pretty amazing don't you think?

WM9 Sub and Yachtie are pretty good as well. Add black ExpII & ExpI on the list and you have the top 4 OTB Rolex replicas.

PS: The old version of SMP Chrono (that chrgod mentioned) is awesome. With gen bezel insert it'd be just unbelievable.

You're absolutely right, that's the only thing which enabled me to tell which was which, and even then, only because it was a side by side comparison. If it was a case of seeing them independently of each other, I don't think I'd be able to. A fine watch for sure

Thanks for all the comments folks.

Tee jay

You are correct that that is the fantasy and it isn't a put together either. I got it on my last trip to china at the lo hu copy mall. It came with the rivet bracelet the other no crown guard sub has on it. Total price for that beauty was $35 after negotiating. So which 2 are the gens?

That's a good price I'd say the two on the left are the gens (but I'm probably wrong )

I'm really glad to hear thing sare improving

That's a fantastic collection, I think vintage subs really have an appeal all of their own I remember reading about a collector who was restoring a 1680, but considering selling it, as they weren't really a 'vintage guy' (I think their pleasure came from the restoration itself, rather than owning the end result) Am I right in thinking that the watch in the middle is the fantasy model? I can understand why some folks don't like buying fantasy models, but when it's self built, I think they deserve a seperate catagory of 'customized', rather than just 'franken' or 'fantasy', simply bcause it meets the builder's personal specs and requirements Thanks for sharing

I don't think I've really handled enough reps of different brands to really have a personal opinion, but from what I've heard people saying, the Rolex Datejusts can be the most convincing as there are so many variations, it's impossible to pin them down...

From the photos I've seen, I'd definitely say that the Ebel Discovery 1911 is on a par with the gen, and I'd say the Rolex Explorer II is pretty close as well Anything else, I think potentially needs some kind of modification to be 'passable', so not fair to judge them with the watches which are close 'out of the box'

I agree 100% TeeJay, these are excellent watches to practice on. I've bought a number of these type of watches to play with and destroy myself. Might even consider one of those Explorer II's.

Look at what happened when I tried to 'bleach' my sub insert with kitchen cleaner Wouldn't've been so bad, but I did three short soaks (about 90 seconds a time) in the intent of not doing what I've done The problem was the first two soaks, only made the insert look blue, rather than grey/black, so I thought I'd give it another go Next time, I'll know not to go that step too far, but as above, if I'd've done that to a WM9 quality watch, I'd probably not be so philosophical about it

I think the Explorer II would definitely be a good project watch or even parts source, as I believe they always put movements with an adjustable GMT hand in, where the GMT Master II, they can get away with the ones that only run a 24 hour sweep in synch with the main hands... As long as the parts are interchangeable, I think the possibilities are good

As above, I hope that this can be resolved amicably and in a gentlemanly manner

I think this is the seller that used to go by the name Luenfat. Like Freddy says, you're basically experimenting. And if you had an old 1680 dial with asian dial feet, it might be as simple as changing out the dial. Of course, next is the crown- maybe just put a rep Rolex crown on. Change out the clasp to a Rolex clasp and you're there. But at the same time, you could buy a $100 Rolex rep and save yourself the time, work and possible disappointment.

I've pretty much found that these asian watches are worth about what you pay for them, i.e. not very much. Some do OK, others self destruct.

That said, they're an excellent way of honing one's skills If I'd've had project failures with Swiss watches, I'd be seriously annoyed about the lost cash... At least Asians are easily affordable and relatively disposable if something goes wrong, and, if it goes to plan, then you end up with the watch intended

Ok so as a vintage noob, would this possibly represent a 1680?

Thanks,

SMC

That would certainly be what I'd've thought to turn it into

Didn't have any bleach under the sink, so I thought I'd give oven cleaner a try instead

This Sucks Blik, I was actually going to pull the trigger on your SA, as everyone I asked to check it over for me said it was a stunner andd easy one of the best they had seen!! I went to the thread and heard it was sold, was gutted but also pleased you had finally gotten it sold. I know of you from over at RG, I don't do much over there, the forum setup is really difficult for me to navigate, but I go over sometimes for practice and to hear whats going on and know a good guy when I hear one, you are a good guy mate!!

I'm up in Scotland, tell the guy he can send it up to me if he likes, if it needs something doing maybe me and my pop can fix it or send it to Rex like you asked him too several times, if it works he gets his pennies back from me?!? How does that sound, he will have my address and I can offer him my number as well if he is worried about being scammed! I'm pretty well known on here ( sometimes for beating on your friend Dave123!1 heh heh) so if he needs refs I'm sure a couple of people will answer for me!

I hate stuff like this happening, there is just no need for it in a hobby like ours!1 It's a gentlemans hobby, not a ripoff forum!!

Sixx

I couldn't've said it any better than my bro already has...

I really hope this can be arranged amicably Best of luck

Must be Monday somewhere.........going stealth tonite till Mon.

Stealth-Homage-Rad:

I always had a hunch that a stealth Radiomir would look the business on the dive strap

These two today...

Good to see you posting again, bro, I hope life's been treating you well

It is so good to see you posting again RobbieG!!!RWG missed your posts mate

That's an awesome blending of styles, I really like it

Not like I have much choice in my wrist-wear, it's a good job I'm not someone who frequently swaps watches

You know the plastic inserts which come in shirt collars when they're packed from the store? You might be able to get something really thin like that down the sides to work the pins without scratching up the clasp Best of luck

Nice work! Looks a lot like my "naturally aged" bracelet:

Thanks for the comparison, I'm definitely much happier with what I've done with that as a comparison What's the vintage on that?

I think you've done a good job. Try carrying it around in your pocketwith your keys for a week now and see how it looks at the end.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try

Yup

as

"LOLECKS"

.

Well, at the very least, it's recognizable, even if not pronounceable by all

I'm not a big fan of people who over vintage a watch. Just because it is designed to be a "tool" watch doesn't mean you have to make it look like it was used as a hammer. I'm for the more subtle aging such as what you have done. Typically what I'll do is hit the corners with a file and then repolish the edges. After that, I'll then rebrush the surfaces that need rebrushing. Followed by a stay in my pants pocket where I keep my keys and some change.

I'll do that for a week or so and then it will be ready for my tastes. Just enough to make it look like the case was "refinished" a couple of months ago but with the nice rounded edges of a vintage time piece. Then it's just a matter of wearing the thing on a regular basis.

I know what you mean, I didn't want the watch to just look like it had been totally abused and carved up, I don't think I've ever seen a vintage watch actually look that severely damaged... (as above, the first photos really do not accurately capture what I've done to the case, the last ones are much more accurate to a 'naked eye view') What I was bearing in mind, is that the case is repro mid-50s vintage, so that's a lot of milage for a watch to go through, even with a careful owner, so I figured that it had to have at least a few substantial dings on the lugs. I'm not trying to go for a particular model of Sub, more a Frankenstein's monster which will appear to have been 'patched up' over the years with whatever contemporary parts came along, but still pretty much in a constant state of use. I think the aged 1680 dial (when I can get hold of one) will be what gives it that real vintage flavor, and of course, the insert will need bleaching as well, but I'm really happy with the progress so far. I think getting hold of a repro 50s bezel will really be the icing on the cake

You're a sadist, my friend! No wonder your watches have this "take me away" look!

There is that expression about the right tool for the right job... Personally, I go with whatever I've got to hand ( I have to admit, the gouges I inflicted on the case (especially the lugs) with the scissors, are the ones I'm most satisfied with in my 'vintagizing' project )

[Edit to add]

I've studied under the Master, at Nanuq's school for watch modification

Congratulations on completing such an awesome project A true labor of love

Great advice TeeJay. I am not the kind of person who rushes into anything. I will do my homework, research and be 10000000000000000000000000000% sure I am making the right choice.

Glad to be of help That's definitely the right mindset to have when it comes to getting a tattoo. Not necessarily a case of mulling over the decision for months on end, (sometimes you will know straight away that the design is right for you) but a case of being completely sure that when you do settle on the design, it is one you are completely comfortable and happy with Then comes the fun of finding the right artist to actually apply the tattoo As mentioned above, don't simply choose based on who's closest or cheapest, but by who's the best to meet your needs (although sometimes, the best might be the closest and the cheapest )

Also, as mentioned above, any kind of foreign text should be painstakingly researched to ensure it is accurate (ideally, get a native speaker to perform the translation, or at least get a native speaker to check your translation )

Thank you. I am sure TeeJay and I we will be in touch soon.

By all means, please feel free to PM me or ask any questions here

I have a design from Teejay, if I were you I'd pm him for his input. I recommend him most highly.

Thanks for the endorsement, bro Have you been able to get the design inked yet?

Fantastic work, my friend I haven't seen work done like that in quite some time

It might be instructive to have heard my reply to my neice when she said she was going to get a tatoo (she didn't):

If you had $250,000.00 burning a hole in your pocket and you walked into a Ferrari dealership and plunked it all down on an F430, would you immediately take it home and scratch your initials on the doors with a can opener?

Nature creates some damned aesthetically pleasing products (human and otherwise) and they are rarely improved in appearance by man's intervention.

Unless you feel driven to making a philosophical statement, I'd leave the "slate" clean.

No, but I would start customizing it and re-spraying it to get it the way I want it to look Just because something has been well made, that doesn't mean that it can't be improved upon

I have been thinking about this for quite some time. The idea of getting a tattoo has come and gone many times but lately I have been taking this plan seriously.

An image that you have to live with for the rest of your life should be considered seriously and should not be entered into lightly. I stumbled upon a good book called BODY TYPE which is filled with photographs of typographic ink. This is the direction I will most likely follow. The idea of an ambigram is intriguing also.

Can anyone here recommend a good book which illustrates examples of different typeface?

Or

recommendations on tattoo designs, designers, etc.

Thank you

I can't give you a book name, but if you were to do a search for something on fonts and type-setting, then you might come across some interesting results

Anything else, such as design, is such a personal thing, that I couldn't make any suggestions without knowing more about what you had in mind, other than be 10000000000% sure that you are 10000000000000000000% positive on the design which you want to have done. If the artist tries to get you to change your mind, simply because they don't want to do that design, then walk away. Of course, there is a difference between an artist making suggestions which may enhance a design, and someone outright insisting that they will only do the design a particular way. The biggest tell there, is making excuses. If someone can justify that X change would enhance Y design because... then chances are they know what they're talking about. If all they're coming out with is "It would just look better" and not expand on that, it might be worth considering another artist...

With regards artists, get recommendations from friends, go to various studios and see how they're set up. Does the artist(s) have a viewable portfolio of recent work? What kinds of tattoo do they specialize in? (getting someone who specializes in tribal to do a black and grey portrait could lead to some... 'interesting' results... ) Are the designs on their walls stock-purchased, or drawn themselves? Is their facility sterile? Do they take ID checks seriously? All these are things which must be considered when choosing a tattoo artist. Look at it as the beginning of a long-term relationship. Chances are, you will stick with an artist for some time (much like a favored barber or tailor) so be sure that their skills match your requirements.

Best of luck, and if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask

Thanks for the answers. I guessed correctly on the first, but not on the second. There seems to be too much clarity for the adhesive to be there.

It also begs the question: Why don't other manufacturers add this feature? It certainly works to make the date more visible.

On the Rolexes I've had with cyclopses, they have all been glued on, which, as mentioned, can be removed by melting the glue

Other companies do add cyclopses... Panerai and Ulysse Nardin, for example, mount them on the inside of the crystals, so the outside remains flat (which I have to admit, is much more aesthetically pleasing than how Rolex does it... )