TeeJay

Any time you don't want it, feel free to send it my way, this is the kind of piece I'd really like for my collection

I'm in the same school of thinking. When I first get a watch, I check the basics: That the caseback is secure as tightly as possible, that the crown (and HE valve if applicable) are tightly secured, and then I run a faucet full force and hold the watch under the water, crown to the flow, for a few moments. If the watch fogs up, then I know that I need to look more closely at things like gasgets, crystal fit etc, but if it doesn't fog up, then the watch gets moved up to the next phase of testing: A long soak in a hot tub If it survives that, then I'm happy to wear it while swimming. If it doesn't, then I just strip the watch, dry it out, and simply don't get it wet again To be fair, I haven't yet had a watch which I was not able to waterproof if necessary, and in the vast majority of cases, the watches were water resistant 'out of the box'. As Cougaree said, trying is half the fun

That's a really informative read Thanks for taking the time to share it

Any time, and that's all that matters

Thanks, bro It's funny you should say that, but I recon that if someone had the megabux, and the collection, I recon they'd start 'getting creative' with the watches too Look at the Daytona which was modified to have no crown guards and the all-over brushed finish... Customization FTW

That's an interesting suggestion, thanks I have to admit, I had wondered if the holes would line up, and I'd planned on using some tracing paper to measure up. Do you think that the DSSD clasp would fit onto the GMTIIC bracelet though? I've had some trouble in the past trying to swap clasps between bracelets, so I was just wondering if they would indeed be compatible? If the worst comes to the worst, I'd just have to install the bracelet from the LV Sub, so as to get the extension

Thanks, I'm glad you like it, and it was yourself who mentioned the point about Jacques-Yves As I said then, to me, it just makes sense to have a diving watch available which has that GMT capabilty I don't think I could tolerate having the cyclops in place, I really don't like how they spoil the line of the crystal. I even removed the cyclops from my Yacht-Master I'm going for as utilitarian as possible in terms of functionality, which is why I want to use the 5517 hand set I guess what I'm planning is something like an Escalade: Looks pretty slick, but still has the muscle to back it up when the time comes

That's true, but then it would be a GMT II, not a Sub, and, as folks're so keen to point out, the GMT isn't a diver's watch

The usual for me, here I am using it to time the cooking of a barbecue

I've finally decided on all the variables and details, and have come to a final plan for my upcoming project watch Originally, I had intended to use a no-date dial, but, having gotten used to the feature on my Yacht-Master, I figure it's more useful to have one, rather than to not The art's a bit crude, but it'll give an idea of what I have in mind Recipe: GMTII C case (Case, bezel, insert etc) DSSD Bracelet (will mod lugs to accept the 21mm bracelet) LV Sub dial (planning on performing 'matte' dial mod, and tinting 'Submariner' text green) 5517 Hour hand (I'll probably use the second hand as well, to keep a uniform look to the hands) Hopeful outcome... What do folks think? Should I green light the project?

You're quite right, I am rather keen on the Super Ocean Heritage In fact, I'm part way through a project to build something of that overall appearance, using Rolex branded components

That was entirely the point I was trying to illustrate. To many in the US, UK or Europe, such wages would be impossible for people to survive on. In different economic climates, however, it is the local equivalent of a good wage, and that is something which I have found many 'bleeding heart liberals' quick to forget (or ignore) when they blast 'sweatshop wages', without taking into account that, from the worker's point of view, said wages are perfectly acceptable when viewed against the cost of living in the manufacturer's region, rather than the cost of living in the buyer's region Precisely. The only difference being, that there is not such huge profit margin for the rep manufacturers, as there is for the 'gen manufacturers' (well, there probably is a lot of profit, but I suspect that comes from greater volume of sales, rather than the markup on individual items... ) which is why I view the reps as 'fair-trade', rather than 'sweatshop' Oh I know what you mean, and I wasn't meaning to put the DSSD down as a bad watch, I was just trying to illustrate that it is a good example of 'product image' over any true 'practical applications'. My criteria for what I need in a watch, is a large, clear dial, visible in all lighting condition. A Submariner-sized watch is just about acceptable in that regard, but, could be better (such as the 45mm Planet Ocean). The DSSD, despite having a larger case, does not have a larger dial, so from my perspective, no improvement in terms of dial visibility, over what is already available with the Maxi Dial But, because it's new, that means it must be better, or so the Power of Marketing tells us Couldn't've said it better myself

No problem, I know that tone can sometimes be misinterpreted from writing. You're quite right about free markets, but that's a real over-simplification of the economics, especially when the actual sources of such goods is considered. I've seen plenty of people (previously) slam companies for using what they call 'sweatshop labor', yet, in the same breath, those same people will happily endorse what they call 'fair-trade' goods, without considering the economic climates where those goods are coming from. To them, $5 a day could be considered a good wage, especially if bread is only a few cents. My view of prestige goods, is that in many cases, the 'prestige goods' are coming from the same sources as the 'knockoffs' or 'lesser quality' goods, when the truth is often, that the only difference between them, is the label sewn in, and the distributors. As I said in the other thread, I view reps as 'fair trade' watches, compared to the AD outlets, which I personally consider a rip-off, considering the nature of the goods, which is why I don't feel that the companies themselves, are entirely blameless. They're the ones creating the image, and yes, in theory, people are free to buy into that lifestyle or not, but, as mentioned, peer-pressure, jealousy, and the desire to 'fit in', are very powerful motivating factors which can drive people to buy into that lifestyle. As you say, no one's having a gun put to their head. That's because it's more subtle than that. It's that unspoken peer-pressure which is the 'loaded gun', and that peer-pressure, is created primarily by the companies themselves, and makes people feel that they have to fit in... Reps provide an acceptable alternative, as they provide, to a somewhat varying degree, the look, function and feel of the 'real thing', but at a reasonable cost (and still higher than what they're costing to produce) People collect reps for many different reasons, from those who simply appreciate watches, lack the funds to purchase the 'real thing', so find reps a budget alternative, to those who want to try and pass their reps off as gens (and deserving of everything that comes to them ) and everything in between. The DSSD is a prime case. Incredibly popular watch lately, but, in all honesty, not really worth the gen purchase price. Not even truly functional, given that the watch can withstand pressures which would kill the diver wearing it, so no need for it to be 'that' water resistant I think the only thing which the DSSD has going for it, is the glide-lock clasp, as that's the only truly innovative aspect of the watch. Ceramic bezel... GMT II C has that... HE Valve... Any Sea-Dweller has that... Maxi Dial... LV Sub, GMT II, Yacht-Master... They've got it I think the DSSD is a fine example of a company creating a product purely for profit. Another example, would be the Quantum of Solace Limited Edition Planet Ocean... The very fact that it was the 42mm variant which appeared in QoS, makes the 45mm variant a pretty stupid choice for the LE. But, the folks at Omega know that there are collectors out there who will buy it simply because 'it exists', not because of any actual merits it might have as a watch. I wouldn't buy the QoS Planet Ocean, because I don't like 'merchandise' watches, and, because I don't like the dial surface. Likewise, I wouldn't buy the DSSD, because despite the larger case size, there is no change in dial size, which would be the only thing I would consider a practical improvement, by improving the visibility, so I'd just as soon buy a GMT II c, which would be easier to wear, and have a greater range of functions (and while it is a really nice watch, even then, it's not one I would consider deserving of it's AD Retail price) As the Red Parrot says "Class Struggle!!!"

I don't really have any personal pictures of home, but I've managed to find some online I'm originally from a town called Horsham, in West Sussex. I grew up in a house somewhat like this: This is the Lynd Cross (locally known as the Lynd Creche) and until recently, a haven for underage drinking and picking up jailbait, if that's your thing... A little further on from the Lynd, however, is this awesome little tea room, which still does awesome scones This is essentially the town center...: Not much else I can say about it really, other than I don't live there anymore

Looks like a nice place

Where to begin... The fact that corporate entities exist to make money justifies their overpricing? Personally, I think not. I have always been of the opinion "It costs what it costs" when it comes to price tags, and have no problem with something costing a high price if said product is actually worth said ticket price. If it is not actually worth that price, then it is a rip off, and, while people are still entitled to buy such things if they want, such consumerism, and the jealousy it can create is one of the pitfalls of today's Western Society.

Is that Lake Como? [Edit to add] Reading further in the thread, I see that it is @ Lani: Go for it, brother, success is inevitable

Everyone knows that Rolex are made in Switzerland, but, I don't believe that that's where the parts are created I thought you might like it Awesome work, my friend

Even cheaper, get a set of dish-washing gloves, and apply force with you thumbs. Works a treat

Buy the ceramic one, and a bezel insert off eBay, and swap the inserts over Essentially, you'll wind up with a Submariner in a chunky case (A green scotch pad over the bracelet will also get rid of the polished mid-links, and make it look more functional, rather than decorative ) Welcome to the jungle

The way I see it, a skill's a skill, no matter where someone learns it, or the tools they use

I forgot to comment the other day, this looks like such an awesome fun watch, I bet your wife loves it

The usual beater, for a casual night out with some of my wife's friends

Well, you were asking about the same watch from the same dealer, so it is marginally on topic And, as you say, someone else reading might also find the information useful