TeeJay

Thanks for the advice, guys If undertaken, this is going to be a 100% hand-work project, as I don't have access to tools/clamps other than a set of small hand-files. I've gotten totally satisfactory shaping results from them before on other projects (not watch related), but it was the polishing that concerned me. This Submariner project, is not one I'd really planned as an individual project, but will be 'living off the back' of my planned GMT Submariner project, as I need to buy a Sub to provide the dial for the swap, but that will then leave me with a Sub, complete, except for the dial, so I had planned to simply install a no-date dial and remove the cyclops. Then I browsed ClassicWatchParts, and saw a 6200 dial and a no-date Tudor Submariner dial. Either would involve cyclops removal, but I figured the 6200 dial might involve a bit more 'creativity' on my part, so result in a more 'personalized' watch.

I've just been emailed a very reasonable price for a rep vintage 6200 dial, and am now just waiting to hear back on the diameter. I was planning on getting a cheap Sub to put the dial in, and thought that having the crown guards entirely removed, would be a good first step towards recreating the 6200 case. I have done some metal working in the past, so filing them down myself would not be a problem, however, I am concerned about my ability to perfectly blend the area to the 'mirror smooth' finish of the rest of the side of the case. I don't have a dremel, so this is work I would be doing by hand. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hmm... For a start, I'd complete my Omega 2531.80 project watch by ordering another watch as a donor, I'd then order a Rolex GMT Master II (black bezel) a Submariner, and a Daytona so I could build the GMT Submariner project I've recently thought of. Anything left over from that, and who knows what might be on the Shopping List

No wrist shot, I'm afraid. I'm wearing my Submariner, but, with a twist I'd never tried before... It's on the light-brown deployant strap from my Daytona (which I'd been wearing most of the past week) Colors look good together and it feels comfy. My only gripe (and this is a real nit-pick here) is that when the watch is being worn, so the strap is pulled taut, the tips of the lugs extend a few mm passed the body of the strap, so it's not 'totally smooth' to the fingers. Have to admit though, I rather like it, and will likely be putting an identical strap on my GMT Submariner project watch (when I get round to building it) Have a good weekend, folks

If I thought she'd actually wear it regularly, I would My fiance has the annoying habit of insisting on getting something (bag, shoes, top, watch etc) and then seldom wearing it again, so although I don't mind buying gifts, I don't like wasting money on things that will essentially be 'single use' items

As promised, here's a photo of the modded watch. Sorry it's a bit blurry, my phone's camera isn't really suited to macro work...

The details you've mentioned not being too keen about, are the kind of things that one must expect or tollerate to a degree when purchassing a replica product. You're not buying a genuine Rolex for cheap, you are buying a copy of a Rolex. Standards will not be as high. However, I have heard people make similar complaints about genuine Rolexes, (like the second hand not lining up perfectly on each second marker) and got laughed out of the AD, because their expectations of the product, were excessive to what the manufacturers consider 'acceptable variations' in the manufacturing process. I would be the first to agree, it is not 'perfect', but, you are not paying 'perfect prices' so really have to accept that certain details might not be all you would hope they would be. With regards to the bracelet, owners of genuine Rolexes also complain that the bracelets feel 'tinny' and 'cheap'. Another member of the forum said that he was disgusted when he tried on a gen Rolex, because the bracelet felt exactly the same as his rep Rolex. Other that those things, and the fact you can actually set your GMT hand, it sounds like you have a very nice watch, wear it well

I know that several people have bought J12's for their Signifigant Others, and, I know that the various reps available are of varying degrees of quality and accuracy. The one I bought for my fiance, had a bracelet that was rather inaccurate to the gen. (moulded, shaped links rather than individual links, white-coated links rather than ceramic...) After a while, the bracelet was starting to get pretty beaten up, with the paint chipping off where the links rubbed against each other, and there was a single ding on the bezel insert that had also chipped away a small fleck of paint. I thought this watch might have been doomed to relegation to the underwear drawer, but, a local clothes store was selling ladies watches on a variety of different styled and sized white 'leather' straps. For

No wrist shot, but last night I put my Daytona on , and decided to keep it on for a while. Have to admit, it's quite a nice watch, so it deserves more wrist time than it's got so far.

If I recall, I've had parcels get to China in about 7-10 days on regular post.

That's an excellent idea, that way I wouldn't be totally getting rid of the 42mm altogether... Thanks That's an excellent idea, that way I wouldn't be totally getting rid of the 42mm altogether... Thanks

Just got a call back about my dead Planet Ocean. It is repairable, and shouldn't take too long to do, however, will cost

I had another idea for the SubGMT while walking to meet my fiance from work, and a little tweaking of the photoshopped image brought it to life. When I showed her, this was the variant she prefered (compared to the Black on black and traditional Pepsi bezel inserts) If I were to go with the LV option, it will wind up on my black NATO strap (Having seen a similar watch in a member's signature and liking the look) If I were to go with 'black on black', it would either be a dark brown leather Daytona deployant, or the existing SS bracelet. If folks would like to compare the two and give a preference, that would be equally welcome as other suggestions or experiences with the build.

I think that is indeed the case, but, it would be possible to use the GMT bezel in the same way while diving (which to be honest, I do not do very often at all ) and the watch would have the GMT bezel. Essentially, it would be an untouched GMT watch, but with the dial swapped for the Submariner dial. The second phase of the plan is to fit a Tropical crystal and no-date Submariner dial to the dial-less Submariner, so I'd then have a dateless sub as well

I had the idea while on the bus, and thought it should be a relatively easy project, simply swapping a dial over. I knocked up a photoshop concept image, and wondered what people thought. Should I go for it? Has anyone else tackled this build before? If so, please share the pics and any difficulties that arose

Until my new SMP arives, or my Planet Ocean is fixed, I'll be wearing this:

Let's see... Watches: A vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Circa 1953. This was the watch that became known as the Submariner. A French Navy Issue Tudor Submariner (Blue bezel on black dial with 'snowflake' hands) Rolex GMT Master II (Black on black, on dark brown leather deployant) Vintage Omega 300 (forerunner of the Planet Ocean) Omega Planet Ocean 45mm on Rubber Omega 2531.80 on SS (Have one on order) Omega 2531.80 on brown leather buckle strap (How my project watch will be when it's completed) Omega Speedmaster X-33 on Omega Double Ridge rubber deployant strap Women: My fiance, obviously Peta Wilson Elizabeth Gracen Maria Grazia Cucinotta Tyra Banks Cars: Dax Cobra (Custom midnight blue metalflake paint) 1967 Chevrolet Impala (Black) Mazda MX 5 with custom Dodge Viper body kit (Custom Diamond Black paint)

I found putting my project watch under a daylight bulb aged the lume of the markers and pearl (which fell out due to the glue baking) but left the material on the hands untouched. Might be worth a try, just be sure to have the bezel insert on it's own though, so nothing else gets baked

Not quite, I was looking for one on the deployant clasp as per the Rolex issue strap.

I'm looking for a dark brown leather Daytona strap, and wondered the best place to try as Google hasn't been much help... Thanks in advance

The bezel insert and pearl of my Submariner have been replaced with a new insert, and a few days ago, I noticed that the material of the pearl had been 'smushed' sideways... As it was flat with the pearl surround, when I got home, I used the tip of a jeweller's screwdriver to gently trace around the smeared material, removing the excess until it was once more a perfect dome (lower than the surround) I was surprized that it the pearl would deform like that, but also that it would be so simple to repair. Any ideas what the material would be?

Best way to remove the bracelet is to hold the watch in your hand, with the index finger resting against where the bracelet touches the case. With the precision screwdriver/spring bar tool, flick the end of the bar down, and simultaneously press your index finger against the bracelet so it shifts it slightly out of alignment. Repeat the process on the other side of the bar, and you can then slide the bracelet down and out of the lugs. The trick to doing it is to shift the end out of alignment so the springbars don't relocate themselves in the lug holes. Takes a bit of practice, but once you've got the knack, it's easy. A few days ago I managed to fit my bracelet back on my Submariner despite being rather drunk. Practice makes perfect, and then it becomes a matter of 'muscle memory' and you'll be doing it without thinking about it. Best of luck with the rubber strap, I know you'll be impressed with the feel

I actually misread your post, and saw it was someone else who had payed and not had the money picked up yet, sorry about that... He probably does have the ability to pay someone to send an email, but don't forget the Personal Business. If that's something like a death in the family, he's going to have more important things to deal with than regular business, so allowances have to be made for that... What you're thinking of as poor service, could simply be bad luck of timing... Best of luck with your watch

That's definitely a good price for the watch then. Out of curiosity, does it have serial number and whatnot etched between the lugs?

Please remember that you are purchassing illegal goods. 'Customer Service' is a concept you have gotten used to from dealing with regular shops and businesses. With reps, it's not something you should expect or insist on. Should people be poplite and professional? Of course. That does not mean you should expect instant responces to emails and enquiries. Did Paul not say he was out of town on PERSONAL BUSINESS? Did his site not say that he would be back on the 18th. Whatever the reason he was out of town, perhaps it took longer to deal with than expected. Chances are whatever the reason Paul had to go out of town for, cropped up while your deal was going through, so that would explain any problems with communication. You did post to say that the money had not been collected, so that in itself should reassure you that you were not being ripped off. Yes, waiting can be hard and frustrating, but please remember that you are not dealing with legal goods here, so 'Shop fast' service is not something you should expect... Bearng all that in mind, bedst of luck, I hope your watch arrives soon