TeeJay

I've got mine to +0.5 over 24 hours, but this has taken at least 24 hours of constant observation and correction, which, without proper timing equipment, can get frustrating

In the past I've removed cyclopses from a few watches, because aesthetically, I don't like how they break the line of the crystal (where Panerai cyclops' are on the inside of the crystal...) I've not had an issue with the date looking too small without one. Would I remove the cyclops in the future? Depends on the watch and how close to the original I wanted it to be. If I had another GMT, then I would probably remove it. On my planned project for a 16800, I'll probably leave it on, just to keep it closer to the original. As for removal, just a matter of de-casing the movement and dial assembly, popping out the crystal from behind, and then using a cigar lighter to heat the glue and you'll be able to push it off with a knife edge. Don't heat the cyclops for long durations (just a few seconds at a time) and don't heat the cyclops while the crystal is still installed (unless you are willing to run the risk of the crystal expanding in the case and then cracking itself from the pressure...) but it really is a simple procedure to perform

If you ever feel the need to part with another DRSD (and I can sell a kidney to pay for it ) please let me know

I think this is where our opinions on restoration varies slightly, in so much as I can certainly understand and appreciate the desire to restore something with NOS parts, but, I can also understand that such NOS can be prohibitively expensive, and someone in the hypothetical situation above (rather than someone who knowingly purchases a high-maintenance product) might feel that aftermarkets parts 'are good enough', even if they're not NOS, to keep the watch (or car) functional. Afterall, what's the point of a watch if not to tell the time? (that is of course, assuming they want to actually wear the watch, rather than just keeping it in the drawer as a keepsake) With regards the second point though, yes, that kind of price-gouging tactics on the part of Rolex (and other companies) is unnecessary, and totally lowers my opinion of the company, and that is why I would never buy a gen even if I could afford it: I simply would not want to give the company my money. I appreciate the watches, not the company itself, so reps provide that happy medium for me of the look I like, at a price I can (occasionally) afford, and without supporting a greedy multi-national company. I think it's quite funny how there're Sub and SD reps available for around the $200-$300 range, which is pretty much what the original watches would have cost back in the 60s and 70s

An old pic but here're my summer colors

You're very welcome, and I'm sorry, I can't recommend anyone I would offer to do it myself, but a ) I don't have the spare cash to be able to replace anything should the worst happen (playing with watches can go wrong...) and b ) Even though I'm in the UK, the shipping times alone would probably put this outside your requirement for the 20th... Your best bet might be to try and see if a local watchsmith can do it for you to avoid the delays on shipping

:rofl: :rofl:

Maybe 10-15 minutes to strip the watch, 5 minutes to paint the insert and wipe away the excess paint, and another 10-15 minutes to rebuild the watch, you're not really looking at more than 45 minutes work, but as to what you might be charged for that, I wouldn't like to say... Some tattoo artists charge £50 an hour, some charge £80 per hour, some charge +£100 per hour... You can always ask the watchsmith for an estimate on the price before work begins. The other thing to bear in mind, is that although the work might not take an hour to do, the watchsmith might have a considerable waiting list, so you might not get the watch back immediately... If I was to be doing the work, as above, I would just paint over the existing letters, then wipe the excess enamel away with the edge of a piece of kitchen towel or t-shirt, but all artists have their own preferences and methods

I just think that the distinction needs to be drawn between aftermarket customization for shits and giggles, and someone needing to maybe install an aftermarket part to restore function, when their wallet can't stretch to Official Channels, as it's a big difference as to what is done and why I'd hope that even the most devout gen collector on TZ would appreciate putting an aftermarket movement/part into a DRSD (as described in my hypothetical scenario) as a necessary measure to keep the watch running, rather than have it turn into a non-runner

It'll certainly be interesting to see how the scenario plays out among gen collectors when those supplies do dry up I just think the distinction needs to be addressed between necessary repairs and servicing, and modifications as aftermarket customization, as it really does shift 'the values' under discussion Someone who is going to modify for customization is likely not worried about re-sale value (or would be selling in a specialized market where the customizations could increase the car's value) where the person in possession of a watch they can't afford (as per my hypothetical scenario) to maintain via the RSC, is likely to still consider their 'outside repaired' watch as 'the real thing', and probably not ever likely to consider selling the watch, so their concern would not be of maintaining the warranty or value, but instead keeping the watch running at all costs

If you have the ability to decase the movement, I'd suggest buying the paint and doing it yourself to save the watchmaker's fee... Personally speaking, I would go with matte black enamel paint. If you go to a model store, you should be able to get a small pot of paint (probably Revell brand) for under 5 Euros. Cleaning the excess enamel would just be a matter of using the appropriate paint thinner, but it would be easier to simply paint over the top of the ring (filling all letters at the same time) and then just wiping the excess away with a piece of cloth

Even though I have handled the gen DSSD, this is an aspect I am unfamiliar with... Is the lettering on the inner case ring engraved and enamel-filled, or has the paint simply been applied to the watch in some kind of printing process? In the picture, the letter looks like an F... Is there proper engraving to actually make an E if it was fully painted? If there is the 'bottom line of the E' engraved, then it would simply be a matter of de-casing the movement and stripping the watch, then applying some enamel paint to fill the engraving... As above, I stand by my point that it is unacceptable for a watch to be sent to the client thus, but best of luck with a resolution

I see the point you're making with regards there being less copies of the cars, compared to the more frequent copies of watches, but that's not really the main issue under discussion re: 100% pure factory stock, and aftermarket modification/replacement parts... The point is that a car which has been fitted with after-market parts, while probably no longer under warranty, so won't get repaired by the inhouse garages, is still viewed as per brandname (with re-sale value rising or falling depending on mods performed and the market it's sold in) I can also quite see the point you make about Rolex wanting to stem the flow of proprietary materials out of their control. But. As before, sometimes people modify cars for a hobby with no thought of re-sale value, and while someone is unlikely to want to install aftermarket parts on a Rolex just for the fun of it (even I'm not that twisted) maybe someone is in the position of not being able to afford the service charge... Suppose for the sake of argument that my dead uncle John was an industrial diver for Comex, and leaves his DRSD to me in his will. I am now the owner of a $50'000 watch (is that the right price?) What if my aunt left the watch in a drawer for years and the movement needs servicing? I can't afford to take the watch to the AD to be fixed, so instead, I take it to the highstreet watchsmith who works some magic, and restores the watch to functional status. The watch would now be considered by many to be a bastardized franken, and Rolex themselves would consider it no longer under warranty and decline to service it, but it would still be my uncle's Rolex... As mentioned before, when the availability of parts dries up, people are going to have to make that decision between functional franken, or dead gen...

Hmmm... The 0 wouldn't bother me, but the 'Gas Fscape' is unacceptable.

My thoughts exactly

As discussed some months ago, there is another option (future inevitability, as parts become less and less available) and that will be having no other option but to install aftermarket parts, thus turning a gen into a franken. I nearly used the term 'reducing' rather than 'turning', but did not simply because of the rationale Ronin mentioned with cars. Sure, aftermarket parts might mean Item X commands a lower price than the unmodified Item Y, but, it is still 'a real Rolex/Porsche'. And of course, if the owner of said item has no plans for resale, then the sale value becomes a somewhat moot point, imho I'd rather wear a functional franken, than have a totally gen paperweight

I'm down with that philosophy, I can't abide spending money if I can do the job myself I just found this Rose dial on eBay, but there's not a size listed

No worries, always happy to share, and thanks, i's got to be one of my favorite dial designs in the Submariner range

You did indeed, bro, I just made the mistake of thinking I could modify the dial to tint the outer track red The gesture itself was much appreciated though

That's just nasty

I think under the circumstances, we can skip the court-martial this time

What can I say other than 'stunning'... The lume work is incredible, and totally in keeping with what I've seen of watches from that period, I absolutely love it

Sorry I missed your comment at the time, amigo I understand what you mean, yes, in terms of 'weight distribution', the watch is perfectly balanced on the wrist, it's the undersized bracelet which makes the watch head seem so freakishly out of proportion. Not even so much that it's a 'big watch', just that bracelet issue letting it down badly The resistance against the DSSD is gaining strength

I'm glad to hear I do understand and appreciate your 'faith to the original' approach to your projects, even if I don't follow it with my own

Given that replacing components would radically change the appearance of the watch, I think you're right to say that they would probably decline the service due to it's age. If that was the situation, and the watch is no longer 'under warranty', then yes, as mentioned above, I could easily see the owner of such a watch having the dial re-lumed during a service by an 'off-site' watch smith Given that the watch of this thread is a rep, 'authenticity' is not the issue, but 'accuracy to original detail', and in that regard, with the greatest of respect, not everyone is as keen to be as 'true to form/faithful to the original' as you are with your own projects [Edit to add] That might've come across worse than it was intended, and I'd just like to say that no offense was intended, just that I know you are very much a purist when it comes to accuracy of detail