Nightwatch

Fine result, I didn´t want to have any scratches so I skipped the part with the scoth brite and sanding paper. My inserts wouldn´t bleach at all, tried bleach, chlorine, hydrochloric acid all first diluted than up to pure - nothing. Instant results were obtained with the stuff for draining clogged pipes: caustic soda. Put the insert in a container in the washing basin, pour some grains - the nearer to the insert the more result, mix in some water to cover the insert, protect the eyes, do not inhale or touch; start to rinse immediately after 10 seconds with slow running water, You may repeat in increments but always less than a minute. This worked-fast:) before after trial 1 (exceeded 1 minute with caustic soda after trying for hours with other stuff) first I was shocked and ordered new inserts from cousins.uk, than actually got used to the overfaded looks:) new inserts arrived and trial 2 with caustic soda only (15 seconds this time) have kept it like this for some months already:

Fascinating project and top-of-the-line looking end result. The polishing and embedding of the Nautilus give the final touches. This was interesting.

The underwater watch You could buy for about $39.95 back in 1969 was the Seiko 5 Sports, they cost 3-4 times as much nowadays:) http://www.thewatchsite.com/files/Catalogs/1969%20Seiko%20Sport%20Diver%20Catalog.pdf The yen exchange rate was 360Y per 1 USD That would put the Rol. without improvements but produced with new machinery within the $1000 range in comparison

Seiko FFF all day

Nice and fully functional gens out there. They used to build things to last, not to break. Except for the non-engraved bridge this is almost a 1940´s cal. 618 Rolex:) but this one is going to be turned into a wristwatch (below is still just a simulation)

If You hit it with a 600 or more lumen led-flashight for a few seconds it will/should glow all night - at least enough to read the time. Best result is with an UV-light (emulates sun), there are some very cheap disposables from $3 on ebay. The type/quality and thickness of the lume applied pays a big role, some of the cheaper reps will last some 1-5 minutes only.

Seen this more than once - couldn´t be better or more complete....

Purchases in USD done from the EU already have become 22% more expensive than they used to be until summer 2014 (per yesterday). and a little rant: Already paying 30% taxes more (than 2009), prices have increased by 1/3 (but not wages) and the fun part is that You work (much) more to end up with (a lot) less. All this in the name of keeping the Euro "strong" while it´s getting weaker by the day. Not much You can do now, it´s too late already...

Not a specialist, but I´ve been looking a lot into pocketwatches the last few months. Most of these Hamiltons are just worth between $150 and $300, a bit more for the gold. If it is some rare collectors item prices may rocket over $2000 fast. Pics of the movement/ calibre are the most important imo. Also back than hundreds of swiss watchmakers where flooding the American market with poor reproduction swiss fakes "when a Hamilton is not a Hamilton", how times do change.... nowadays that industry just loves to put the past behind hitting hard on reps. The movements may be used for really beautiful builds ala pilot-watch or vintage PAM. Waltham pocket watch conversion from HF (not my pic)

At 1.3 million swiss francs it´s cheap as chips. Now what else could these 1.3 million get You these days?

Breathless and speechless. Just starring at that beauty in absolute and stunned awe. What a great 6538 to look at. Enjoy it well, it´s beautifully done:)

And the Richemont-Empire strikes back. This didn´t take long, to give back the criticism received: An Open Letter To John Mayer, From IWC http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-john-mayer-from-iwc

Finerlabels is directly associated with the legitimate Trusty, about the other, never heard of it.

Hi, take the bracelet off the watch and leave it soaking (1hr) 24 hrs in baby oil. Wash it off with a toothbrush. It will feel much better/ make for a huge improvement. Others use WD40 or the ultramodern non-greasy Teflon-based bike-lubes but I´m not a fan of that.

Good success with the MBA

that´s looking pretty fine and coming around nicely - nice shots - need more:)

Hi, You did very well on the first pics. Looks like a rep to me, because of the engravings on the caseback and the lettering on the dial/ hands. A sideview is needed, the gen has 1 hole only, most reps have 2 holes: one on the case and another on the first link.

It´s completely different to drive a car when wearing the gen. Thieves are on the lookout for Rolxx. Option 1: don´t wear a Rolxx. Option 2: either get the 16600 BP Seadweller rep or the heavy DSSD, cheap phone, no wallet for wearing, using and training; Once You feel comfortable wear the gen or continue using the rep.

Hi Guys, just wanted to share some pictures/comparisons of the various fifty fathoms collected. Thanks for dropping in to take a look

Thanks for the pics martijnp, great as always. Now I need that Navitimer.....

Iwc Portofino, JLC Master Geo duo-time or this simple Fa. Jones

Consequences of every once family owned brand being swallowed up by the Richemont (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Panerai and Montblanc) and Swatch groups (Breguet/Blancpain/Glashütte/Omega/Longines/Rado/Tissot) and the remaining independents trying to catch up. 4me it was quite refreshing, to have a somewhat mediatized and well placed criticism instead of the usual glorification. Not a fan of his singing but I like his more down-to earth or "innocent simple-guy approach" as a user to the watchworld. There are too many haughtious and over-snobbish persons commenting in the haute horlogerie anyway. Other things I don´t mind: his Ex-GF and his watches, real or rep..

Intime is fine, could well be listed as an additional choice, the new site is intime2.co