Kime

In my opinion the ST19 is a nice and reliable movement, it feels nice to wind (unlike many 7750s), chrono is reliable for the most part, so I would take it over the 7750. However I do wish they moved that @6 pin on these at the factory. As was said perfectly already, you will always have to live with a flaw on these so, at a relatively low price I think they are a fair watch.

Rolex experts please help... Did the 6542 come with Brevet + engravings between the lugs? I can't find any examples of this, only "6542 Registered Design", and serial alone on the other end. Was there a Brevet + which then also had a Brevet + crown?

Oppps indeed of course you are correct dumb blonde moment !

No not without modding the pin position at 9

Very nice, a great spec list exactly the sort of shopping list I have been considering... Can I ask what you paid for the Ming Quy case, as his prices seem to be going stratospheric at the moment. He quoted me over 1000USD (790 Euro) for a 6538 mid case and back yesterday and I want to build a 6542 as well.

That's a gen ref pic, I don't know of a supplier of that bezel... I guess they are out there somewhere...

Ok, this all sounds very interesting... who does vintage hand sets for eta?

Thanks cartel 1655 sounds interesting as then I know I have a working movement, I guess the issue then is finding an eta sized vintage handset... I will hunt out JoeyB, he us the bezel guy right? :-)

Decide for yourself... the font is not perfect... however I can't suggest a better supplier, I am sure someone can chip in on that point

Can anyone suggest a good starting point for a 6542 build? I see that PureTime has a few but the shape looks wrong and the engravings are terrible, I have no problems with reshaping etc. but only if the case can accept a Phong bezel, I have no idea if these do. I see Phong has a nice case/etc but at 2k it is stretch without a movement. However unless there is an alternative out there I might consider it as his black dial (at least to me) looks ok and I could maybe swap it out later but I have no idea what movement can be made to fit... any ideas there as well? I also noticed NDT has a complete Pam Am with an original 1066 movement in it and full Pam Am engravings which look pretty good ! I asked the price... 4.5k !!. That seems way too high especially as the bezel and dial don't look to great. Any help would be appreciated ! Thanks !

The problem with this question is that it has been asked a million times before. End of, so the answer is already out there. But the problem is it is not easy to find an answer to it. The problem is that in the real world if I want to find out who makes the best washing machine there is always specific and mostly up-to-date info, marketing stuff, reviews, magazines, Amazon reviews etc. etc. that stuff doesn't really exisit in the rep world, not really. Have you guys who have said "use the search button" actually searched for "who makes the best sub" or "best rolex submariner"? Nothing meaningful comes back. So while I agree with the "here we go again" feeling from the regulars, should we not AT LEAST have something, anything, sticky In this forum where the newbie is directed to? AND that is also the top hit in the search? It would then at least feel fair to give him some grief.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments... Thanks Mendota, the method I used was to heat treat the stainless steel bezel until it turned to the desired golden colour. This is the same method used to colour hands blue but just not as hot. So in fact over time this will wear back to silver the opposite to the gen I did this with a blow torch which produces a fairly uneven colour but it can also be done in an oven I believe.

Thanks guys, yes I enjoyed building this, I suppose I should add that I did everything myself, case reshaping, drilling, tapping, luming, ageing, photos, paperwork etc. so nothing farmed out. It took some time but it was a satisfying process. If you are interest please read the build log over on HF.

Build complete... This is my "budget" Silix build. Specs: Case: Silix reshaped, drilled and tapped Bezel: Silix reshaped Bezel insert: Tiger Concept aged Crown: Athaya 8mm Dial: HR relumed and textured Hands: Minute and Hour (HR) aged and polished, Second (OnlinestoreHK) painted Movement: 2824 clone TY2130 (Cousins UK) Plexi: Sternkreuz 30.6 HW Bracelet: 7206 Rivet Box and insert: Rolex Done ! I would love to repeat this process with a gen spec case and gen spec shopping list, maybe one day it might happen more pics and full build log on HF http://www.homageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=28343

What are the specs, case bezel dial etc?

I like this watch, very nice... I would buy it but I think that the incorrect hand stack would drive me nuts...

It is just brilliant !

The seller has been clever in not showing any of the normal tells, I mailed the seller back and told him it is fake and advised that he revise his listing. His reaction was reduce the asking price from 1500 to 950 but nothing else. I think he knows it's fake. Maybe this should be reported before someone get disappointed.

I emailed the seller and asked some questions and asked him to post some extra pic, he did. The seller says there is no date stamp on the clasp and NO give (wear) in the links. These are both tell alone as far as I am concerned. But the holes on the clasp are not in alignment, the end links look rough and the tubes within them look bad, stamps are wrong etc. etc. Comments gents? http://www.ebay.com/itm/281430133735?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Ok, thanks for sharing your knowledge, seems like there is a decision to make. I would guess there are all sorts of case mods to replace with a gen movement (if one can be found).

Ah this is great info thanks. I have seen "correct stack" mentioned on some listings... Are you saying these are not worth touching?

Nobody knows?

Nice work, great skills !

Hi all, not being too up on the latest rep releases can some experts help me out? Can someone tell me if this is the latest noob (v4?) release of GMT II. http://www.puretime-asia.com/product/gmt-master-ii-116710-ln-black-ceramic-11-noob-best-edition-a3186/