kidcreole

In 12 months I’ve only been able to collect bezel assembly, hands and crystal. I’ve never seen a dial come up. Still waiting.
The vsf is good enough for most out of the box. I’d just get one of those and enjoy it for now with its slight tells. You can then prioritise its franken roadmap with fixes to the issues that bother you most (if at all).

Agreed and this did after call come out of an EWWWWWW factory watch.

 

Incidentally, in case anyone ever comes across this message seeking a similar solution. The actual stem release point is the indent below the stem in my original picture. In oascom's picture you can't see it as it's hidden under the rotor.

Hi all does anyone have a source for 7032 chrono hands?

Cheers

Hey that's a sweet build. Which case did you use?

Hi folks can anyone advise which 3135 this is? I’m not able to remove the stem. The release seems to be decoration only and won’t budge any advice appreciated. It came from an EW yachtie.

Thanks I’m advance.

The vr3186 has proven very reliable as a gmt and is service friendly compared to other Chinese movements. I’ve had a fair bit of experience with dg3804 too. If they’re running leave them alone as they are very temperamental. You’d never service one. At less than $40 just replace is easier and hope you don’t need to swap date wheels.

If you’re building something unique go with eta cases rather than RLX. ETA will likely keep better time than a Chinese clone if you’re that way inclined. I’d check out Ali and eBay for bits. It should be fairly straightforward and fun. Best of luck!

Just to keep this thread alive:

I spent the Abu Dhabi F1 in the Red Bull suites. These were growing on trees. They also had a few for sale at the airport. I’d have pulled the trigger if I hadn’t already sold my soul in 2021. Great piece.

You can get a stem from eBay. Measure the stem size at crown. 7753 stem is 1.2mm thick. The crown might be 0.9mm therefore an adapter could be required. Fingers crossed it’s also 1.2mm meaning it’ll slot right in. Also compare the stem structure with the one you’re replacing to ensure it’s a match. It’s a bit of messing around but a simple job for a friendly watchmaker. If you’re not comfortable get an expert to sort you out and perhaps get a service while you’re at it. Good luck.

Here’s one but you’ll be able to get cheaper.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine-ETA-Valjoux-7750-Tap-12-Stem-19mm-Swiss-Made-7751-7753-7754-7760-7765-/324797311726?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

On 10/23/2021 at 11:52 PM, automatico said:

BTW...that Roamer chrono is super nice!

I have a Seth Thomas 'Stingray' dive watch made by Roamer in my 'collection' somewhere, the case shape is the same as the chrono.  I got it in 1993, sold it in 1999, and got it back in 2009.  It still has the original signed bracelet, crystal etc.

 

Some ST Stingray pictures...

Seth Thomas Stingray Case Restoration – TM Watch (tmwatchco.com)

 

 

 

 

I'm still smarting from picking up the roamer for cheap. An 18KYG Patek for that price is a robbery. Good on you 🙂

 

Talking about finding gems I read this article today. Dude finds an original 3646 at a bazaar. Rolex-Panerai 3646 ‘Error Proof’ From A Bosnian Bazaar – Vintage Panerai and other iconic timepieces under the loupe at Perezcope

 

That ST stingray is sublime. 70s style, the use of color is really something. I think my collection needs more of these gems.

 
That was a steal.

Yep it was off eBay too. The guy didn’t list the movement or have proper pics so it slid through to me. It has a slight beat error and low amplitude but still respectable +15 secs/day.

I think Omega and Tudor represent value for money compared to the market. I just got a 1971 Roamer Stinger with valjoux 72 for US$1100! There are still bargains to be had. Problem is the prices today will likely seem cheap in the future. Either get on it or you'll be crying in your cornflakes that you were too scared to jump.

For me it's brand above anything else. They've done a terrific job right from the start building the brand and doubling down on its history. I also shudder to think what Rolex's percentage spend on advertising, PR, sponsorships, ambassadors etc to revenue is. Sure they have a decent product but they sell markers for lifestyle and success so we'll pay more to be part of it and show off the fact we've "made it" or "faking it". As watch aficionados we can say that's crap but why do we want them then when we know we can get lesser swiss make with bullet proof eta for a fraction of the price? It's easy we want to be part of it.

I think you're overreacting. I've had great results with this if you don't mind the smell of burnt plastic and gasoline. Fast and efficient giving a unique patina to your watches.

 

My tapa shows an empty inbox too regardless how many times I log out and back in again.

Did you see these gen 2824 movements here?

 

I'd be happy with either 😁 Very nice indeed.

I've been in the same boat. Communication hasn't been slow per se. But I've had some very poor watches up for QC and the TD actually got annoyed that I was concerned with rehaut alignment or scratches on bezel. I think it's the factories that are trying to keep off the radar and being constipated with their comms and product. This in turn is putting pressure on TDs who are the meat in the sandwich. 

Hi folks I have a really nice rolex spider dial where the white gold markers have aged presenting as an almost gold color. It looks great, however my franken runs a 2824 and all the hands I've come across are silver. Is there a process I can use to artificially age the hands to match the markers? I'm also on the look out for a 3035 and will get gen tritium hands one day. But for now it's 2824 and home lume job. Any thoughts appreciated. 

The only thing you can do is file down the tube seat between the lugs, but that will only get you a mm or two.

Have you done it and were you reasonably happy with the outcome?

What can you do with the stubby lugs? To be fair I haven’t placed a crown in position to get perspective as I’m moving house and needed to pack it away. Maybe it isn’t that bad?

I got a few of these recently. What do you think besides the fat lugs and stubby crown guards? I think they're a lot better than the earlier ones. Apologies for the threadjack consider it a bump 🙂 

Hey guys I just got a couple of these sub cases from StarTime. What do you guys think? The lugs are a little fat and crown guards stubby but doesn't look as bad as previous models.

 

Rolex Stainless Replacement Case, -- RSCSS: Star Time Supply

Who did the lume? Looks great!