droptopman

Still traveling with my GMT. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Nice choice. Looks great. Enjoy Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Hopefully in the near future I will see my 5513 case on that:) Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Sorry no experience with them. The noob DJ II was a nice piece for $250. She could go right for the top shelf and get a mymanmatt DJ:). Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Healthcare administration. More specifically behavioral health. I stay busy. I work for a large provider, teach classes at the college, and do consulting work on the side out of my home business. I am doing a consulting gig this week. Pays better than my real job:). Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Work travel with my GMT. More casual gig this time Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Spend some more time shaping and polishing my GMT case this weekend. Crappy pic in the airport. I will take some decent shots this weekend. It looks much better. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

People rarely ask questions about my watches. Generally I just respond honestly. Every once and a while I will run into a fellow watch enthusiast and that is always fun. Most of the people I have had discussions regarding doing builds are amazed. Only ever ran into one snob type and he basically said I was on front street...I could care less, I have owned my share of gens over the years. No shame here. One of my best friends is pretty well off and has a handful of gen Rolex's but is absolutely clueless about watches. He knows I have collected Rolex's most of my life and also knows that I joined a forum of crazy watch builder guys. So he will always ask, did you buy that one or build it? I can hand him one and he still could not tell if its gen or not, even if he had the gen on his wrist. My belief is that he is more like most people who buy high end watches. We are definitely a sub culture of all those who buy watches. Most have no idea even if you hand it to them. Was at a leadership conference this spring and most everyone there was sporting high end pieces. Got into a discussion with a guy wearing a really nice vintage DJ at my lunch table about 16610's and took off my TC and handed it to him. He would not believe me that is was not a gen and he calls himself a watch guy... Quite honestly before I joined the forum I was just like that. I have always loved watches, since I was little kid, but never really knew that much about them.

Hi and thanks, it is this watch here http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/173500-big-dazza-works-his-magic-on-6538-big-crown/ I am sourcing parts for a franken 6538 build, but liked the looks of this one and it is something to wear while I work on the other piece. I have seen other builds with HR cases, but cannot find any information on if a plexi can fit.

Good afternoon, I bought a modded 6538 the other day. It is based on this watch http://www.helenarou.com/6538-homage-connery-bond-sub-watch-with-eta-2836-elabore-65382836.html Anyone have experience with this case set? Looking for a domed plexi and end links that will work with this case. I assume a tropic 17 will work but has anyone fitted a gen spec crystal on one of these? Also end links that fit the best. Trying to get the parts ordered and shipped while the watch is in transit. The vintage craze continues Thanks

Wholly smokes DB, I think you get my vote. What a gorgeous time piece.

Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Funny, I am still using the dremel method and have tried like a hundred different pads and methods to get that mirrored finish. This is educational and makes sense. I have noticed that using a brand new pad with rouge and mothers mag wheel polish and just a quick buff works the best for finishing which goes with what you stated. keeps the heat down. Spent several hours reshaping my 16750 case yesterday in fact and it looks much better than it did. Very interested to see the progress with your project.

Got my TC back with a new movement. I forgot how nice these are. While it was gone I worked the bracelet some more and now is just about perfect. I missed this piece. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Hi T, Here is a good fact finder on GMT's http://www.gmtmasterhistory.com/gmt-master_ref_16750.html Pan153 helped my a bunch on my build and he is correct. I tried both a 5.3 and a 6.0 mm crown and we liked the way the way the 6 looked better. The case is designed for a 6.0 and then the cg's were modded by RA which increased the gap slightly so a 5.3 didn't look right on my case. I am no expert but did do a lot of research on this build. The aftermarket case options are this issue with these builds. We stacked a phong, a yuki, my modded cartel up with a gen to do a comparison and there is no comparison. It is hard to realize how elegant and thin the gen 1675/16750 case set is until you see it stacked up. Even the high priced aftermarket cases are way, and I mean way too thick. The advantage of using a phong or yuki is the cg's are proper for a 5.3 crown, but they still need mods to be thinner. I love my 16750 and the process while frustrating at times was enjoyable and a good learning experience. In the end you just have to figure out what flaws you can live with. If I had to do it over again, I would buy a gen, but there was value in the process as I learned much and it will serve me on future builds. Oh and FYI, these builds can be money pits..... I think Matt used 1.8 spring bars on mine because he did not have any 2mm. To be honest I have not thought about changing them, but maybe this afternoon, I will see if the 2mm works with my end links. Depends on the year for the GMT hand, that link will give you the information. Many of the small gmt hands were changed out by Rolex at service anyways, so it is pretty much whatever you prefer depending on the year/model you are trying to replicate. As for a gen, I am searching for a 1966 5513 gilt everyday.....but a 1675 would be great too. I have a TC 16610 and I like it enough so personally I would not buy that model. I do have the vintage bug though so I am kinda nuts these days....

This is really cool. Lots of modding possibilities. Can't wait to see what you will do with it. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

This is a thing of beauty. One of my favorite models of all time and my first gen rolex back in the 80's. Sooner or later I am going to build something like this. Awesome work. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Matt had the bezel assembly. Not gen they are serious $ and hard to find. I looked but with the $ I had into this build it would have put it into buying a whole gen watch money... We are not sure of the maker, Matt had it in his parts. I know people have used wso bezels with gen inserts on these builds. Easy to source on eBay and reasonable $. Others with more knowledge can maybe provide other options. I do know my gen insert would not fit the cartel assembly correctly nor over the crystal. We got lucky that Matt had this assembly and it worked with the case and parts. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Thanks Momo very kind of you. I have a nice 7206 but she is with my 1016 which I think is being assembled as we speak:) Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

What a minute. Where is the date? Date Just? Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Gen spec aftermarket bezel assy so insert snapped right in. Matt did the assembly but that part went well. Now fitting the assembly over the gen crystal....not so much. Bezel does rotate but is a little tight on the turn between 3 and 9. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Hi guys, I was lucky enough to purchase this beautiful piece yesterday to hold me over while I source parts for a super Franken 6538. Want to source a reasonably priced bracelet/strap and super dome plexi for this to install when she arrives. Suggestions? Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Hey T Very nice piece. Case mods look good. No expert, but we put gen 555b end links on my cartel case and I think the look and fit nice. I love these old jubs. So light and comfortable and easy to wear. Gen insert is a must. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Nice pieces and nice pieces. Very cool your daughter is into watches. My dad gave me a Zodiac diver in the mid 70's which started this madness. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.