droptopman

I was recently in Homer AK doing a consulting gig. Hardly slept for a week. Not use to it being light out that late....beautiful country though. Enjoyed my stay. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Nice pieces. Good selections. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Didn't like that pic Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

@toro. Ok my bad. My experience with one dealer and one watch. Should not make general statements like that. I apologize for that. It is frustrating when you know what you looking at is one thing an expert confirms this, you send clear pictures but are told you are wrong despite the evidence. Certainly do not want to make conflict over a little $. Just wanted what I paid for. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Yes exactly. He even took pics of a Swiss eta next to the clone which I sent to the dealer....I will say the decorations are nice:) unfortunately you never see them. Matt did say these movements are much better now than they were. Better parts and it is running good so I am going to use it...already over budget on the GMT but everybody knows that tune. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Wow beautiful pieces. I think I am going to sell all my **** and start buying vintage gilt subs:) Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Pan 153, Yes I am now definitely convinced they cannot get Swiss eta's even though the dealer isn't. That watch is sitting on Matt's workbench. Matt who has been building watches since the 80's. Matt tells me it's not a Swiss eta I contact dealer and send pics of the movement looking for a partial refund on the Swiss up charge and he still says it's Swiss. So I send more pictures. He contacts factory comes back and says its Swiss. That is probably last time I buy from china. Sent from my droptop using telepathy. Oh and it's not Swiss Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Same experience. Bought a 1675 donor watch from a TD for my Franken GMT project. I upgraded and paid extra for Swiss eta. 3 times in emails asked dealer to ensure Swiss eta. QC pics did not have movement pics so asked again was assured Swiss movement. Watch arrived with.......not a Swiss movement. At some point he really needs to quit offering the upgrade since it appears he can't get it. Going to request the upgrade funds be returned. We will see. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Same response. Don't send back. In the end probably more cost effective to have it serviced or replace the movement. Then you will know it will run well for some time. Too many horror stories. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Explorer 2? Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Thanks Dave. Is it just me or is the TC the nicest $500 watch on the planet? Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

@ aerodave. Where are you finding those cuff links? Dig them. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Figures:). Sorry not a Pam guy. I have only 1 and have been looking for black with white stitched strap for it. May just need to take the plunge on a gen strap for her. Thanks AJ Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Still rocking the Big Crown. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

AJ, dig that strap. Who is the maker please? Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Cool story. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

AJ, wow what a stunner. That is one of the coolest pieces I have ever seen. Love that crown.

Probably my mymanmatt Franken Day Date just because it's such an accurate representation of the gen. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

My ultimate grail favorite piece of all time. Started a build when I first joined the forum a few months ago but abandoned it for a while to collect more knowledge. Doing a 16750 now but will get back to this at some point. The case sets on these vintage gmts are a real PITA. Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

I know much more about cars than watches. Saw the same trend over the years for muscle car parts. As parts became more scarce and demand kept increasing prices just kept increasing as well. To some degree we have done this to ourselves. Market prices are dictated by what we are willing to pay. I paid 1000$ 20 years ago for an original Holley 750 double pumper for a 70 Z28 when a new one at that time was <$500. Wanted the car to be all original so paid crazy money for some of the parts on that build. Car turned out great and won many awards but total value was less than sum of the parts. Much like we see with some of the Franken builds. Right now building a 16750 and in same boat. Parts hard to come by and since I really want them I am willing to pay premium price. Once completed watch will be worth less than the parts Sent from my droptop using telepathy.

Ok redid the insert one more time:) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No doubt man. That is elegant and pure vintage beautifulness. I love simple dials and no date, plus 1966 is my birth year. I have been tempted many times to buy one of these vintage explorers but I have 7.3 wrist and a 36 mm is about as small as I can go these days. Great build and wear in good health:) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk