droptopman

Crossroads Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Our resident mad scientist at it again. Awesome work as usual.

Not really "classic" rock but a cool story. Saw Metallica at the Bellevue skate king back in the early 80's. It was probably 6 months before they released "Kill em All". They were the opening act of a 3 band metal show. Went to a little after hours party at the Eastside motel with all the bands. We knew they were going to make it, but had not idea to the level they attained. Hard to pick a favorite, but if I narrow it down Led Zeppelin or Iron Maiden would be on the top of the list depending on my mood.

Very cool piece Mike. Really like this one.

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Apple Sent from my droptop using telepathy

All original gilt dial with small hand. Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Back to the BC. Did some case aging this morning. Sent from my droptop using telepathy

T, I have been searching basically everyday for over a year for a specific 1966 model. 66 was a transitional year so you see gilt and matte dials, small and big GMT hands. Here is a nice quick reference for GMT's http://www.gmtmasterhistory.com/ I see good post 66 examples with matte dials in the 5-7k range frequently. These guys have a good selection http://www.hqmilton.com/search/results/search&keywords=1675/ Generally newer or service parts = less expensive. Good luck with the hunting... Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Happy Independence Day. A very important day in American history. Sent from my droptop using telepathy

GMT for Independence Day weekend for those of us in USA. Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Independence Sent from my droptop using telepathy

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Authority Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Thanks Mike, We do have threads over on RWI and RG. I just do not know as many over there. Does look like 4 or 5 are pretty committed so we will make something happen. Wish I could come to NJ and visit you guys.

Hey Luke, I bet MOAB can help with this.

Great photographs of beautiful pieces. Your collection is truly remarkable. We have similar tastes. I love simple dials and domed plexi's. Prefer no cyclops these days. When I first saw the two tone blue Submariner 16803 back in the early 80's I knew I had to have one, I was in high school at the time and one of my Dad's friends wore one. I bought a 16613 in 1987 and just loved that watch. My daily beater for many, many years. Then it needed some work and Rolex wanted a fortune to fix it, so I traded it in on a DJ, kept that a couple of years and traded it in on a DD. Really was a yellow gold guy until I found the forums. Went through a bunch of different models over 20 years, almost all two tone models. Tried a couple YM's, a Daytona, another Sub and then another YM. Tried some other luxury brands as well, but always came back to Rolex. Even though I had a nice YM, I really missed the 16613. Sometime back in 2005 ish I bought a "swiss" rep 16613 and wore that for a daily beater and the YM for more special occasions. Sold the YM to a friend back in 2013 and was after a new ceramic Sub when doing research on the new Subs I found this forum. Man did things change after that. When I found this place, I did not know any of the model numbers, movement types, and really had never looked much at vintage pieces. I tried about every modern Rolex rep model that I liked the looks of, had Matt build me a few nice dress watches, gold or two tone of course...I did not really count, but I probably went through 30+ watches last year. Figured out that I really do not like modern watches anymore. The biggest change was the move to really loving the vintage pieces. Especially no date, no cyclops models. Also I rarely ever wear gold anymore... As I learned more from spending time here, the builds started getting a little more precise and well of course more expensive to reach the desired goal. In the end even my franken TC is too modern. I hardly ever wear it. At this point my collection consists of mostly vintage franken builds: 6538, 5513, 1016, 16750, two builds in the works, an improved 1016 and a 16014, then the modernish TC LV and a 116233 that I rarely wear. After completing the 6538, I have too many watches as I could really wear it everyday. With a nice assortment of straps and a bracelet, I could easily just sell off my collection and just wear the 6538 everyday with different strap combos. I do want another gen and have been looking for a 1966 1675 with gilt dial and small gmt hand for a long time now. Once I find one, I will change the plexi to a t-38 and I think that would be a great combination with the 6538. So basically in very little time my tastes have changed a lot.

Anyone?

Bond strap today Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Nice work man. Way to jump right in there and do your own work. Nice looking result. I am a sucker for a textured dial. I need to develop the courage to work on something nice. I am still tinkering with canal street donors and paying others to do the real work on my nice pieces. Sooner or later I will build one...

Agree with the others. Looks great.

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Dr.J Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Super helpful. Thanks Ubi. Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Beautiful. Too bad they are only making 1. Surprised they are using an ETA and not one of the new in house movements. That is going to be one expensive ETA based watch. If they end up making more for the masses that would be a modern watch I would consider buying. Sent from my droptop using telepathy