droptopman

No expert, but I have definitely seen VI.66 on genuine case backs from reputable sources. It's my birthday year so frequently looking at 66 models. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Nice work here. Pretty awesome looking budget build.

@theoanast, Against the rules to do back door sales here. I have provided you with this information before as have others. If you want to sell a watch or parts, please follow the forum rules and develop a correct sales post. I have nothing against you, but the rules are here to protect everyone so please follow them.

Mathers Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Nice looking piece there. No doubt on the value of that insert and bracelet. That insert looks to be in pristine condition. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Gentleman, Thank you very much for all the kind words. With most projects, after you study it a bit you find things that you would do different or would like to change. Really cannot find anything on this one that I would do differently. Dbanes work on the hands is really amazing. When viewed in person, they have that subtle blackening that occurs with age and he managed to get the color and texture to match the dial perfectly. I am still in awe of his work. Cannot overstate my thanks to him. We had much fun working on this project. This has been a truly rewarding process. Learned a lot about vintage Rolex and vintage Rolex parts and in the end this is the coolest watch I have ever owned. I know it is material and we should not cherish material possessions, but when going through the process of building it (even though I did not do the work) there is some weird emotional connection that lifts it from its physical state to something else.

Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Field Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Wow man great shot! Without a doubt my next watch is a 1675 with a t38. Love that look without the cyclops. I think it may be harder to find the crystal than the watch.... Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Nice pics of a great piece. My favorite modern Rolex by far. I also like the crystal set up and no cyclops. Nice write up. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Need to give my 5513 some love too. New bevels and gen 700 crown. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Beautiful set up there AJ. That combo looks outstanding. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Smart stuff here. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Stunning pair. Love the movement shots. Takes much effort and $ to complete these projects, but as stated the journey is rewarding. Enjoy them. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

First of all, thank you for tolerating the numerous posts regarding this build. The whole build process is detailed here http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/176345-6538-build-progress-movement-discussion/ When I joined the forum, I always thought certain vintage Rolex models were out of my price range. I have been wearing a Rolex since 1987, but just bought a new one every few years and traded in the old one. I found this place doing research for a new Rolex; this was near the end of 2013. So initially I was just looking for information about the new models and stumbled on this forum and figured I could try out some rep models for minimal cost and figure out which gen I would buy. So over a few months I tried about every modern Rolex I liked the looks of—found out I really do not care much for modern Rolex’s. One thing happened that I did not expect, I became part of the community and started participating in discussions and became friends with some of the members here. I really had no idea that I was diving into a new “full time” hobby. As time went on I became more fascinated with the vintage models that members were building and displaying. This led to a few of my own vintage builds. Made some mistakes and had many learning experiences but have been mostly happy with the results. My wife notices how much peace and joy I get from being part of this community and the hobby and actually encourages the “watch thing” as long as I do not go into details about builds as that puts her to sleep. She thinks it is funny that I am a WIS… No one ever really notices my watches. About once of year I run into another WIS and talk watches but really as most of you know this hobby is for yourself and these communities. One of the models that really grabbed my attention was the 6538 Big Crown Submariner, always thought to be too expensive for me to ever afford. Mainly I am talking about Nanuq’s, CC’s and more recently Dbane’s builds. My first real reading as a kid was Ian Fleming’s Bond series and 007 and his 6538 have been favorites of mine for a very long time. I tend to like watches that are simple with no dates and minimal text/distractions. So I did some research and figured out to do one right it would take some knowledge, a lot of help, and it could easily exceed the cost of a nice gen Rolex. Being that I had never worn one, I decided to start with a more conservative approach and bought a nice modified HR 6538 to see how she felt and looked on the wrist. I was pretty much hooked from there. Right away I started doing more research and developed some connections with some of the great members here who had completed these builds. Developed a build plan and a spread sheet to track costs, and then started sourcing parts. Dbane helped throughout this process as for the most part I still an unsure at times of the authenticity of parts and what part is correct for what model. I am learning but always good to have another opinion. It took a while to source all the parts… Dbane is really responsible for putting this together. He has helped me throughout this project. He did the case shaping, the beautiful bevels, lumed the hands, had the movement serviced and did the complete assembly. He is an amazingly skilled and intelligent person who seems to take great pride in whatever he does whether it is building watches or handmade speakers. I have nicknamed him the “case whisperer”. Thank you my friend! Thanks to CC33 and Nanuq who shared their knowledge and experience freely and whose builds were initially responsible for the inspiration. This project was only possible because this forum exists. Specs: Minh Quy case set (mid case, bezel, case back) shaped by dbane and custom engraved by NeckyZips—serial number is period correct but has significant value to me. Genuine spec real gilt dial—hand produced by the nameless one Classic Watch Parts hands lumed by dbane Genuine cal 1030 movement fully serviced Genuine NOS 8mm crown, tube and stem Genuine T-17 dome plexi Genuine MKII long 5 insert. Genuine 7206 bracelet restored by Classic Watch Parts . Thank you so much for being here and for all the help on this project. I really find much enjoyment spending time and sharing with you. This is really the culmination of all the years of collecting watches and my time here so far. Needless to say, I am very happy with the way she turned out. The dial and hands reflect light like no watch I have had. Truly a work of art. I think Mr. Bond would approve. Pics coming from my phone:

Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Hey thanks for the info. I will try to email him. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Looks to be accurately described. Is that a phong case? I was just looking around again today for a white dial. I will keep my eyes on this. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Went through the same thing. Looked at tons of vintage gens. There are some 6538's out there but all originals are 80k and up. "Decent" priced ones had parts I did not like so in the end you build one the way you want it. I have some 6542 parts already but cannot find a dial. With ingod no longer doing business cannot seem to find a decent dial for my build plans...maybe someday a white dial will appear for sale. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Same experience here. Bought several items from Ken and his products and service is top notch. Just a solid guy to deal with. We compared a $300 LV back pack to a 3k gen and it measured up very well. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Thank you, very much appreciated. I am still pretty much in the staring at it phase. Went for a drive with the top down and the sunlight makes the dial and hands do amazing things at different angles... Did that dome come on your watch or did you source it? I know there was some discussion on this the other day but never really was clear to me. I have been on the hunt for a gen 1966 1675 for quite a while and picking a specific year like this narrows access to quality pieces. Now that I see yours with that dome I would definitely want that over the cyclops if possible. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

7206 taking a bath so back on leather. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Wow is right. Love that dome without cyclops. Beautiful piece. Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️

Peek Sent from my droptop using telepathy [emoji466]️