Themillerdave

Here's a little trivia: did you know the 6204 came with a choice of glossy or matte dials? (I am not aware of another such offering from Rolex, please enlighten me if you know otherwise) I've got a nice matte refi dial - doing a little case shaping on a budget 6538 case (gotta slim 'er down to the gen spec 37.5mm) with a gen + 6mm crown - JoeyB, thanks for the tip on the hands... Anyone know if this model took a trop 17 crystal? Best looking rep inserts that aren't obvious tells?

I have a gen 1675 PCG from 1960 - happy to give measurements and detailed photos of any and all parts. Automatico - if you're ever getting rid of any of that stuff............

dutchguy has a good point - unless your case is gen-spec, which it likely isn't, a gen crystal will likely be too small. If you don't have a digital caliper, get one, then get the diameter of your dial opening (there's a name for it I'm sure) and also measure how far from the edge the center of your date window is, and we should be able to help you find something appropriate

Startime supply makes a very nice 116 crystal for a very reasonable price - you can get a temp 2 week account with no questions asked (also, if you place a big enough order your first time around, say > $200, you'll get a permanent account - worked for me). Gens can be had for around $50-$75 (check fleabay)... I have a gen with a couple of cracks (still air tight) I am happy to let you have on the cheap Regarding fading the bezel insert, my technique (which I have used on gen and rep inserts, 1675s included) is to make a weak lye and water bath (stir about 1/2 tsp into 2oz water), tie some thread around the insert (so you can pull it out quickly) - the clear coat on the top will come off slowly, then the color will start to fade REALLY FAST (depending on your concentration of lye - practice on a cheapie insert first with your solution, watch the clock)... You probably want to stop before the color actually starts to fade (it will continue after you pull it out - there's no harm in pulling it and putting it back in), then immediately rinse thoroughly - taking a towel or sponge to it will rub off more color - I do this gently and evenly... What you're left with has the right color, but the finish will look off... Spray it with some glossy acrylic sealer and it'll look as close to a real aged insert as I've ever seen.

Thanks for the kind words brother, I'm a little embarassed by them, but yes: thanks. For someone who doesn't cook, you bake a hell of a dial ... Can't wait to see how the rest of the build comes together.

Have you tried WBK (WackoBirdKiller, Stan) over on RWI? He's got great choices around that $100 mark and ships from USA

I have a gen, but I dont think that helps you... For every 10 reps you buy, you probably could have gotten a gen (says the guy with 40 reps and only 8 gens)

Buy with confidence - Andrew and the team over at Trusty do a great job and they ship (at least to USA) very fast (and free if you spend over $600) - I've placed several orders and have never had a problem - PureTime and Trusty are my go-to spots.

GenTLe: that is my fave - I'd drop $800 on a good rep no problem... Trooper, I never blame anyone for an attempt at humor , but I like 'em funky and huge - some people might say the same about some other luxe brands like AP (except I dont think anyone would argue that a Jules A series is hideous) or Hublot (I have a Big Bang Tourbillon I got from a member that I love, but the tutti frutti? And the Masterpiece is very RJ-like)

Tempted to pick this one up and do a case swap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PARNIS-45mm-PVD-black-case-hand-winding-Mens-watch-Hollow-out-movement-/261452721611?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3cdfcbedcb

Good call on both fronts gentlemen. Any recommended sources for your cases, I've mainly been fleabaying it, get pretty much everything else from ofrei

Thought you folks would want to see this... ETA Unitas 6497 Skeletonized plopped in a Marina Militare 45mm polished Radiomir case with lumed gold hands. The plan was to put it in a rose gold case, but that's taking forever to get here, now that I see it in stainless, I kind of want it in black PVD... Thoughts?

Thanks for the additional info GenTLe. If she's a beauty, I'll send 'er our for coating if it comes to that

Bee tee dubbs: wound up picking up a member's Hublot Tourbillon which should be arriving tomorrow - super pumped.

Thanks kernow - I think I'm gonna have to do that (I'll be sure to post a review). I think I'm gonna go with the ROM001D, as the A and B are Faux tourbillons (and nothing screams fake like a faux tourbillon)