AyJayKay

I got a Parnis ceramic off eBay. Unfortunately the numbers are too white and the pearl is too recessed, But it looks a lot better than the one with missing numbers, I have given it to my watchmaker to fit. When I get one that is a better match to the gen, I will swap it out again.

Thanks for the input. I am going to just wear the watch for now but will refit the vintage dial, hands and bezel insert later on if ever I sell the watch. Right now I have to decide what to do about a bracelet. When I bough the watch from my friend, it did not have a bracelet so I used one from a Submariner I have. But now I have to get one for the GMT. I can get a new 78360 GMT bracelet from Rolex for $1000 or a nicely refurbished folded link Submariner 9315 bracelet with 380 end links from a friend for $250. (Don't comment on the prices too much. Our poor exchange rate against the $ means that everything we import costs a lot more here. We also have to pay another 25% in import duties and VAT. Plus still add shipping costs and insurance.) The GMT did not come with the 9315, but I understand that it was used on the GMT in the 70's. The 78360, being solid link, is a bit more comfortable for me and is correct for the GMT. Which do you suggest I get? Will I recoup the extra cost of the 78360 when (or if) I ever sell the watch?

Many thanks Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have a rep Submariner 116610 with an ETA 2836-2 movement. It keeps excellent time and wears well. The problem is that the markings are coming off the 'ceramic' bezel insert. The engraving is not very deep and the grey/silver paint is coming off. I managed to get a replacement (rep) bezel insert, but am struggling to remove the old one. I have tried to lift the edge of the bezel as for the older Subs, but this one does not budge. I have tried the suggestion of heating the insert and using something sticky to lift the insert out of the bezel, but that does not work either. Now I am considering using a pair of pliers to grip the bezel on two sides and then to simply pull. I will obviously put something between the bezel and the pliers teeth to protect the bezel. Is this likely to work? Any other suggestions?

I have a GMT Master 1675. It was serviced by the Rolex agents and the usual service dial, hands, glass and bezel insert was fitted. A new Oyster bracelet was also fitted as the watch did not have one when I bought it. Fortunately, I managed to retain the original dial, insert, hands and glass. The GMT hand is the small one. Unfortunately I do not have any original papers or packaging for the watch other than the paperwork I got from the service agents. What I am considering is exchanging the GMT Master for a new or nearly new Submariner Ceramic Date-Less 114060. Is this viable? What could I get for my GMT Master and what is the mint 114060 likely to cost? What could I realistically expect to pay in? Before. The original dial, glass, hands and bezel insert shown are included. After. The picture is a bit underexposed. The insert is the usual pepsi red and blue.

This is perhaps OTT, but how viable is it to buy a sterile Parnis sub with ETA 2836-2 movement and swap the movement out? That way I have a spare case and bracelet if ever I need it. To import a branded replica is not possible as our customs will seize it.

Thank for the input. The problem is that I am a newbie, so swapping out movements is a beyond me at the moment. I also would not know which donor watch to buy to make sure it has a movement which will fit. So it does make sense for me to rather pay a bit more and have the expert do it. Having said that, for not a lot more I can buy a brand new INOX http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-241682-1-I-N-O-X-Analog-Display/dp/B00L42L3WM/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1430672583&sr=1-1&keywords=inox

I have a very good 116610 ceramic Sub rep which has some Chinese movement. It was not running well so I took it to a guy who buys old watches, rebuilds them and sells them on. He was very impressed with the watch itself, but felt it deserved a better movement. So he suggested a brand new ETA 2836. Is that a good move? I am a newbie and do not know much about watchmaking per se. The build quality of the watch is excellent and certainly up to the quality of the genuine 1675 GMT Master and 16610LV Submariner that I have. Just the movement is not great. Would $300 for the job of replacing the movement be realistic?

Thanks tomhorn I am a total newbie on this site. Can you please give me a link to Mary and WSO?

I do have the original. Unfortunatly the RSG only supplies the bigger hand new. I am a bit disappointed.

I kept all the original parts so I can revert to the vintage look within an hour. Well, not me personaly, but the service centre can . Actually I kept the old glass as well, Although scratched an yellowed, most of the scratches can be buffed out. So the vintage look can be easily restored. At least it runs properly now.

I was in two minds about keeping it original or doing a full refurb. The RSG insists on keeping the old parts, so i took it to the company that services Hublot, Omega and others locally. They also do a LOT of Rolexes and are very well respcted in the collecting community. I know them well and have used them frequently over the years. As I intend to wear the watch for a few years it was good enough for me. I got a valuation and crtificate of authenticity. If I want to sell the waych in future, I can alsways send it to the official RSG for a service to get the paper work with a Rolex sticker on it.

Just got my GMT-Master back from its refurb. It looks brand new with a new dial, bezel insert, hands and crown. At the moment it is mounted on a generic oyster bracelet as I still have to decide what bracelet to go with. My wallet has to recover a bit too I kept the original insert, dial, hands and glass in case I want to go back to the original look. I have also made contact with a person who can tough up the missing tritium on the minutes hand. All in, the watch has cost me about $2400 which includes the purchase price and the refurb. The watchmaker tells me that although the watch exterior looked a bit rough, the movement is in very good shape and keeps excellent time. Now for the bracelet? Jubilee or oyster? Sorry about the bad pics, taken with mobile phone and bad lighting. looks a LOT better in person. Old Dial still in mint condition Old bezel insert nicely faded

Some more images. You will notice the case back is damaged as if someone used a chisel. The serial no for the watch is 1637400. There is a number on the movement 23141. I understand that the watch was bought in Zambia.