jelliottz

Those don't look the same same to me. The top does look like an Athaya 702 tube. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

That bears no resemblance to a cartel case. Fantastic work on every aspect. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

There is a Black Bay Black case for sale. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=291594803123&alt=web The bezel has some play, but that can be fixed with a thicker retaining wire. The pearl is crap, and the insert is missing the red triangle. Someone suggested a red permanent marker to color the silver. I haven't tried yet, but it should work in theory. Lastly, the lug holes are in a different position than the gen. They're higher and closer to the case vs down near the tip of the lugs. I don't know if the seller will let just an insert go, but it's worth a shot. Cheers! Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I love the dial. The 6350 is a fantastic choice. Well done. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Does JoeyB make retaining rings or just the bezel and insert? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Fresh off the operating table. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Looks great Woz! I'm pleased the case worked out for you. Not that I had any doubts. Where did you get the spring bars? Did the come with the rounded and polished tips, or was that your handy work? Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Hands fit perfect. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Dial feet on the 2783 are slightly different from the 2824. They're about 1min different counter clockwise. Just enough to screw stuff up. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Use a genuine 34mm Rolex case. Pick one from a watch that was hand wind. Then use an ETA 2801, Yuki movement adapter, and you're well on your way to a great franken. You can pick up those gen cases for a couple hundred dollars. No better way to get a Rolex like case shape than to use the real thing. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Thank you, Sir. I sent you a PM.

Does anyone know where to get a replacement black bay crown and tube? I know Helenarou has one, but I was hoping to get one which fit a standard rep case; similar to how the Athaya 702 tube fits a standard rep case. Any suggestions? All help is greatly appreciated.

So how do you decide what to wear in the morning? I imagine I would spend quite some time picking up and putting down before picking one. Amazing trio!

It looks fantastic. I love the idea of the dirt to add age. Very clever.

There are other ways to do a 29mm brass plate. ;-)

This is just... Wow... I mean... Wow... Amazing work!

I was looking at this one the other day. I'm going to say it's a mostly real Ranger. Here's why. From everything I have read and all the conflicting reports, no date Rangers were hand wind and had a Rose dial. It should only say Oyster underneath the logo instead of Oyster Prince. I'm no movement expert, but it looks like a Tudor movement, and the case is probably gen too. I would guess it's a Re dialed Franken made of gen parts. With all that said, there is so much uncertainty around Rangers that it could be some transitional Ranger. The patina on the dial and hands matches well. The hands also look to be correct; no flared minute hand and the lume on the hour hand doesn't extend all the way to the center of the hand stack. You don't see that on many of the cheaper Ranger fake/frankens in the $600-$800 price range. I think it's a great looking watch, shows wear that a watch if it's age should, has an excellent patina, and is coming from a seller with good feedback. I would love a genuine ranger, and especially would love the no date version. The above is just my opinion. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will come along and weigh in. Until then, my Ranger-ish says "hi!" Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk

Awesome work my friend! They look excellent. The eagle beak has quickly become one of my favorite cases. So unique, curvy, and beautiful. Well done. Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk

Could you run through that one more time but without pictures? I had a lot of troubles focusing on the words you wrote. Something about beautiful, beautiful watches, and the rest is fuzzy. Thanks for the write up. Great comparison and amazing collection. Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk

Yes or on m2m sales. Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk

Fantastic budget build! $215?!? You know what that means, right? You need an Athaya 702 crown and tube. They're only $35, and that will keep you at the $250. The beauty of that crown and tube is the 702 is shorter than a 703. It will help balance out those Cartel crown guards. Once again, beautiful build. Enjoy it! Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk

Beautiful 6204! Your hands are perfect! Did you make the hour and seconds hands? Mine says hello. :-) Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk

I'm not sure what to say that hasn't already been said. Thank you for sharing this whole process along the way. I found it extremely interesting to see what goes into putting together one of these super-franken big crown builds. Your end result is a watch to cherish and pass down when you're finished with it.

Twist the crown slowly as you are inserting the stem. This seems to help for a smooth insertion in my experiences with eta movements. You will feel everything catch, and it will slip right in if done correct. There's something dirty about those instructions.

I don't post here a lot, but I have gained a large amount of knowledge from members. I want to share my latest build. I present my 6205 homage. Silix 6538 case ETA 2836 Stock crystal, but shaved to sit lower Insert bleached Lugs beveled Custom Helenarou dial (lightly baked to puff the lume) 3 hands from 3 different sources Here's my inspiration side by side with my finished product. Thanks for looking.