plaifender

Exactly Hooky.. I meant Incorrect MINERAL crystal!

I think its very important to not get confused. Both V2 and V3 and current V5 models were released as "I" series. The H-series is exclusive to the V4 production. Unlike many other pams, It's much easier to refer to the 253 by Version numbers rather than serial numbers. This is one of the few limited edition pams that had HUGE success. Probably 90% of all 253 reps sold in the last 5 years have "I" serials.. so It's easier if you refer to them as V3, v4, v5 etc. I know this is difficult as many dealers don't even refer to the versions correctly. I think I'm one of few people that have memorized the 5 different versions that have been offered of this watch. The genuine serials that I've seen are only "I" serial numbers, but maybe there are some "H" serial gens around. There were only 500 253s made in the world, and were only produced in 2006. The NEW "I" series is much improved over all previous versions. Here's a quick rundown of the new 253I vs. the 253h and v3 253i models: V5 253"i": Corrected dial font Correct blue needle Correct dial ring with minute markers sepearated from tachy ring. Superior Hobnail finish on dial BEST Crown Guard ever seen Good caseback with correct "I" serial number with non-slanted "i" like previous I-series Good Subdial rings with well defined edges Incorrect Sapphire crystal V3 253"i": Dial font too thin Needle way too dark Dial ring not separate from tachy ring shallow hobnail finish "I" is slanted on serial on caseback Incorrect "D" shaped crown guard Subdial rings are shallow and less pronounced Incorrect Sapphire crystal V4 253 "H" is exact same as V3 except: crown gaurd slightly better shaped, but still not perfect. Many V4s use 212 casebacks Some have V3 casebacks Some have correct "h-series" casebacks The latest version of the 253 is the finest example yet. The only thing I've noticed that may or may not be perfect is the spacing of the dial ring from the tachy ring. Seems like there should be a bit more dial space between the ring and tachy.. but then again.. we're talking possible fractions of millimeters.

I agree with you Ciborgman. My UPO is also waterproof.. but I also have not attempted to switch out the HE valve for Gen. In my honest opinion it's a very unecessary mod.. but that wasn't Slan9e's question. I'm assuming Slan9e has his reasons for wanting to do this mod, and My reccomendation would be to epoxy the case. Since he's going to need epoxy anyways to swap out the HE valve he mind as well put some epoxy over the HE valve hole and seal the watch doubly But, I agree with you. My watch is modded with gen crown, tube, and crystal and I can swim perfectly with it after I got it pressure tested and all seals and gaskets greased.

let's here it for Offshore! One of the finest gentlemen on the forum !! here's to you A!

really nice Wish I could get into Tags! This one's beautiful

The easiest way to make your watch watertight is not to have a functioning He Valve. The HE valve acts as a point of exit for pressure built up when in deep sea diving chambers (filled with helium). You open the HE valve on your ascent back to the surface so that your watch crystal doesn't explode from the pressurized helium (that can get inside your watch despite the watch being able to block air molecules). With the HE valve in the open position.. it's basically the same as opening up your crown.. and letting the pressure equalize. When screwed down the HE valve should be air and water tight. Since 99.9% of us will never be inside a diving chamber in our lives.. and much less likely.. with a REP watch. It really makes no logical sense for you to try to gain HE valve functionality. If you want your watch to be airtight for casual diving and swimming, then I reccomend you epoxy the HE valve opening from the inside of the case. This would guarantee no chance of any water entering the watch through the HE valve. You could be assured that even with the valve open.. no water could reach the inside of your case. If you want the gen valve, go for it. But from a purely visual standpoint. After a mod like that, I would make sure the watch was epoxied if you had even the slightest intentions of ever submersing your watch. Just my .02cents

which ap is this again??? I remember it's one of the newer ones, and remember not liking it when it came out a few months ago... It looks great here though

no idea!!!! Although Krpster was right about the finish being rough between the case and endlinks......

What model watch are we talking about? I'm confused. @Marty: Is the tube you pictured, Genuine or fabricated by yourself. The GEN Planet Ocean tube is indeed threaded.. but might be because it's a diving watch..

Araldite is available in any u.s. hardware store. Ace, Lowes, HOme Depot.. should all have it. Yes, The rep case hole is bigger than the Gen Tube by .25 mm. That's why Epoxy is necessary.

incredible.. really great pics That strap is simply amazing. I like the strap more than the watch but it's not half bad either!

My optometrist told me never to use windex on my AR coated glasses. and to stick to eyeglass cleaner.. I'm guessing the same would go for AR coated watch crystals... If the crystal isn't coated I'm guessing Ammonia is fine, but in general, continued application of ammonia on ar surface isn't supposed to be good. I've never tried it, but just what my optometrist told me not to do

happy birthday prsist!

reported

Like the way a Glock fires... hate the way it feels in my hands. It's too plasticky.. The polymer just feels cheap. The Beretta feels much more substantial, but doesn't shoot as naturally for me. Nothing's more reliable than a revolver though.

I would stay away from windex.. as it's ammonia based. Any alcohol based glass/lens cleaner is fine. plain rubbing alcohol is great, or if you have Eye glasses lense cleaner spray and a microfiber cloth

Look who's here

@El Fenix & Chilenito Say never all you want. It won't change the fact. that never can quite often become "maybe" in this game. You're not the first to say this.. and you're not the last. I'm not a rolex fan.. but I have 3 of them! I hate to love wearing them... and I love to hate the brand. There's a few select models that might just scream out to you after a while

haha.. very true.. stupid question

The gen tube is not press fitted... The original tube is threaded.. and the gen case is threaded as well. The tube screws into the Gen case. Since the rep tube is press fitted into the rep case, the only way to put a gen tube in a rep case is to use the epoxy method. I recommend using Araldite metal epoxy.

Contact Zigmeister, I'm sure there's a wait for his service, but eventually I'm sure he can fix it. You will probably need to buy a new crown and tube (easily found on ebay) for your watch, so that zig can fit them on to your case. I'm sure there's other modders in North America.. but it seems like we have a lot more options in europe.. I know of at least 5 modders just here in Spain that can work on my watches. Just goes to show that watchmaking and repair of mechanical watches is a lost art in the U.S.

couldn't have said it better myself Max.

Never say never in the rep world. I used to think a Ploprof was the ugliest watch known to man.. Now i feel like I gotta have one!

Hey, Standen, you can easily attach pictures in Private Message as well. Send him a Private message

I'd try pming him. If you can't get in touch with him that way, give me a pm and I will get you his personal email, but i think he prefers contact through PM