HauteHippie

I use the chrono on my 16520 quite a bit. But that's not the point. I just think that a rep of this caliber doesn't stand to improve much from aftermarket parts. There are bigger flaws than the ones you've identified for replacement.

I don't think I'd spend money on a gen crown/tub for a watch that will have a frozen chrono seconds hand. Ofrei pushers are also probably an unnecessary expense.

What an absolute beauty. Wear it well!

Gen bezel might be a no go on the V2.

Should I be hesitant about traveling to London next month? (I'm assuming not)

Not bad at all for a first time hobbyist! It definitely takes practice I would guess, but you're well on your way I would say. Personally, on my monitor, your vintage patina is maybe a bit too yellow for my tastes. I might try to tone that down a little. But, hey, experimentation is the fun part.

Wow, amazing. I didn't know franken 64s of this caliber existed! Oh, and nice strap too! Love it.

Slevin for sure.

There are many factors. It's not so cut and dried. I think Western Europe has been in a state of gradual but continual productivity decline for quite some time, whereas only over the last 20-30 years has it really picked up steam here in the US. I think social mobility is much more difficult in Europe than in the USA for a number of reasons. It could be due to high costs, and severe regulations. It could be due to wealthy Europeans who like to create entry barriers for the middle class through legacy admissions, punitive income taxes, and school integration. It's just more difficult, in general, to start a small business in Europe when you're on the hook for obscene taxes and extreme employee benefits. USA companies will rarely if ever consider corporate acquisitions from any number of European countries for these reasons. Real estate could also be a factor. Less land, less sprawl. Now here in the US, our heyday is all but over. In its recent so-called prime, though, it brought a plethora of nobodies from rags to riches. But that phenomenon is going to go by the wayside very soon, as overall decline - or at best stagnation - becomes the norm.

Need to have a support structure? Nah. It happens often, but is hardly a prerequisite. Clearly it can help to come from a privileged background. More often than not, it probably improves your chances of having good genes.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are indeed exceptionally talented, which pains me to admit... But of course talent is key. And yet, at the same time, it's no big secret that money makes many things easier. There simply is no such thing as a pure meritocracy. Socioeconomic status makes a difference; losers breed losers in most cases, and vice versa. And as a general rule, one's lot in life is a product of "special and unique circumstances". Talent, money, connections, personality (e.g. work ethic), and luck all factor in. A high score in one area can help compensate for a lower score in other areas, e.g. hard work can overcome a low socioeconomic background, etc. Nanuq absolutely said it best a few posts back, though. Your specific observations can be made to correlate performance to the number of vowels in the participants' surnames, if you wish.

They were? That doesn't ring a bell for me. Here's what I could gather in a 5 second google search (which reminded of Roman Abramovich and Oprah Winfrey among others): Larry Ellison is the genius person behind the success of Oracle software company and his wealth is close to $28 billion. His single teenage mother who gave birth to Ellison in the Bronx sent him to live in Chicago with his aunt and uncle, who later adopted him. He dropped out of college reportedly after his adoptive mother died. Founded Oracle in 1977, now one of the world’s biggest software companies. Got $130 million pay package in 2009, making him second-highest-paid CEO in the U.S., according to our recent compensation survey. Sailing buff owns mega-yacht and won latest America’s Cup. (apparently his aunt and uncle were rich?) Steve Jobs, will probably be the most famous guy along with Bill Gates. Not because Steve Jobs is the richest person, although he is one of the richest person with his net worth about $5.5 billion, but because he is a co-founder of Apple. Just think iPod and iPhone. San Francisco native was adopted by a working-class couple and grew up in nearby Santa Clara, Calif. Dropped out of Reed College when he couldn’t afford tuition but continued auditing classes. Jobs started Apple computer outlet in parents’ garage in 1976. Fired after power struggle 1985. Started Pixar. Returned to Apple 1996. Health of revered chief executive has been scrutinized after he took leave of absence for a liver transplant. Back now, leading continued expansion in music and media through devices and software including iPod, iTunes and new iPad. ('working class' couple is my recollection too. not "rich". Santa Clara isn't where the rich people live in Silicon Valley, either.) I don't dispute that. It's the very same reason why you don't follow Buffet's investment patterns as an average Joe. Buffet can afford big losses. You can not. Don't be a stranger.

Apparently I misunderstood this statement: "I rest my argusment (sic) ... as an economist and student of international relations and immigration,the truth is, the only real indicator is that hours and type of work do not have positive parallels to the amount of money made" Or perhaps you mistyped it. I've not heard of Linda A. Bell, and would have to take a look at her literature in order to comment on it in any way.

I'll call your Buffet and Gates and raise you Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs. But of course examples of a couple wealthy people were never central to my point, nor are they now.

I don't believe that stating credentials as an economist and then resting a case based on the perception of some kind of intellectual superiority lends much at all to an intellectual discussion. Have you ever seen Yoram Bauman? There are two kinds of economists: micro and macro. Micro economists are people who are wrong about specific things, while macro economists are people who are wrong about things in general. I have an advanced degree in economics from what some might consider a very good school of economics, and couldn't agree more. Now in regards to this statement: "Working hard, has nothing to do with earning more. IN fact.. the people that make the least money in western societies.. categorically ALWAYS work more hours than people that earn more than them." This is first and foremost a fallacious statement. And I suspect the poster knows as much. But putting that aside, and even assuming it to be true, we should then be able to consider a well reasoned argument as to why increasing the number of hours worked at a productive task does not increase wealth in general. But I've yet to hear one. Nevertheless, it is certainly true that the average joe probably won't get very far ahead just by working harder. But exceptionally talented people will. The real "problem" is much more likely to simply be that not everyone is born with the ability to become the next Gates or Buffet. So thankfully, the world needs plumbers, cooks, and maids too. And the hardest working and most ambitious in those fields can become small business owners, and restaurant or hotel managers. Me - I'd love to have a watch box full of gen JLC tourbillons, a 100' yacht, and a garage with Bentleys and Maseratis parked in it... but no matter how hard I work, I'm simply not going to be productive enough to be able to have those things. And that's not because hard work hasn't paid off. And it most likely never is.

Hey by the way, that's a beautiful chamfer!

Is this it? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valjoux-caliber-7734-winding-stem-watch-part-/270668478267 Possibly contact The Zigmeister about fabbing a ring.

Shouldn't need glue, but if for some reason you use glue... keep all the glue off the AR.

One of these days I'm going to splurge for a Horotec crystal press and set of dies...

Nice. I have a set or Horotecs. Can't skimp on tweezers. Just need to find more time to actually use mine!

Red, congrats on the milestone, and as to the future... definitely get the lathe, then get a milling machine, and then invite me over for a party!

I'd guess that The Zigmeister has gaskets lying around and can find something that will work. Email Phong nevertheless. He'll send one.

Very nice collection, Mario. Welcome aboard.

Heh, nice tmg... who did that dial customization?