HauteHippie

I'd be glad to trade you my Euros for your gold...

Nobody knows. There are many houses of cards both here and abroad. And how this might ultimately play out is certainly subject to debate, but I'm hard pressed to find the silver lining in all this debt right now. Schiff, BTW, did not say $10k/oz *this year* as they joked at the end of that clip. $10k/oz is undoubtedly a ways down the line, if at all... EDIT: I should also point out that Schiff has also been wrong in predictions, just as he's been right. And at all times when listening to him, one should keep in mind that he owns a brokerage. So there's always an underlying sales pitch (not that this necessarily invalidates his commentary). And previously his brokerage's play in precious metals was primarily in mining stocks and Perth Mint gold certs, but now I do believe he also sells (and profits from selling) bullion as well.

Heh, quick.

Fantastic! How long does a project like this take from the block of metal to a finished case?

Oh I'm going to love this series...

LOL Good point! Oooh, nice. I assume they live up to the Orbita reputation for quality?

I use my wrist. Probably not the answer you were seeking... But I'm too paranoid to travel through airport security with much in the way of valuables. -B PS, you might consider one of the 2 or 3 watch leather(ette) attachés from Panatime. Suitable for 44mm and below.

I keep going back and forth between the Helson and the Zenton. Now I don't like the Zenton that I thought I did!! Back on Helson...

Yea, something doesn't quite add up IMO. This is probably journalism at it's "best" here...

Nice, Ronin. It works well on your wrist, too. <Imagine a pic of my blue arabic dial franken SA here>

I think there are two 800LB gorillas on his/her chest.

Right... Things can be rare simply because nobody wants them, too.

Luxury items aren't investments, unfortunately. I couldn't recommend buying them for that purpose. There is no way to know what the demand for anything will be 20 years from now. And the vintage pieces that have become highly valued in this day and age are more or less flukes. Nobody can know in the present that a particular dial or watch model will be discontinued after a short lived production run, for example. But that is, largely, what makes many things more sought after in the future - rarity. And even then, 20 years from now, people might have moved on to something else causing the collectibles of today to drop in value. You just never know. That Yachtmaster does contain platinum, so it might well go up in value. But it could also be a very unpopular model that doesn't carry much of a premium in the future. Better off just buying a chuck of platinum, IMO. And that's what is a far better bet anyhow, especially in terms of real (vs nominal) value in 30 years. Gold or platinum bullion over a luxury item like overpriced watches any day of the week and twice on Sunday, if investment is the purpose.

I'll take a few, and will definitely cover shipping!! Thanks!!

Yea, the German wheel was the obvious choice, as I believe that's the predominant language spoken in Switzerland... But I decided to go Italian for my family heritage and the uniqueness factor. And, hey, Italy is right next door anyhow.

To mix things up a bit, I've decided to swap in an Italian day wheel along with the new dial... My grandparents would be proud.

When I've done this in the past, I've sure to "sneak up" on the final length... first install it with crown at full length, measure with calipers the amount to be trimmed, and then trim maybe half that amount... and repeat. Until it sits where you want it when pushed in. I also used a file to put small bevel on the end of the stem. Otherwise the crown didn't always want to thread on properly.

Love your new digs!! Congrats!

Thanks guys... A, I think you're right about the pics being iPhone but I aint complaining.... M, this one came to me in a roundabout way - not from where we thought it would.

Thanks guys... This is definitely one of those pieces that has a permanent home in my small collection. And, as is the case with most of my favorite watches, if they're worth keeping then they're worth modding to the hilt!

Well, I've had this ole 3717 for quite a while now, and it still gets wrist time on a weekly basis. Most definitely a keeper. Currently it's quite nicely modded with Chief double AR, Swiss 7750, The Zigmeister lume on dial and hands. And I've always considered this V1 EL dial to be the best available. Well, then I recently met up with Ubi who had his own 3717 in tow, and on it a gen dial. Oooer!! I took a good look at it; inspected it in the sun. The texture, the crispness... I was taken. So recently a couple forum members, out of the blue, contacted me with offers to source one of these beauties for me. How could I say no?!? Well, patience has certainly paid off. And soon to be in transit to my doorstep all the way from Western Europe is this absolute minty specimen. I am absolutely thrilled, and couldn't be more grateful to this fine community of ours! Here she is: This old clunker is getting a face lift!

I'd be surprised if it did not get repped in fairly short order.

Hmmm..... my guess would be no.

I was seen wearing this at the Little League fields today....

Poorly chosen thread title. It should be VC *GREATNESS*. Easily one of the best out there.