Sogeha

Is anyone else unable to access Yuki's website. I used to be able to open it, then before Christmas it stopped loading and I haven't been able to see the site since. I heard the family had a tragedy of some sort, a death of a family member I think, but don't know if it's connected.

Anybody know anything? 

With a Phong case at 1450USD, you are probably not going to spend the cost of the parts. The watch looks the business, so the question is are you comfortable paying one third the price of a genuine 1675? I would be, but my view isn't what matters.

very nicely put a and I totally agree. The only thing sadder is how society so often fails people in this mental place. It could be any one of us at some point in our life and with support it can be a difficult period of our past rather than the end.

We live in a World that on many levels is F.U.B.A.R. I take consolation in the many online transactions I have had where strangers have done exactly what they said they would or on occasions gone a little further. 

I'm also following this guy on Instagram. It's good to hear about his customer service. If he does do custom orders, we could have something good here.

That and there are more female members than many of the dating sites.

Damn! That's why I'm not getting any dates. I'm out of here.

I think you have your mind made up already, but I'd like it to be a 5508 build. I can then steal your ideas and blatantly copy them upgrading my 5508 :-)

Watching with interest. Also noted the implication of "been awhile since I've done a project for myself".

I really like number six. Is that a gen or a rep? 

Hologramet, I recognised the pictures, because I have been reading the thread from your first post. I thought I had commented, but having just checked, I didn't. Sorry I failed to put your user name and the pictures together. I'm hearing lots of good things about Pbdad, I think he is in the US, so it's interesting to learn that a Swedish resident is dealing with him without issues. I'm in Ireland, but Customs here is a PITA and all future deliveries will go to my home country of England.

i worked in industrial robotics and filing a case is doable for me, but I no longer have access to cnc milling machines so total symmetry and accuracy is a concern. It seemed to me buying a case already without crown guards for the same price as a case with crown guards is a no brainier. I can still mod the hell out of it, but why spend hours hand filing if you don't need to?

Thank you. I have been going cross eyed comparing dealer pictures with genuine Rolex pictures. I'm still a beginner at spotting tells. I really like the "big crown" mod done by Tempus Machina and Project X. I had the idea of making one, but last night I discovered one of the dealers has a Project X listed. Much easier and probably cheaper too.

Anyway changing a bezel insert isn't a big issue. I'd pretty much expect to do that on any watch.

Makes it all look so easy doesn't it? I'm getting better at working on mechanisms, but I still need to take a brave pill and totally dissemble one for the first time. I'm worried I'll end up this a nice box of screws and parts that don't fit together. I'm thinking about stripping and rebuilding a pocket watch movement first.

I know, zombie thread resurrection, but I'm searching PVD, Project X, Pro Hunter and Balmford. Not much information. I'm really liking the PVD thing, but I see it as a fashion watch and would never do it to a genuine Rolex. I toyed with a build on a Phong case and getting it PVD coated, but cost is getting very silly. There is no realistic chance of crown guard mods on a coated watch. So which model has the most realistic case, if any? I don't much care about how accurate the boutique modifications are or which boutique it is supposed to be, just how much like a Rolex the case is. The rest can be worked on and there are so many of these boutique custom companies, I think I'll just start my own. 

I'm looking at Explorer 2, but also thinking Explorer 1 is such a simple design, it's got to be hard to make it inaccurate. Any input appreciated.

I just want to say I'm a watch guy. I love mechanical watches. I have a thing for vintage Rolex and at the other end of the spectrum old Seikos. That is my personal choice. I do like some other watches and will own anything that appeals to me. If someone likes a watch I don't rate, I'd rather focus on common ground of being watch guys than argue. I've been following this thread and I'm hoping it doesn't turn bitter. We are a small enough group of hobbyists, with large and powerful groups who would like to put an end to our hobby. We don't need to fall out with each other. 

I'm not having a go at anyone here, just saying and I hope it is understood in the spirit I intend it to be.

I love old Heurers, but they are mostly cheap enough to buy genuine. When I first started to get serious about watches, I read TAG-Heurer didn't have any factory and just outsourced everything. That put me right off. Of course the bulk of the Swiss watch companies are owned by three big luxury goods companies. I never can remember who owns what, but there are lists on the Internet. I'm guessing there is a lot more sharing of movements and part movements between in house brands than the companies would like us to know. Maybe I should forgive TH a little bit now. 

Inspiring. I hope it gives you many years of pleasure.

Great watch and pictures. I like the step by step photos. I have a Cartel 5513 on it's way to me. I hope mine turns out this well.

Please let us all know when this is finished. I like Phong's cases and would like to build a Daytona soon.

I haven't seen that model before, I love the dial. I've a bit of a thing for these boutique editions, they are about the only modern Rolex I aspire to. 

Did you have a PVD coating put on it or is it just painted? I'm always messing with Seikos and would like to PVD one.

When you get bored of it, check out yobokies or Dagez. It's another rabbit hole to disappear down.

Yes you are quite correct, single red. It was a stupid mis-type as I was looking at 1665 cases on Phong's site. It will be a while before I buy one though as I've two projects on the go and another in planning stage. Down the rabbit hole I go......

The watch is a Raketa if spelt the English way. It means rocket. They are a very old company, founded I think in the time of Peter the Great. Based in Saint Petersburg (Russia). They were one of the brands sold in the West under the Sekonda name. Generally they have strong, but somewhat crude in house movements. There are better forums than this for asking questions about this brand. Try TZ or watch u seek. I think both have Russian watch sections.

i don't see them as competing. TC sells YM, LN and LV as far as I know that's all. I read good reports on his watches and would like one. Phong does list 16610 cases, but his prices mean you will probably be half way to the price of a gen when you finish. In my opinion that doesn't make sense, I'd buy a gen. For me where Phong stuff makes some sense is vintage stuff. It's possible to make a very good replication for a fraction of the gen price.

This is just my view on how I would spend my money. If anyone does build a Phong 16610 I'd love to see it.