Sogeha

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.

Thank you to both Angler and GBX. I agree with both of you. Yes the dial is lack lustre and eventually it will be replaced and yes the case needs a little finessing. I'm not mad on the crown either. I won't be doing the work on this case. I need to serve my apprenticeship on cheapies. Phong almost has the urban myth status as do a few others of the best parts sellers and modders. I guess there is a reason for that. We all know this hobby depends on the illegal production of counterfeit goods. Whatever counter arguments are made, that is the bottom line. Depending on where a buyer/owner is based, they may well not be doing anything illegal. I don't think I am, but manufacturers and sellers are and Phong is US based. Keeping quiet is probably a very good idea for him. This is not intended as a slap in the face for anyone, I'm in this up to my neck and have two more builds underway. i will try to improve my photography skills and post better pictures for any who wish to see. Constructive criticism is very, very welcome. Best set wishes to all in this community. Paul

Agreed. I was called for dinner mid post. Fixed now.

Pictures. Sorry they are not great. The NATO is an old cheap one I dug out to use until a nice new leather NATO arrived? I also forgot in my ramblings to say, personally I can use Phong for reps of genuine a that costs 15000-20000 or more, but if the gen is 4-5000 I don't think it makes sense. So basically vintage builds in my opinion.

Hi everyone, I mentioned in a thread that I had bought a Phong 5508 ETA and Mendota-Explorer asked if I could post pictures and give impressions, perhaps others might be interested. So let's start with a little history. I'm a Geek through and through. I used to design and build robots for a living, always loved and obsessed over mechanical things so it was inevitable I'd become a watch guy. I'm a car guy as well. Anyway as a kid I used to gaze in the local watch shop at all the expensive watches and Rolex soon became a favourite. A certain Commander Bond probably influenced that, I bought watches over the years each time stretching a little further in price until I finally managed my first Rolex. About twelve years ago I was cruising the net and bought a couple of reps. An Explorer 1 and a Comex. I didn't know much about models at that time and had little idea what Comex was. Anyway the Explorer was a good buy. The dial is very poor and may soon be updated, but the case is as good as it gets. The Comex.... Well it's a no date 1680 Comex without lug holes. Very rare model! As I got to know more I became embarrassed I even owned the Comex and never wore it. Lesson learned, I stayed away from reps for years. I got sucked back into the rep thing by discovering this and other sites. I lurked a lot, even before I signed up. I read and became a bit obsessive. I knew I wanted a good rep. I don't much care what others think. Actually 99 out of 100 people don't even notice my watch and most of the rest don't care. If they say nice watch, I say thanks. If anyone I don't know asks about even my gen, I usually say it's fake. I don't want mugging thanks. So I only want the detailed accuracy for me. I knew Phong had the reputation as the best. I firmly believe his cases are the best. The price was a hurdle for me. It is a lot to pay for a rep and I kept thinking what if I'm disappointed? What if it's a piece of ***? Why don't I put the money in a gen or towards a Rolex gen? Well I ordered, sent off my money and sat having pink kittens about Customs either seizing it or taking it as gen and wanting thousands in duty. I followed the tracking and it duly showed up at my door without problem. I opened the package and if worn it every day since. I totally love it and don't regret the price one bit. If or rather when I buy from him again, I will only buy a case. I know more now and will buy dial and hands elsewhere. I think my 5508 will get some modding in the near future. Some gentle aging would be good. The Comex? Well when I looked at it again despite all it's faults the case is a good 1680 project base. It's gone to a modded in Paris and I'm hoping it will come back a killer double red.

Sure I can. I think I'll open a new topic though rather than hijack this thread. In the meantime that's it in my avatar.

This is a great resource. If HR get the long minute hand back in stock it might be useful for 1016 Explorer builds.

That's not just nice, it's inspiration. I have a Cartel 5513 in coming and my plan is pretty much the same. Gilt dial, probably Yuki, possibly Explorer, aged case and old leather strap for that "couldn't give a damn what you think" look.

Nice. Project X? I have been saving pictures from their site and thinking the same thing.

that's what I bought and exactly what I intend to doing in the future.

I was considering a Phong. I've bought from him before. I shall watch with interest in case this takes off.