Sogeha

That dial must be seriously rare and valuable. Congratulations on the find and the completed watch.

It can and has been done, but it's also quite easy to get problems with power reserve. I'm still trying to get to the bottom of this modification, but it seems exactly what is changed and how skilled the smith is makes all the difference between a stable workhorse and a nightmare.

+1 With you all the way on that.

I can't remember how many times I've seen silly prices topped by even sillier prices. I kind of wish I'd paid the silly prices of five or ten years ago now. Phong cases and high end frankens are definitely the way forward for me. I wear them for my own pleasure. Apart from my watch guy I can't remember the last time anyone could name the watch I'm wearing. I don't invest in watches, because I don't sell and have no intention of ever selling either my gens or reps.

From what I've seen if the watch is a Rolex copy with an S3135, which isn't a fantastic movement, but is dimensionally very similar to the Rolex 3135, then the date is where t should be. Same with a rep that uses the clone of th ETA movement the gen uses. The problem is when there is no practical way to use an identical or very similar movement. Compromises have to be made. This is just the same as the way you can build a kit car that is dimensionally the same as a Lamborghini. From the outside it can look identical, but pop the hood and no amount of dress up parts will convince a car guy that a small block Chevy is actually a V12 Lamborghini engine.

That's good to know. Thank you.

Congratulations Mike. Enjoy it. Are you still going to mod it?

Sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing the difference the crystal and insert make. Hopeful a Hugh diffence given the cost. Good luck with the build.

Beautiful watch and pictures. Thank you for posting this.

http://blog.tc-sub.com/2012/05/39-tc-93160a-rolex-sea-dweller-16600.html USD39

It's a real zombie thread, but if there is any chance I'd love a copy please.

Mike, There is a longish thread either here or,one of the other places. Seems general opinion is the dial is not bad, TC is maybe better, TC hands seem the way to go and a TC braclet, which was suprisingly affordable. It's we worth searching for the post. I think I'll be joining you in one of these before long.

I'm the odd one out because I normally prefer the none Newman dials, but I'm liking that a lot.

I've heard quality varies a lot from model to model. Some of the Seiko modders have started doing mods on Invictas too. That model looks enticing especially in titanium. Anyway enjoy it.

Sometimes he lists on eBay, but I don't think he has anything there at the moment. He is easy to find on Instagram.as tonnywatches

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I'm going to look at the long indices when I am less tired as I'm not getting that at the moment.

I have one on my bucket list, so yes there is love here. I'm told it can be frankened to quite a large extent. I'm not sure if it's a gateway or a void between vintage and modern. The sub 16800 seems to be unloved and very affordable at the moment, but I think it will not always be so. Please post pictures and a review when it arrives.

Back in the middle of April Champagne-Communist posted a question about ETA movement size. I started keeping a notebook some time ago and any useful nugget I find I jot down before I forget it. As a result I could share some information. I mentioned perhaps having a database of dimensions, interchangeability, what best fits what case and so on, an idea Umpahimself supported. I still feel a junior member here and I'm extremely grateful for the information and advice I have received, so on the one hand I want to payback and on the other I don't want to be pushy. I asked the mods for permission and I'm going to assemble such a database and post it in technical. Im not taking any credit for this as much of the information is in RWG and much can be found elsewhere online. I just think if it is all in one spreadsheet, we might all save time searching. I am not a watch smith, nor an expert. My interest lies mostly in vintage Rolex and there is a ton of stuff I don't know, so I am hoping you guys might think it is a good idea and let me know what information would be useful for each brand forum. I'm attaching a beta version spreadsheet I started at lunch time for comments.

I have respect for your knowledge and am happy to bow to your opinion, especially as your other suggestions are clearly correct.

I've enjoyed you posting elsewhere and am delighted you are now here. Welcome.

This is going to be good. Full build story and pictures please. Oh and I wish you years of pleasure from your watch.

I can't make my mind up, are the lines in red slightly bolder or is it the effect of the raised print and gloss finish? While we are talking of dials and at the risk of hi-jacking the thread, if one had access to an original dial could it simply be scanned direct and get perfect lettering and spacing or is it not that simple?

Is this a Phong case? Please post lots of pictures when it returns home.

I'm not able to help, but I followed your build with great interest and think this is a really cool idea. I hope you make a batch and offer them to members. With the skills and knowledge here it would be really great to see a few projects to provide accurate parts to members and maybe give a small percentage profit to the forum. By the people, for the people and all that.

I'm not liking the Tony Rolex crown very much. We all have a tendency to blow pictures up and see tiny details, but even shrunk to something like life size it seems blobby and not distinct. Yet looking at a real dial online, the way the oyster and cosmograph are spaced seems better on the Tony dial.