southcoast68

Chuck Norris would have "roundhouse" kicked him in the head, but what you did was just as effective.

Rock on

Also, when you replace the stem, you will have to give the same release button a push to get the stem to lock in.

That picture was from Jewelryandwatch.com (Phong's site). I really do not know if there was such an animal or if this is pure fantasy. I seem to remember seeing a picture of the same watch with a 1655 type of 24hr hand (large orange and white), but I never saved the picture and cannot find it again. These Tudors' were made as prototypes in the the early '80s for the U.S. Navy, there is more info on the "Rolex blog spot".

Cheers

:whistling:

How cool would this watch look with a GMT hand and 24 hr bezel insert? :whistling:

Probably like this:

Awesome article!!!! Can't wait to see the case test. :thumbsupsmileyanim:

Cheers

409 SS, she's real fine, my 409

Thanks for all the hard work on this, its fascinating reading, and I am looking forward to read the rest.

Now correct me if I am wrong here, but just touching a caseback with a magnet to test attraction, I would imagine, is no good for a watch. However, since some casebacks are exhibiting magnetic properties, I would think that these watches would exhibit all kinds of weird problems even without being near a magnet. Think of it, your caseback is a magnet, and right up close to the movement 24/7, with no Faraday cage or shielding.

Thanks again for the research.

CHeers

I never got a fruit basket, or a massage

Wow, you and TeeJay are becoming what this hobby needs more of, innovative ways of having fun and creating great projects. Its all well and good to have immense amounts of cash to throw at a project, but its great to see what can be done with some work and out of the box thinking. Congrats on the Tudor guys, they are first rate.

Cheers

Interesting topic indeed. I consider this to be the same as going into a book store and browsing through some books or magazines. Many book stores these days even offer some nice furniture to sit on and coffee to drink in the hopes that if you enjoy your shopping experience, and the books, you will make a purchase and be a return customer although there is nothing to stop someone from reading a bit and leaving. Same as going to the public library, you can go in, grab a book or mag, have a seat and read, all without even having a library card. Of course if you do not have a card, you can't check a book out, but if you have the time to read there, its free to you.

Of course, the library is supported by tax dollars and is a public service. The book store would eventually close its doors if nobody ever paid for a book. So, there is always some measure of support that has to take place for it all to even happen. Some folks may have the idea that if they pay, everyone should, and considering the immense cost of this type of site, I can understand that position. To me, to each his own, whether you choose to support with donations, a subscription, donating a watch, doing reviews, or contributing knowledge, its all good.

Cheers

I d tap jessica

GILF?

You just can't get this kind of witty banter on most gen sites. I am not a member of any gen site, but I do stop in from time to time for some light reading, and as much as I do respect those folks and their passion for their collections, I just find the rep forums more informative and entertaining overall. Some folks on gen forums are all about "look what I got and imagine what I paid for it" mentality. Just the mention of the words "homage watch" and they go off the deep end, too snobbish, too full of themselves. On top of that, some of those folks only think they know what they are looking at, and they certainly have no idea of whats going on inside the case of a watch. Here you have craftsmen who can do amazing work with just basic tools and true professionals who not only know watches inside and out, but post their knowledge for all to see and be inspired with, you don't get that with gen forums.

Besides, what is there to "get", I don't know everything, but I do know when I am having a good time, and I have more of a good time on the rep forums. So, what I do "get" is a sense of community while enjoying what I consider a cool hobby, and in that sense, I "get" a lot.

Cheers

"This auction is for a great looking vintage Rolex case and

movement."

:bangin:

Congrats to all

It happened to me once where I was given the wrong tracking number. I checked the number one morning to find out that my package had been delivered and signed for in Pennsylvania (I am in Florida). The seller/collector confirmed that I got the wrong tracking number. About 20 minutes later, my watch arrived on my desk. In short, don't worry, they will sort it out, and don't get too concerned over tracking numbers, they usually do not work all that well for us (I am starting to believe that these tracking numbers do not work well on purpose). Usually, by the time USPS system stated acceptance at customs, its already at my post office and I receive it the next day.

I hope all gets sorted out for you.

Cheers

All the best OS on the new store!! I am on my way now to check it out.

Congrats on your first week!!

Cheers

Great work!! You are right in that pictures do not do the CF dial justice. I just got a CF dial from another member for an upcomming project. Its beautiful, seems like the dial fonts and markers "float" above the surface when you see it in person.

Cheers

Ubi, if you don't mind me asking, was the bezel and crystal you used on your Uncle's project standard rep issue, or was it aftermarket replacement for Rolex?

IF, the entire case was rep issue, and IF I can find one of these cases, and IF the new "closer sub-dial" A7750 will fit, and IF the aftermarket Zenith Daytona dial I have fits the movement, then maybe I will be able to build one of these at some point.

A lot of IFs there, but I think its worth me looking into. Now, all I need is more $$ (well, don't we all)

Consider that an EP400 is 6.5mm in profile, whereas a Valjoux 7753 is 7.9mm; 1.4mm doesn't seem like a lot, but when we're dealing with something as small as a watch case and movement, it will definitely add to the height of the case/case back.

Also, the 7753 will not have the same subdial positions as the El Primero 400. The registers are positioned too far out towards the edge of the dial (an EP400 has the registers grouped fairly close together).

This would be a deal breaker for me. One of the things, IMO, about the Daytonas personality is the subdial spacing. If they are too far out, it just looks bad. I am wondering about the "new closer subdial A7750" that the cartel folks advertise for the new Zenith Defy. If the subdials are infact "same as ElPrimero", then the dial issue could be solved with a good quality rep dial (or franken one using a gen dial). the you would still have a movement that is too thick and have to use a case that is too thick. However, if the "thinner" rep Daytona case was used, and some re-work to the bezel assembly (so it would not be too conical and still have a nice rise to the crystal) was done, you would be on to something. Of couse, the thinner case that Freddy used for his mod project a while back may be hard to get, even if you found a rep dealer who advertised that case, there would be no guarantee that that is what you would get.

So, here is the recipe;

1. New "closer subdial" A7750 from the Zenith Defy rep.

2. Rep Daytona hand set (hoping what you get actually fits the movement properly).

3. Gen or aftermarket dial (hard to get, would be better if rep factory made a good one of).

4. "Thinner" older Daytona rep case as Freddy used in his project.

5. Rep oyster bracelet.

At this stage, only the too conical bezel and caseback would be the only outstanding issues. The caseback could maybe be taken from one of the "faux chrono" Daytona reps, as some of these may have a caseback that looks closer to the gen. The bezel assembly would require some case modding, and even then it may not be possible to re-work the case to get a gen crystal and bezel (or aftermarket) to fit and have the watch still work properly.

A lot of work to go through, and AFAIK, the new closer sub-dial A7750s' are not that common yet to be able to know its durability, so there may still be some problems. IMO, using the 7753 for a Daytona project is going in the wrong direction if the sub-dial spacing is going to be wrong, but we shall see. I still think that if the rep folks can do a Zenith Defy ElPrimero with better sub-dial spacing, then why not the Daytona? In fact, why not also the Zenith Rainbow, Zenith DeLuca, Omega Speedy-Pro, etc.?

Trying to answer the question of the best Daytona rep project. Seems like we all got a way to go.

Cheers

These folks offer a stainless steel case kit for the 16520 Daytona (like Ubi's) for $1650 US, which probably does not include the dial even though it is pictured;

http://www.jewelryandwatch.com/index1.html

Many members have done these projects and can probably attest that it was a long, expensive road. I only got as far as getting the dial for one when I got stopped in my tracks, its just too expensive a project for me. Keep in mind that the correct hands must be fitted, if the donor movement has a date function, this has to be removed properly for the movement to fit the case. Many of these aftermarket parts need some modification to fit properly as well as having the movement serviced, these projects are not for the faint of heart.

Now I'll take this opportunity to get on the soapbox in the hope that someone in the rep making industry listens. Recently they have released new versions of the Omega Planet Ocean and Constellation chronos as well as a new version of the Zenith Defy chronos, all of which are advertised as new format A7750 movements with closer sub-dial spacing, the Zenith is actually advertised as having "same subdial spacing as El-Primero". If this is all true, then why the hell are they all putting so much energy in bringing out the same seconds at 6 timebomb in hundreds of different flavors as well as comming up with amazing reps of everything BUT a good solid Daytona? As said above, they don't care because they don't have to care. If they can do the El-Primero subdial spacing right, do a high quality dial for it (like the ones on the current seconds at 6 timebomb), and figure out a way of not having the bezel as conical as a volcano, then I would buy and finally be satisfied in the Daytona category.

I am curious as to what WM9's project will be.

So, if cost is no object your only option to build a real nice, dependable Daytona is to go the franken route. Even if it costs near the $5k to $6k range, its still half the cost of the genuine.

Cheers

Not to mention for the replica manufacturers................

No kidding 'eh...

AFAIK all vintage Rolex sport models had bi-directional bezels (rotates both ways, un-ratcheted) which would disqualify it as a dive watch theoretically. However, the bezels on the gens fit so well and tight that they do require a little effort to turn. Apparently this did prove to be problematic and thus later models were introduced with the uni-directional bezel (turns only one way, ratcheted).

Cheers

Good Lord...you made your own hands , that's dedication. It looks stunning, congrats on a great project. Wear that thing with pride

Cheers

I hope it goes to court and the arrogant sods get hammered!

Bob.

Agreed, I also would consider the Swatch Group the arrogant sods based on what this article states. I would understand that any producer of high end goods would be upset or reluctant to let retailers from discounting their products, thereby hurting their exclusive status, however, if they control pricing in such a way as to go against the law, they need to be taken to task over it. Sure, Omega does not want to be seen in the discount section along with the Seikos' and Citizens', but the world economy is soft right now, so retailers should be able to do whats necessary to stay afloat. Besides, most high end watches, even if discounted by 50%, would still likely turn a profit of some kind for the manufacturer. Their real damage here is the reputation of their name, not the money.

Just yesterday, I was at a Rolex AD here in Florida who is shutting their doors. Everything must go signs in the windows, the whole bit, stating everything in the store is 30 to 50% off, if I remember correctly. The discounts were smaller on the remaining stock of Rolex they had, and it was stated that what they had in the displays is it, once it is all gone, they are gone. So I wonder what happens in a case like this. If there are no takers for the remaining stock, does it go back to Rolex to be re-distributed? If they do indeed own the remaining stock, are they not entitled to sell it all off for whatever they can (reasonably speaking, I doubt a new Milgauss would sell for a grand or less, even in an going out of business sale)? Just seeing the store with "going out of business" signs printed in yellow and red in the windows seems to take from the exclusivity a bit. I am surprised that such signage is not verboten concerning the sale of Rolex products, but what are they gonna do? The AD is already on the way out, its not like threatening to pull their AD status means much now. I have to go back down that way in a couple weeks, maybe I'll stop in to see what I can get a nice Air-King for .

Back OT, Offshore and Ken know more about this story since it is local to them, but seems to me that the former GM was trying to do the right thing. If Swatch thinks that the laws in OZ are stupid, then let them pull out altogether. They are wealthy, it should not matter to them all that much.

Cheers

when i was in grade school, all clocks in the classrooms were sweeping. they weren't battery powered though!

Same here, all classroom clocks were made by the same company "Simplex". They were indeed smoothly sweeping seconds hands and were electric I believe. My last name starts with "C", so I usually wound up getting seated near the front of the classroom most of the time, near the clock on the wall. I always noticed that they all emitted a slight "buzzing" noise about every hour for about 15 seconds or so. I don't know why, maybe they automatically synchronized themselves with a master clock or something. I guess I have been interested in time keeping devices for longer than I thought.

Cheers

The dial fonts look like gold gilt in your pics, that's a cool effect. You are missing your 1:00 hour marker, that's not as cool. Get rid of the ROLEXROLEXROLEX around the dial rim, replace the 1:00 hour marker and you got a nice conversation piece there

Cheers