ken fingerlove

I really take exception to the use of the word 'fake'. A replica watch is not a 'fake' watch. A 'fake' watch would look like a watch but would not function like a watch ie it would not tell the time. We have replica watches which function as watches ie they tell the time, they are watches. Real watches. OK, they purport to originate from a different place/factory, but that in itself does not stop them from being watches. They are still watches. Real, actual living beating watches. So can we please refer to them as replicas and not fakes. Rant over. Thankyou.

While I get your point, I disagree. They aren't fake watches, that would be ridiculous, but they _are_ fake Rolexes, Omegas, and Breitlings. Rolex wouldn't concern themselves with the production of fake watches (even with the Brand name on them) but they are (or at least make some effort to appear to be) interested in fake Rolexes that work.

I've bought plenty of gen watches over the years, and will continue to do so, but I have no real interest in putting

Hope the project is going well.. I'm in the same city as you, and wondering if I should go through the same process as you. I have the "donor" watch already.

I'd love to be any help I could, but I pretty much bought stuff and sent to to my watchmaker. He was in two minds as to whether he should take it on, in case anyone found out. He says he definitely wouldn't do another one, so I can't even give you his details.

Are there ever London GTGs?

So it's been 6 months since I started buying parts, and still no watch. Watchmaker is waiting for a new stem to arrive, he'll re-thread that, and then he reckons that will be it finito.

And yes, he says he did have some issues with the threads on the pushers.

It actually looks like I might get it before the WM9/BK DeepSea. Extraordinary!

Ever since I saw one of the guardless Daytonas on VRF a few months ago I've been dying to order a rep to butcher. The black bezel might just push me over the edge.

As soon as someone makes a rep with that slate grey dial they will have my cash.

I'll have to check it out...

Don't. One of the worst films ever made, and I'm a big Bruce Willis fan, and think the sun shines out of Lucy Liu's - well, everywhere

@Ken - If you go riveted, go for the real thing, it is worth it. The rep versions are not even close.

Regards.

Does anyone know offhand what endlinks will fit the daytona case? I lent the book I bought to someone, and it doesn't look like I'll get it back any day soon!

Thanks

Really looks good. Whether you go black and white or this red, will anyone you ever meet think anything different.

I'm tempted to go for a riveted band myself, because they look much better than the folded link 7835 (IMO), but the price is high.

And some progress

"Managed to get the movement to fit inside the case eventually, after turning out the inside diameter slightly. Just need to set the clearance up for the dial now (so that the movement doesn't bear down on the dial when secured in place) and then onto the pushers and hands. The dial fits the movement o.k (must be a reworked Valjoux one). Will hopefully finish off this week now if all goes well."

He reckons the hands fit fine, but as other people have found, I'm expecting there to be some issues with the pushers' thread pitch.

He was telling me that the cousins crystal I sent him would be almost identical (if not OEM) to the gen crystal. He reckons there are only two or so factories in the world making these, so it would be surprising if it wasn't identical.

He was very scathing of the 'rolex' bridges supplied with the kit. He thinks they are unuseable - they've been ground down to remove whatever engraving was there before, and now they're so thin they'll hardly even accept a jewel. So I guess the movement will have to remain as is, until I win the lottery and can justify thousands on a gen bridge - har har.

Perhaps it'll be finished in time for my first day in my new job next Monday.

I'm just glad he's started it!

I know this is as close as it gets as far as reps go, but physically is this model worth getting? Will I have any problems with it or will they claim it might come with tiny dings then see huge gashes all over the watch?

I sold my modded SSD, and I have a pam 177 now that I dont think really suits me. You cant go wrong with a Rolex so I would like this WM9 Sub (I love perfection) or a GMT IIC (stainless).

Any advice is welcome, and thanks in advance!

I got one, and the only things that were wrong was the fitting of the end links, the lume wasn't great, and the safety clasp didn't quite close properly (problems on any WM9, I imagine). The watch was as new.

YMMV, but that is the one I got.

Not a Rolex nor a rep, but while waiting for my DW this caught my eye on the bay, and I had a moment of madness. Looks like I need to pry the bezel off and give it a good clean under there.

Really like it - I guess it's very similar to a Seiko diver - a nice size, seems to be keeping pretty good time.

I suppose it was 1/10th the price of an equivalent Rolex. That's what I keep repeating to myself. Signed crown, but the back is plain (possible replacement, not sure, I don't know a lot about these)

Yes, apparently the government here can do anything they like. Trust me, I have already spoken to lawyers! They can even tell me with how many people I am allowed to live together in a house (if you are not married and more than 2 persons, eg. with an older kid or as student house or whatever, you already have a problem! limit for unmarried persons is TWO per house, no matter how big it is).

They always come to inspect this, meaning they check if you are REALLY living alone and all that. And apparently they have the RIGHT to enter your flat and see how many beds, toothbrushes and closets are in your appartment, without a warrant or anything. You can refuse them, but they will come back with the police and they will use force (been there, done that!)!

How would Hugh Hefner cope in a country like that?!?!?

I've never heard of anything so preposterous in my entire life. How does that not contravene some sort of human rights legislation? It's amazing what people will allow their governments to do to them.

I would stick with the original dial & after fitting the parts you listed, the watch should look good enough to warrant a gen bracelet (optional, of course).

Agree with Freddy, the DW PN dials don't seem to have quite the quality that the regular dials have. It seems you have to step up a bit to get a better looking PN dial.

However, if you prefer the look of the PN dial, even if the printing isn't quite so good, you should go with the one you like better, no?

Anyone else see this thread on the vintage rolex forum? :

http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/thre...e+Custom+Shop...

Brand new Daytona, with the CGs ground off, and the case brushed.

I think it looks pretty darned spiffy. Much better than original, with a kind of double-take look to it. Someone here should try it

And one other thing: would a watchmaker with a parts account be able to get a gen crystal much cheaper? It strikes me that they would balk at paying hundreds for crystals when they know they're just plastic

I'm sure I must have a connection somewhere.

Is there a noticeable difference between a gen crystal, and a $5 piece from Ofrei, say? Apart from the $100 difference.

Unless there are fitting issues, or something like that, I think I'd prefer to put my money towards a gen bracelet, or a better dial, or bezel..

The countersinking on the screw on the bridge looks bad. Surely that is a relatively simple thing to get right?

727 movements seem pretty rare to me. I haven't seen one on eBay for months, and I fear the price of one that will/might appear.

New info from ebay seller - they will do the better plastic insert for $125 - which includes the cost of inserting and polishing it flush.

That almost seems reasonable. I'll definitely consider that if it annoys me when I start wearing it.

I've got a gen if you'd like it

No question I'd like it, but there's no question that I'd pay what you'd ask me for it

Hi,

starting to get anal, and I still haven't got the watch built yet.. The bezel inserts that I got from DW both have problems, one a very dodgy 110, the other a dodgy "UNITSPER"...

I saw Jeff G's in the "let's see your Rolex only collection" thread, and the bezel insert on his looks fantastic. Good "UNITS PER", good 110, AND with the added bonus of a flat S. He got it from Joshua, but the ones on Joshua's site now appear not so good.

I looked on the bay, and seller "v_luu44" has what appears to be pretty much the same insert, but at the nut tightening price of $350 (with the metal bit). I mailed him/her for a price on just the plastic, but I don't doubt it will still be too much. Edit - v_luu44 seems to be jeweleryandwatch.com - both in Arizona, anyway, seems too coincidental to be otherwise...

Anyone got a source for a better insert?

Thanks

J-dog!

(p.s. don't really know why I'm reluctant to type my real name in here - I use it for worse!)

Freddy,

if I could find the strap I was looking for in any jeweler's, I would buy one, believe me. Don't think I haven't looked. I figured that since this is probably going to end up being the most expensive watch I own, I should get the strap I really want. (if you want a hint, this is from a certain Parisienne leather boutique).

Yeah, the buckle does look good - the markings are all right, and it feels right, too. It'll go on the _right_ strap when it eventually arrives!

And yet another update with no update.

Finally got my strap in the post this week (actually, I will include one picture). But stitching was wrong, so back it went. Looked pretty good otherwise, but wondering if maybe a lighter brown would have been better.

I still have time. Talked to the watchmaker today, and he says he can probably start on it late next week. Woo-hoo.

In other good news, he has found a twinlock crown that he can stick in. He's now worried about the hands more than anything.

And he has me on the lookout for a bracelet, Tudor or Rolex, because he reckons a Tudor bracelet plus Rolex clasp will be much cheaper than the all Rolex affair.

Maybe in three weeks or so, I'll have some pictures of something ticky with hands and [censored] :S

It seems to have a slightly rough polished finish. I know what you mean, but the gen has a radially brushed finish.

Surely that should be straightforward to reproduce - brush the wheel before applying your 'sticker'? Unless I'm missing something?

Well I suggest you let your fingers do the walking and call around your local AD's. Locate a 116660 and go down and take a look at it. Compare it to a 16610 0r a 11660 and you will see there is a very obvious difference in the color. It is not a matter of the finish being more/less brushed. The finish is the same, and I guarantee if both bracelets were taken off you could tell from across the room which was the 904L.

But hang on, aren't the DSSD, SD and sub heads all made of 904L? and the bracelets are variously made of 316 or 904L. Where are all the people whining that their collars don't match the cuffs? Would Rolex sell a watch where the bracelet was a different colour from the head? I just don't believe it. But the next time I'm in a Rolex shop, I'll definitely look out for it..

The whole difference in colour bull is refuted utterly by the fact that there are (gen) watches out there with 904 heads and 316 bracelets, and no one can tell the difference in colour.

I can believe that there is a difference in finish.

All this calling for negative feedback seems harsh to me. No one lost any money, it all happened quickly, what's the real problem?

My one neg comes from a CD I bought, and after several months, and three phone calls to the seller's mother, I eventually got the item. I neg'ed the [censored], and got a very nice neg in return.

With the sheer quantity of transactions over the web, if your only cause for complaint is a great deal you didn't get and a bit of wasted time, thank your lucky stars