Watchmeister

The information is consistent. There will be an ultimate version from a different factory but it is months away. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they can wait that long. I don't know if I can.

I have to agree with Ubi. The decision to buy a gen (if you have the funds) is generally a much more thoughtful and deliberate process. If you are someone who owns both reps and gens then reps are more of an impulse purchase. But I never lose sight of the fact that I have a basic love of watches. Whether I want to buy a gen or several reps definitely changes over time. It is a cycle. I have been through the cycle more than once. And suspect I will again. For me the thrill of the hunt has moved to creating Frankens. I don't find that standard reps excite me unless I can amass whatever parts I want to make them special. My typical project can easily take 2-3 years and it usually starts with a critical part like dial and hands, movement, etc. But yes I still can't resist trying a super rep or two every year. In my current phase I don't think I have bought more than a couple of reps in the last year and yet the number of franken projects continues to expand when money permits. In fact I do treasure the frankens I have built more than the gens. Gens simply cost money and you either have them or you don't. Frankens usually involve interaction with your friends and are themselves a special event - not necessarily a great investment. But I never lose sight of the fact that I love watches. Can't live with only one. And reps offer the opportunity to try out that model or brand I would never buy in gen or would only do so when I had the money and knew it was a keeper.

Of course. Everything does at some point (except for true investment pieces. But wait long enough for normal fare and it comes back. If no one re-invents fashion every few years than fashion providers (or watchmakers) make no money. Trust the free enterprise system. They will die in popularity, come back and then die again.

No, if only because the gen is made of ti and all the reps available to us are in the wrong metal (SS). I know you well enough to know it will drive you crazy. Honpo made a ti one for a while but only one member ever successfully got his hands on it.

Excellent review. And 99% of what you point out is accurate for all seconds at 12 models. So it is a great guide for those contemplating buying any Ap ROO rep.

And once you add the gen movement you need to plug the original case tube hole and drill a new one lower as the gen movement is a chrono module mounted on top of the base movement so the crown sits lower versus the chrono pushers. On the 7750 which comes with the rep they all line up.

With such diverse opinions now I have to try one.

Definitely El Dial

I would go after the movement unless you like the watch so much that you want to go for the 2893 version. But it is a lot of money.I have never seen a 2836 version but if you do go the swap route take a look to see if your current movement has any Panerai decoration (rotor, bridges, etc.). If it does I would consider swapping those parts.

He did and they are legendary and expensive when available. When he retired from the parts business I inquired about his cg supplier and he had gone out of business. At that point Jimmy had no interest in finding another source. From what he said my take away was that all of his suppliers either went out of business, significantly increased their prices or let their quality go to hell. When his crystal supplier showed up with mineral crystals rather than sapphire as promised that was his last straw.

So it sounds like the IPAD is in addition to, rather than a substitute for, a lap top if you are doing a lot of two-way communication. This may be a silly question but one of my kids wants to replace their Itouch handheld (which died a few days ago) with an Ipad. They use the Itouch mostly for the usual games, music and movies but not a lot else. In the States it looks like there is a $200 or so price difference between a 32 gig Itouch and a base model Ipad. And my local store has them. Am I nuts? Is the Ipad much more delicate than an Itouch? Sorry for the silly questions but I have never seen or tried one.

Very cool project. Wear it well.

Much thanks for the pics. Many of us have been eager to see it in the real world. And it does look better in your pics than the ones on the dealer websites. Congrats. Two quick questions. Do you think the orange on the hand and bezel is the right color? Does the left hand crown and crown guard cut into your arm?

That is a whole other kettle of fish. The Eddie case is so close that I don't think it is worth the effort. A case back is one that is certainly worth the effort but I am not going there. The CG has always been the dream. But there is a reason why it is a dream. Many people have tried and failed. As I understand it from someone who tried it that one requires a whole other level of "micro-machining". It is funny as I never realized it but all the forum aftermarket versions I have seen (Toro, Nembo/Sead, LH, etc.) were historics.

Very cool project.

I think I see some great projects in your future.

Pete- Didn't know you were ill but I am glad to see you are backup and running. Great comparison.

I am lovin that movement. Congrats on your new acquisition.

Actually, the whole watch from one of the older members a couple of years ago was closer to $800. It may have even come with a gen bracelet if I remember correctly. And D - that gilt one is stunning.

Whatever you buy will require work. But it is worth it. Here is a fully modded 5512 with an ETA slow beat movement with a gen beneath it so it gives you a sense of what you can do with a little effort. Start with an MBW and go for it. Modded MBW 5512 Rep(ETA 2846, gen dial, crown, insert, etc.: And the Gen:

Everyone hold your horses. What gave me the idea was having the CNC person agree to move ahead on the pre-v case based on seeing a Jimmy to make sure his shop was up to it. He felt it would be no problem.But there is a long way to go. We first have to make the Pre-V a success.

I am no expert but I can tell you that "untouched" made a vintage piece I have worth an extra $2-3k.On vintage that is clearly the trend. The person loved the fact it hadn't been serviced in 20 years. Go figure.

Great shots and a wonderful watch. Wear that one well.

I will defer to the experts but my rule is never refinish anything Rolex. And the funny thing is no one ruins a good old watch rather than the rolex service center. Swap out an l dial for a t, throw out that silver datewheel....

I got news for you. If this project is successful and economic the next one will be a limited run of either a Jimmy or gen case. I knew I had that collection for some reason.