Watchmeister

I have counted them on the older autos in the past and always ended up well north of 48 teeth. The 60 was also what I had been told by more than one collector. Before you do anything T let's take a couple of days and figure it out. I am headed out for several hours but if someone gives me a good methodology I have at least one or two autos with me. Everything else is at home and I am away until Tuesday morning. If you can be patient I can check a number of different crowns on the various watches. If you asked me to guess I suspect it may depend on the year and the model. But I won't know until I am back home on Tuesday where I have gen crowns from A/B/E/F and H series.

I vote for c1

$2,500 - $3,000 is the right price. Rolex 618 sells anywhere from $1500 to $2,000 (fully serviced). That is why the cortebert's are a screaming buy for a fraction of the price.

You can rag all you want about the big bang. But Hublot laughed its way all he way to the bank. Only a few months ago the two principals of Hublot for something approaching $200 million to a major luxury company so someone was buying that watch. I will be curious to see what there next line is now that they are part of a much larger company. And I do like them. Only ever had one which went to another member who wanted it but I will get another someday - rep of course.

Stephane- I wish you a speedy recovery. I have already received emails from folks relating to a potential shopping expedition today. I will have to see if I can "sneak out".

A lot of fun - great company, watches and food. A lot of very nice watches were floating around. I am sure someone will post a more detailed report. Big thanks to our party organizers - very well done.

A lot of people prefer the black dial. I just tend to stay away from clear case backs as I (like you) am bothered by inaccuracies on the back of the watch and no one is going to match the fit and finish of a Chopard movement.

I am going with the smorgasbord approach on watches.

Other dealers may offer it. If you have a preferred dealer contact them. But other dealers may not stock it because it makes no economic sense to offer 3 versions of the same watch. Alternatively, if you are very concerned about the back of the watch I would suggest you go to the limited edition with silver dial. It has an excellent solid case back with individual serial numbers depending on the dealer (if I remember correctly). At least it is not another black dial watch and the gen is a far more exclusive watch.

YM- Some of us will be here when you arrive. -Kruz

These things swing back and forth. But IMHO all the forums are changing to reflect the growth in the whole rep industry. We are seeing more exciting offerings (albeit expensive sometimes ) from more dealers, more in-detail reviews from a broader group of the membership and even more discussion about vintage, frankens and new brands. And the noob questions are going to increase as the membership does. Although there will always be a few obnoxious noobs (obnoxious vets too... ) everyone should remember - we were all noobs once. So cheers to all.

Looking forward to tomorrow night. Dave - I don't think $1 bills will get you very far in a strip club. They are only useful for tipping the bathroom attendant (and he will be pissed). See you tomorrow.

D- Somewhere he said he had made plenty so order away. They look great. The T crown out palps the palp. Now I just have to figure out what watches I have where I haven't already changed over the case tube or crown guard. By the way guys, great reviews.

R- Congrats on the watch. It looks really good. The movement should give you no problem in the date only cofiguration. he valve actually looks good. The artificial silver ring running around the inside of the crystal on the SS version is gone on yours and that is a big improvement. The gen 187 has it and the 194 doesn't. On the markers I would guess they are mounted but not screwed as I ultimately found that the 187 did not have screws. And as you know the markers are chromium plated base metal so be careful and never polish them. Overall, it looks to be everything we were hoping for. Kudos for yoy for actually doing it.

Thanks for the kind thoughts. B- I can take along whatever you want. I did forget where we are going though. So let me know.

Thanks for the kind comments. I love the GMT's so this one is a labor of love. Gen parts include dial, hands, bezel, crystal, crown and cg. Case is Jimmy. Caseback is from honpo and actually has all the numbers within the correct ranges (bb too ). Movement is the super rare "Officne Panerai" movement.

Couldn't resist showing the final 03. Many thanks to many folks who were helpful along the way. All Jimmy parts exchanged for gen. By the way for those who have a Vanni dial /hands combo I have now established that without a doubt he mixed original t with relumed hands. Took two sets to make mine and I have checked with three other folks who have mixed sets as well. So if you have glow on your hands and they are from Vanni - say hello to lume. Not a good thing but I thought folks should know. Obligatory Wrist Shots - Gotta get me one of those darn fangled macro lenses

Couldn't resist showing the close to final 23. Many thanks to many folks who were helpful along the way. Basically Jimmy and gen now. One more round of bezel re-inking but otherwise this is the finished project. Now this is where we take luck over skill - Check out the franken caseback versus a watch currently on the bay: Franken GEN Obligatory Wristshots:

T- Congrats on a great project. This one is definitely a winner. Can't wait to see the first modded watches. And to answer questions, it will fit on Jimmy case but only if you replace case tube (hole is too big) or use gaskets to plug the hole.

T- Stunning watch. I am drooling. Can't wait to see it.

Can someone photoshop some diamonds and make it a Happy Diamonds.

1. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Chrono 2. PAM 233 GMT 3. IWC first gen Big Pilot 4. Rolex Deep Sea (yeah I want one - gotta have the first man-size Rolex) 5. UN Freak or any Uhrwerke (never happen but I can dream)

What they all said... Happy Birthday my man. We are not getting older. We are getting better.

Isn't Rolli in Germany? Other EU folks would include Pam1A, Sssurfer, V, etc. but that will take time. T- Congrats on a great project. Looking forward to seeing them.