Watchmeister

None at the moment. I am hoping for a 372 to complement the Fiddy.

Unless you are a rocker or a bicycle messenger I say it is silly. Fulfill your skull fantasies with a t-shirt which you wear on the weekends.

Great post.

Ooh, Ramon, that is a sexy watch. Seriously, that is a great looking watch.

I am a Sylo fan.

PPN- Actually the lower prices for the best version is now a fairly common occurrence. The factories appear to be pricing them to sell larger quantities. I don't think we will see as many variants as we have in the past but hopefully they will be better priced.

On the datewheels it is my belief that the differences in datewheels is predominantly due to switching over to the in-house movement. All the JLC movements appear to have the standard JLC white background. All the numerical subtleties and off-white (not all the datewheels on the in-house movement are off-white though) seem to have come on the newer movement. To make things even more complex some of the older version ROO's which are still made seem to have the original JLC movement, datewheel and slightly thinner profile. So even today not all ROO's are created equal.

Sander- Great stuff. Interestingly, I am finding they are even improving the bezel screw set up. The Chronopassion actually has little rubber washers in the bezel screw holes to keep them better in place. I just wish my gen older Royal Oak did too. The screws on that one are all askew and at different heights - compliments of an AD a number of years ago. The thinner Royal Oaks seem to be a simpler long screw set up so they move all the time.

Great post. With all the variations of ROO's over the years and the changes there is a good amount of variance. Most people don't know that even the dimensions of the watch changed when AP went to an in-house movement when they sold their stake in JLC. In truth the instant tells on the newer models with revised tachy ring for better date placement are either microscopic or difficult to discern.

Unfortunately I find there are just as many older "timewasters" as noobs. There are too many professional shoppers. But is it different than any other retail setting. IMHO the problem with a list is that it is always subjective. If you find there is someone who for whatever reason infuriates you make your life better and block them. It is very refreshing.

Is the general conclusion that this one is better than anything else out there with the principal gripe being poorly cut date window. That watch looks fantastic in any case.

I am not sure anyone knows where to begin. I have tried to keep up with all the various versions from a reading perspective and have even owned a couple and can't answer the question. V1 vs. V1.5 vs V6 vs V7. The headline is that none are perfect (of course) and it is all about what your priorities are: dial, movement, case back, etc. My guess (and it is a guess) is the latest is the best in terms of movement aesthetics, crystal, date wheel font and strap but the CF dial has a crappy date cut out. So if you are trying to own one and are not planning on doing a bunch of mods than go with the latest offering.

If you are unhappy with him just don't us him anymore. I am always in favor of letting other forum members know of good and bad experiences with dealers or suppliers. I can tell you are not happy with the transaction but at the end of the day he is trying to do the right thing offering replacement, etc. I haven't bought from him in years but had not had a problem. In any case I hope you are happy with the replacement.

Audemars Piguet has been a prestige brand since long before athletes, rappers and actors discovered them. And your AP ROO will be a classic long after you can't remember the actors' names in Entourage.

Absolutely gorgeous build. Wear that one well.

If you are buying a watch for one occasion why would you buy a gen? If Rolex is the revered watch and you want to impress people go with one of those. Alternatively either an AP RO Jumbo, VC Overseas or Patek nautillus. They are all ss and relatively slim on the wrist.

No Sander is not.

The AP ROO is large. It is 44mm with 15-17mm of height. I do think it is about as classic (and elegant) as one gets for a large SS sports watch though. It will wear as big if not bigger than your HBB. If you are happier with the size of a 6536 I would echo the sentiment of picking a traditoinal RO Jumbo.

Wait a minute, they own gens. That is why they are pissed.

Gen parts are not illegal. And owning a frankenstein is not illegal. Even building one isn't. And it is not like there is only one person regularly sourcing those parts. I do suspect that if IWC finds out which distributor, AD or certified watchsmith is selling those parts he is toast. And on the dramatic post, wouldn't you be angry if you saw someone else wearing your watch at half the price?

The 116523 uses the in-house Rolex movement. The 16523 uses a modified El Primero movement. I think you will have a heck of a time getting the in-house movement for the 116. If you can find it the last one I saw was $3k for the movement alone so by the time you have put it together you can easily be into it for $5k plus. And you can probably find a gen for another $2-3k. So I wouldn't go that route. The 16523 is probably more realistic. You will certainly be into that for less but that is going to be $3.5k plus with gen movement, dial, hands, etc. But listen to Ubi. He has built some beauties.

Loving those crown guards.

The gen diver strap is so much more comfortable I put it on my ROO white themes.

Looking forward to seeing the finished project.

JG- Great post. I do think the Italian styling will be a function of your body type and age. And you are so right on the shirts and suits . The best part of custom is that you can have the cuff on your watch wearing sleeve enlarged to ensure that the watch fits under and true functioning buttons on the suit coat sleeve not only tell everyone it is a custom or a better suit but also give folks a glimpse of that expensive watch.