one80

*Crown guards., not lugs.

The insert is the first thing I notice as the fonts are not correct. The fading looks nice though. As above the cyclops position does not look right either, but could be the angle of the shot. The legs are too thick, even for a NOS case so would look to have them redone.

Yes - they are in Europe.

There's good thread HERE.... 😉

The Vietnamese ones from MQ are quite good generally, but still have some very obvious discrepancies that won’t fool anyone that knows what they’re looking at. The Darklords gilt dials are something else however… As the saying goes you get what you pay for

Who is around these days that does good case work? Specifically a gilt era 5513. I've messaged Rolojack a few times, but he is on here only sporadically and wasn't taking on any new jobs last time.

Ah thanks. That’s good! Cheers for the updated pass too.

Does anyone know if Ruby's are still trading? The website doesn't seem to show anything, and haven't got any response to email...

That's a shame - would be a great time to still own a gen 6538. The plan is to get the best gilt dial I can find (and have that underway now), a gen bezel, crownartcustoms insert, gen crown and tube, and ideally a 1030 movement as I can get one for a reasonable price. I'd like to have as much gen as possible, even knowing the cost is a lot more. Thanks. As above, I'm planning to use as much gen as possible. I thought I'd read somewhere (here or RWI) that the Phong and Ruby cases came from the same place, and Phong just does some more reshaping? If that is the case it makes sense to got for a Ruby case and have some work done, though she only has the products listed and no option to chose a serial and year... Have messaged Rolojack too, as the thread says he partially back. Just waiting to hear.

Who currently has the best 6538 case? Still Phong or Minh, or have the Ruby/HR/Silix cases improved? And who is still around that does case reshaping too?

Looks great. Are these negative relief gilt?

I mean all genuine Rolex - i.e. not a mix of gen and rep... There are a few examples over on rolexforums where it's been done.

Thanks - I’ve got the 93160 clasp, but miss the micro adjustments from a more modern one. Might just have track down a 97200 bracelet/glidelock and keep it all gen...

I'm looking to swap the clasp on a 1992 Seadweller to a glidelock. I can't find a genuine clasp for a reasonable price, so am considering a rep in the interim, or Ginault. What is the best version - ARF or ZZF? What are peoples thoughts on this?

Thanks. Are there any good references for the printing process if I was to go down the path myself?

Is there anyone that offers custom dial printing, particularly for vintage Rolex dials (including gilt)? There are some very good quality ones out there, but most seem to have some minor discrepancies...

Yes, I've been talking to Crownartcustoms re. a red triangle insert. I've also ordered a Mk3 to suit a 5513 build, which I've started on also (with a Rubys case and MQ dial) but there's something that draws me back to the BC's...

Thanks both. Have been chatting to crownartcustoms over the last few days, and have a very nice blue/grey Mk3 on its way to Australia now .

Who has the closest to gen Mk3 insert? Everything I've found so far has been waaay off...

Thanks Nanuq. My heart is definitely set on a big crown. I’m still learning towards the 5510 as I want to use a gen movement. starting with the dial - is there a list anywhere? The VRF dial project isn’t working at the moment. I think it was only the following for the 5510: - 2 line 2 colour gilt print (white depth) - 369 with Explorer Logo (small) Was there a larger logo 369 dial, or a red depth also (like the A/6538)?

Hmmm... maybe I am making a rod for my own back with the BC. Any guidance on who has the most accurate 5513 case? Rubywatch modded, pr Phong? Who does case modding these days? Dbane?

Thanks again for the replies. I've found a couple on MQ's site that I'm happy with the font, just not so much on the artificial wear... Have emailed to see if he can supply a "as new" one, and do the wear myself. Am I correct that the 6536/6538/5508/5510 are the only ones that share the same bezel size? The more I head down the vintage big crown path, the more I wonder if a 5512/5513 wouldn't be a little easier...

Thanks for those links. Going off the 4-digit insert guide (stickied) It seems I should be going for either a Hash-Red or MK1 inset to be period correct?

Who has the most accurate 5510 bezel insert? For most of them that I’ve found the font is waaaay off. Phongs seem ok but most are overly “aged”z

I appreciate you taking the time to write that. Sadly, this sounds like exactly the sort of overly complicated, expensive and difficult journey I'd subject myself (and my family) to... A few questions, being new to this: Would a genuine 1520 movement reduce the amount of modification needed to the hands and dial (if using a Phong/MQ/Ruby case)? Assuming a 1520, what would be needed to swap from a MQ to a Dark Lord dial down the track? Is that the same as you've noted above for an ETA? Who has the best red triangle inserts? And lastly, how does one find the Dark Lord?? BTW - that is a lovely watch you have there too.