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Rolex 5500 Explorer. A few weeks back , while buying parts for some other builds I was working on, I decided to add a 5500 dial to my order as I have yet to add one to my collection of explorers. Parts arrive and I went to work. Dial In the Gen world, this is one of the ultra rare double t<25 stamped underline dial with gilt text and gloss finish. I first aged the lume some as it just looks too perfect out of the box. After all this watch was available in the late 50s to mid 60s . Hands: originally threw some generic merc hand set on there but wasn't feeling the hour hand. I had used the second hand for another project so for this build I used a dj style seconds hand and i liked the look ...but quickly tired of them and replaced them with a set from raffles time. I had a domed crystal on the case set but it took away from the appearance of the watch. made it feel much smaller and just wasn't feelin it on this build for some reason so I swapped it for a 25-12 clarks crystal . The clarks crystal gives the watch a bigger appearance and allows clearer view and really showcases the dial compared to the domed crystal. I have a preference for the domed crystal but the 25-12 just works for this build more so in my eyes. (with domed crystal and generic hands ) I settled on hands from Raffles , which I aged appropriately to achieve the vintage look and match the lume of the dial . Truthfully the lume is darker than what I was after but the pumpkin orange tone of the lume compliments the gold hands and text and it gives the watch a warm vintage feel. I went with the display case back as it is more rolex like and resolved the display window with a service sticker mounted on the inside of the caseback. This prevents the decal from getting damaged and peeling with use. I pushed it with the aging process of the case set. I tried out a few new techniques to achieve the aged appearance and I am quite happy with the results. I feel that it gives the watch a realistic well used look without looking deliberate. Eta 2824 clone movement. I've had good luck with the clones for half the price of Gen and they beat slightly slower than Gen ETAs. Bracelet is a Raffles 19mm rivet , which I aged similar to the case and complete the build . The result.: a great vintage piece with wrist presence that offers details that the other ref in the explorer line doesn't. As always comments and criticism welcome. I may be tempted to build more of these or sell this one on if anyone is interested. but in the meantime I am enjoying it. Thanks for looking.

Rolex 5500 Explorer. A few weeks back , while buying parts for some other builds I was working on, I decided to add a 5500 dial to my order as I have yet to add one to my collection of explorers. Parts arrive and I went to work. Dial In the Gen world, this is one of the ultra rare double t<25 stamped underline dial with gilt text and gloss finish. I first aged the lume some as it just looks too perfect out of the box. After all this watch was available in the late 50s to mid 60s . Hands: originally threw some generic merc hand set on there but wasn't feeling the hour hand. I had used the second hand for another project so for this build I used a dj style seconds hand and i liked the look ...but quickly tired of them and replaced them with a set from raffles time. I had a domed crystal on the case set but it took away from the appearance of the watch. made it feel much smaller and just wasn't feelin it on this build for some reason so I swapped it for a 25-12 clarks crystal . The clarks crystal gives the watch a bigger appearance and allows clearer view and really showcases the dial compared to the domed crystal. I have a preference for the domed crystal but the 25-12 just works for this build more so in my eyes. (with domed crystal and generic hands ) I settled on hands from Raffles , which I aged appropriately to achieve the vintage look and match the lume of the dial . Truthfully the lume is darker than what I was after but the pumpkin orange tone of the lume compliments the gold hands and text and it gives the watch a warm vintage feel. I went with the display case back as it is more rolex like and resolved the display window with a service sticker mounted on the inside of the caseback. This prevents the decal from getting damaged and peeling with use. I pushed it with the aging process of the case set. I tried out a few new techniques to achieve the aged appearance and I am quite happy with the results. I feel that it gives the watch a realistic well used look without looking deliberate. Eta 2824 clone movement. I've had good luck with the clones for half the price of Gen and they beat slightly slower than Gen ETAs. Bracelet is a Raffles 19mm rivet , which I aged similar to the case and complete the build . The result.: a great vintage piece with wrist presence that offers details that the other ref in the explorer line doesn't. As always comments and criticism welcome. I may be tempted to build more of these or sell this one on if anyone is interested. but in the meantime I am enjoying it. Thanks for looking.

This is my first time to mod 1600 cases to 1016 specs. I must admit I did not believe it would look the part due to the significant difference of design of the lugs between the two models, but finally, it prooved to be possible. The lugs were shortened by 1/2 mm as the DJ has very sleek and pointed lugs when the 1016 has a different, more sporty shaped form of lugs. The lug holes were relocated higher and now appear equidistant from all edges. The lugs upper part was significantly lowered to have the surface appear larger. The crown side was shaved to create the distinct tonneau shape of the 1016, when 1600 have a triangular shape. Final touch was to erase the original reference number only, leaving all other engravings intact and refinishing the brushed finish overall! Now, with a nice "1016" properly engraved under the original REGISTERED DESIGN, these cases will rock!!! As for the casebacks, one was good to have its eges restaured, but the other was beyond salvage. I did a "US dealer" brushed finish that allowed to refinish all side edges nicely. Enjoy the pics !!!!

Hi all, I wanted to share what can be done based on the ol'cartel cases retailed by JMB. They are truly the perfect candidate to make a first series Explorer 1 case. All 3 elements have been re-engine turned here : caseback, mid case and bezel. Inside runs a ETA, held by a custom made brass holder for a perfect mount ! Cheers !!!!

Here is a new 1016, probably the only one combining this shape with a gasket groove..... And also the trickiest assignment I ever had as the case was hand modified before me getting involved and totally assymetrical !!!! Very hard to tune the machine. But well: end result isn't that bad at all.

Here is my latest built for a fellow member: see the rear of the mid case !!!! I finally was able to get the proper tool to perfectly shape the lip where the back case meets the mid case !!!! First time ever I believe.... Specs : JMB base mid case and bezel, totally redone. Reshaped lugs on top to achieve the proper "drop", 30% metal removed on the sides, phony serial and ref removed, trimmed rehaut. RT caseback, Yuki dial, TC hands, Verlux T21, Genuine 600 crown and tube, rep sringbars with trimmed and polished tips to get a perfect fit. Enjoy !!!!!

Almost done !!! My 1655, ready to show. I still have to tune up that sec hand as it's too long, and source a better thinner GMT, but overall, it's not bad now is it? Cartel case, SK crystal, gen crown, PolexPete DWO, Ingod dial and custom hands. ETA modified so the GMT hand is not adjustable anymore, as per gen. Basically no part has been used as is. The dial has been relumed and revarnished, the DWO has been slimmed and correctly brush finished, the midcase, bezel and back case all undergone deep modifications. Back case thinnered as dome was too high, mid case thinnered as well, CG modded to match the dial, and bezel rebrushed for a more gen like aspect.

I am relatively new the the replica scene, but have been following this and other forums for a while now. I am about to make my first purchase (Rolex Explorer 1, 39mm). After searching through various forum searches and TD's websites, I have noticed that as of July a new Explorer was released. http://www.pure-time.com/product/explorer-i-214270-39mm-11-best-edition-on-ss-bracelet-sa3132-v2/ Also, on one of the forums Shine Watches posted that they have it and slightly cheaper. I emailed him and he said it now has the correct blue lume, I am awaiting his reply for the gloss finish and the correct hands. I am a amateur "for now" but could someone kindly look at the watch and tell me whether it is worth placing an order on? I can't seem to find anyone on all the forums that has purchased it yet and next to nothing information on the new watch. Just lots of people asking about the watch with loads of bumps Shine Watches said it's from the Noob factory, is the one from Puretime a Noob? Thank you in advance I look forward to reading the replies. P.S. I have been lead to believe Asian Super 3132 clone is the only movement this watch will be having for the foreseeable future.