Golden Girl

[freddy333]

Case, dial, A7750, handset, pushers (though I will later be replacing these with the Ofreis), bezel from DW

6mm Brevet crown/tube, gold-capped bracelet & T21 crystal are all gen (but the watch is fitted with an aftermarket crystal in final pics because the bezel is only half-way pressed onto the case)

Like all DW construction projects, there were some problems. Most, like the half unpainted (& clearly laser etched as opposed to engraved) bezel, I was able to solve

But others, like receiving Oyster-style pushers for a non-Oyster dial (& my spare Ofrei pushers' threading did not match the case threads ), remain to be worked out

The usual loose hand tubes were fixed, as were some loose hour markers (some still a bit questionable). The dial arrived with lume at 12, which is wrong on a 62xx Daytona & which I was only partially successful in removing. I ran into a few problems assembling hands/dial & movement, but all of those, as you can see, were eventually solved

The semi-finished product - once the rotor was removed (& auto-wind disabled), I was able to fit a V72 caseback so the case is dimensionally correct from all angles & winding sounds like a Rolex

Click to listen

What remains is to sort out the pushers, after which I can then install the gen crystal & press the bezel down all the way (the bezel in these pics is only partially pressed onto the case so it can be easily removed when I deal with the pushers).

[panerai153]

Freddy, That is a real beauty. Man, if you can get the pusher problem worked out and the correct pushers installed that will be the dress Daytona of Dress Daytonas.

IS DW still putting together Daytonas and kits? I had one several years ago, finally gave up on the correct v72 movement and moved it on mainly out of frustration.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Arthur

[freddy333]

Thanks, Arthur.

Yes, DW is still selling kits (as well as assembled A7750-powered watches). He should have them available (minus the gen parts) for Christmas. For pricing/details, contact DW directly.

[BigNickD]

Stunning project. Very intrigued to see completed. Do you have a photo of your inspiration?

[marcoxxx1984]

I am not a gold lover but this would be amazing when it'll be finished!

[slickdick]

Well, i am a sucker for gold (theeth )

Thats one helluva project. Lovely piece!!!

[RWG Technical]

Very nice indeed.

I have run into similar problems with crown tubes or case pushers that don't fit.

The solution I came up with, and have done a few times since, was as follows:

1. Drill out the case slightly larger than the diameter of the pusher threads (you need some meat for the following step).

2. Make a brass bushing that accepts the new pusher and that is machined for a press fit in the case.

3. The brass bushing is drilled, then tapped for the pusher, then it's machined to fit the case, cut to length, and driven home in the case.

4. Once the new brass bushing is installed in the case, the pushers are threaded into it.

On some I have been able to make the bushing small enough that it's not visible, on others you can see it slightly. From what I can see, you could probably make a busing the size of the existing hole.

[JoJo35]

I agree with RG, you've done a great job on this one freddy. I'm especially liking that gen bracelet, wherever did you find that one?

[TeeJay]

As above, I'm not a fan of gold, but that's a fine build

[freddy333]

Stunning project. Very intrigued to see completed. Do you have a photo of your inspiration?

From Mondani's '100 Years of Rolex', but I went with the rarer '300 Units' bezel

[freddy333]

I am not a gold lover but this would be amazing when it'll be finished!

Ditto.

Very nice indeed.

I have run into similar problems with crown tubes or case pushers that don't fit.

The solution I came up with, and have done a few times since, was as follows:

1. Drill out the case slightly larger than the diameter of the pusher threads (you need some meat for the following step).

2. Make a brass bushing that accepts the new pusher and that is machined for a press fit in the case.

3. The brass bushing is drilled, then tapped for the pusher, then it's machined to fit the case, cut to length, and driven home in the case.

4. Once the new brass bushing is installed in the case, the pushers are threaded into it.

On some I have been able to make the bushing small enough that it's not visible, on others you can see it slightly. From what I can see, you could probably make a busing the size of the existing hole.

Thanks, Zig. That is certainly an option, but I am waiting to see if DW can supply the correct pushers.

I agree with RG, you've done a great job on this one freddy. I'm especially liking that gen bracelet, wherever did you find that one?

Yes, as always, I think a gen bracelet adds alot of credibility to a franken. Especially, in the case of gold. The bracelet came from Andy. And between the Brevet crown (somewhat rare on any Rolex, but very rare in the case of a Daytona) & gold bracelet with its unusual stampings

I think the gen parts look just odd enough to make viewers think the watch's other 'irregularities' (excepting the incorrect pushers, which MUST be dealt with) are all just more of Rolex's infamous exceptions to (their) nearly every rule.

As above, I'm not a fan of gold, but that's a fine build

Thanks & neither am I (a fan of gold). But some watches just go beyond their metals & the 6239 Newman is 1 of those.

[TeeJay]

Thanks & neither am I (a fan of gold). But some watches just go beyond their metals & the 6239 Newman is 1 of those.

I know what you mean there, I would put the classic all gold DayDate Presidential as another such watch

[By-Tor]

There's nothing nicer than full gold chronographs.

This is an amazing project Freddy. Keep us posted!!!

[BigNickD]

Thanks for the photo of your inspiration piece. Is the case true gold or a gold colored alloy as it looks to be a good match with the band. I look forward to future updates of this project.

[eddog]

Wow Freddy!!! Spectacular job so far!

I have also always been resistant to gold in my vintage subs...But for some reason, i've been warming up to a model here and there (in particular the black nipple dialed GMT's...I've even been considering the 2 toned ones!!)

Your project is defiantly pushing me further towards the "gold side", so to speak.

Please keep us updated, I can't wait to see the final product!!

Rgds

Ed

[Shundi]

Stunning piece - love the bracelet and the bezel!

[tech]

That is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us. I would love to have a gold daytona in my collection.

[GoFaster]

Very nice Piece !!!

I don't understand why on the claps we can see "ACIER" engraving... Steel in French...

[freddy333]

Is the case true gold or a gold colored alloy as it looks to be a good match with the band.

The case is gold-plated, which means, as is the case with all gold-plated reps, the watch is better suited to modeling for pictures rather than actual use. Unlike steel, where scratches (that reveal more steel) can add character to a steel sport watch, gold-plated reps are effectively revealed for what they are with every scratch (since the scratch reveals the underlying steel base - something you would never see on a gen gold case).

I have also always been resistant to gold in my vintage subs...But for some reason, i've been warming up to a model here and there (in particular the black nipple dialed GMT's...I've even been considering the 2 toned ones!!)

Your project is defiantly pushing me further towards the "gold side", so to speak.

To my eye, a 62xx Newman Daytona is the only gold watch worthy of exclusion from my non-gold Rolex rule. The Daytona, in general, & Newman, in particular, has the right combination of complexity, delicacy & rarity to suffer cladding in gold without appearing either pompous or like the watch equivalent of the in famous Golden Hammer - a tool that would look silly being used for its intended purpose. But different strokes.........

I don't understand why on the claps we can see "ACIER" engraving... Steel in French...

The leaves of the clasp are stainless steel, which is why they are so marked.

[tmg]

Wow impressive as usual Freddy.

I've never been much of a yellow gold fan either but you nailed it! -some models just transcend the tone of their metal if you will.

That is a drop dead beautiful!!!

[gplracer]

Wow Freddy, this is a really exciting project! I look forward to reading more about the project. Have fun!

[dluddy]

Stunning is all I have to say Freddy

Look forward to following this one

[jeff g]

Well Freddy, I guess this project as well as your photos pretty much seals the deal.

You are obviously the man here at RWG.

Most brillant, I must say.

All others are just pretenders.

Thanks for the memories.

[gplracer]

The price of the Gen T21 crystals has really gone up! I bought mine in the spring for about $80. Now the ones I see on the bay are $249. Is there an after market crystal with the nice beveled edge?

[freddy333]

I would love to find a beveled aftermarket T21, but none exists that I am aware of. Still, even if an aftermarketeer got the bevel right, the gens have a sparkle that I have never seen in any aftermarket crystal. 62xx Daytonas fitted with a beveled gen T21 produce a jewel-like appearance that I have never seen with any other Rolex watch.