Input Sought With Respect To "improving" Date Wheel On 3-6-9 Configuration Navitimer

[infinitime]

I just received a black-dialed Navitimer which I had order from Ruby! It is a beeeautiful watch, with very intricated fashioned dial, hands, and case. The big surprise was the distinct purpleish tinge of the AR coating on the inside of the crystal... overall, a beautiful piece.

My only complaint is that given the subdial layout, with the 3-6-9 configuration, the movement needed a whole bunch of additional gears under the dial, to make the 7750 movement work properly (the conventional layout of the 7750 is a 6-9-12 subdial arrangement). As such, there is a big gap between the dial and the actual movement, to accomodate for the added gearing. This creates a "sunken" look to the date window, which is much more pronounced on the actual watch than those pictures shown by the dealer.

I am wondering if i could correct this by filling in the gap, by gluing on ANOTHER datewheel ON TOP of the existing one, in effect creating a raised date wheel, which would fill up the gap between the dial and the movement? Do you guys think this would be feasible? I would be interested in knowing if anyone has attempted this, and where I may be able to source a date wheel for the 7750?

[r11co]

Unfortunately impossible. The datewheel is sunken because most of it is lying under the plate and transfer wheels.

I am actively avoiding all watches that do not use the 7750 in its correct configuration (ie. 12, 6 and 9 subregisters). If everyone else does the same then the factories will have to abandon these bastard movements and build a proper 7753 rep instead.

It is a shame you didn't opt for the Navitimer with the 7750 configuration used correctly - it would be a more accurate and reliable rep and you wouldn't be getting bugged by the datewheel.

Edited September 15, 2006 by r11co

[infinitime]

  r11co said:

Unfortunately impossible. The datewheel is sunken because most of it is lying under the plate and transfer wheels.

I am actively avoiding all watches that do not use the 7750 in its correct configuration (ie. 12, 6 and 9 subregisters). If everyone else does the same then the factories will have to abandon these bastard movements and build a proper 7753 rep instead.

It is a shame you didn't opt for the Navitimer with the 7750 configuration used correctly - it would be a more accurate and reliable rep and you wouldn't be getting bugged by the datewheel.

Thanks for your input! I didn't realize the transfer wheels were actually over the date wheel. In hindsight, I agree with you that I should have stuck with the 12-6-9 layout model, as it would certainly be more reliable (due to less parts) and a better looking date window. Unfortunately, the only "new model" Navitimer I've seen with that configuration is the Series Speciale, which has a tacky caseback. I am sure in due course, other models will appear. I actually like the watch enough that I would consider getting another with the correct configuration!