EMM Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 About 4 months ago, I was looking at the “too rich for my blood” auction sites, and came across this: one of only two 5512s known to exist with an explorer dial, four lines of gilt text, pointy CGs, and, best of all - “floating” minute ticks (no chapter ring): http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/17865/lot/434/ When I saw it, I had to have one, but 78,000 British pounds was slightly out of my price range. So I contacted PBdad, and we put together the following recipe: Yuki 5513 pointy CG case with 5512 CB NDT explorer dial (closest we could find) with gilt lettering ETA 2846 Gen crown and tube PB sourced hands Yuki non-stretch rivet bracelet. Plexi from PB This wasn’t PB’s easiest project. The aging/assembling of the piece was pretty standard, but the dial needed lots of work - it had a chapter ring, really dark yellow explorer numbers, and thin black surface paint. But PB managed to pull it off. I just got it about 30 minutes ago. I’m more than a little giddy about it. Sorry for my usual bad iPhone pics, but even they will be able to do most of the talking here: Still have the plastic on the crystal - TRL looks top notch. The color of the dial is closer in the first pic below, but the second pic is more accurate otherwise: I actually was so excited, I took the wristie before I remembered to take the plastic off the plexi: All I can say is wow, just wow. Very impressed with PB’s work, communication, and creativity. There were points where I didn’t think this would be possible, but each time PB figured out a way to make it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 The watch head is a work of art , but I think you may need a better bracelet. Scratch the comment about the bracelet. I thought it was 1 of those cheesy cheap rivets. I missed the Yuki bracelet ingredient. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Scope Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 That is stunning. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMM Posted June 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 The watch head is a work of art , but I think you may need a better bracelet. Scratch the comment about the bracelet. I thought it was 1 of those cheesy cheap rivets. I missed the Yuki bracelet ingredient. Well done. Please don't judge the bracelet by its photographer's skills. It really is a fantastic piece. I was worried that the small dial = tiny watch, but it's just about perfect size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 What can I say other than 'stunning'... The lume work is incredible, and totally in keeping with what I've seen of watches from that period, I absolutely love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 is that the empty pearl that yuki sells on the insert? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMM Posted June 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 is that the empty pearl that yuki sells on the insert? No, it's a bad picture of an aged pearl. It's about the same color as the dial numbers, and about a shade lighter than the lume on the hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Great looking watch EMM! And kudos to pbdad. But I thought TRL went on the caseback! Explorer dials are my favorite 5513/2s! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMM Posted June 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 But I thought TRL went on the caseback! The TRL was so nice he wanted everyone to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted June 9, 2011 Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 sow here did this pearl originate? is this the wokky case that yukis stock has been plagued with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMM Posted June 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 Pearl is part of the Yuki case No idea on the wokky thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted June 9, 2011 Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 I've noticed a slight bit of wokkiness on gen cases like this one, but the Yuki case appears to have more wokkiness- greater depth, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMM Posted June 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 I get the idea. It's not as pronounced as my pics make it look, but the rehaut is slightly slanted. No way you'd notice it unless you were specifically looking for it, though. The refraction from the plexi edge basically makes it hard to tell what is rehaut and what is plexi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Looks really good. Side shots? Water tightness? E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickdick Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 I don't get it. The case is wokkier than wok. IMO it ruins the total watch. No Relax ever came in wok. Two complete different watches. Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sly Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 I hope Yuki fixes this problem, The wokkiness of the rehaut is why i'm staying away from his cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Fantastic looking piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr0digy30 Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 The wokkiness issue reminds me of MBWs... they made a great case that accepted gen parts with ease, then they tried to cheap out with a new manufacturer and made modding a whole lot harder. So we have a great product turned into a mediocre one in the name of profit... if these guys want more profit, just increase the price... don't cut the quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 The wokkiness issue may well be the doomed crystal effect. I cannot remember how good/ bad was the yuki case-set. I recalled the first gen of DW 5513 case set had a thick rehault. Gilt dialed with NDT case.. next to my gen. Both Bezel Rings are gen. The flat plexi-glass will make the rehault look much thinner. What hands/ crown you use? I would try to find better hands and crown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 I meant to say, better crystal, hands and crown will make the watch look much better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epanoui Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 We have similar tastes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblueprince Posted July 2, 2011 Report Share Posted July 2, 2011 I like the work on the dial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mir36 Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 Looks beautiful! Can someone please educate me on what 'wokkiness' means? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andygt Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 Wokkiness: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 I think it's that plastic crystal that makes the watch look wokkny.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.