Rolexaddict Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 Some of my toys, All are built with Josh's 1655 Explorer case, DG 3804B movements, better reliability than ETA, they are true gmt 4th hand movements, various sources for dials and hands, various sources for bracelets, end links and clasps, VSO complete bezel assemblies, Clark 25-116. All case backs have been flat machined as these watches has such casebacks, not round and polished like 5513 subs The brown TT has a WSO bezel and native 1655 crown, both gold platted by a professional shop in Paris : standards European jewlery are 5 microns of 18k coat, here we have 10 microns of 24k fine gold, the process is not electo chemical, on SS its like PVD deposition. Very sticky an strong coat. The brown TT is a special order for a customer. Pics are not very good enough -sorry for dust- the gilt dial (gen Singer) is exeptional with sharp gold printings, The bracelet is a no-name 18k platted from VSO, I put a matching Rlx clasp Now this is my actual daily beater, a classic 1675, last issue, black insert, custom tritium lume, with the solid oyster bracelet and Datejust clasp Now a pair of El Corniño complete re-built from the basic Josh 1655 case, I am right now working on bracelets, one rivetted and one jubilee Exeptional Chapter dial, original Singer : More conventional rail dial :
Tiyal Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 Beautiful! Can you provide more information on your daily beater? its gorgeous! thanks
lhooq Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 All beautiful, RA! I really need to add a Pepsi to my collection one of these days.
Bulopha Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 (edited) Great work - very nice TT looks a bit like the "rootbeer". First i saw the pic and thought damm - where is the source for a tt-vintage case. (normally no source expect aftermarket-bezel for a lot of money) I have bought several homages to take a gold bezel for such a build, unfortunately most goldtone bezel don´t fit of course (tigereye-newer case...). Great build - mate! Edited July 2, 2011 by Bulopha
JoeyB Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 VERY nice! I see a Corniño in my future. I have to agree, the DG3804B is not only substantially less expensive, but it seems to be more durable.
bones Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Oh god, how much do I want that TT 1675! So much Very proud to have one of your pieces in my watch box RA
sishac Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Beautiful work RA....the 1675 you made for me caused me to go and buy a gen!!!
FxrAndy Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Let me know if you are ever thinking of selling your beater nice work man
StormTooper4 Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Blimey thats a hell of GMT collection you got yourself there, great work
Cats Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Exactly the beater thats still on my wishlist. Great job you did there. Wear it in good health. Carpe Diem Cats
Mapman57 Posted July 3, 2011 Report Posted July 3, 2011 Drool and dribble.... Where did you source all of those wonderful dials?
Rolexaddict Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Posted July 3, 2011 Thanks for your comments, As I said, all 1675 I have built are made with the 1655 from Josh as case background. I use the complete set -retaining ring, washer, bezel ring and insert- from WSO. The new batch of Clark 25-116 (named new Clark) have the right inside specs and fit very well on the case rehaut. The problem is to stack the retaining ring, the plexi outside diameter is to large, its quite impossible to stack even with a press. For this, I prefer myself remove material on the outside base of the plexi (a plexi cost 6$) instead of ruining the expensive stainless steel retaining ring. Lug holes are of course enlarged at Rolex specs and I use gen Rolex springbars. Bracelets end links have also to be modified to accept gen springbars. The 1655 case back is round and polished. 1675 have a flat brushed case back. So the case back is surfaced, I let this job to a machine shop. Dials are from a collectors connexion in paris and Italy, and also from Yuki. Yukie's from last year were excellent. The quality now is not very good, also they don't have any more the chapter dial, and all other I bought recently have poor text printing and I give all of them to be refinished, I relume myself as the refinishing shop uses luminova which looks like ugly white plastic NDT dial prices are excessive, and I am not sure they are better than Yuki... For movements, I stop with eta's 2834_2836 series, not at all reliable, the 4th hand is not native. The 2893 is to much expensive. The asian DG3804B is very good and its a true GMT low beats movement
Bulopha Posted July 4, 2011 Report Posted July 4, 2011 Great gesture to tell specific details and personal experience :thumbs:
chrgod Posted July 4, 2011 Report Posted July 4, 2011 Very interesting work! Thanks for the details and excellent photos.
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