wiesn089 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 MY GRAIL Hi guys, I would like to present to you the result of over two years of intensive research, frustrating realisations, nerve-racking customs, supplier and transit troubles, but also pure chance, lucky circumstances as well as incredible helpful community advice. My 6265 Sigma Daytona. The Beginning: My fascination with this particular model started when I was researching the history of the one very watch which got me interested in mechanical timepieces in the first place, Omega’s Moonwatch, the Speedmaster. I knew a lot about the Speedmaster’s history and was fascinated by the fact it had withstood the challenge of going to the moon and back without any problems when I bought my 1999 model. One thing I knew little about though was the other watches it had surpassed during NASA’s initial testing for a suitable watch. Enter Rolex’s Cosmographs. Though NASA had most probably tested a 6239 Daytona, I immediately fell in love with the 6263/6265 version of the watch when I googled the Speedmaster's contenders for space travel stardom. Because I had converted my Speedmaster to the 35th anniversary limited edition dial which is sporting a white dial with black subdials, I fancied the idea of also owning a 6265 (silver bezel contrasting the black one of Omega’s chronograph) with black dial and white subdials. I came across another rep forum while researching the gen and there I heard about some ominous guy from Asia named DW who was selling supposedly very accurate vintage Daytonas. After further research I decided to pull the trigger on a V23 copy movement 6263 version from DW. To make a long story short it took ages for the watch to arrive until I received it broken eventually. Of course I had to pay horrendous import taxes beforehand. The chronograph didn’t work, minutes didn’t count, it didn’t reset to zero properly and it didn’t keep time. I was frustrated to say the least and was ready to throw it into the trash even though I had ordered a gen T21 crystal for it. By chance I then found this forum and just had to read every single thread concerning vintage Daytonas. Freddy’s, Ubi’s and all the other guys’ wonderful examples took my breath away and I started to hate my cheap, shabby V23 copy even more. Because I still was on a tight budget I started to look for a gen Valjoux 23. I figured I could at least afford one of these, since Valjoux 72s were way out of my league . That way I would be able to wear this ugly non-working piece of junk I had fitted with a gen T21. Because I got very frustrated by the search, I read even more about vintage 6263/6265s and started hanging around VRF and TRF. This didn't help either. I was ready and willing to give up on the project altogether again, when totally out of the blue I got the chance to purchase a serviced Valjoux 726. F*** out of my league, I had to have it! I bought it and my vintage Cosmograph was en route again. I collected some more parts and sent everything off to Domi who modified my V23 case to fit the V726 and built a great watch I was finally able to wear at last. Insanity ensues: Ok since I don’t want to bore you with further details of my journey, here’s a quick summary of the rest. Though I did like the watch Domi had assembled for me a lot, because of the intensive research I had done there were many things that bothered me. I had literally become obsessed with Cosmographs and every ever so tiny little flaw made me look down on mine. When I was offered a genuine Sigma dial madness took over completely. After another year of collecting parts and more research (thanks Mr. Mazzariol ) this is the final result I came up with (Domified again): Specs: - J&W 6265 case with custom engravings (ca. 1974 serial matching the dial) - Serviced Valjoux 726 movement (correct base caliber Rolex used for their 727 - with correct 21600 bph) - CousinsUK pushers (supposedly the same Rolex currently uses at service) - Genuine 703 crown and tube NOS - Genuine MKII 6265 bezel NOS - Genuine black rare "step-down" Sigma dial - Genuine handset NOS - Genuine Tropic 21 service crystal - Genuine 78350 bracelet with genuine 571 endlinks - Pressure tested to 5 bars - Running +10-15 secs a day (pretty good for a 30+ year old movement imo) I would like to thank everyone who helped me at some point of my journey, either personally or through their posts in this incredible forum. This endeavour would not have been possible without you and the inspiration I got from your projects! Especially Ubi, Freddy, LHOOQ, Coolfire, Rosnik, Chefcook (enjoy the Speedy ) and the list goes on and on... Thanks for reading! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z80 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Gorgeous.. Very close to my own grail. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Now that's a looker! Nicely done and some great parts thrown in there! Love that NOS bezel! Looks fantastic! P.S. I wish you guys would stop building these damn daytonas! You are all making me want one each time I see them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Scope Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Wow, That is amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 S- The results speak for themselves. That is a phenominal build, and one you should be proud of! Absolutely amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Absolutely gorgeous build, S! I've always thought your Sigma dial deserved a better bezel, and it looks like you went for the best. Wear it well, and watch your step: Your 6265 now tops my list of 'RWGForum Watches I Most Want to Steal'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 beautiful madness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 It doesn't get any better. Perfection. Cheers! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiesn089 Posted July 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Thanks for the kind words, I'm really happy how it turned out and enjoy wearing it very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praetor Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 (edited) collecting rolexes does that to you sometimes, drives you mad trying to get your rep to perfection, but for me it usually goes away in 2 months of wearing my reps. But yea, I have three rolex projects under construction too hahaha. Good job on the project, collecting the parts must've taken you years. I've already seen at least $2500 worth in parts just from the first few lines of description 0_o Edited July 18, 2011 by praetor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valty Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Wow, simply "wow". It's an amazing piece you have here ! I am already in love with this Sigma dial, it's a stunner ! Wear it in good health I've already seen at least $2500 worth in parts just from the first few lines of description 0_o I think there is a lot much more bucks in this project For $2500, no Gen dial / hands / bezel / 571 endlinks / custom case / etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Beautiful watch and a great job finding all those part!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omegaunit Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 For $2500, no Gen dial / hands / bezel / 571 endlinks / custom case / etc It's still possible to build a V72 Daytona for under $1500, as long as you use nothing but DW parts. But really... why would you want to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefcook Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 ... Chefcook (enjoy the Speedy )... hehe, thanks S., I am wearing your Speedmaster as I am reading this (in the meantime switched to the black dial). It is great to see how good your Daytona project turned out. To me this is one of the best - if not the best - Daytona in this Forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gplracer Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Wow this is a stunning example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notloc08 Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 (edited) Congrats on finally getting the result you wanted. It's always nice when your hard work and in your case 2 years of persistence pays off. That is hands down the best vintage daytona project I've seen, and your pictures really compliment the watch. Wear it in good health, building something like that provides an entirely different type of satisfaction than "just" buying a gen. Edited July 19, 2011 by Notloc08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 very nice watch you have there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Nice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Unbelievable that's a true beauty Wear it good health Capre Diem Cats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I can't get enough of that black sigma and steel bezel, either. What I really like is how this is your grail AND your daily wearer. Excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Ay chihuahua...that is a great build! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 stunning build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiesn089 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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