prospex44 Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Hi Guys Just wanted to share my latest piece that arrived in the post just the other day! It's a Rolex 5513 from Josh (Perfect Clones). This is the $118 Asian 21J version. Seems like a very popular watch around here, and to be honest, i can clearly see why. When it arrived, it looked a little too "Perfect" for my liking. I had thought this would be my first Rolex Mod project, so i was planning some light mods to start off with. This is it, pretty much straight out of the box and into the garden for some pics! In amongst my list of mods i wanted to carry out on this one were: 1) Crystal change. 2) Insert aging 3) New crown and tube 4) Case & CG Re-shaping 5) Re-drill spring bar holes 6) Bracelet oiling I have a new crown tube on order and i am trying to track down a nice Gen crown. This is the stock "superdome" crystal that comes with it...... While some may like this look, i thought it was really spoiling the overall look of the watch, so i decided to change that first. I just think the crystal is way too domed! In went a new domed Acrylic (though not quite as domed as the superdome!!). I put in a crystal that already had some "WABI" so i could try for the vintage "lived in" look! Then i faded the insert in some neat bleach and reassembled the watch. The stock bracelet, while good enough, was a little stiff and squeeky. Just didn't feel right, if you know what i mean. So after aquiring some good quality sewing machine oil (thanks to By-Tor for the tip) i gave it a good soak overnight and it came out like a different bracelet! Feels completely different - better quality, more luxurious on the wrist. No more squeeks or stiffness in the links! I am still awaiting some different sandpaper grades, so unfortunately, the case and CG re-shape with have to wait for now. This is how it looks now..... So there we have it! First mods of any kind i have done on a rep. I think i may have overdone the amount of time the insert was in the bleach, but the more i look at it, the more i like it!! Now just waiting for my parts to arrived so i can have a go at the CG's and case and looking out for a nice 703 Gen crown! Thanks for looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 You know what that looks real good!!!!!!!!!! Particauly for the price where did that new crystal come from????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prospex44 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 You know what that looks real good!!!!!!!!!! Particauly for the price where did that new crystal come from????? Many thanks Andy! I am pleased with it so far! I got the crystal along with my 5512 i got from another member. It is a Sternkreuz tropic 19. The ref number on the crystal pack was XS 303.472. (C19230) The crystal was a little too big, so i had to reduce the size along the outer edge so that i could get the retaining ring seated back down properly. But some Ploywatch brought that back to life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlydog Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 looks good man, soften the edges a touch and fit a gen crown and it will be excelent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 I think cousins sell those crystals, I had one on my 5513 before I sold it. It looks really good. I like how the NATO stripe matches the indices. Nice touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 looks good man, soften the edges a touch and fit a gen crown and it will be excelent Adding to Andy's comments, swap the dial for a gen & it would fool me. But even as it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Adding to Andy's comments, swap the dial for a gen & it would fool me. But even as it is And that from Freddy is praise indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prospex44 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Adding to Andy's comments, swap the dial for a gen & it would fool me. But even as it is Andy + Freddy - Thanks both very much. Looking forward to having a go at the case and CG's next! Out of interest, what kind of money is in a Gen dial? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prospex44 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Adding to Andy's comments, swap the dial for a gen & it would fool me. But even as it is Freddy, What is the crystal you have in your Comex? the one in today's Wristies thread? Is it like a Top Hat tropic? I really like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 a gen dial yoou are looking at $500 plus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonporsche Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Looking good! I bought one months ago and changed the crystal and aged the bezel insert then wore it to work every day, now look at the state of it! I am in the construction industry though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prospex44 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Looking good! I bought one months ago and changed the crystal and aged the bezel insert then wore it to work every day, now look at the state of it! I am in the construction industry though. I really like that wabi'd look! Besides, you can always "restore" it back to life with a new insert and crystal when the time comes for not a lot of money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duke1973 Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Is this the 5513 with gen construction bezel? I thought is only available with the higher priced Asian/swiss movement? I see this one also has the better pearl on the insert not the crappy little flat "dot" like they have on the cheap 21j 5513's at Puretime. (the one I foolishly bought!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Looking good! I bought one months ago and changed the crystal and aged the bezel insert then wore it to work every day, now look at the state of it! I am in the construction industry though. Looks quite gen apart from the crown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prospex44 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Is this the 5513 with gen construction bezel? I thought is only available with the higher priced Asian/swiss movement? I see this one also has the better pearl on the insert not the crappy little flat "dot" like they have on the cheap 21j 5513's at Puretime. (the one I foolishly bought!) Yep, bezel construction is same as Gen, pretty cool considering the price point of these. I believe these are all the same specs, just the movement differernce which equates to the higher prices. As for the pearl, i think this was a recent upgrade to some of these vinatge models from Josh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonporsche Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 That's where it ended for me, I bought the wrong crown, should have got a triple lock, also apparently the crown tube needs to be changed as the stock one doesn't except gen crown. Looks quite gen apart from the crown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 That crystal looks dead on! I really like it. Looks like the domed 19 not super domed. If you ever want to get rid of it, let me know. E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 I think it looks great, especially the wabi insert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjjoyce1 Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Great to see these still being bought and built! Love the new crystal - I have a gen beveled service dome on my 5512 and yours looks identical. If you are going with a gen crown, switch your search to a 702. It'll cost you more, but they have a different profile than the 703 and will help with the stubby guard issue. Also be aware a gen tube will take a bit of work to fit the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prospex44 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Great to see these still being bought and built! Love the new crystal - I have a gen beveled service dome on my 5512 and yours looks identical. If you are going with a gen crown, switch your search to a 702. It'll cost you more, but they have a different profile than the 703 and will help with the stubby guard issue. Also be aware a gen tube will take a bit of work to fit the case. Thank you Sir! Yes i think the new crystal looks far better than the superdome. As for the crowns, would you have any pics of a 702 crown in this case at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Me likes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain swoop Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Here is my 5512 from Josh that arrived a few days ago. I put it on a NATO. I am planning to replace the Crystal and age the insert, dial and hands. The 21J versions are exactly the same case as the more expensive 'Swiss' movement models. they take all gen parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Very nice Prospex! I have gen T19 service crystals in mine, but your new crystal looks about as good. I might try one of those sometime Well done! I agree the 702 crown would be lower and help with the short crowngards, but 702's are crazy $ compared to 703's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishac Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 Regarding the 702/703 crowns...is it possible to take the existing crown off the stem and essentially sand off a bit from the bottom of the crown so that it is then stubbier than before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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