droptopman Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Here is the story. I wanted to get my wife a watch for our anniversary this summer. Over the years, I have bought her a couple Gucci’s, a few Movado’s, and a Cartier. All gens. She does not wear any of them. In fact hardly ever wears a watch unless we are going out for something formal. So I took her to the AD and was planning on buying her a new Rolex. I thought she would like the floral dial 31mm with diamonds. She hated it…actually she really did not like the modern Rolex’s much. So the next weekend we looked at hundreds of pictures on line and it was interesting. She likes watches from the 50’s and 60’s. She does not care for date windows or cyclops and prefers domed plexi’s and Oyster bracelets. Really quite funny as that is also what I prefer…so it narrows down what models to pick from. She liked the 34mm size so we looked at a bunch of 5500’s and 1002’s. She did not care for the Air King text on the dial so in the end—out of all the watches she looked at, she likes a 1002 all SS with silver dial, dome plexi and oyster band. After I figured out what she wanted, I dropped it so I could surprise her. I started looking at gens and found plenty for very reasonable prices. Around this time Matt had sent me pictures of a beautiful 1500 franken with black dial. So I told Matt the story about getting a watch for Trish and what she wanted and a couple days later he sends me a picture of a perfect genuine late 60’s 1002 silver dial. Then Matt sends me a picture of a complete 1002 that is exactly like the watch my wife picked out in our search. Matt has done many builds for me, but as many of you know doing a build for your wife is a whole another level and quite honestly it seemed more important than my builds…well except maybe my 6538. Cannot thank Matt enough, he is a first class gentleman and one of my favorite people on the planet. Thank you my friend. Specs:Gen case set (mid case, back, bezel, crown, tube)Gen dialGen handsGen crystalItalian made Oyster bracelet and Matt’s buckle. Was going to get a gen bracelet, but Matt recommended this one and it is really nice. ETA 2824 Was going to surprise her with this before we go on vacation in the middle of May, but I could not wait and gave it to her a couple of days ago. She absolutely loves it and is wearing it daily now.A couple of pics from my phone. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rower Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Wow, that's a beauty! I was looking to do something like that for my wife...not sure I want her that interested. We can only afford one of us with a watch obsession. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelliottz Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Absolutely stunning! Great work and an excellent gift! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachcomber Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Nice work, looks stunning Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogladio Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Looking good! Matt seems to be a go-to-guy, might have to beg for his help with a 6564 that I bought for the movement but happened to "borrow" to my wife while waiting for other 6538 parts... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukenorris2011 Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 Droptop, lovely gesture and a great pick by your wife. I think these vintage oysters look great on a ladies wrist. I still try convincing my girlfriend, and would buy her something similar, but she's just not intrested! Great job my Matt too! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 I can't say enough good things about Matt. He is a truly great guy, and he has really good sources for vintage parts. He has done a bunch of watches for me, builds and repairs. True Southern gentleman. Droptopman, that's a beautiful watch, and I'm sure your wife is going to love it and wear it! You have the same problem I do, I buy my wife something nice for Anniversary, Birthday or Christmas, and end up giving it to her before the date, then guess what? Gotta get something else for "the day"! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 That is beautiful and I think my wife would wear that. I'm realizing more and more that I need to contact him sooner than later! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dlf Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 What a great piece, I really need to get one of these going...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchme22 Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Very nice! Congratulations on your anniversary! My wife is just like yours.... Barely ever wears a watch. Her last Rolex sat around for 10 years! Question, how does that movement fit in the gen car? Have any pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted April 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Very nice! Congratulations on your anniversary! My wife is just like yours.... Barely ever wears a watch. Her last Rolex sat around for 10 years! Question, how does that movement fit in the gen car? Have any pictures? Thank you for the kind words. I did not get any pictures of the movement on this one. I will ask Matt, but I believe the crown position and size on the 2824 matches up to this case perfectly and is an easy install. I assume since these dials are not that hard to come by that he cut the feet and used dial dots, but I know in some cases he will drill the main plate to accept the genuine feet positions. He used genuine Tudor hands which fit the ETA without modification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irolexu Posted April 29, 2015 Report Share Posted April 29, 2015 Very nice. You can't go wrong with Matt!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted May 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Messing around with a photo shop app Sent from my droptop using telepathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywatch Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Great looking watch, a plush she loves it too. Happy Anniversary ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Nice build ... happy wife, happy life ... or so I've been told. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty5 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 Wow, that's a beauty! I was looking to do something like that for my wife...not sure I want her that interested. We can only afford one of us with a watch obsession. LMAO, i got the GF now fiance into fast cars, and shes always loved watches has many cheap ones, so after she kept taking my Gens I have had to buy some Reps to give her....as a hairdresser she was getting Chemicals and $hit all over things not realiziing sentiments or costs lol....too many costly hobbies, as engagement present I threw in nice new TISSOT she wears daily now, matches the rings well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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