dbane883 Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Well, after a few months, I would have to say that my 1675 GMT is almost complete. It might sound a bit crazy but this build started off with just the insert. Originally owned by our very own cc33, the insert was sold as part of a rep 1675 build that he had in his possession. I had to own it so I bought the entire package and parcelled off pretty much everything. It was a pain, but if it was easy, everyone would do it right? While the rep case was ok, I knew in the long run, I would never be satisfied with it. There is no rep on the market that I know of that can capture the elegant, slim lines of a 1675 case. So I took the plunge and purchased a claimed, unpolished 1675 from ~1967. Bevels are still clearly seen..giddyup. From there, the 1575 GMT movement is usually the next hardest thing to find and just my luck, miskiped happened to have one. Very fortuitous. Next came the dial.. I really couldn't settle for anything less than a MKI matte dial that would be period correct. After some exhaustive searching and finding several blemished/damaged dials, I finally settled on a set that is in near pristine condition. Kept in a safe for over 15 years from a collector, the dial had developed a rich patina. Because the matching hands were stored separately, they too developed patina but at varying rates due to the type of packaging they were stored in. As you may or may not know, patina develops in darkness, not in sunlight. I suspect humidity also plays a factor which can be affected if its a wax envelope or paper. And patina is reversible; so I imagine through daily wear, the patina of the hands and dial will even out over time as the lume markers lighten up.. but I quite like it the way it is. What do you think? There was a slight issue with the datewheel, but miskiped addressed it immediately and even found the correct "hook 7" datewheel that is period correct. While in his shop, he also replaced the crystal with a NOS 116 in his possession. One small thing I will change is the retaining ring. The mid-case originally came with a T116 installed (that was replaced) but the retaining ring appears to be aftermarket. I have a NOS retaining ring on the way and will swap it when it arrives. Still contemplating putting on a no-cyclops T38, but i think that can wait. Bracelet is a genuine 7836 folded oyster that has a finicky clasp that will soon be replaced. Special thanks (in no particular order), for the project completion goes to cc33, lionsandtigers, miskiped, and droptopman. If you want specs... all parts are genuine Rolex except for the retaining ring. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misiekped Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 That's a beauty, enjoy as I did for one day Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imajedi Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I really need one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Scope Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 That is a thing of beauty! Bravo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Love the patina on the dial, hands and insert. Case looks to be in excellent condition as well. Awesome build my friend. Sent from my droptop using telepathy ️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denimhead Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Congratulations on a truly iconic build, simply beautiful Cheers DH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputim Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 No words for this. Simply amazing work and a true piece of art! The 1675 case itself is amazing and congratulations for all the parts and the flawless assembling. Really jelous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrickvilleboy Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Very very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elprimerozen Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Its a BEAST! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc33 Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Wow!!! The watch looks like it came that way from the factory and that's saying a lot!! congrats The insert is the icing on the cake, I still miss it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 another great build my friend. enjoy her until you get fussy and sell her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVNE Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 That is the nicest 1675 I have ever seen. Funny how everything came together perfectly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 stunning piece and I love the insert too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 wow crazy awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrickvilleboy Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 though I must say, it wasn't more efficient just to buy an all original 1675? I can't imagine this project been under $4.5K-5K in total costs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 There's a lot of things one can buy rather than building. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 That is a true beauty!! Best build thus far. You just can't duplicate that beautiful gen case!! My 16750 says hello and stands in awe of that matte dial. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam007 Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Love the patina on the MK1 long E dial. Love the hands, insert and the case is indeed slimmer than the 1680. There is no better feeling than building a gen Rolex part by part. Another awesome project man. Congratz I hate to be the bearer of bad news but ... Judging by the picture, that retaining ring is not gen. Sorry,, Nice Try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaresma7 Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Wow Young! Ghost insert, MkI dial with lovely patina, that case...all parts are amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kime Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Beautiful, looks great. I have the parts for one of these... then bought a very reasonable gen with server hands and dial but with a bent retaining ring... I'm still trying to find replacements for these parts... where did you find the NOS retaining ring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 If you ask around vintage dealers, they are not hard to find. Mine is coming from Sweden Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgr_27 Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 Awesome project !!. Congratz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam007 Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 I keep coming back to this and I can't get over how fat those fonts are on that insert.... Do you know if there are any MK designations for these Fat Font Pepsi inserts similar to the MK0 MK1 MK2 MK3 Fat Font designations assigned to diver inserts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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