Ishmael 92 Posted March 25, 2016 Back in September of 2014 a member by the handle of DeLaForce posted a build he’d finished in the VinRoPorn thread. I’d never seen anything like it before and I was floored. It was a Rolex GMT-Master ref. 6542 with a white dial. At the time I didn’t know it was the first GMT Rolex ever produced, or that the white dial – known as the “Pan Am” – was an oft-debated legendary example. I also knew I didn’t then (nor do I today) possess the skills to build something like that. Well in the time since I’ve made acquaintances (friends, really) with some people who do possess those skills. Two of them figure prominently in this saga – Jase and Rik. Rik was the builder of the aforementioned piece that served as my inspiration, and Jase… well, Jase is a god among men. The inspiration: It was early July, last summer, when I approached Jase about possibly building a Pan Am. He laid out for me a few possible routes that included high-end uber builds from Phong or Minh Quy or NDT, as well as more “budget-friendly” options using Yuki as a base, and cobbling the rest of the parts together as needed. The latter option was most feasible for me at the time, and after Jase made a quick list of what he needed to get started, I sent some cash his way and we were off. I figured a month or two and I’d finally have this stunning piece on my wrist! Oh the naiveté… What followed was what, in hindsight, could be construed as myriad warnings to cease and desist from the rep gods. Waiting over a month for a Yuki package of case, insert, and dial only to be told in the end by Yuki he’s having a problem with his insert maker, and it’s a no-go. Jase and I both emailing with MQ about pricing and being given dramatically different estimates. The mysterious disappearance of Ingod – widely considered the best option for these kinds of dials. A plethora of personal issues descending upon Jase in the middle of all this, God bless him. Parts that didn’t fit the way they should have, and new parts that were equally as unhelpful. Just when we thought we’d solved the issue at hand, another would present itself. Incredibly, Jase pressed on undeterred. I would not have blamed him for abandoning the project; in fact, at one point I recommended it. We enlisted the help of Rik, who was intimately aware of the pitfalls of these builds, and he contributed his expertise to eventually get us over the top, so a hearty cheers goes to Rik. But the fact that I’m here writing this, with the watch sitting in front of me, is more than anything a tribute to Jase’s abilities and perseverance, simply because he wanted me to have a finished product I’d enjoy. And he probably doesn’t want me disclosing this because he’s a modest guy, but he didn’t charge me a dime. Nine months of work, dealing with life issues, having to remake our strategy over and over and over – he would only tell me, as I pleaded with him to take my guilt-ridden money, that he just hopes I’m happy with the end result. Well I am Jase, thanks to you. Yeah, I know I’m singing an aria right now, and it’s just a damn watch, and it ain’t gonna make America great again or whatever, but his efforts were pretty special, and he should be appreciated for them by more people than just me. Specs: - Case/case back/bezel: Yuki; Jase shaped, aged, and polished the case, modified the bezel assembly and lightly aged the insert; also formed a custom movement ring himself. - Insert: dung_chrono on eBay - Dial: bought from Rik so unsure of origin; aged/dulled by Jase - Hands: Yuki hour/minute/second; Raffles small GMT; Rik machined a seconds hand tube to get the fit right; relumed to match the dial - Crown/tube: Yuki - Crystal: Sternkreuz 25-116 - Movement: Hangzhou 6460 GMT (clone of an ETA 2836-2) - Roulette date wheel: Erick78 on RWI; from Italy ... Along the way, as dire chance and fateful cockup would have it, I was able to acquire the piece that started it all – Rik’s Pan Am. So now I have two of these damn things, and one of ‘em probably has to go. But so that the story of this build isn’t swallowed by a quick M2M sale, this thread here stands as a tribute to Jase’s character and work, and a warning: Beware the ides of Pan Am. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdog 1 Posted March 25, 2016 And there she is, I say, they are! Was a pleasure to work with a good friend, even with the pitfalls and issues, Nic, you couldn't have been more understanding. Its been quite the journey and we finally made it out the other side, whole, intact and with a great piece for you to wear. Rik, your info and assistance hasn't gone unnoticed. You're a true gent as well. Wear it in good health my friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ishmael 92 Posted March 25, 2016 And there she is, I say, they are! Was a pleasure to work with a good friend, even with the pitfalls and issues, Nic, you couldn't have been more understanding. Its been quite the journey and we finally made it out the other side, whole, intact and with a great piece for you to wear. Rik, your info and assistance hasn't gone unnoticed. You're a true gent as well. Wear it in good health my friend. Cheers my friend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nugget001 0 Posted March 25, 2016 Awesome write up & wow what a great end result! The 3 of you have the patience of saints...I would have given up long ago. Actually I wouldn't have dared started in the first place Well done to you all. Excuse my noob question but I noticed in the first pic the date was black & then in the 4th pic the date was in red. Was that something you decided to go with? Thanks for sharing this great watch & story Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdog 1 Posted March 25, 2016 Some early vintage rolex, including the 6542, had what is known as a roulette date wheel, alternating even red and odd black. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ishmael 92 Posted March 25, 2016 Excuse my noob question but I noticed in the first pic the date was black & then in the 4th pic the date was in red. Was that something you decided to go with? Thanks for sharing this great watch & story These models had a "roulette" date wheel, where the even days were red and the odd days black. Yeah what Jase said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piccolo 674 Posted March 25, 2016 Very very nice, glad you got it all together - a real labour of love! Jdog is a top bloke! I have had the pleasure of dealing with him on a few occasions and I can only echo your sentiments Ish! Congrats to both of you (it's probably almost close to having a child together) Enjoy it/him/her lots and often! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nugget001 0 Posted March 25, 2016 Some early vintage rolex, including the 6542, had what is known as a roulette date wheel, alternating even red and odd black. Learn something everyday here, thanks for letting me know Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdog 1 Posted March 25, 2016 Very very nice, glad you got it all together - a real labour of love! Jdog is a top bloke! I have had the pleasure of dealing with him on a few occasions and I can only echo your sentiments Ish! Congrats to both of you (it's probably almost close to having a child together) Enjoy it/him/her lots and often! Hey buddy! Thanks for the kind words. Was always a pleasure dealing with you P. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elp 26 Posted March 25, 2016 Perseverance, generosity and an amazing watch. Well done to all and thanks for sharing the story Ish! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robin195959 2 Posted March 25, 2016 Brilliant build and story. Well done to all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 465 Posted March 25, 2016 Simply amazing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShovelnTC 31 Posted March 25, 2016 I'm not normally into the frankin/vintage builds but I see from this that this was a build fired by passion and that's what keeps us all going through the drudgery of life. Congrats on the build to all involved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ishmael 92 Posted March 25, 2016 PM sent! :lmao: Get in line Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nyckid 0 Posted March 25, 2016 PM sent! :lmao: Get in line Fawk off ish! No line for me...take my money, bitch!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ishmael 92 Posted March 25, 2016 PM sent! :lmao: Get in line Fawk off ish! No line for me...take my money, bitch!!! Ahahahahahahahahahaha Your moneys will be mine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scope 3 Posted March 25, 2016 Super nice.Love that dial. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
k3rm87 180 Posted March 26, 2016 Amazing! Want one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cogwatch 1 Posted March 26, 2016 Ish, what a great story, and even better result!!! Congrats on surviving the "ordeal". And I want to pass on my personal thanks to Jase and Rik for helping out Ish, who I've never actually met but consider a good friend by virtue of all of our interaction on RWG. Such is the nature of this wonderful forum........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakethemouse 0 Posted March 26, 2016 Wow amazing piece and what a champion. This is what this community is all about, great story and thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J!m 289 Posted March 26, 2016 Awesome work as usual Jase! As difficult as that build was, perhaps it is comforting for the membership to know that gen builds can often be just as frustrating. Good job sticking with it and getting it done. I suspect you are going to be getting a lot of pm's for high end builds! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
