tripdog123 37 Posted February 8, 2018 Vintage builds aren't easy to get right - creating an authentic look is in fact pretty difficult, and I'm never really satisfied with the result - there's always something that could be improved, that I could have done differently. It not only takes a while to develop and master techniques, but also to understand what details are important in the build - walking that not-so-fine line between creating something that looks like it spent the last 40 years tied to the shitty end of a goat in the mountains of Afghanistan, and those godawful Phong/Ming mucho $$$$$ NOS assembly jobs that some people take so much delight in. This watch, like most (all) of what I build is not 1:1, it's not 'gen spec', or waterproof. I'll never call it a Franken or a Super Franken, and I doubt it would fool an expert if he held it 3 cm, or even 25 cm from his face. I couldn't give 2 shiny shits about the curve of the F or the R, the internal radius of the serifs, or the length of the hyphen. I've never repeatedly tapped the clasp to see if it rattles, or compared the noise the non-click bezel ring makes when turned to that of the genuine watch. I don't know if the date magnification is x 2, x 1.8 or x 2.15. I have no idea if it runs within COSC standards, and I don't really care - if I want accurate I'll buy a fucking quartz. I haven't even weighed it to check it against the genuine. The hand stack is, however, correct. Most of the parts used come from Vietnam, the rest are from China, with the exception of the crystal and the crown, which come from Switzerland ( R Factory). It is, IMNSFHO, what a vintage replica build should be about - an assembly of modified, improved and reworked parts, where the whole is greater than the sum of those parts. Despite all of the alarming facts cited above, using a little imagination, I think it looks believable as a 50 year old vintage Rolex, something that was maybe worn for 20 years or so, then put away in a safe and forgotten about for another 30 years. It's a representation of a fairly rare 1959 6542 GMT with a glossy gilt dial, gilt hands (with damage from the radium) a white second hand and a 'Bakelite' bezel insert. Rare because this particular dial was only produced by Rolex for 1 year - the 'GMT-MASTER' was printed in red, this then faded over the years to a pale purple/pink color. Thanks for looking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dusk 1 Posted February 8, 2018 That's a killer piece. You nailed it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bjorns 0 Posted February 8, 2018 That is just AMAZING !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShovelnTC 31 Posted February 8, 2018 Great work as usual and I agree that the ultra high dollar build totally defeats the whole reason and attraction for vintage builds. It's the same with any vintage build be it a watch or a car or whatever, once something becomes too expensive then any "street cred" that that item may have had is lost. These types of builds are much more in line with what enthusiasts are about and throwing wads of cash is replaced by pure experience after much trial and error in finding methods to re-create that look and feel of an otherwise unattainable vintage. Enjoy your latest build although I expect it will soon be in a new owners hands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted February 8, 2018 That is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. My first child being born? Nu-huh, not even a close second. Amazing job, inspiring and intimidating at the same time. Great review, great photos, great everything. Fuck you're good. PS - You let yourself down by not doing the bracelet-tap-test. Disappointing when everything else about this was so good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SeniorChief5352 0 Posted February 8, 2018 Awesome! I like this watch. If you were shooting for 50 years old, you nailed it! If you don't mind my asking, how much $ do you have into this build? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted February 8, 2018 Just now, ShovelnTC said: Enjoy your latest build although I expect it will soon be in a new owners hands. This is for sale??????????? Can I buy it??????????? If not this one, a future one???????? Please........???????? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpd2186 0 Posted February 8, 2018 Excellent build as usual G! Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted February 8, 2018 I'm not sure I'd ever wear another watch again if I owned that. I can't stop staring at it. Beautiful. It makes the pulse race. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kilowattore 2 Posted February 8, 2018 Where's that jaw-drop button then??? Well done mate and I agree with any single word you wrote. Well done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paccbet 7,176 Posted February 8, 2018 Oh the bakelite So good Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bart Cordell 0 Posted February 8, 2018 The Master nailed it again ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haltec 0 Posted February 8, 2018 Watch? Meh.. Description? Epic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tripdog123 37 Posted February 8, 2018 Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Sorry, it's not for sale - already off to it's new owner. Cost - quite high - unreasonable high some might say. A couple of parts were made specifically for the watch, and every part was reworked - hand polishing and forcing the ageing of the gilt hands, machining a bespoke movement ring which negates the need for movement tabs, individually polishing, brushing and adding patina to the bracelet links. . . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpd2186 0 Posted February 8, 2018 Can I buy it?Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM284 1,518 Posted February 8, 2018 Absolutely wow!! Fantastic job you did there - shame you won’t get to enjoy any wrist time with that beauty! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tripdog123 37 Posted February 8, 2018 28 minutes ago, cpd2186 said: Can I buy it? Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk I don't know - have you tried ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpd2186 0 Posted February 8, 2018 I know.... I can't afford it!!Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,747 Posted February 9, 2018 TBH for me you’ve overdone the faux vintage on the hands, apart from that, good work trippers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tripdog123 37 Posted February 10, 2018 On 09/02/2018 at 22:18, pickledbeetroot said: TBH for me you’ve overdone the faux vintage on the hands, apart from that, good work trippers Thanks Pickle. Being the shy, self effacing, retiring type, I would tentatively, and above all, humbly, point you in the direction of this genuine 6542 that was the 'model' used for this build: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,751 Posted February 11, 2018 That is just godawful Awesome........... Just so nicely done, attention to detail is perfect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tripdog123 37 Posted February 11, 2018 3 hours ago, NCRich said: That is just godawful Awesome........... Just so nicely done, attention to detail is perfect. Thanks Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,747 Posted February 11, 2018 18 hours ago, tripdog123 said: Thanks Pickle. Being the shy, self effacing, retiring type, I would tentatively, and above all, humbly, point you in the direction of this genuine 6542 that was the 'model' used for this build: Ah I see...... you used a model.... of course... ..well as Mr Loaf so repeatedly puts it..... two outta three ain’t bad. I still say it’s good work though trippers, would be interesting to know how much lay out this kinda job is, excluding labour of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tabuktime 54 Posted February 11, 2018 12 minutes ago, pickledbeetroot said: Ah I see...... you used a model.... of course... ..well as Mr Loaf so repeatedly puts it..... two outta three ain’t bad. I still say it’s good work though trippers, would be interesting to know how much lay out this kinda job is, excluding labour of course. You know what they say Beet, if you have to ask... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites