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semperfi55

Semperfi's SOTC III

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semperfi55

Another year, another SOTC.

But oh what a year :drowning:

The collection hasn't grown as much as I predicted this year (thankfully) due to :

-Severely affected shipping discouraging TD purchases at the start of the pandemic

-More family responsibilities(due to pandemic), so less for the watch budget

-Bloody Viet parts inflating costs per project (this one I can't pin on Covid)

 

More watches were sold off to further focus the collection (pretty shit focus as you'll see below).  

Just before typing this up, I looked back at my previous SOTC to revisit the conclusions I made last year:

Quote

Even so, my own conclusions on my collecting direction are:

1) No, you cannot wear 44mm diameter watches with those lady wrists.

2) Vintage  :Love:

3) An odd obsession with collecting certain models in sets. One is not enough, there must be one of every variant. Or at least that's what I'd love to do. There just isn't any space.

4) Sell those damn 44mm watches.

5) Vintage Rolex is appealing to me now. But why? Is it for the timeless design? Or due to watch world hype? Or because there are just so much more quality choice when it comes to Rolex reps?

6) Please stop eyeing those 44mm IWCs for fuck's sake.

Points 1,4,6 are still correct and  I have done quite well this year with no new purchases going above 42mm diameter. I can enjoy the large PAMs and IWCs by proxy(once @Theviking sorts out his IWC).

Point 2 goes very closely with 3 and 5 in my collection.

This year has been the year of collecting new and old Submariners, GMTs, Explorer IIs,  Daydates. and Daytonas.  As a cheapskate and superficial collector,  the DHgate level reps for modern Rolex models are good enough for me. That certainly leaves more money on the table for vintage builds. Again, being cheap, I looked for ways to get parts at a  lower cost where possible. Why pay the insane prices for MQ parts?  If I started buying those, I might as well use the money towards some gens that I would actually want. So I very slowly got into the decal dials  as done by @Bart Cordell and @repmaster1234.

 

The Rolex reps in my collection are growing at an alarming and, coupled with the fact that I have been selling off some non-Rolex reps, the proportion of Rolex reps in the collection is at an all-time high.  This is at odds with my collection when I first started. At the time, I wanted a collection full of odd, rare pieces, definitely not the cliche sea of Rolex.  My first Rolex rep was a U1 DSSD and first rep Sub was a white Bamford Sub. It was only after collecting broad and shallow before I got my ZZF V1 LN Sub. Since then, I've become obsessed with collecting variants of different lines of Rolex. I suspect that the following reasons causing this shift:

1) Exposure: There is a lot more content online about Rolex, talking about the details of specific variants. I revel  in the details of the various models of the vintage Sub, GMT, Daytona. I can pick and choose which bits of detail I focus on (dials are important to me, but I am terrible with crowns , hands, serifs on dates).  Of course, Panerai and Omega have their own extensive communities but Panerai is too big in general and I only like specific models within Omega, not entire collections.

2) Accessibility: There are lot more market options for parts to make Rolex builds. Sure there are Viet parts for Blancpain/Omega/Patek but man those are expensive! With Rolex, there's parts for every budget. In addition, @NCRich's tutorials make the modding scene more accessible. 

3) BRAND: Related to Point 1 but  still it's own separate point. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm sure subconsciously brand recognition is one of the reasons why I have become obsessed with Rolex. 

4) Bored. It's possible that the factories have been focusing even more on Rolex reps. I have not seen as many decent reps from other brands (that also fit my size criteria) in the past year. When a new non-Rolex rep does catch my eye, the big dimensions(42mm) and the big price (USD 700-800) puts me off. In contrast, a vintage Rolex build will be under 40mm, and USD 700 can provide  meaningful and frustrating experience in building my own rep with reasonably good parts.

 

So what if the entire collection is Rolex?

Nothing wrong with that, but I  don't want to shut myself out of the rest of the watch brands. There are many vintage Heuer, Blancpain, AP, VC, Tudor and Patek watches that I'm interested in. Of course, for most of them there are no OOTB reps, nor are there cheap parts for them available. If I plan to expand the collection in that direction, it would be a long term plan requiring a lot of learning. In the past year, I have improved my practical knowledge in designing and printing decal dials, while reading on  pad printing, anodised dyes, and electroplating. @Glaude has been very helpful in the technical aspects of these processes.The hope is that in this year I can continue acquiring more skills to make better quality dials and making gold plated reps. Over time, hopefully I will accumulate enough skills to build non-Rolex vintage reps as well.

 

This will be an unwieldy Collection thread. I think the best way to arrange the photos  is into the following categories:

Gens- the new purchases in the past year first, marked in red, followed by the older watches already in previous SOTC

Reps-categorised by brand, and within each brand, divided between new first(marked in red) and old.

 

Gen Collection

Chronologic Mechanical Watch (New)

ZXP9hJ.md.jpg

Gift from family when they found out I'm into watches, bless their cotton socks.

 

Lanco Chronograph Valjoux 7733 (New)

ZXlBXb.md.jpg

 

Mr Jones Watches - The Ascendant (New)

ZXpbE2.md.jpg

Fascinating piece bought during Black Friday sale

 

Poljot De Luxe (New)

ZXCGqL.md.jpg

Minimalist sleek dress watch under 100 quid, made in USSR.

 

Old Gens

Casio Edifice Chronograph

ZXlHXD.md.jpg

 

The Swimming Casio

ZXPyfo.md.jpg

 

Cuervo y Sobrinos Triple Calendar

ZXCSTR.md.jpg

 

Dan Henry 1939 Military Chronograph

ZXCJBv.md.jpg

 

Diamond Watch

ZXPzDc.md.jpg

 

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Index Mobile Rattrapante

ZXCN9W.md.jpg

 

GUB Glashütte Watches (x3)

ZXPOWD.md.jpg

ZXCxUK.md.jpg

ZXC0b8.md.jpg

 

Henry London Watches (x2)

ZXluJD.md.jpg

ZXl4j3.md.jpg

 

Hugo Boss Dual Time

ZXpVyn.md.jpg

 

Ingersoll Union IN1203RWH

ZXCvNJ.md.jpg

 

Jean d'Eve Sectora

ZXlkun.md.jpg

 

Junghans Quartz Chronograph

ZXl3qY.md.jpg

 

Junghans Max Bill Automatic

ZXCFDQ.md.jpg


Luch 

ZXP5ht.md.jpg

No need for an expensive Meistersinger ;) 

 

Oris Artelier Jumping Hour

ZXCuBo.md.jpg

 

Oris Divers Sixty-Five 

ZXlYQ1.md.jpg

 

Poljot

ZXPAQ5.md.jpg

 

Raketa Watches (x4)

ZXPmI3.md.jpg

ZXPoXs.md.jpg

ZXPiZn.md.jpg

ZXPUn2.md.jpg

 

Raymond Weil

ZXCghj.md.jpg

 

Rolex Datejust 16220

ZXCEKP.md.jpg

 

Seagull Watches (x2)

ZXPHXi.md.jpg

ZXP3qX.md.jpg

 

Seiko Age of Discovery 6M13-0010

ZXCVR1.md.jpg

The only watch in the collection that can actually do the leap year thing.

 

Seiko Presage Fuyugeshiki SSA385J1

ZXpjAj.md.jpg

 

Shanghai Watches (x2)

ZXPKbb.md.jpg

ZXPZsI.md.jpg

 

Skagen Ancher SKW6082

ZXPrZS.md.jpg

 

Sputnik Watch

ZXP2Up.md.jpg

Most likely redial

 

Sturmanskie 

ZXPLRF.md.jpg

Likely redial

 

Swatch Animal Wheel GZ120

ZXQko8.md.jpg

 

TagHeuer Monza CR2113-0

ZXCRMS.md.jpg

 

Mechanical Timex Watches (x2)

ZXP6uW.md.jpg

ZXPnnP.jpg

 

Vostok Watches (x3)
ZXPYQk.md.jpg

ZXPWsE.md.jpg

ZXPqxY.md.jpg

 

Waltham Calatrava Homage

ZXPD94.md.jpg

 

Zeppelin 7676-2 100 Jahre Chronograph

ZXltIi.md.jpg

 

 

Replica Collection

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin 205.086 (New)

ZXp9pk.md.jpg

 

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph 403.032 

ZXpTi8.md.jpg

 

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moonphase

ZXpt7W.md.jpg

-working moonphase

 

A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 "Tourbillon" Perpetual Calendar

ZXlpW5.md.jpg

 

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon

ZXQFDi.md.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet 5043 with Türler Signature (New)

ZXlMIs.md.jpg

Henry London watch converted into an AP via decals,

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15454 (New)

ZXQSTp.md.jpg

I tried on @Dr Fun Socks's 15454 an eternity ago and enjoyed the frosted texture.  A tiny one that fits perfectly.

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202

ZXQ0b5.md.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400

ZXQx5F.md.jpg

 

 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26320 PVD

ZXQJBt.md.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourillon 26510

ZXQGob.md.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 26579

ZXQVR2.md.jpg

 

Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet 6654

ZXpYVY.md.jpg

Also working moonphase

 

Bovet Virtuoso IV "Tourbillion"

ZXpSLF.md.jpg

 

Breguet Classique Chronograph 5247BB/12/9V6 (New)

ZXpOks.md.jpg

Seller put this on M2M cheap as they wouldn't/couldn't sort out the messed up keyless. This Guilloche Galore has been out of production for some time so I snapped it up first and figured out how to sort out a ST19 keyless later. Now fully functional again :D 

 

Breguet Classique 5177BR/15/9V6

ZXpu3I.md.jpg

 

Breguet Regulator Tourbillon 5307PT/12/9V6

ZXQEKI.md.jpg

 

Breguet Tradition 7057BB/11/9W6

ZXQuBj.md.jpg

 

Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant Datora A21330

ZXpz64.md.jpg

All functions still works but I'll be damned if I ever use it to time things!

 

Cartier Tank Basculante

ZXCZmY.md.jpg

 

Franck Muller Crazy Hours

ZXQ40v.md.jpg

 

Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer

ZXpr8P.md.jpg

 

Glashütte Original Panorama Date Moon Phase

ZXp8AJ.md.jpg

 

H. Moser & Cie Venturer Big Date

ZXp1iD.md.jpg

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface - New

ZXp0rt.md.jpg

ZXpJ3E.md.jpg

Both sides are independent of each other and can be set for different times.

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Classic Automatic

ZXpgcs.md.jpg

Rep number 1 in the collection

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin

ZXpnGo.md.jpg

 

MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement

ZXQvN4.md.jpg

 

Omega Constellation Co-Axial

ZXlX22.md.jpg

 

Panerai Luminor Submersible 682

ZXpKjc.md.jpg

 

Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa Grande QF

ZXpc43.md.jpg

 

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Tourbillon

ZXQN1c.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus  3800/1A with Diamond Hour Markers (New)

ZXlglv.md.jpg

Now the size of the 3800 is a much better fit for my wrist! The DWO should have dark background and the text is one line too high, someone did not align the pad printer when they made this line of reps sadly.  Watch hands can be slimmer. The blue came out better than I expected from looking at TD photos and QC pics.

 

Patek Philippe Calatrava with Beyer Signature (New)

ZXpFS5.md.jpg

Bentima watch turned Patek with decals and broached Dauphine hands.

 

Patek Philippe 3519J with Gübelin Signature (New)

ZXlPft.md.jpg

Decal Conversion

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 130 with Hausmann & Co. Signature (New)

ZXlCQF.md.jpg

proper Ref 130 or even 530 build would be a grail project. For now, this Dan Henry decal conversion will have to do.

 

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196J (New)

ZXpwL1.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5116R

ZXpM74.md.jpg
 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 530

ZXQwTK.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 5070

ZXpi82.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170

ZXpXCK.md.jpg

Needs to be plated to yellow gold for the correct configuration of 5170J.

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 5370P

ZXpIY3.md.jpg

 

Patek Phillipe Chronograph 5975G

ZXpmvE.md.jpg

No chrono

 

Patek Philippe Gondolo 5112J

ZXp4rj.md.jpg

Likely fantasy model.

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711A

ZXp2ki.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711R

ZXpAJb.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712R

ZXpaAt.md.jpg

5712R dial should be grey rather than black.

Moonphase appears to work but is actually connected to the date mechanism.

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726A

ZXpUFF.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5740G

ZXp5p5.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980A

ZXpeap.md.jpg

 

Patek Philippe World-Time 5131J

ZXpdGv.md.jpg

Map repainted , city and hour rings redesigned.

 

Patek Philippe 3970R

ZXp7wX.md.jpg

No chrono

 

Patek Philippe 3970G or P with some imagination

ZXpvYc.md.jpg

Future project. Has something to do with the missing marker ;) 

 

Patek Philippe 5204R-001

ZXpfCp.md.jpg

No chrono

 

Patek Philippe 5204R/1R-001

ZXpEci.md.jpg

No chrono

 

Patek Philippe 5204J Fantasy

ZXpRib.md.jpg

No chrono

While I was modding the day and month wheel overlays, I lost the second hand.

 

@Zooha 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 Mother of Pearl Dial and "Diamond" Bezel (New)

ZXCQtF.md.jpg

I bought the exquisite bezel from @Stuvetjee, and he threw in the watch + Pearlmaster bracelet into the sale as well. If you have seen some of my other watches, this will be comparatively tame.

 

Rolex Day-Date 128235-0037 (New)

ZXC6oi.md.jpg 

Rolex calls the gen an Ombré dial, and the full set consists of brown, green and blue dial.

 

Rolex Day-Date 128238-0069  (New)

ZXCB55.md.jpg
 

Rolex Milgauss 6541  (New)

ZXC4bD.md.jpg

Needs to be wrecked vintagised

 

Rolex Milgauss 1019 CERN Dial with Tiffany & Co. signature (New)

ZXCs5k.md.jpg

I was fascinated by the gen I saw on Bobswatches.

Base 1019 from MR, broached, reshaped and repainted pair of Bulova hands, dial and hands delumed to  match CERN dial specs, Tiffany & Co. signature added on as decal.

 

Rolex Daytona 6239 "Dark Blue"/Purple Prototype (New)

ZXCdD3.md.jpg

The only pics I have of the gen shows a dark blue dial, but the one Phong had was more of purple, but I ought it anyway because it has it's own regal charm ;) 

Cartel base+Phong dial

 

Rolex Yachtmaster 6242 Chronograph Prototype (New)

ZXCTMn.md.jpg

Cartel Base + Phong Dial +Alpha subdial hands

Again another prototype grail build I had been obsessing about for some time.

 

Rolex Daytona 116505-0008 (New)

ZXlf2P.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116508 (New)

ZXl0jQ.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116509-0071 (New)

ZXlGuS.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116509MTAO (New)

ZXlsdY.md.jpg

Birthday gift from the better half. Well she bought the parts and I built it.

 

Rolex Daytona 116518LN-0047 (New)

ZXlF6W.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116588TBR (New)

ZXlJJ8.md.jpg

This one is hard to photograph properly with all the detail. I missed out on this guy when the first M2M was listed in UK, then it re-surfaced weeks later in M2M in  Continental Europe. 

 

Rolex Daytona 116598RBOW(New)

ZXlbOL.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116599RBOW(New)

ZXlcaK.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona Artisans de Genève "La Barrichello" (New)

ZXlD9n.md.jpg

 

Rolex Space-Dweller 1016 (New)

ZXCKrJ.md.jpg

JMB case+Asian 2824+Yuki dial+Rafflesdial hands+Rafflesdial rivet bracelet

 

Rolex Explorer II 16570 Polar Dial (New)

ZXCy1I.md.jpg

Rehaut engravings need to be scrubbed, something has to be done for the laughably short hash marks

 

Rolex Explorer II 216570 Polar Dial (New)

ZXlU9S.md.jpg

Now this started off when @FunnyStarSystem was selling his odd gate 40mm Explorer II. I bought a good version in the year but did not wear it much due to the size. This 40mm oddball fits much better.

 

Rolex GMT Master II 16710 Black (New)

ZXCLyS.md.jpg

Delightful cheapie which turned out to have a DG3804b movement!

 

Rolex GMT Master II 116710BLNR (New)

ZXlABJ.md.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN (New)

ZXl5hW.md.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master II 116718LN (New)

ZXlKbk.md.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master II 126719BLRO-0002 (New)

ZXlLRP.md.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 6204 Albino Dial (New)

ZXCHeo.md.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 6204 Split Dial (New)

ZXChEP.md.jpg

JKF base+ Decal dial

My first gilt decal dial, turned out alright. Lume needs more work. Further optimisation of printing needed because I had to sacrifice my carefully crafted fonts to circumvent a printing glitch.

 

Rolex Submariner 116608LV (New)

ZXl6sc.md.jpg

A fantasy mix and match of parts. I preferred a dial with gold text to match the gold text on the gold LN and LB in the collection.

 

Rolex Submariner 116610LV (New)

ZXl9h4.md.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116619LB (New)

ZXlyfj.md.jpg

 

Rolex Single Red Sea Dweller 1665 (New)

ZXCAHW.md.jpg

Cartel base+Yuki dial

 

Rolex Yacht-Master  116622 (New)

ZXlqxK.md.jpg

 

Rolex Yacht-Master 116622 Blue (New)

ZXloX8.md.jpg

 

Rolex Air-King 14000

ZXCjPD.md.jpg

 

Rolex Datejust 16013 Tapestry Dial

ZXCWmR.md.jpg

 

Rolex Datejust 16233 Linen Dial

ZXCaP8.md.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 

ZXC14c.md.jpg

First build. Instantaneous date and day change at midnight.

Gen dial+Raffles parts+Asian 2836

 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 Blue Vignette Dial

ZXC9gX.md.jpg

Stills need to be recased into vintage case.

 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 Brown Vignette Dial

ZXC8Pb.md.jpg

Still needs to be recased in vintage case.

 

Rolex Day-Date 118206

ZXClNt.md.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 128239-0023

ZXCr0p.md.jpg

 

Rolex 6234 Oyster Chronograph

ZXCCK2.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6239 Paul Newman Dial

ZXCP1E.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6263 Gold

ZXCkos.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6265 Paul Newman Dial

ZXCwTY.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116500LN

ZXl7Wk.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116506

ZXlzDs.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116519LN-0013

ZXlNfJ.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116520

ZXlZs3.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116523

ZXlElo.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116595RBOW

ZXlxdR.md.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona Artisans de Genève "La Montoya"

ZXQgKE.md.jpg

 

Rolex Explorer II 1655

ZXCYH4.md.jpg

Still need to vintagise it.

 

Rolex GMT Master 6542 Pan-Am Albino Dial

ZXCqt1.md.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master 6542 with Serpico y Laino Signature

ZXCoev.md.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master 1675

ZXCINj.md.jpg

Still need to decide what build I wish to make with this. I have a stunning Milk Fuchsia Insert begging to be used:Waiting:

 

Rolex GMT Master II 16713 Root Beer

ZXC5gL.md.jpg

I had so many plans to convert this to a 1675/3 Root Beer but the case was too big for the dial. Back to the drawing board.

 

Rolex GMT Master II 126715CHNR

ZXl2Uo.md.jpg

 

Rolex Milgauss Label Noir Tourbillon

ZXQRMX.md.jpg

 

Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934

ZXldnE.md.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 16610LV

ZXCe4Q.md.jpg

Gate Cheapie

 

Rolex Submariner 16613LB Serti Dial

ZXlQxp.md.jpg

Gate cheapie upgraded with Rafflesdial Serti dial and DWO.

 

Rolex Submariner 116608LN

ZXlrZX.md.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116608LN

ZXlnnI.md.jpg

The gen has white text but I picked this one out because I preferred gold text.

 

Rolex Submariner 116610LN

ZXlOUv.md.jpg

ZZF V1

 

Rolex Submariner 116610 Bamford Stormtrooper

ZXliZL.md.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116613LB Serti Dial

ZXlmqR.md.jpg

Fantasy configuration.

 

Rolex Submariner 116613LN Serti Dial

ZXlWsQ.md.jpg

Another fantasy configuration.

 

Rolex Turn-O-Graph 116264

ZXCi0K.md.jpg

Laughable rehaut engraving and font. Lots of room for improvement. Lots.

 

Tudor Submariner 7928 (New)

ZXCzSk.md.jpg

JKF base+Yuki dial+raffleswatch hands

Crown guards needs reshaping to make it period correct.

 

Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330N Black

ZXphOX.md.jpg

 

Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330N Blue

ZXp3vI.md.jpg

Still can't find a suitable replacement insert. If anyone knows, do let me know!

 

Tutima Vintage Chronograph

ZXQs51.md.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionelle 47009

ZXppwL.md.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day Date

ZXpQzS.md.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Harmony Complete Calendar

ZXplYQ.md.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921

ZXpCVR.md.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Historiques 1955 Corne de Vache

ZXpqzn.md.jpg

 

This took me three days to sort out, phew.

If you managed to scroll through the entire mess, thanks for reading :) 

 

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deju

What a beautifully eclectic mix of watches, I’m in awe of how well balanced this is, some more interesting and rare pieces!  

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FunnyStarSystem

Yay, another full evening of entertainment from the most eclectic collector on here! More comments to follow - looks like a good episode :thumbsup:

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fatarms

Holy shit, you're gonna have to start wearing one on each ankle too soon.

That purple daytona is amazing. 

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Glaude

This is the collection of a mad men, my only question now is : What do you have against Omega ? :lol: 

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NCRich

A fun read.  Love the variety.

Great stuff!

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paccbet

Love the double signed decal mods! 

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Theviking

Another delightful update/psychological profile. Contrary to what he says @semperfi55 is a big chap and could easily physically pull off a 44/46mm, but he is also an cartographer of long forgotten appointments where watches were smaller and drinks were stiffer.

 

 

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BravoDelta

The rep community gets schooled by another @semperfi55 sotc. What an amazing collection! :Applause:

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PostMaster

A very unique style of watches that I just am in awe of, all look great even the Rolex collection lol. Thank you for sharing.

P.S - that Breitling doesn’t look in that collection though - il take it off your hands :thumbsup2:

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lmvfernandes

Very unique collection, is there any Rolex you will need in future?

 

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als86

That's for sharing, great collection and photography...think my scroll wheel needs replacing now :D!

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Peter Sta

:notworthy:  Absolutely love your collection..... so, so different

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Dr Fun Socks

Man thats a great collection! You really have invested heavily in daytonas this year. And why the hell not! Theyre fantastic! That mr jones really caught my eye. Id love to wear it but i struggle enough reading certain skeletonised watches in low light. Add maths to the poor legibility, multiply that by a few beers and ill be reaching for my phone to know the time.... keep up the good work!

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MAJ75

@semperfi55 Though this collection is bordering on insanity in sheer numbers, I do at the same time find the depth of your stable impressive. If nothing else the evidence of a real love of horology is on the surface for everyone to see.

As noted in another response, I find the decal dials intriguing & well executed.

Seeing the 5 Patek Grand Complications those are pieces that I would love to see taken to the next level as I find it crushing that only cheapies exist of those references.

I do remain eternally grateful  that the factories saw fit to bring out the Patek 530 & VC Cornes De Vache, I love your Patek 5170 & I'm sorry I missed the boat on that one. If money was no object I'd pick up the gen of that reference.

Thanks for taking the time to document the evolution & look forward to seeing what 2021 adds!

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semperfi55

Thanks for the kind comments guys. I'm terrible at responding to replies. Hopefully this year I'll get better at it.

 

18 hours ago, deju said:

how well balanced this is, some more interesting and rare pieces!

It won't be same time next year, there'll probably be just Rolex/Tudor Reps, even the Calatravas will have Coronets...

19 hours ago, FunnyStarSystem said:

looks like a good episode :thumbsup:

Like some Netflix series, drops the whole season in one day then radio silence for the entire year :lol:

18 hours ago, fatarms said:

wearing one on each ankle too soon

You'll know I have started doing that when 47mm PAMs/Fliegers start popping up on my wrist checks

18 hours ago, Glaude said:

What do you have against Omega ? :lol: 

Who names their brand the last letter of the alphabet?  Sounds like a brand that just sells homages. Should go for first in alphabet like Alpha ;) 

I do like the Speedmaster, the pre-Speedmaster chronos even more. There's also a vintage all-gold Constellation I'm keen on.

Modern Seamasters are too big. I've tried them.

 

18 hours ago, NCRich said:

A fun read.  Love the variety.

Great stuff!

Thanks Rich :)

18 hours ago, paccbet said:

Love the double signed decal mods! 

Thanks mate, those mods  are cheap and cheerful when they work, but it's so variable depending on the dial finish/layers :fear:

9 hours ago, Theviking said:

psychological profile

:rofl:

10 hours ago, Theviking said:

is a big chap and could easily physically pull off a 44/46mm, but he is also an cartographer of long forgotten appointments where watches were smaller and drinks were stiffer.

You're too kind mate,  but also I need some form of criteria to restrict the collection! You're not helping!! :lolcina:

Speaking of stiffer, nothing is stiffer than my.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................rep straps

8 hours ago, BravoDelta said:

What an amazing collection! :Applause:

Thanks mate :D 

8 hours ago, PostMaster said:

Breitling doesn’t look in that collection though - il take it off your hands :thumbsup2:

:lmao: 

8 hours ago, lmvfernandes said:

is there any Rolex you will need in future?

The madness never stops. There's a few more rare versions of 1680, 6200, 6538, gold Paul Newman Daytonas, 6263 RCO, and 16520 I'm keen on. 

7 hours ago, als86 said:

think my scroll wheel needs replacing now 

:lol: Imagine creating this SOTC with a mouse with no scroll, and my photos were not taken in the same order as above....

6 hours ago, Peter Sta said:

:notworthy:  Absolutely love your collection..... so, so different

Thanks Peter!

2 hours ago, Dr Fun Socks said:

ill be reaching for my phone to know the time

I kid you not, I have been late to appointments despite wearing two watches. I've never worn two vintage manual winds together ever since. Still late to things though.

1 hour ago, MAJ75 said:

Seeing the 5 Patek Grand Complications those are pieces that I would love to see taken to the next level as I find it crushing that only cheapies exist of those references.

Thanks for the comments MAJ! The decals are a temporary solution until I have the space and resources to set up a pad printer.

I love the 3970,5970,5270, 5204 calendar chronos, wish there were better reps! But working with what the Chinese got, there's only the Asian ETA 775x calendar chrono movement used in the Longines rep and in the older Breitling Datora rep, and those have the wrong subdial placement for the Pateks.  Perhaps there is a way to add on calendar modules to existing "simple" chronos. The only way that I see available is to hunt for Valjoux movements and build from there. I see Phong advertising services to build vintage Patek calendar chronos but the prices are... :Shocked:

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tribefan

Always a fun read @semperfi55

Did you by any chance have that CyS triple calendar up for sale? I saw one just like it over the weekend on eBay or chrono and thought hard about pulling the trigger because I remembered yours. That is a great watch.

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semperfi55
19 hours ago, tribefan said:

Always a fun read @semperfi55

Did you by any chance have that CyS triple calendar up for sale? I saw one just like it over the weekend on eBay or chrono and thought hard about pulling the trigger because I remembered yours. That is a great watch.

Ooooh noo my CyS is never up for sale. If it ever  does happen, I would put it on M2M first. The lowball offers I've received on eBay(for other watches) is next-level.

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Piccolo

That’s a lot of lovely watches! Thanks for taking the time to share.  :D
I’m a big fan of the Rainbow Daytona’s so I hope they get some good use. 

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Glaude
2 hours ago, semperfi55 said:

Ooooh noo my CyS is never up for sale. If it ever  does happen, I would put it on M2M first. The lowball offers I've received on eBay(for other watches) is next-level.

And he will get banned from here if he doesn't ask me first if I want to buy it :lol: 

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FunnyStarSystem

Of the new additions that Space Dweller 1016 is one I've always wanted, but a no-no for sasquatch wrists. The Poljot Deluxe is so sublime with the dial slices for hour markers, I'm guessing it's like 34mm or something though, I love all your Raketa's too, thanks for the purchase reminder. The Patek Gubelin and Beyer - so crazy they even make these reps, who other than you is buying one of these?!? Of course now I want the Gubelin so I will be requesting a referral.

For the remainder of 2021 (for my personal viewing pleasure) I'd recommend you pump the brakes on the Rolex and get back to what you do best, super oddities from rare brands. But I know you're enjoying the tinkering, so you do you Mau! :notworthy:

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semperfi55
23 hours ago, Piccolo said:

I’m a big fan of the Rainbow Daytona’s so I hope they get some good use. 

They are firm favourites that I sport at home like some mad man, especially the RG and steel (WG in gen) versions. Got a PVD version on the way ;) 

22 hours ago, Glaude said:

And he will get banned from here if he doesn't ask me first if I want to buy it :lol: 

I'll bet It'll be some humiliating lowball "offer "as well, like 69  quid 69p

200.gif

21 hours ago, FunnyStarSystem said:

Of the new additions that Space Dweller 1016 is one I've always wanted, but a no-no for sasquatch wrists. The Poljot Deluxe is so sublime with the dial slices for hour markers, I'm guessing it's like 34mm or something though, I love all your Raketa's too, thanks for the purchase reminder. The Patek Gubelin and Beyer - so crazy they even make these reps, who other than you is buying one of these?!? Of course now I want the Gubelin so I will be requesting a referral.

For the remainder of 2021 (for my personal viewing pleasure) I'd recommend you pump the brakes on the Rolex and get back to what you do best, super oddities from rare brands. But I know you're enjoying the tinkering, so you do you Mau! :notworthy:

I couldn't bear reluming the 1016 to more realistic patina lume. Because straight lines and numbers are a bitch to lume. Something about the "Space" aspect makes me think I should leave the lume white and clean.

The Poljot is tiny.

The Gubelin and Beyer were cheapie gen watches that I converted to reps. I find cheapies on eBay that I think have modding  potential because of certain desirable vintage features (lug shapes, case shape), then trawl through images of watches by the Trinity brands to find a close match, decide which reference I am trying to copy and then research the period appropriate font to replicate on a decal.

I do have some vintage Tudors in mind, and a Heuer project that has stalled for more than a year. I do want to work on non-Rolex builds off the beaten track but at the moment the Rolex phase is certainly helpful to build up some skills---there's more guidance and options about. 

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FunnyStarSystem
14 minutes ago, semperfi55 said:

I couldn't bear reluming the 1016 to more realistic patina lume. Because straight lines and numbers are a bitch to lume. Something about the "Space" aspect makes me think I should leave the lume white and clean.

The Poljot is tiny.

The Gubelin and Beyer were cheapie gen watches that I converted to reps. I find cheapies on eBay that I think have modding  potential because of certain desirable vintage features (lug shapes, case shape), then trawl through images of watches by the Trinity brands to find a close match, decide which reference I am trying to copy and then research the period appropriate font to replicate on a decal.

I do have some vintage Tudors in mind, and a Heuer project that has stalled for more than a year. I do want to work on non-Rolex builds off the beaten track but at the moment the Rolex phase is certainly helpful to build up some skills---there's more guidance and options about. 

The 1016 looks fine, don't mess with it, however I find it kind of funny that you think straight lines a bitch to lume yet somehow make and apply the teeny-tiniest decals to dials and have them come out looking so perfect! How do you make the decals? I have so many dials mods I want to do with this knowledge!!! :D

Good idea to use Rolex's as guinea pigs, exactly why they're churned out in the billions each month!

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semperfi55
24 minutes ago, FunnyStarSystem said:

How do you make the decals?

The general gist of the steps are below, it  varies depending on the scope of the project,  colours involved, complexity of design, type of decals used, type of printer available.

1) Find good head-on photos of the gen, which will be the reference photo

2) Based on the reference, I measure the relevant dimensions (text height, length of a line of text) and convert into the correct measurements for my replica dial.  I do this to maintain proportions, but others can eyeball the proportions pretty well and resize as appropriate.

3) I design my dials on Illustrator

4) Test prints, many test prints

5) Once you achieve a satisfactory font size and optimised printing settings, cut out the best example and apply it on to the blank disc/donor dial. Then leave it to dry.

I was inspired by this:

https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/vintage-watches/249254-decal-printed-dial

And followed the specific steps from this, he uses Sunnyscopa film free decals, which are especially useful if you just want to add a bit of text onto an existing dial without having to re-design the entire thing. The down side of Sunnyscopa decals is that you need a laserjet printer.  If you're planning to design an entire dial, then might as well use regular clear decals which will allow for more printer flexibility.

 

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Simonix

Fantastic collection. 
 

I would love to get my hands on a Tudor heritage chrono rep. Definitely my favourites from your collection. 
 

 

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