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semperfi55

Semperfi's SOTC IV

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semperfi55

Let's take a brief moment away from the dire global situation.

 

Here's last year's thread:

I finished off last year's SOTC with this wall of text:

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. 

With that in mind, what has changed this year?

1) Rolex Dumping

Last year, I was busy buying up all different models of U1 Rolex reps. This year I have been selling them on. I have had my fun with reps of modern Rolex.

 

2) Daytonamania With Extra Steps

That's pretty obvious from last year's SOTC, but now I'm moving on from the modern Daytonas and shifting more focus on vintage Daytona builds. It's certainly helped since JKF have resumed production of gold plated Daytonas.

 

3) Moar Decal Dials

This is an ongoing effort which I am still trying to improve. I am glad to have branched out of Rolex and made decal dials for Omega and Doxa reps. There are a few more designs offs the beaten track that I did not complete in time for this SOTC, so more to come ;) 

 

4) Still, No Electroplating

I really need to stop procrastinating and complete the kit.  Let's see if I can finally do gold plating next year :facepalm:

 

5) Imposing Box Limit

I haven't made a conscious decision to set a hard limit on watch numbers. But I have stopped buying more watchboxes, which certainly slows down the buying. I think a box limit is a good idea, it will force me to sell off some watches to make room for the new. It'll keep me thinking on how I could shape the collection moving forward.

 

 

As usual, gens first followed by reps. 

Gen Collection

 

Casio Edifice  EFB-508J (New)

j7xxs5.jpg

 

Casio G-Shock GA-2100-7AER (New)

I'm finding these CasiOaks rather fascinating. It's also quite refreshing to have a sturdy watch rather than one that I have to baby/worry about.
j7xET4.jpg

 

Casio G-Shock GA-2100-4AER (New)
j7x7qj.jpg

 

Casio Edifice Chronograph EF-503D-7AVDF

j7xo4F.jpg

 

The Swimming Casio
j7xm15.jpg

 

Chronologic Watch

j7xUti.jpg

 

Cuervo y Sobrinos Triple Calendar

j7xAPI.jpg

 

Dan Henry 1972 Alarm Chronograph (New)

Because I can't afford the Orfina.

j7x953.jpg

 

Dan Henry 1939 Military Chronograph
j7x5eX.jpg

 

Diamond

j7dx4k.jpg

 

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Index Mobile Rattrapante

Poor man's rattrapante

j7xCTW.jpg

 

GUB Glashütte Watches

j7bWOJ.jpg
j7bUzo.jpg
j7bevk.jpg

 

Henry London Heritage Square 29mm

There's Dan Henry, but there's also Henry London :rofl:

Great value for a small quartz piece at about 20-30 quid each, do not pay the full overpriced retail.

j7J5XP.jpg

 

Henry London Heritage Square 34mm

Won't be in the gen collection for long now if I can replicate a certain dial. 
j7xVDF.jpg

 

Hugo Boss Dual-Time

j7xb9p.jpg

 

Ingersoll Union IN1203RWH

j7xP0S.jpg

 

Jean d'Eve Sectora

Double retrograde hour and minute hands, using quartz movement. There is a larger men's version which has a mechanical movement but also more expensive.

j7J9dj.jpg

 

Junghans Max Bill Automatic 027/4700.00

j7xsMv.jpg

 

Junghans Chronograph  4092589 E403

j7xOo2.jpg

 

 MJW The Ascendant

Creative and impractical time telling  by Mr Jones Watches.

 

j7JIn8.jpg

 

Oris Artelier Jumping Hour

j7x6NY.jpg

 

Oris Divers Sixty-Five 4.20.18
j7xYPE.jpg

 

Raymond Weil "Tank" Watch

j7xLSc.jpgRay

 

Rolex Datejust 16220

j7xrKD.jpg

 

Seagull

j7dGEs.jpg

 

Seiko Flightmaster SNA411 (New)

I succumbed to TGV's incessant propaganda and bought this. Love busy dials that sacrifice legibility.

j7xnts.jpg

 

Seiko Presage Fuyugeshiki SSA385J1

Because of this watch, I thought I would buy the SBGA211(snowflake). Thankfully I felt underwhelmed when I actually tried on the Snowflake. The SLGH005 looks tempting too but it doesn't have Spring Drive.
j7xy0n.jpg

 

Seiko Age of Discovery 6M13-0010

 

j7x2m4.jpg

 

Shanghai

j7dJgo.jpg
j7d0HY.jpg

 

Skagen Ancher SKW6082

j7xqgt.jpg

 

Swatch Animal Wheel GZ120

j7JQ2i.jpg

 

Swatch x MoMA: Starry Night (New)

Swatch collab with New York's Museum of Modern Art
j7J1I1.jpg

 

Swatch Black-One Chronograph SUSB416 (New)

Looks like Lego
j7JKhY.jpg

 

TagHeuer Monza CR2113-0

j7xdBL.jpg

 

Tianjin 1963 Chronograph

j7db1D.jpg

 

Simple Timex

j7xiHp.jpg

 

Another Timex
j7xWEb.jpg

 

Vague Watch Co. Vabble (New)

This is a Japanese brand selling Bubbleback homages made in China. It greatly pleases me that the case diameter is 32mm, and the end links of this rivet bracelet is done well. It is an actual cylindrical end link, as opposed to a weird flat end link type(that mimics a cylinder) that Raffles sells. The only other place that sells this type of rivet bracelet is Forstner, which is rather pricey. My Tudor 7928 rep has the raffles bracelet and Omega Ranchero Albino rep has the Forstner bracelet. You'll see what I mean further down (if you get that far) :D 

j7JzQ3.jpg

 

Waltham Maxim Calatrava Homage

j7xKgj.jpg

 

Soviet Watches

These ones seem increasingly inappropriate to wear as the situation gets grimmer. I'm still unsure what to do with them. I collected them because they looked very different to what I am used to. Some are very likely re-dials.

 

Luch

Modern version made in Belarus. Novel timetelling gimmick. I have no idea who buys the Meistersingers for thousands, just for the same one hander.

j7bZOt.jpg

 

Poljot

j7bAAY.jpgj70J2b.jpg

 

Raketa

j7bhFs.jpg
j7bHan.jpg
j7bjk2.jpg
j7bDjF.jpg

 

Sturmanskie

j70V6p.jpg

 

Sputnik

j70cv5.jpg

 

Vostok

j7bL8D.jpgj7bKp3.jpg
j7bzJE.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rep Collection

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon

jEzoik.jpg

 

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin 205.086

jEZEX5.jpg


 A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moonphase

jEZNbF.jpg

 

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph 403.032

jEj3fW.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet 5043 with Türler Signature

Henry London watch with decal dial

jEzKpF.jpg

 

Audermars Piguet Royal Oak 5402 A Series “Oman” (New)

15202 base rep with decal dial. This specific 5402 was perfect becasue it has the same case diameter as the 15202 , and has a plain dial as opposed to the usual tapisserie pattern.

Yes the dial is wonky due to a difficult to cut date window. Don't scrutinise it too hard. 

jEZAPF.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202

jEZ2o5.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15454
jEZ552.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 26579

 

jEZL0t.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26320 PVD
jEZUtE.jpg

 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourillon 26510

jEZzHX.jpg

 

Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet 6654

jEZssi.jpg

 

Breguet Classique 5177BR/15/9V6

jEjhnQ.jpg

 

Breguet Classique Chronograph 5247BB/12/9V6

jEZfUt.jpg

 

Breguet Regulator Tourbillon 5307PT/12/9V6

jEZm1s.jpg

 

Breguet Tradition 7057BB/11/9W6
jEZoMY.jpg

 

Breitling Navitimer Montbrillant Datora A21330

jEZ6NS.jpg

 

Various Cheap Cartier Quartz

jEzicD.jpg
jEzawY.jpg
jEzWYs.jpg

 

Cartier Tank Basculante

A Reverso but not really...

jEjROR.jpg

 

Doxa Sub 300 "Black Lung" (New)

Seestern+Decal dial build of the vintage with a different Aqua Lung logo. I should probably scrape off some of the orange in the bezel to make it more worn out.

jEj4lJ.jpg

 

Doxa Sub 1200T National Underwater and Marine Agency (New)

Seestern+Decal dial. Finding the right blue-turquoise was a challenge for me, even then this isn't the exact tone. It's hard to compare with photos off the internet.
jEjwao.jpg

 

Franck Muller Crazy Hours

jEzhGt.jpg

 

Glashütte Original Panorama Date Moon Phase

jEZFQ2.jpg

 

Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer
jEZ0hn.jpg

 

 Heuer 980.031(New)

My own build using a gate Sub, decal dial which has a luminous surface and a quartz movement as per gen :D 

jEjfk8.jpg

 

H. Moser & Cie Venturer Big Date

jEZM9X.jpg

 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Gate Watch

jEze7n.jpg

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Classic Automatic

My very first rep!

jEjNzL.jpg

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface

jEjv6S.jpgjEj7vQ.jpg

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin

jEZ7qp.jpg

 

MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement

jEZiK3.jpg

 

Omega Railmaster CK2914 (New)

Mbari dial + Tigerconcepts case+Uncle Seiko Speedmaster style bracelet

jEZOok.jpg

 

Omega Ranchero CK2996 (New)

Mbari dial + Tigerconcepts case
jEZYTo.jpg

 

Omega Ranchero CK2990 Double Signature (New)

Decal dial + Tigerconcepts case

I noticed in the gens the "Seamaster" line is a slightly different white compared to the rest of the dial text, which might support the story that Omega added that extra line to help sell the unpopular Ranchero. Quite pleased with the result here.
jEZy0J.jpg

 

Omega Ranchero CK2990 Albino Dial (New)

Decal dial+Tigerconcept case+Forstner rivet bracelet
jEZ95P.jpg

 

Panerai Luminor Submersible 682

 

jEjuAW.jpg

 

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Tourbillon

jEZWNn.jpg

 

Patek Philippe 3519J with Gübelin Signature

Decal dial

jEzAL2.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo circa 1910s-1920s (New)

I very much like the vintage rectangular watches and also double signature dials.

I designed the dial based off an existing Patek, but its dial was housed in a rather large case(for the time). This one is under 30mm across. The small size definitely tests the limits of my printer.

Many dauphine hands were destroyed while trying to broach them to the right size.

The numerals were a joy to draw out in Illustrator.

A prettyb uild if you squint hard enough :clouseau:

jEDd3s.jpg

 

Patek Philippe “Exploding Numerals” El Trust Joyero circa 1910s-1920s (New)

An accompanying piece, with a signature from a  different jeweller. Again the gen was housed in a much larger tonneau case.
jEDkyY.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 130 with Hausmann & Co. Signature

Decal dial mod on Dan Henry 1937.

jEjMFP.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 530R

jEZVZY.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 5070G

jEZxss.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170"A"

Need to gold plate this into a J

jEZcID.jpg

 

Patek Phillipe Chronograph 5975G

jEZbn3.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Chronograph 5370P

jEZGRE.jpg

 

Patek Philippe World Time 5131J

jEZgXk.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Gondolo 5112J
jEjDxo.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Calatrava with Beyer Signature

Bentima with decal mod

jEjKhS.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196J
jEjjUJ.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5116R
jEjzQP.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 3800/1A

jEDV0j.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711A

jEDJP1.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Tiffany & Co. (New)

3KF

jEZZEc.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726A

jEDge4.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980A
jEZDtI.jpg

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712R

jEZKgp.jpg

 

Rolex Air-King 14000

jEjFVK.jpg

 

Rolex Datejust 16233 Linen Dial

Pic from last year's SOTC used here as placeholder, as I have disassembled the watch to redo the keyless.

ZXCaP8.jpg

 

Rolex Datejust 16013 Tapestry Dial

Pic from last year's SOTC used here as placeholder, as I have disassembled the watch to redo the keyless.
ZXCWmR.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 Mother of Pearl Dial

jEjXkD.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 Brown Vignette Dial

Needs to be recased into a vintage style case.
jEjl6n.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 Blue Vignette Dial

Needs to be recased into a vintage style case.
jEjQ2E.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 18238 

 

jEjtF2.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 118206

jEjdJk.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 128239-0023

jEo1NL.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 128235-0037

jEjTOY.jpg

 

Rolex Day-Date 128238-0069
jEjpv3.jpg

 

Rolex 6234 Oyster Chronograph

jEjeI8.jpg

 

Rolex Yachtmaster Chronograph 6242 Prototype

Phong dial

jEjUxv.jpg

 

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6239 Dark Blue/Purple Prototype

Phong dial
jEjaW1.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6239 Paul Newman Dial
jEjilj.jpg

 

Rolex  Daytona 6241 Paul Newman "John Player Special" (New)
jEjmf4.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6263 Gold
jEjq2I.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6263 Arabian Knight (New)
jEjInc.jpg

 

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6263 Paul Newman Oyster Sotto (New)
jEjOuX.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6263 Paul Newman Lemon Dial (New)
jEjyji.jpg

 

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6264 Paul Newman Lemon Dial (New)
jEj1Ib.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 6265 Paul Newman Dial
jEj9dp.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116509MTAO

jEZrKQ.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona Artisans de Genève "La Montoya"

 

jEZt9L.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona Artisans de Genève "La Barrichello"

jEZBMR.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116520
jEZlD8.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116506
jEZpqK.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116523
jEZCTv.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona Blaken PVD Rainbow (New)
jEZPb1.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116599RBOW
jEZXUj.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116595RBOW
jEZdB4.jpg

 

Rolex Daytona 116598RBOW
jEZkRI.jpg

 

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116588TBR
jEZ4Kc.jpg

 

Rolex Explorer 6610 Red Depth (New)

Tigerconcept case+Decal dial, maybe one day I'll get a proper JMB case and redo a dial for that build.

jEj0p1.jpg

 

Rolex Explorer 6610 Albino (New)

Gate 1016 rep + Decal dial+Tigerconcepts hands
jEjSav.jpg

 

Rolex Explorer 1016 Space-Dweller

JMB case+Yuki dial. The case certainly makes a huge difference!

jEjbGj.jpg

 

Rolex Explorer II 1655

jEDS48.jpg

 

Rolex Explorer II 16550 Cream Rail Dial (New)

This started out as a 16570 polar dial which I converted using spray paint and decal into a rarer Explorer II transitional reference. Hour markers changed to match the look of a 16550.
jED0gK.jpg

 

Rolex Explorer II Polar 216570

A U1 special that is actually smaller than the gen. Perfect for me.
jEDxmv.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master 6542 with Serpico y Laino Signature

jEDFHL.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master 6542 Pan-Am Albino Dial
jEDGyR.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master 1675

jEjnJ5.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master II 16710 Black Bezel

jEzHi5.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master II 16713 Rootbeer
jEzzVp.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN 

jEDEeW.jpg

 

Rolex GMT Master II 116710BLNR

jEDvSP.jpg

 

Rolex Milgauss 6541

jEj8WF.jpg

 

Rolex Milgauss 1019 CERN Dial Tiffany & Co.

Decal mod

jEjrlt.jpg

 

Rolex Milgauss Label Noir Tourbillon

jEZIDD.jpg

 

Rolex Single Red Sea-Dweller 1665

JKF base + Yuki Dial + weak DIY lume attempt= Must Revisit

jEzjkb.jpg

 

Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 Polizia di Stato (New)

jEDPrn.jpg

 

Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934

The August watch ;) 

jEZnBW.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 6204 Split Logo

Decal dial needs to  be redone, the " Submariner Perpetual" printing needs to be improved.

jEjJA4.jpg

 

 Rolex Submariner 6204 Albino

jEjcvc.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 5513 Explorer Dial Double Swiss Underline (New)

Such a mouthful. Decal dial on JKF base. I tried my best with the white underline and T<25.

jEzZYi.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 16610LV

jEDNrS.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 16613LB Serti
jEDREQ.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116610LN

ZZF V1

jEDTE3.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116610 Bamford Stormtrooper
jEDw4D.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116618LV "Gold Hulk" Fantasy
jED4ck.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116618LN
jEDsmo.jpg

 

Rolex Submariner 116618LB
jEDuCJ.jpg

 

Tudor  Submariner 7923(New)

One of the rarer early Tudor subs with a red depth rating. Decal dial.

jEjV8I.jpg

 

Tudor Submariner 7928

JKF base+Yuki dial

jEzDzX.jpg

 

Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330N Blue

jEZ31i.jpg

 

Tudor Heritage Chrono 70330N Black
jEZH4b.jpg

 

Tutima Flieger Chronograph

One of my very earliest modding attempts where I had printed my design onto photo paper. Placeholder photo from last year used as the watch is disassembled for service and making a new decal dail for it.

ZXQs51.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionelle 47009

jEzL8E.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Historiques 1955 Corne de Vache

jEZvDb.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Harmony Complete Calendar

jEj2uL.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
jEjLZR.jpg

 

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day Date

The Tuesday watch

 

jEj5dK.jpg

 

Well done for making it to the end! :clap: Thanks for taking the time!

Till next year, and here's to more vintage builds :) 

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Devil

What an interesting collection! I love the day dates. 

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BravoDelta

An amazing 186 pieces! :Shocked:

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NCRich

Love it.  So unique.

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paccbet

Always impressed with your collection mate. Huge fan of the decal builds! 
 

Nice Heuer Sub btw :lol:

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semperfi55
16 hours ago, Devil said:

What an interesting collection! I love the day dates. 

All the ones with the interesting dials are from the Gate as well! Good value.

16 hours ago, BravoDelta said:

An amazing 186 pieces! :Shocked:

Ah crap:blush: How did you count that? Manually?

There were 2 pics of the same Reverso Duoface, so uh, it's actually a lower number than what you suggested!

16 hours ago, NCRich said:

Love it.  So unique.

Thanks Rich! Your tutorials got me into modding in the first place!

15 hours ago, paccbet said:

Always impressed with your collection mate. Huge fan of the decal builds! 
 

Nice Heuer Sub btw :lol:

Thanks mate, I will need to revisit some of the decal dials still to improve them.

Except the Heuer, that took waaaay too long to optimise. I'm not disassembling that any time soon!

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tribefan

Dammit. 

In addition to the never ending search for another Cuervo y Sobrinos Triple Calendar, I need to add a Dubey Rattrapante and a Seiko Age of Discovery to the list of watches I will never find.

And if you run out of room for that RG ALS Datograph, I have a home for it in the US. I'll even send you pics of it whenever you want. :)

And those are just the ones I covet the most, damn there are some fab pieces here.

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MAJ75

If ever a collection demonstrated the glorious madness of this hobby better I haven't seen it.....

The breadth & depth of both vintage & modern is really impressive.

Personal favourites:

The 1019 Milgauss, decal dial is a nice touch.

Patek 5170.

6263 Gold.

 

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Abe Fromen

How the hell do you decide what to wear? 

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FunnyStarSystem

Dude...

200.gif?cid=6c09b952a608329fa57a1a652ac548c6af3729c016ded3c0&rid=200.gif&ct=g

giphy.gif

105847383-15550456725171555023286494fha6adouble.gif?v=1555045881&w=720&h=405

 

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als86

Very impressive and a great viewing experience! 

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Easy_beaching

What a lovely collection with a lot of unique references. Took me awhile to get through it all, but definitely worth it. Enjoy!

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

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Kungen99

This Is an insane collection ! I got all excited by seeing so many different watches I never knew existed.
How many of these are still around?
And do you make sure all of them get regularly winded as ive understood that's important? and are you a watch smith or can conduct easier watch maintenance?

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