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  1. al128 unsolicited co-moderation giverer Apr 28, 2016

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    Hi there,

    Rolex content here, but it might trigger hopefully a wider discussion, as it could happen to quite some other brands as well.

    INTRO:
    I do like RLX, but I find myself gravitating to their tuned-down kind of offering and also to the smaller examples... I have a 1600 DJ (solid bezel) ... and some months ago I purchased a 36mm 116000 (Oy.Perp).

    To be very honest - I got it for a very good price, for a rather obv. reason:





    it came with a dial that only a mother would love ...





    (generic pic)
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I bought the watch with the firm idea and conviction to turn it into something different - mod it to my desire and needs.

    I used it for a couple of weeks ... but the dial never "grew" on me :cautious: :whistling:

    ... The size however and everything else about this watch I started to love dearly ... it is the perfect "no-nonsense-anywhere and anytime" watch :thumbsup: ... it is never out of place

    So out come the artillery:



    THE PLAN::cautious:

    A (now) friend of mine, worked for a couple of decades as senior watchmaker at the Mutterschiff:
    [​IMG]

    he was kind enough to make some calls, pull some strings and in the same evening I got a mail with "your stuff is on the way" ...


    My stuff was a new dial .... and after some deliberation, 3 hands ;).

    The shiny "longplay-center" dial (and to a certain extent) most sunburst dials make it tricky to find the 3 hands at first glance ... finding my hands at first glance is kindalike a pet peeve for me ;)

    case in point (slightly different model, but you get the idea that it's not easy telling time at a glance):
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    So finally I opted for a swap of dial AND hands ... would have hated to go through the trouble of going through a swap of dials and still have to "fish" for the hands. So, the full 9 yrds I went.

    That meant: a lovely original blue 3-6-9 dial that was always an option for the 116000 ... and for hands I went for the Submariner hands (the 116000 and the sub share the same movement; the 116000 has a ever-so-slightly bigger dial). I already had the Airking in blue and that dial is mesmerising! ... It's basically the same dial, just 2mm bigger!

    Plus, I also have a very soft spot for the 36mm EXPLORER ... but then again, who hasnt ;)

    So fast forward: after some time waiting for the postman, I was asked to get my watch in ... and the next day I got a pic back ;)


    THE RESULT:

    (goose sold separately)
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    (sorry for the lint :oops:)
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    and now the best part: unlike the new EX1 :whipped:, this dial has actually lume on the 3-6-9!!!! ::love::::love::::love::


    [​IMG]


    so ... for once:

    - I am extremely happy how everything turned out ... (I guess there is always the off-chance that things go pearshaped which is an expensive bummer if a RLX is involved :whistling:)
    - I feel I built one of the best RLX's there (n)ever was (a blue Explorer with great movement and better dial/bracelet than the 36mm)
    - I of course have the original hands and dial :thumbsup:
    - but I def. frankenstein'd a nice watch ... :unsure:



    would I do it again? ... HELL YES!!! ::psy::::psy::::psy::
     
    Edited Apr 28, 2016
    pwojnar, Steve9pm, arkstfan and 7 others like this.
  2. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 28, 2016

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    Your version is 10000000 times nicer than the original :thumbsup:

    First modern Rolex I like the look of.

    And as to modded or frankened, I'll call it a modification.

    It only becomes a franken if you sell it without disclosure.

    And stand by for twenty pages of mod v franken v fake discussion.

    :D
     
    zimmerit5, dragoman and Longbow like this.
  3. Darlinboy Pratts! Will I B******S!!! Apr 28, 2016

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    Nothing wrong with a mod - it is your watch to do with as you please - and most important to enjoy.

    So, enjoy!
     
    OMGRLX likes this.
  4. ulackfocus Apr 28, 2016

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    I ::love:: blue dials. Rolex makes one of the best shades too.
     
  5. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 28, 2016

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    Others do too :D

    BlueDial.png
     
    OMGRLX likes this.
  6. LawBrk Apr 28, 2016

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  7. SeanO Apr 29, 2016

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    Orient has one of the best shades of blue as well.

    It's your watch mate, do whatever you want to it.
     
  8. Mr Bing Apr 29, 2016

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    What a transformation.....love the end result. Congrats.
     
  9. stiofan WUS topic importer Apr 29, 2016

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    ...
     
    Edited May 9, 2016
  10. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 29, 2016

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    No.

    Reveal coming soon.

    ;)
     
    LawBrk likes this.
  11. glownyc Apr 29, 2016

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    Nice work. That original dial is revolting.
     
  12. al128 unsolicited co-moderation giverer Apr 29, 2016

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    I keep it in full isolation so it won't reproduce ;)
     
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  13. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Apr 29, 2016

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    Well the original dial was horrible (IMO) and the change is definitely and improvement. I'm sure you know Rolex won't leave it like this if you send it to them for service, but there are plenty of watchmaker that can service this, so that should not be a problem really.

    If you do send it to Rolex, they would convert it back to the original, charge you for the parts required to do so, and keep the parts you had put on it. At least that's what they do in North America...
     
  14. trackpad Apr 29, 2016

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    Only a 10000% improvement.
     
  15. Flingit1200s Apr 29, 2016

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    Here is what I think of it, dibs!
     
  16. al128 unsolicited co-moderation giverer Apr 29, 2016

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    Yes, I know this ... and thx, it's a good point to raise (did not mention this in my OP) e.g. for newer members...

    there are however 2 but's:

    1st: if you know your way around sufficiently to get an original "different colour" Rolex dial, you will also find a way to get get your watch serviced (and no, an AD will not sell you a different one)
    2nd: the blue dial is and was a stock dial for the 116000 - but they could def. pull the hands


    FWIW - that's the watch you can order today from any AD

    [​IMG]

    ... but unknowingly buying a used modded RLX could def. bring some surprises if you choose to have it serviced by RLX


    a fairly exhaustive file with 100s (or 1000s?) of RLX dial options for all models can be found here: (large file)
    http://pics.r-l-x.de/picserv/files/3/Kataloge/Dials1516.pdf
     
  17. al128 unsolicited co-moderation giverer Apr 29, 2016

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    another pic, since today we had some sun :thumbsup:

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Apr 29, 2016

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    mine says hi

    uglyspeedy-smaller.png
     
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  19. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Apr 29, 2016

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    I'm sure Rolex will service that if you have the right connections. :)
     
    oddboy likes this.
  20. ahsposo Most fun screen name at ΩF Apr 29, 2016

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    What? Drug connections?