About ten years ago, and I paid $800. It has an 861 movement.
Interestingly it has 22mm lugs. And this photo shows it in the best light, and took me a long time to get. This is a truly awful watch in real life.

The dial and handset are very difficult to read, and I doubt it looked much better when it was new. The colour of the case has absolutely no appeal at all. Its one of those watches the more you wear it, the less attractive it gets.

The back is stainless, (as seems to be the way with these horrible part gold watches)



So I have all the parts for the Japan Special, and I was about to send it off to SFW. Then I noticed I had a case in Stainless steel, bought back when Watchco Australia were selling off new parts.

Really, this is the best it ever looks:




So I tried it on....




My new favorite watch. Ill post up some wrist shots in daylight...

 

Nice upcycle. Prob still hard to read but no longer hard to look at.

 

Wow, what a difference. Nicely done.

 

Wow, what a makeover. Good call.....and dibs

 

I like the new case better than the old, but that dial/hands with a steel case looks...off. I would look one of the blue dials for a 145.029 or a soccer timer dial...

 

Amazing! Really brought alive!!

 

So proof you can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Great job William

 

Good job. Surgery was definitely required and it looks like you removed the right bit

 

Stunning result!

 

Hmm..: so you changed the case. Then you’ll change the dial and hands... reminds me of Triggers broom

 

Sorry for the harsh comment but to my eyes it still looks ugly.That dial colour is as the old saying goes "has a face only a mother could love".

 

Oh, and I agree - it looks lovely

 

Quite splendid sir!

 

I think it's awesome! The two-tone renaissance has a new face at the table

 

So satisfying when things like this happen!

I completely get why it’s your new favourite, it would be mine too. A simple swap that yields excellent results are what would makes it special, or would to me! It already has story that means something to you.

 

It is a killer in steel!

enjoy

 

Lipstick on a pig.

Second dibs !

 

Dramatic choice.

 

I would never have thought! Well done.