Incoming. Here she is and she's beautiful Pt.2

[BigBlue1]

Please keep in mind this is my experience and I only speak for myself.

So, maybe I let my excitment get the best of me.

Upon receiving the watch it is evident I was super excited but what isn't evident is what was really going on although I assumed something wasn't right. The movement inside the watch seemed very, very, very loose, but my limited knowledge coupled with my O.C.D. had me thinking it was all in my head. I never questioned it. I also noticed the crown was having a problem setting and threading which I also didn't question.

( Keep in mind I never sent in the watch for these 2 problems as I didn't think it was a problem at the time) Also a month has elapsed since Purchase to Service.

My O.C.D. had me seeking out Phillip Ridleys help in everything I wanted done with the watch. Luckily for me I was in business as everything I wanted to have done he was able to tackle. ( Thank you Phillip:)

To me the lugz were a little lite and needed a little build up, not much though. Unfortunately I don't have photos before and those were not a problem and or a complaint but work was carried out as it was the main reason for
being sent in.

I wanted holes drilled in the sides of the lugz as they were filled in back when original custom work was done.

I had a Tropic 38 crystal kicking around that I wanted installed on the watch along with a possibility of refinishing the case as well.

I send out the watch. It is received by Phillip. He calls me and asks if I new that the movement was in rough shape. I had suspected but thought it was me. I explained to him I thought it was but thought it was me. Why would I expect there to be a problem when a reputable seller said their watch maker inspected it before sending it out. ( Lesson learned, Always get a second opinion within grace period)

I tell him to proceed and obviously fix it.

But First a build up of the LugZ and holes.

At some point I go back and forth on wether or not to have the whole case polished which I settled on keeping it as such.













Somewhere in-between all of this Phillip tells me he believes other than the custom scribing on the case he believes it hasn't been polished in its life.

He gets the case back, goes to perform the pressure testing realizes the case tube in no good and needs to be redone. He also notices the crystal was cracked and glued to the watch. There was also glue on the crown.




Did anyone really look over this watch before it was sent out?

New Case Tube.




At some point Phillip informs me my T 38 Crystal is aftermarket. Nightmare. So I have to settle for the Cyclops

Finally after almost 2 months I get my baby back.

Somewhere I also asked Phillip for an Arabic Date Wheel, he hooked me up. P.S. Send me my old Date Wheel.

Oh Ya, lets not forget that PHILLIP relocated, moved while all this was going on about 1000 miles.









Enjoy






I also had a wonderful Bund made by the infamous Attila Aszodi. The man is incredible and makes straps of madness. I want to send a big shout out to him as he is amazing and did a hell of a job. If you haven't thought about it maybe you should. Google him, he's out there.

[twnturbo]

Oh wow i like it & especially on the gold bracelet congrats

[Pocosso]

Awesome!

[chocopeluche]

thats a badass watch ! love the arabic date wheel

[LondonLukeM]

Wow, thank you for spoiling us with such incredible photos!! That is one unique and awesome watch!! Congrats!

[Speedbird-1]

Very nice.


Don't let Jocke, anywhere near it!

[Toronto Soup King]

In my line of work one is never lost for words but I must say this is something between amazingly hideous and hideously amazing. Incredible job Philip! I hate it! Good for you BigBlue1!

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

In my line of work one is never lost for words but I must say this is something between amazingly hideous and hideously amazing. Incredible job Philip! I hate it! Good for you BigBlue1!

There’s always a hater
It looks a million times better In person Pete, that I can tell you.

[swish77]

Congrats! Very interesting look, and I love the story.

Curious what the seller had to say about the problems you had with the movement, crown, crystal, glued crystal, etc .... Did you go back to him?

I realize the grace period was over before you fully realized there were issues, but good sellers will still stand behind their watches if there are major problems discovered later on.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by swish77

Congrats! Very interesting look, and I love the story.

Curious what the seller had to say about the problems you had with the movement, crown, crystal, glued crystal, etc .... Did you go back to him?

I realize the grace period was over before you fully realized there were issues, but good sellers will still stand behind their watches if there are major problems discovered later on.

Hi Aaron, Thank you.

I had notified the seller of my issues and they were upset that I came to them after the 3 day grace period almost 45 days late, but I had no reason to get it checked out because I thought I was dealing with a reputable seller who’s watchmaker looked it over before it was sent out. He stated he would help me out He wanted me to get a quote of my watchmaker and let him know. He assured me his watchmaker could take care of it for a lot less. Why would I trust and or want to use his watchmaker who allowed such a poorly conditioned watch go thru his hands ? When I gave him the quote he automatically said it was too much, calling it absurd. He also wasn’t going to stand behind his one year warranty because I had someone else touch it. At the end he offered me a something but no where near what I was expecting, so I allowed him to keep his change and his rep.

Lesson Learned man.

[tkc324]

Very cool project. Love the story. Wear it in good health Big Blue.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

At the end he offered me a something but no where near what I was expecting, so I allowed him to keep his change and his rep.

Well, that's not good, but I applaud your upbeat attitude and ability to enjoy your GMT without harboring ill-will. I wouldn't have been nearly as forgiving.

I'd also disagree that the seller has kept his "rep." Easy to research who sold you the watch, and I certainly wouldn't buy from him based on this story.

[TimeLord2]

Looks Great BB1! When you said you were sending it out I thought you were going to have the scalloping removed. Glad you didn't, it is a very distinctive piece and certainly one of a kind! really looks great and as always Phillip did a great job! The real tragedy here is the bund! Hahahahahha! You are right, very well made and clearly he has significant skill but not my cuppa tea. I have purchased two different leather bands for mine but am still not satisfied with the color. The search continues… Glad you got your treasure back, wear it in good health!

[gallahadesquire]

Why did you allow him to keep his rep? This guys needs to be public ally SHAMED!!

Anyone have a bell? Nudity is optional.

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

Hi Aaron, Thank you.

I had notified the seller of my issues and they were upset that I came to them after the 3 day grace period almost 45 days late, but I had no reason to get it checked out because I thought I was dealing with a reputable seller who’s watchmaker looked it over before it was sent out. He stated he would help me out He wanted me to get a quote of my watchmaker and let him know. He assured me his watchmaker could take care of it for a lot less. Why would I trust and or want to use his watchmaker who allowed such a poorly conditioned watch go thru his hands ? When I gave him the quote he automatically said it was too much, calling it absurd. He also wasn’t going to stand behind his one year warranty because I had someone else touch it. At the end he offered me a something but no where near what I was expecting, so I allowed him to keep his change and his rep.

Lesson Learned man.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by twnturbo

Oh wow i like it & especially on the gold bracelet congrats

Thank you, it feels like a brick of gold on the wrist.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Pocosso

Awesome!

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by chocopeluche

thats a badass watch ! love the arabic date wheel

Badass is right. Thank you.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by LondonLukeM

Wow, thank you for spoiling us with such incredible photos!! That is one unique and awesome watch!! Congrats!

Your welcome Luke, thanks for the kind words.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Very nice.


Don't let Jocke, anywhere near it!

He might talk him self near it using his perfect swinglish

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by tkc324

Very cool project. Love the story. Wear it in good health Big Blue.

Thank you Tom, tell Lassie I said hello.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Looks Great BB1! When you said you were sending it out I thought you were going to have the scalloping removed. Glad you didn't, it is a very distinctive piece and certainly one of a kind! really looks great and as always Phillip did a great job! The real tragedy here is the bund! Hahahahahha! You are right, very well made and clearly he has significant skill but not my cuppa tea. I have purchased two different leather bands for mine but am still not satisfied with the color. The search continues… Glad you got your treasure back, wear it in good health!

I could always have the finish removed. I was talking about it, but I think the quarantine was getting to me. Phillip did a great job. The Bund is different for sure. It is made from alligator believe it or not. I wish you well in your quest for a strap. I also wish you well I. Whoever you should choose to do your work.

[TemporalTimepieces]

wow! looks really good

[Pocosso]

I am not a big fan of Bunds, but un this case it match a lot! Congrats!.

[SN13]

Wow. Just. Wow.

[suligeo]

Great


https://www.instagram.com/vintage_georgex/

[carwashchris]

It looks great. What an undertaking, when you do something you do it all and do it well should make you happy for many years.

[Styles Bitchley]

Love this project. So distinctive. So much character.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by carwashchris

It looks great. What an undertaking, when you do something you do it all and do it well should make you happy for many years.

This BigBlue1 Well played… I offer a libation to the culmination of this project. At least for now… Dun, Dun, Dun, Dunnnnnnnnn…! Why do I think there is going to be a round 3 on this?

Enjoy your beautiful and original watch!

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by TemporalTimepieces

wow! looks really good

Thank you.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Pocosso

I am not a big fan of Bunds, but un this case it match a lot! Congrats!.