I don't think the original owner of this masterpiece (droptopman) ever posted a review of his build so I thought since I've had it since August I'd show the rep world what true dedication and a lot of $$ can create. 6538 big crown builds are pretty common on these forums, but it's the dial that makes the watch when we're discussing a 50's and 60's Rolex that came with a gilt dial. Gilt dials reflect light differently at different angles and the ONLY way to have an authentic dial is to have one made from a gold gen Rolex plate using the same techniques as Rolex used in 60 years ago; a multi-step chemical process that makes a "negative relief" on the dial that shows through with bright lighting or sunlight. These dials are very hard to create and the gentleman that created this one is on the older side and only works with folks he has a previous relationship with at this point in time. He sells these for upwards of $2500 but they are worth every penny as you will see below. If you are going to spend that much on a dial though, you might as well go all out with the remaining components right?
Here is the list of specs for this watch, it's truly ONE OF A KIND.
Case: Minh Quy (Vintagewatches) mid case, bezel, case back ($1200) Dbane did all the chamfering/reworking of this case making it spot on to a 50's 6538 case.
Dial: Red depth rating gen spec gilt ($1200 because of a good deal from another forum member who had another dial made and passed this one on)
Hands: Michael Young CWP lumed by Dbane (Mark told me it took 40 attempts to match the lume just right, 40!)
Movement: Genuine CAL 1030 just serviced 2015 ($1800)
Bezel Insert: Genuine MKII with gen pearl ($1000)
Crown: Genuine NOS in the package 8mm Crown/Tube/Stem ($600)
Plexi: Genuine T-17 ($500)
Engravings: Neckyzips ($80)
Case mods and assembly: ($400)
Total: $6780
The end result is a watch that is an absolute joy to wear and show others who know watches. I've had this on my wrist in two vintage watch dealers locally and in both cases their jaws hit the floor. One said "do you have any idea what you have on your wrist and how much it's worth?" and the other said "I've never seen a 6538 in-person in all my years in this business, I have to see this thing up close." Of course I was honest in both cases and let them know the hands and the case were replacements but they both agreed, given the investment I had into it it was one of the coolest vintage watches they had ever seen. One guy took out a loupe and looked it over with a big grin and told me I had done very well. Mark the original owner stated there are probably less than a dozen people on the entire planet that could find this not to be genuine because of how masterful the chamfering and case work was done. Everything about this says 50's Rolex!
Enjoy a few of the many pictures I have of her. I wore her regularly the first few months but have since gotten a gen Tudor Black Bay Black and in all honesty, she sits in my box 99% of the time. If you ever want to take on a build like this or have interest in discussing it further, let me know!
Thanks for looking!
Here is the list of specs for this watch, it's truly ONE OF A KIND.
Case: Minh Quy (Vintagewatches) mid case, bezel, case back ($1200) Dbane did all the chamfering/reworking of this case making it spot on to a 50's 6538 case.
Dial: Red depth rating gen spec gilt ($1200 because of a good deal from another forum member who had another dial made and passed this one on)
Hands: Michael Young CWP lumed by Dbane (Mark told me it took 40 attempts to match the lume just right, 40!)
Movement: Genuine CAL 1030 just serviced 2015 ($1800)
Bezel Insert: Genuine MKII with gen pearl ($1000)
Crown: Genuine NOS in the package 8mm Crown/Tube/Stem ($600)
Plexi: Genuine T-17 ($500)
Engravings: Neckyzips ($80)
Case mods and assembly: ($400)
Total: $6780
The end result is a watch that is an absolute joy to wear and show others who know watches. I've had this on my wrist in two vintage watch dealers locally and in both cases their jaws hit the floor. One said "do you have any idea what you have on your wrist and how much it's worth?" and the other said "I've never seen a 6538 in-person in all my years in this business, I have to see this thing up close." Of course I was honest in both cases and let them know the hands and the case were replacements but they both agreed, given the investment I had into it it was one of the coolest vintage watches they had ever seen. One guy took out a loupe and looked it over with a big grin and told me I had done very well. Mark the original owner stated there are probably less than a dozen people on the entire planet that could find this not to be genuine because of how masterful the chamfering and case work was done. Everything about this says 50's Rolex!
Enjoy a few of the many pictures I have of her. I wore her regularly the first few months but have since gotten a gen Tudor Black Bay Black and in all honesty, she sits in my box 99% of the time. If you ever want to take on a build like this or have interest in discussing it further, let me know!
Thanks for looking!
