Project Kingston - almost done!!!
texas007
Houston, Texas 77041Posts: 2,356MI6 Agent
Here are the progress photos of the Kingston watch
Which one looks better or more accurate?
What do you think DG?
Which one looks better or more accurate?
What do you think DG?
Comments
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Gold. The original had gold hands.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
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Just found the reference image - looks like a match.
I think I will go with the green lume.
Order Page is ready - is it
Black & Gold, non-date
Lumious material: C3
Please confirm.
Anyone else in on this?
Black & Gold, non-date
Lumious material: C3
Etc.
Also, it states that you need to specify if you want the date wheel nonetheless if you are ordering a non-date dial.
Thanks DG and gang!
http://www.mkiiwatches.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=le_kingston_prebuilt.htm
I ordered the third one form the top (Black and gold non date with C3 luminous). There are of course other interesting choices, but if you want the look of Connery's Submariner, you want a non-date, without the extra gradations between 0 and 15 on the bezel. Likewise the red triangle on the bezel is definitely out too. I chose C3 luminous because with this particular watch I wanted a traditional look. I hope that helps.
I placed my order moments ago. It's very exciting news.
DG
Edit - I ordered the one on the right with gilt hands:
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Fearing getting bumped to the end of the queue with limited options, I went ahead and placed my order for a pre-built with these specs: gilt non-date dial and hands, Kingston bezel insert (C3). As a plank owner, I paid my deposit back in Feb. 09, but noticed that I was charged a 2nd time for S&H when I paid the balance today.
I originally attempted the custom route but the selections were confusing and I didn't want to risk digressing away from the Connery version, since many Mk II forum members/customers muddied the development of the watch with custom features that differed from the original vision.
What I really wanted with the custom option for an additional $50 is having the movement timed in 6 positions vs. 3 positions with a pre-built option, so I followed up with an email to Bill and also noted this concern on my order; if I understand what Bill mentioned regarding this, I also fear delaying delivery of my watch by adding this custom process to my order.
DG
Edit: Also, the pre-built watch is assembled in Switzerland not the USA like the custom jobs. Not a big deal though because Bill makes some killer watches.
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Black & Gold, non-date
Lumious material: C3
which seems to be the same choice of everyone here.
I should have went in for 2 instead of 1 because the other configurations are also so so beautiful!!!
Any idea when these prebuilt models will ship?
Thanks for the information; I was wondering why I hadn't heard anything from MKII!
The code is included in the email.
You enter the code and the previously prepaid amount will be applied to the order.
The last I heard it was supposed to ship sometime in June if I'm not mistaken. Texas007 is correct. If you are a plank owner and were in on the initial order you get a special code via email which lessens the price reflecting that you put a deposit down. The Kingston will be a collectors piece in its own right due to it being a limited edition and the fact that it's highly anticipated and produced by a highly regarded watchmaker. I've seen that happen to another homage watch, the RXW MM20. The big difference is that there will be fewer Kingstons than MM20's. Get it while you can. I think Bill is going to open up ordering for those who did not pre-order. When they are gone they are gone.
DG
Edit: The RXW MM20 originally sold for around $850.00 and they are now re-sold for between $1,500.00 and $1,800.00.
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Woa there, two? You lucky devil. Enjoy them in good health.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
No sweat Superado. It was a pleasure helping you and my fellow Bond afficianados. Bill does great work and I've found him to be extremely careful and quite thoughtful. You won't be dissapointed.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Wouldn't take awhile... I know of a seller who has the case, Rolex dial and hands. Case is 1:1 and fits genuine parts including a genuine Rolex movement, or can be used with an off-the-shelf ETA movement with adapter ring.
Price I would say is ~ $800 USD + your time to build.
But having said that, Im just a general buyer and whilst it let me order online, I realise now that that doesnt guarantee I get one.
I wish you luck then.
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
The four lines on the lower part of the dial of some "big crown" Submariners included:
OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED
CHRONOMETER
below the depth rating and the word Submariner. This signified that the watch was timed in five positions. Both the chronometer and non cronometer versions carried the same movement. Just a small tidbit that you can use however you see fit.
Lastly, although most of you know this, I am in no way affiliated with MKII watches. Nor do I receive, nor will I receive any money from that company. I am simply a fan who purchased a couple of watches from the MKII. The watches, in my estimation, are excellent quality. When I saw this new limited offering from Bill Yao, the owner of MKII, I thought the Bond community would want to jump on it. I suppose the best endorsement for any company comes from a satisfied customer. With MKII, I've been extremely satisfied.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Good question. Conventional wisdom has said for years that the Rolex Submariner that Connery wears in the early Bond movies is the 6538 Submariner. The problem is that the 6538 first existed as a thin cased model with a small crown and shared the same case as the 6204 Submariner (another thin cased, small crown Submariner). So if you are going to say Connery's watch is the 6538 for collector's purposes, you'd better specify it as the thick cased big crowned variety.
The other issue is that the bezel insert as seen on Connery's Sub is associated with the 6200 big crown shoulderless Submariner. It's the insert without the extra gaduations between 0 qnd 15. The problem is that the 6200 either came with nothing on the lower part of the dial or just the word "Submariner". Connery's Sub had two lines on the lower part of the dial, the depth rating and the word "Submariner" beneath it. An earmark of the later big crowned 6538.
Conventional wisdom also asserts that because the big crowned 6538 followed the 6200, the early big crowned 6538 probably used existing bezel inserts from the 6200. Rolex did not waste old parts in those days. But hold on, the old thin cased small crowned 6538 was available along side the 6538A. The "A" denoted the thick case and big crown, so the 6538A was the first big crowned sub to follow the 6200. When the old thin cased, small crowned 6538's were sold out, the thick cased 6538A became just the 6538.
Another fly in the ointment is that of the 5510 Submariner. James Dowling wrote this with respect to a "red" four line 6538 he has for sale on his website:
"The 6538 and the 5510 are almost identical watches externally, with the only difference being the use of a cal 1030 movement in the 6538. These two watches were sold concurrently in different markets with the 5510 (which had the new 15XX movement) being only sold in Europe where it could be returned quickly to the factory if problems developed. The two watches were interchangeable and the 1958 factory price list shows the 5510/6538 as one item, priced at 245 Swiss Francs."
The 5510 is probably the rarest variant of the civilian thick cased, big crowned Submariners becuase it was only produced for one year, 1958.
Another factor that might have effected the way Connery's Submariner looks on screen has to do with service. Was Connery's watch ever serviced before appearing on screen? Was the bezel and insert replaced with the earlier NOS 6200 style insert due to being scuffed or damaged? When modern Submariners are serviced today, these are the items that are most often replaced due to damage or wear.
Furthermore, were any later 6200 Submariners ever produced with a depth rating?
Lastly, Rolex is a vastly different company today than it was in the years of innovation and expansion. In those days it was not uncommon for Rolex to use casebacks with crossed out reference numbers and new reference numbers engraved beneath them. There are also so called double reference watches where the mid case has one reference number and the caseback has another. Those Rolex years are rife with abnormal variants partly because Rolex did not waste parts.
So, although conventional wisdom says the 6538 was Connery's Rolex Submariner, it's just an educated guess. The definitive answer will only come with the examination of the original watch, if it still exists.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=threadt&frm_id=63
By all means, have at it. Mr. Dowling is quite knowledgeable.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Sounds logical to me...in short of having in hand the original watch, not even a James Dowling can conclusively identify the Rolex model that Connery wore in GF, let alone confirm if all the parts came from a single model...and anyway, that is all an aside; this discussion is not about making yet another Bond Rolex fake. This tread is about a homage watch that some of us here have on order and are eagerly waiting for. In sharp contrast with a fake, I'll have infinitely more confidence in the construction and craftsmanship of this particular homage watch. More importantly considering the concerns and issues surrounding Rolex fakes, I would actually have pride and a clear conscience to wear a homage watch in public, which is the next best thing to owning a genuine Bond sub.
In my book, DG is tops on Bond watches.
Thanks to his efforts in working with Bill on the Mk11.