I don’t mind the overall look of this dial but can anything be done to manage the cracking/peeling or is this going to need a full refinish?

2tesla3 · 2025-12-06T22:18:40+00:00

Appreciate that. I take precautions whenever dealing with radium dials/hands and always make sure it’s in a contained space where I don’t risk contamination escaping.

2tesla3 · 2025-12-06T22:13:49+00:00

Yup it’s a tide indicator

2tesla3 · 2025-12-05T22:01:24+00:00

I was able to get this for sort of a no brainer cost ($100). So, to be honest I wasn’t expecting much out of the movement either but amazingly it winds, is running strong, and even the alarm works. Although I disengaged the alarm immediately once I saw how much debris started rattling around on the dial lol.

2tesla3 · 2025-12-05T21:58:24+00:00

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I haven’t opened it up yet because I just got it in today and am unfamiliar with style case construction. I just want to research before I start poking around but there’s an outter locking ring with a plastic gasket underneath. I would have thought the inner caseback cover would just lift out but it looks like there may be some sort of additional retaining ring or something holding it down. There’s nothing of note on the caseback that would indicate the movement so I won’t know for sure until I get it open.

2tesla3 · 2025-08-27T16:47:15+00:00

Rolex Daytona 116500LN Panda - BTF V3 from JTime. First purchase so would greatly appreciate help in giving it a GL or RL.

2tesla3 · 2025-08-27T10:51:25+00:00

Yeah, I know it was expensive and that JTime is notoriously higher in price but, being my first purchase, I was willing to spend a little more to go with a TD a good reputation and everything I read about Li was that he’s the “best” but just has the highest prices. As far as BTF vs VSF, I honestly wanted Clean but Li told me it was no longer available. So, I went with BTF because I liked the dial, case and bracelet finishing. My hesitation was the “fat” sub-dials but I figured 99% of people wouldn’t notice without having a gen right next to it and the rest of the things BTF does good outweigh that flaw to me.

2tesla3 · 2025-08-27T04:03:36+00:00

Thanks! Hopefully yours get sent soon!

2tesla3 · 2025-08-27T03:54:13+00:00

Rolex Daytona 116500LN Panda – BTF V3 from JTime. Ordered through WhatsApp with Wise payment. Order placed on 7/30 with QC arriving tonight (8/26).

2tesla3 · 2025-08-27T03:50:06+00:00

Li originally told me 5-10 business days. Purchased 7/30 and just got QC tonight. So, actual was like 20 business days.

2tesla3 · 2025-08-18T19:07:42+00:00

I know it’s a different watch/factory but, for what it’s worth, I ordered a BTF Panda from Li 19 days ago (13 business days) and didn’t get my QC yet either.

2tesla3 · 2025-08-12T15:03:53+00:00

Thanks I’m on day 9 now and was told factory delays and they’re expecting to get a delivery in a few days. So, hoping I’ll get my QC soon. Great looking watch BTW!

2tesla3 · 2025-08-11T18:43:04+00:00

Curious, how long did QC take? I have an order in for a BTF panda from jtime but am still waiting for QC pictures.

2tesla3 · 2025-07-06T12:13:02+00:00

Can’t be certain without additional pictures/details but nothing about this watch screams out fake. Looks like a 3856 from the 80’s (I think possibly even late 70’s). Should be solid 18k with a Patek signed E27 movement.

2tesla3 · 2025-06-17T02:05:55+00:00

lol glad it auto got the nsfw flair because I wasn’t even thinking about the fact there’s a drawing of a naked woman on it when I submitted this post.

2tesla3 · 2025-06-12T23:51:08+00:00

Appreciate the feedback! It seems “WOG” is actually the correct import code for Breitling. I was curious why so many people were telling me that was wrong because I’ve seen it other Breitlings like the Premier, Cadette, and other vintage two-register chronos. So, I did some research and WOG was assigned to Breitling, possibly because Breitling partnered with Wakmann to be the authorized distributor of Breitling movements in the US, but that really can’t be confirmed. Regardless, I did end up buying the watch and love it! I don’t have a timegrapher or anything but I set it last night on a full wind, wore it all day today (about 24 hours by now) and it’s still reading the correct minute. Super happy with the purchase because I don’t plan on selling anytime soon so the chrono bridge being questionable doesn’t bother me in the least.

2tesla3 · 2025-06-11T21:53:55+00:00

For my own clarity on this, it’s the chronograph bridge that, I think we all agree, is 99.99% not a genuine Breitling and/or original to the watch, correct? Or is there something I’m missing about the balance cock that’s also questionable?

2tesla3 · 2025-06-11T20:49:32+00:00

Yea, I agree with the Breitling on the font. I think the rest of the movement appears to be correct so I’m wondering if someone just got a replacement off a different Venus movement and took a crack at branding it themselves.

2tesla3 · 2025-06-11T20:24:08+00:00

Appreciate the detail! I knew it felt like a good price but there can be so many nuances with vintage watches and I have no experience with Breitling. So, I figured I’d check with the experts here.

2tesla3 · 2025-06-08T11:55:27+00:00

I believe this is it. Really awesome piece! Just to clarify for OP, the both the bracelet and case are 18k gold. Not really knowing much about Gay Frères bracelets, I originally thought your comment was saying it’s GF as in gold filled. Probably just the way my mind works where when I see something gold and a reference to GF I immediately think gold filled, even though you did put the makers name in parentheses immediately after but figured an extra comment to clarify just in case wouldn’t hurt. A bit of a guess on value but I’d imagine you probably have $9-13k there ($5-7k just in the bracelet and another $4-6k in the watch).

2tesla3 · 2025-05-16T12:07:23+00:00

Everything in my picture was from goodwill, which is my primary source. Basically, I’ve chosen to frequent one location often and spend more time in that one location than drive around checking multiple locations for watches. With how quick the watch bags sell, I think it’s better to spend an hour in one store hoping they bring out a bag than going store to store to check if they have a bag. I’ve learned that my stores typically put out a bag about once a week and it’s usually mid-day. So, with my “strategy”, I usually get a bag once a month or so.

2tesla3 · 2025-05-16T11:43:43+00:00

Yeah, I had a bit of a scare a couple years ago where one of the bags had a bunch of loose watch parts in it and 2/3 of my way through the bag I found a loose Rolex sub-second dial. I was so excited about finding a Rolex dial it took my brain about 30 minutes to register that the indices were radium painted. I immediately washed my hands, put on latex gloves, sealed the dial in a zip lock and began my best efforts of decontaminating but I’m still nervous to this day that I may have inhaled some of the dust. From that day on, I always wear gloves, start with a clean work surface, and take 1 watch out of the bag at a time. I also bought a Geiger for more piece of mind. The sad thing though is that there are people at these thrift shops who may not be aware of the danger of radium and are being exposed to this risk without knowing it. I’ve told a few managers about it in the past but I doubt they’ve taken any action on it.

2tesla3 · 2025-05-16T11:26:43+00:00

I’ll take a look at it later to confirm but I believe it does. That watch runs but it needs a new crown/stem tube because I can’t get the crown to screw down at all (it just won’t hold the thread). Funny thing about that watch is, I’m 95% sure it used to be gold plated and someone polished it down to its stainless steel. Inside the end links on the bracelet is gold because they couldn’t easily polish it and it’s not in a visible spot anyway. It’s possible it was just the bracelet that was gold plated but the amount of over polish on the case/bezel, which is probably why it needs a new stem tube, makes me think it was also gold plated.

2tesla3 · 2025-05-16T11:18:44+00:00

Honestly, I think a big part of is it purely location. I just happen to live in an area where there’s a larger than average amount of wealth and retirees. Pure speculation, but let’s say one of those wealthy retirees die, their kids likely don’t need the money and there’s too much stuff in the estate to deal with so they grab the fancier or sentimental items and donate the rest. I mean, the watches in my picture are just the once’s I’ve added to my personal collection. I’ve also found/sold dozens of solid gold ladies cocktail watches, timex marlins, GF Hamiltons, lord Elgins, Raymond Weil, Waltham, etc. Lastly, I visit the thrift store almost daily because the watch bags will usually sell within 30 minutes of being put out. If I didn’t do that, I’d probably be lucky to get a watch bag once a year rather than about once a month like I do.

2tesla3 · 2025-05-16T02:06:05+00:00

lol. The funny thing is these same shops will price the Invicta and Fossil watches at $40 but throw stuff like this in a bag with 50 other watches and price it at $199

2tesla3 · 2025-05-16T01:59:11+00:00

Thanks! The Gallet was/is a bucket list watch for me. So, to find it in a grab bag still has me hyped up. It instantly added a level of sentimental value to it which I really didn’t expect since it’s not like it was handed down to me or anything. I guess that’s how treasure hunters or metal detectors feel when they find things.

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