Vantage - First pics of the Mk II 1016 homage
I am pleased to post the first pics of a project that has been in the works for almost a year. I started sketching out the case design, which is based on the vintage Rolex 1016, last summer while I was visiting my sister-in-law out in San Francisco. Here is a short list of the specifications for this watch that should debut in the early Fall this year:
Diameter: 39 mm
Water resistance: 200 meters
Movement: ETA 2824-2, Elabore grade
Crystal: Domed sapphire
Strap: Blackwater natural rubber strap or Mk II solid-end link bracelet
The case, Mk II reference “39″16 
aka the “Vantage”, is compatible with all of the QUAD10 dials and hands. Shown below is the GS date dial with Type 53 hands and a stock date wheel. The railroad tracks on the GS dial make the watch feel smaller than it should with the new 1016 style dial. A new 369 date dial and “Mercedes-style” handset are currently in the works specifically for this watch but won’t be ready for a preview until probably the end of July.
The following is a better shot of the bracelet:
The bracelet features the following:
- Solid links with screw pins
- Solid-end links
- Mk II signed adjustable safety clasp
- Heavy guage milled deployant arm
Regarding Pre-orders:
Its a bit premature to be talking about this but I am going to address it because I know I am going to get quite a few e-mails asking about the option. Given the anticipated demand for the version with the new 369 date dial and Mercedes-style hands we will be taking pre-orders only for a Swiss Assembled/Made version of the Vantage. The other reason we are only going to take pre-orders for the Swiss Made version is because I don’t want to see my backlog get ridiculously long, which it is already approaching. Custom versions will be available but customers will have to go through the normal ordering process. As soon as we are able to post pics of the watch with the dial and handset that are currently in the works we will begin taking deposits. I hope to be able to post pics of the watch with the 369 date dial and hands by the end of July.
With the introduction of the Mk II Vantage the QUAD10 will be pulled from the line-up in July to undergo a re-design.
23 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post.
| TrackBack URI
You can also bookmark
this on del.icio.us or check the cosmos
Very nice Bill. As a Quad 10 owner, I’m very curious to see what the redesigned version is going to look like.
Comment by Mike S. — July 11, 2007 @ 11:23 am
Bill: pls consider a 38 or 39 mm with 45 to 47 lugs for the Quad 10 revision ! Just was toooooo big for smaller wrists.
Thanks and best wishes,
Dick
Comment by RJB — July 11, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Dear Bill:
I already have one, just like it, only the hands are diferrent, I do have the cathedral hands from you, my watch is a Speedbird 1, fitted with your dial, it looks fine, I will eventually send you a photo of it, it has a leather band .
My best regard,
Jose Casas
Comment by Jose Casas — July 11, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Looks great Bill.
Comment by jaimie — July 11, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Looks great Bill!
Hope you’re designing the hands “maxi” style, they would go super on the bigger/bolder case.
Comment by Paulo — July 11, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
Good show, Mr. Yao!
We will have to talk more in the future!
Comment by Pedro Marcos — July 11, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Bill,
A good idea, but please do not make this watch or the next one too large like all your other watches. Say, no bigger than 37mm wide (excl crown) and 45mm lug to lug. Also, I am not keen on Mercedes hands.
Regards and thanks
Peter
Comment by Peter F — July 11, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Hi Bill
That looks great. the very solid looking bracelet is a nice surprise. I am looking forward to seeing the new large Explorer dial and hands.
a 38.5mm would be perfect 
(like Sinn 656).
As for the new Quad 10 case, I also ask that you consider a smaller and shorter case
Comment by Steven — July 11, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Great looking homage Bill! I hope we get to see some more pics of the case soon.
Any chance you’ll offer a nice, bubble-domed acrylic crystal on this one?
-Dave
Comment by DavidR — July 11, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
Excellent!
I just can’t wear bigger than 40mm.
BTY I’ve wanted a Quad 10 for ages, but it’s just toooooooo big at 50mm lug-to-lug. 39×47 is max for me.
nick
Comment by Nickd — July 12, 2007 @ 6:48 am
Saw other comment about a domed plexi, I’d love it too, although I understand that sapphire is more widely accepted.
Looking at the bracelet, one thing worries me, is the center link of the SEL salient or recessed? If it’s salient the bracelet will look much better.
Comment by Paulo — July 12, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
Hi Paulo,
Sorry I don’t understand your question/comment.
Comment by admin — July 12, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Hi Bill,
I quote the comment from Paulo (and I try to explain his concern).
The problem is that the SEL on you picture seems to be “flat”, not “protruding” with respect to the surface of the link (as the last Rolex SELs are).
I agree with Paulo that a “protruding” SEL looks much better and elegant.
It will be possible to have a “protruding” SEL on your ne watch hommage ?
Thanks,
Engi
Comment by Engi — July 12, 2007 @ 11:57 pm
Regarding the bracelet…thank you for the feedback. I was looking to re-create a vintage feel for the watch and while I have to agree with your point of view I wanted to take a more traditional approach the first time out.
Comment by admin — July 13, 2007 @ 7:29 am
Looks great, Bill. When will the “build your own” Vantage be active on your site?
Comment by Todd — July 15, 2007 @ 6:52 am
Hi Todd,
I am shooting for the middle of August. Assuming the Stingray deliveries are going smoothly.
Comment by admin — July 15, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Dear Bill,
Who loves ya?
I have a Seiko wall clock that’s 36cm x 36cm. I was wondering if I could send it over to you and you could mod it up for me. Then we could order, I suppose, a special belt-sized Zulu to mount it on my wrist. It would probably only take a few gallons of lume, what do you think? We could even use REAL sword hands!
All seriousness aside, perhaps you may want to consider a suggestion I’ve given you once or twice already: make a man and a woman’s version of the new watch. Say, a medium sized one for the ladies and the guys with smaller wrists. And a nice huge one for us big-boned guys. Double your money, double your fun! Hey, I mean it’s not like you’re too busy already, right? LOL!LOL!
Ronnie Peterson
Comment by Ronnie Peterson — July 15, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
BILL LOVE THE VANTAGE. WOULD I GET IN TROUBLE IF I REQUESTED THAT THE NUMERALS BE DONE IN VARIOUS COLORS LIKE THE GLYCINE COMBAT WATCHES WERE. BLUE, YELLOW ,ORANGE AND WHITE.
BWW
Comment by Barry Washburn — July 20, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
any pricing or ordering info available
Comment by mark — July 26, 2007 @ 5:01 am
Information will be posted here shortly. I am working on the ordering pages at the moment.
Comment by admin — July 26, 2007 @ 7:28 am
Sweet looking. Classic, not too big, home run. An all purpose watch!
Comment by Joe B — August 1, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Vantage looks great - but like Dick, Peter and Nick I would ask for a smaller watch (say 37mm) preferably of the Quad 10 type.
Comment by Drew — August 13, 2007 @ 10:11 am
with me it’s one more vote for a smaller version of the vantage.
Comment by Gabriel — August 16, 2007 @ 3:22 pm