tc670207 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I want to update my progress along the way. One thing I've been working on is TC's gen spec 16610/16610LV bezel insert. This is pearl with epoxy coating over lume. It looks good. The LV insert I got from my seller is made the same way but it is not the real deal. This is what I want to show you - TC gen spec insert pearl on the right: Swiss Super Lumi Nova C1 + C3: I know you'd ask are we there yet? Sorry, that's a no. I thought this process was done by hand and I could utilize some "women power" from my seller's production line. I was wrong. Take a close look at gen pearl: Gen pearl lume is so well applied in almost perfect circular shape. From my supplier I learned it is impossible for human hands to apply lume that evenly in pearl retaining rings and not go wrong. Going robotic is the solution. This is the pilot run. The technician was trying to figure out the right amount of lume to be applied in the pearl retaining ring. The next step is to apply color on the aluminum bezel insert then piece together the pearl and the insert. I thought applying color on the aluminum insert was easy. No, it's not. My supplier did a pilot run a small batch for me but the result was not satisfactory. I was so angry with myself because I got the whole batch milled off spec in a few degrees. So the pilot coloring process did not turn out very good. Gen surface is flat. TC's looked curved. The numbers and the "I"s are a tad thinner, too. I need my seller's help to apply after process to rectify the problem. Otherwise it will take me another 4 months to re-do everything all over again. My seller is a very busy man. He has to receive many clients everyday so he doesn't have time to deal with this kind of trivia. He introduced me a fellow apprentice of his - a guy who's in charge of rep business in Thailand. This guy supposedly knows the inside-out of reps. I'll talk about that in part II. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Good on ya TC, looking forward to Part II Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmtlover Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Thanks for taking all The effort on your project so far! When it is done all we can do is order from you to thank you ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchguy2 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Thanks for sharing TC. It is a long and difficult process more than I would have guessed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Wow! Serious machinery. Maybe that's why Rolex costs thousands of dollars. So much for "women power"! TC, I certainly appreciate your ongoing dedication to the cause. Guys at VRF and TRF would lose their minds if they read this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeto72 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 send more money...buy more TC parts...support the cause for the perfect sub..!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seafoam Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Looks like a good start TC. Keep up the good work brutha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmtlover Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Never knew a gen pearl looks that beaufiful! Great macro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monito1975 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 You are one of a kind TC, thank you for bringing your magic to the Rep world I hope someday you begin a GMT I or II project and show how it should be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 How about a perfect gen spec 1675 and 1680 case? there are lots of us vintage guys here, and there are no good GMT or old sub cases around unless you go to the aftermarkets ones like phong, ming quy, etc. and those are 1-1.5k for just the case set! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wks Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 keep up the great work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbenz Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 We are with you all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seafoam Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Making nice progress TC. Keep up the good work brutha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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