thank you brother!!
I am going to be working on a 3646 low bezel Cali, with Blue heat treated hands for a friend of mines.
This is what I am working with
I have 2 Cortebert 616's and a 3601 molnija. I think for this project I am going to go with the second Cort 616. I cleaned and serviced it
First step, which is always my most nerve wrecking is removing seconds. Before
After
Success!! close is clear. I notice that the 616 is a little loose in the 616 movement ring, so I added some brass flaps near the movement screws to keep it nice and tight. Afterwards I put the caseback on just to make sure is clears without any obstructions.
I added some movement legs on the dial so keep it in place
So far so good. The hour hand went on without a problem, the minute hand however was a PITA and I didnt realize that it had to pressed on with some force and then kind of clicked in to position. Well, thats a first, but fortunately it worked out. Thats the beauty when building, no matter how many times you've done it, even using the same pieces, you never truly know what type of road blocks you will run in to until you actually start the building process :thumbup:
Lastly I added a faux cp. I had to bring out the files and this was another PITA removing the other side of the pin, so that it can lay flat. The cp is so small that its hard to grip and get a good file on it. What I did was press it into a piece of cardboard and then file it down, success :thumbup:
Up next is aging, shaping and polishing the mid case and bezel. I already did the color text fill on the caseback as well
After a morning of cleaning, laundry etc, wife went shopping so that left me with time to play
I brought out my trusty files and began to reshape, then some sanding and polishing. Such a tedious process. I remember when irate told me "once you start filing, you will soon hear whispers every time a new case set arrives." Well I hear those whispers alright and my hands hate them, HA!
after some reshaping and the works
even did some work on the bezel
I was a little nervous resizing the 616 stem because if I screw it up, it was going to be a while until I can get my hands on a new one, and their pretty pricey. Neckyzips worked on this one for me a while back and I had it on reserve for this project. I took my time and filled little by little until it was a perfect fit
1) Text fill on the display back-Check,
2) vintage staining the plexis-Check,
3) all parts accounted for-Check.
4) Now BUILD
This build is for a good friend of mines J.W. He already has a strap for this bad girl so I took two photo shoots using a WWII vintage ammo Strap and a homage "74" Peter Gunny Vintage strap and just to get an idea of how the cali looks with different trousers on. I think I like it with the dark brown Ammo strap better :mrgreen:
I present to you J.W.'s reshaped 3646 Cali, with a Cortebert 616 engine
I call her:
"California Dreaming"
and on the Gunny
I think he'll like it.
But now that thats done, what to build next....??? Il show you guys some goodies and maybe you can help me choose which project to work on next. Some many projects, just not enough time.