JoeyB

@freddy, it's about a year old, so I'd be disappointed if it needs an overhaul already. It's more likely just something stupid I did. I had a similar issue when I first built it, turned out to be a dust fiber in the works. @Chi, not yet. I'll get into it tomorrow. On this build I am using a Gen Singer dial that I highly modified. On the other builds I used the blank ETA dial from Otto Frei and yes, the hole needs to be enlarged for a GMT build. If I find a cat hair in the movement I am loading up the .45...

I've used ETA2836-2 in other builds with no issues. Freddy, yes, out of the case, but with the dial still in place. Checked the hands and all the clearances. I'll likely dive in in all the way on Monday. I think it hates me...

Thanks, Freddy. I have done that twice now, no joy. When I calm down a bit I will do a run through again. Just because watchmaking was rocket science before there was rocket science, I won't be intimidated!

A few coincidences in this thread. The solder paste works nicely but it takes a bit of practice, much like everything else in this hobby. My first attempt ended in flames and nothing recognizable. And when you apply the solder and it looks to be the right amount, you likely have too much and will have to sand that teeney - tiny little thing. The stuff will run using a match, so if you do it like a pro, using a torch as I did, just slowly ease the heat towards the piece. When the solder starts to run, take the heat away. I'd recommend practicing on some old hands to get the feel for the thin metal and the solder. GMT hands are not cheap, even the aftermarket ones from suppliers like Clark's. The cats leave the room when I put on my loupe. Much faster when I strike the torch. And last night I reassembled my re-done 6542. It really looks great. But the ETA2893-2 stopped running. I triple checked everything, can't figure it out. But I must build a solid watch because when I heaved it at the floor it bounced a full foot off of it, and didn't have a scratch! Haven't seen the cats since. I used a Chinese movement ring and spacer ring, but I thinned them out to get the best fit I could. It fits nicely in the case. It still won't run, but it looks so good that I'm going to change it's nickname from 'Pussy Galore' to 'Fernando Lamas'.

Rolex Tudor hands will fit the ETA movement.

I went with freddy333's outline and pieced together the small arrow from a larger one. It was done pretty close to the way you did it, but I used 'low temperature solder paste'. I don't think that the temperature gets high enough through the crystal in direct sunlight to melt the glue, but I'd use an epoxy. I have read on another forum that the fumes from the 'Super bonder' glue is bad for the movement.

I installed the ETA2893-2 in my 6542 with no real issues at all, but I expected to have to fit it. The case is from Silix and came with an Asian 2836-2. I made my own overlay using the white water slide decal paper, black/red, and removed the date wheel to install it (water is likely not a good idea while still on the movement!). I sanded off the original numbers/paint, and installed the decal, but did not cover the teeth on the date wheel. The teeth looked like a place for it to hang-up, and I thought the ridge on the date wheel maintaining plate should be kept clear too. I also took the 'spacer' ring down from 0.7mm to 0.4mm so the crown/stem would line up better, and the dial sits closer to the movement. The GMT hand sits fine, and clears the markers because they are only lume. So, I'd say that some applications do work, a 1675 as another example. Both the 6542 and the 1675 have the same stack as the ETA2893-2, GMT hand on the bottom. But I can see that the dial markers on the later models could be a problem. That might be why Rolex changed the stack, to accommodate the higher markers.

Well done!

It looks big on your screen because it's 2400 dpi. It measure 23.9mm outside diameter.

I use peel and stick photo paper, and print this out using my photo program, like PhotoShop. You can change the background to any color you like, and adjust the size to the date-wheel you are applying it to. This one is at 2400dpi.

This is. I took the silver hands, lightly sanded and used a toothpick and gold enamel, then relumed.

Very nice!

Well done, RA! I like the bargain builds.

The file should work, or you can use an 'Easy-Out' screw extractor. Kit is under $10usd at most any hardware store. The bits are reverse thread spiral, 'bites' in the hole and you then just reverse twist it out.

I hear the postman comin' He's rolling round the bend And I ain't seen my Date-Just since I don't know when, I'm stuck in modder's prison, and time keeps draggin' on But that postman keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone.. When I was just a baby By-Tor told me. Son, Always be a good boy, don't ever play with gens. But I built a franken Date-Just just to watch it die When I hear the postman comin', I hang my head and cry.. I bet there's rich folks building fancy GMTs They're probably wearin' Bond Subs and that new Deep Sea. Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free But those people keep a buildin' And that's what tortures me... Well if they freed me from this prison, If that GMT was mine I bet I'd mod it a little farther down the line Far from modder's prison, that's where I want to stay And I'd bet that modded watch would blow my blues away.....

Yep, as Dizzy said, from the inside. I changed the dial and hands so it wasn't an issue at all.

Sounds like a watch named Soo...

I didn't remove the bezel. And now I know not to in the future.

I have the same case too. I made a 6204 out of it, though not as accurate as it can be. The big crown is wrong for my watch, but I haven't run into a less expensive 6mm + crown yet. I took the stock crystal down to the level I wanted, but it is like most Chinese plastic, wavy. I was going to use a T 19 and take that down, but the T 21 sounds like a better idea. Thanks for that.

Well, if he did I'd bet it'd be a franken. Much like his Cadillac. 'One Piece at a Time'.

On the GMT the canon is the issue, thicker spacer won't work. I used the peel and stick photo paper on the 6542 because I used an ETA 2893-2 movement, and removing the datewheel was more complicated than I wanted to tackle, and applying a waterslide decal with the datewheel in place is probably not a very good idea! . The ETA 2836-2 datewheel is much easier to r&r, so taking it to bare metal and maybe a bit more is easy. My next project will use the ETA 2836-2, and I plan on experimenting just that way using the waterslide decal. And I am getting a new printer that will print at 9600 dpi so I'm hoping the dials get even sharper than I've done them so far.

I put these together for the two 6542s and another project ot two coming up. All are for ETA 28xx date wheels. I printed them on peel and stick photo paper. It works well enough, but the cut edges tend to not be sharp. I've had to adjust one that interfered with the mechanism. And it is a tad thick. The waterslide decal looked good, but was near impossible to position for my old and clumsy hands. I might try again using the Micro Set decal liquid. It helps in mounting. Keep in mind that inkjet doesn't print white, and you can choose clear or white decal paper. I tried painting a dial black and attempted to apply only the text/script using clear paper, but that doesn't work. Lighter colors, yellows, etc., aren't heavy enough to show up. I've settled on painting the background white or almond for aged look, and printing the full color dial. That works best, and I'd think the same for the date wheel. Here's mine in full 2400 dpi, done by hand so they might need some adjustment. I use a program similar to Photo Shop and adjust size, resolution and move individual numbers with it. 6542 aged 6542 white dial 1675

I have the same question but about the Tropic 16 versus the Tropic 10. I'm told the 19 will replace it, but is it the right shape?

Pics? It looks like all the others, except the ones that have the AR cyclops. Those look better. Mary gets her watches from the same places as the 'cartel' sellers.