Ok, if it's your first try be carefull with it, better to repeat the process then to ruin is in your first try; bleach can work pretty fast and if you don't remove the gloss layer you won't get an evenly faded insert which will result in a less authentic looking aged insert good luck!
Yes, the insert was a standard (rolex) service replacement insert that was also glossy. It seems all the inserts have a solid glossy finish/ varnish so whenever i customise an insert i start with gently remove the glossy layer; i let is sit in bleach but only for a little while and then i use a mild scrubbing cloth to gently and evenly remove the glossy layer. Use bleach carefully as some sorts are very agressieve. I also put it in a box with screws and stones to give is many small scratches. After that i used cape cod to polish it to a semi-gloss finish. For the black insert this is were i stopped, hope this info helps; whatever you do; take your time because you can't go back and make the insert darker again and repeat the bleaching/ scrubbing process if needed
Time for a small update; I changed the insert for a another one; perfectly even faded from matt black on the inside to darkblue~blue on the outside, color of the pearl matching with the dial and hands
I hope you enjoy the pics
Coherent was the goal! I love the way the texture and color of the insert matches the texture and color of the dial, as well as the matching tritium of both the dial and hands
I just drilled out a little bit on the innerpart on the case (the area were the tube goes in); mind you; if you will use a 702 tube without a gasket between the tube and case (which i think is the standard way) I don't think you need to drill any extra out but you surely need to do this if you want to use a 703V tube. I also used a gasket for my 702 tube and used blue threadlocker as well and in order for me to get the tube snug against the case I had to remove some so i drilled out (a very little bit).
@ cc33; we should start a club
@ lionsandtigers; 703V also looks very nice, i used a 703V in my 1665 thin case (also with a HH case-set), if you go 703 I wouldn't reshape the cg's, if you go for 702 I would make the cg's thinner (this will look nicer )
Hi guys,
Finally it’s ready......
My “NOS look and feel” mid 70’s 5514 COMEX with 5513 dial (reference: http://doubleredseadweller.com/watch-info/comex/comex-5514.html)
A list of the parts used:
HH 5514 case-set
Rolex T-19 service plexi
Rolex 5513 service insert w/ custom pearl
Rolex 702 crown
Athaya 7020 tube (a gen 7020 tube wouldn’t fit the case, athaya’s tube fitted perfectly!)
Rolex 1520 movement
Rolex 93150 bracelet w Rolex 580 endlinks
Rolex 5513 feet first tritium dial
Rolex 1665 tritium hands
The modds were mild on this one; I slightly grinded/sanded down the crownguards because I wanted to have them just a bit smaller so they would match nicely with the 702 crown. I also drilled out the innerpart of the case were the tube goes in just a bit so the tube would fit nice and snug to the case. The insert was aged and bleached mildly; just enough so it would match the dial perfectly J The pearl was custom made out of acrylics and it matches the ivory of the tritium dial and hands J
I will make additional pictures in the next few days but just to give you an impression:
Thanks for watching
hi guys; I've got some promising news; I too was unsuccesfull in trying to install a genuine 702 tube into my HH 5514 prototype case but today I received athaya's 702 tubes and this was a perfect match/ fit!! so I would suggest everyone who wants to install a 702 crown/tube combo on HH's case to use athaya's tubes