speedbird100

Thanks! It's hard to do patina that looks convincing.

Thanks everyone. The origins of the dial are a mystery. Originally from a m2m deal. The plate is stamped "singer" if that helps. I doubt it's an original singer plate though

Ugh, this is nice! Very nice

Thanks guys, quite pleased

Thanks! Yep, open

Thanks guys!

Some notes on the build: List of ingredients: Cartel 1675 21j, folded oyster, not shown. Clark crystal Clark bezel ring Factory faded serif insert Flat case back M2M gilt chapter ring dial Raffles small GMT hand The case was thinned a bit but I didn't go too far into it because it would be pretty easy to mess it up. I marked out the profile of the PCGs and cut them in then re-polished using a small polishing wheel and green polishing compound. Took about an hour to get it all right. The cartel case lends itself to PCGs but with the case being chinky and the CGs being short, you wind up with PCGs that are a little chubby. Can't really be helped and it's really one of the many "that'll do" moments you'll have when building a 1675 under $500. Now you can go with a phong or yuki case, but you're approaching gen DJ money at that point. I've drilled the lug holes for the Rolex 2mm spring bars as well. The dial was positioned and held down with dial dots, and it was a bit touchy, but it's on firm now. The dial came from a m2m deal and I don't know where it originated. The plate is stamped with the Singer logo which is a nice touch. The dial was only a few microns larger than the case so it fit perfectly, nail-bitingly so. Hands were installed with my hand press, everything cases up. I tinted the lume to match the dial. The crystal fit like a dream, and the bezel set needed some sanding but after a little work I pressed it over the crystal, all snug. The insert is a pre-faded insert I got from eBay and it looks the part. I'm not a big fan of the bleached inserts because they always look modified. This one is lightly faded and retains that gen look. Pricey at $50, but to me it was worth it.

Some notes on the build: List of ingredients: Cartel 1675 21j, folded oyster, not shown. Clark crystal Clark bezel ring Factory faded serif insert Flat case back M2M gilt chapter ring dial Raffles small GMT hand The case was thinned a bit but I didn't go too far into it because it would be pretty easy to mess it up. I marked out the profile of the PCGs and cut them in then re-polished using a small polishing wheel and green polishing compound. Took about an hour to get it all right. The cartel case lends itself to PCGs but with the case being chinky and the CGs being short, you wind up with PCGs that are a little chubby. Can't really be helped and it's really one of the many "that'll do" moments you'll have when building a 1675 under $500. Now you can go with a phong or yuki case, but you're approaching gen DJ money at that point. The dial was positioned and held down with dial dots, and it was a bit touchy, but it's on firm now. The dial came from a m2m deal and I don't know where it originated. The plate is stamped with the Singer logo which is a nice touch. The dial was only a few microns larger than the case so it fit perfectly, nail-bitingly so. Hands were installed with my hand press, everything cases up. I tinted the lume to match the dial. The crystal fit like a dream, and the bezel set needed some sanding but after a little work I pressed it over the crystal, all snug. The insert is a pre-faded insert I got from eBay and it looks the part. I'm not a big fan of the bleached inserts because they always look modified. This one is lightly faded and retains that gen look. Pricey at $50, but to me it was worth it. I haven't drilled the lug holes yet and the rep bracelet needs to be modified to take the gen 2mm Spring bars. That will come once I get my hands on a better 7836 bracelet. I've modified these cartel bracelets before, and it's diminishing returns and more work than is needed. Better alternatives are out there, so I'll wait until I have something in hand then make the necessary changes.

A gen 6542 is a special thing indeed. Don't go the rep-route for your parts. The bezel will be challenging but an aluminum insert and gen bracelet will make it stand up tall. Please post photos! some things need to be done right, and restoring a 6542 is one of them

There was only one somewhat good version of this watch. It's long since discontinued.

You can tell the rep because the bezel numbers are too low. One of the very few gripes I have with the BP

Wait! I'm a bit of an air king aficionado and I've written an article for Rolex magazine dot com on this subject. The 5504 was an AK reference and quite uncommon. The cases are 35mm and not 36. They are the largest AKs ever made. Please, for the love of god don't butcher it. Sell it to someone who will appreciate a rare reference. The 5504 reference number was shared with the AK and Explorer. Again, don't go putting rep parts into a rare watch!!!!!! Message me if you'd like more details

The 5500 never had anything other than a 1520 or 1530 cal movement. No 1570 was ever fitted at the factory as far as I've ever seen. Someone has serviced the 1520/30 (depending on year) and replaced the bridge with a 1570 marked piece. It happens

The 1570 was never, ever used in a 5500. Only the 1520 and 1530 to a much lesser extent. It could be a 1520 with 1570 replacement parts since they are interchangeable but I'd be suspicious of a franken build at any rate

^^this ^^