ubiquitous

Andei3k- Amazing pic! Very nice! Today- 5514 frankenstein:

I was recently contacted by a fellow forum member and new friend, asking if I had any thoughts on a good vintage insert and where to source one. I replied that I had my left over insert from Phong (surplus from my 5514 project), and offered it as a gift. The insert was accepted, and I was asked if I could age it as per my usual method, to which I agreed. This was a little surprising and also a bit of an eye opening experience for me. This particular insert had only it's surface painted, and very lightly so I might add. As soon as I started applying my process for aging, the paint just came up in strips thus making this part a loss. I say eye opening, as up until now I had just taken the overall and general quality of inserts that we typically have for granted, not assuming that such a part would or could be this delicate. Of all the inserts I've helped people with, this one was easily the most fragile. I did however, want to post the pics of the final result as an item of interest. Kinda neat in it's own way I suppose... Compared with a gen fat font: And more indicative of it's true color...

Currently using a Dirk Deluxe PAV style strap. Don't think I really want to change it... Thanks, gents. To tint the hands, I used a pigment dye. I applied the dye a little darker than the hands as it has a tendency to lighten up after a week or so.

The easy fix... Just press the hand on tighter...

One of these days I'll probably get around to it. Got too many vintage Rolex projects on my plate to finish...

One more... Better pic... Gave the hands a slight tint to better match the indicies...

Some pics...

Hands installed... Pics to come a little later...

Now to get down to work...

3717 Franken-Pilot for today...

#2 is the top hat. #1 is a bevel edge (though not as bevelled as some examples out there).

Such a big difference already! Looking good!

They'll definitely get you on Int'l shipping! Best to order a few, and/or maybe see if someone in the U.S. would be willing to proxy ship for you.

I need to add one more to my list- Vly's WM9 Project X 16610: Very cool!

Looks fantastic, Cats! Beautiful 111!

J's gotta have the undisputed title of 34mm-Oyster-meister! Another beauty... But I do hope that an acrylic crystal and dauphine hands are in your future

I definitely like the pearl! Though, they tend to be a bit green in color as delivered... The pearl/insert that I used for Ronin's is a yuki insert and ofrei pearl. I aged both to achieve the appearance as you see it in the pic above.

Mrs. Ubi has had this little DJ for 4 or 5 years now; initially purchased from EL to test the waters for a gen purchase. This watch has been used, abused and keeps ticking away; the little Swiss 2671 inside not only refuses to quit, but still keeps pretty accurate time as well (+5 sec/per day with normal wear). Needless to say, after seeing the condition of this watch after just a few month's worth of wear, the gen DJ was off the table. Mrs. Ubi is just too hard on her watches.

Before long, you'll be doing Rolex mods second nature Nice thing is, they're fairly easy to do once you get the hang of them! Have fun!

Hmmmm... From what I have seen, this is what most AD's use:

Looking good! Agree with all other comments re: the dial, however; the swap is worth it for the date window alone Nice build, ChiMan!

That is indeed the correct part for the pearl. I used an Ofrei pearl on Ronin's 5513 project... Aged to match the dial indicies...

Tudor 7032 today...

2824, 2836, 2846, 2892 all have the same dial feet locations.

Speed hump