jackflash

Very nice! I was hoping a rep of this would be made. The dial layout suits the positioning of the date window much better than the XVIII on which it’s based. Which to my eye looks as though it’s been positioned too far left. The longer hour markers and positioning of the numerals on the XI Tribute are better balanced. Pity IWC didn’t produce a no-date version, with a 38mm case, which would have been closer to the original 36mm XI. Here are the shots of the gen XVIII and XI Tribute; to see what I mean about the date window.

Excellent job! Very nice indeed.

Well, the case has been poorly “aged” you don’t get scratches like that naturally. As mentioned before the fixed springbars should be a flush tight fit. They don’t look it, are they loose? Good news is the movement is a gen ETA 2824-2. The rotor is a mis-match though and a little grubby. It really should be silver to match the rest of the movement. The 2824-2 movement itself has a higher beat rate than what would be period correct, an ETA 2846 would have been a better choice. Unfortunately, judging from the shots, it looks like you paid a little more than the watch is probably worth. Here's a build – by no means perfect – I sold in 2016, to give feel for the market: Here’s a link for details about your 2824-2 movement: http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&ETA_2824_2

Dirty today

Very sorry to hear about your situation. Can only offer a few pointers to the build based on your shots. Everything else would be just speculation. The bezel insert looks to be Helenarou. Looks like the springbars have been added to the midcase at a later date. Generally they should be a tight-flush fit, so maybe the midcase started life as a 5513? Are there any engravings between the lugs? Case back engravings look pretty good though. If you have the means to remove the case back i.e. with a “sticky ball”. We’d be able to confirm if it’s a gen ETA movement, if not, likely as not it will be a ETA 2836 clone. Crown and tube may well be from Athaya. Do you have a close up shot of the crown unscrewed?

Congrats! Looking good! The Phong insert is the better of the two ( I tried both too). However I would swap the pearl for one from Athaya, btw. these do need trimming to remove some surplus plastic. Previously I would have said Yuki as the finish is much better, but their latest batch of pearls aren’t as accurate as they used to be, being slightly smaller and flatter. Here’s mine with an older Yuki pearl, they were great, Athaya is close though.

You’re welcome [emoji106]

You might want to try some fine grade wet & dry (2000) and then polish.

6538 today

6538 today

I wouldn’t over polish it. Less is more [emoji6] Find the look of a vintage 5513 bezel you like and use it as a visual reference.

Thanks[emoji106] Looking forward to seeing some shots when done[emoji6]

Agree, not perfect, but a lot better than the rest I‘ve seen. Gen

1. Yeap, polish the bezel. Plenty of reference images around to refer to. 2. Take the bezel assembly apart. With the crystal in place, press on the retaining ring and add the bezel spring. Then clip on the bezel with the insert in place.

Yeap, for some reason Phong hasn't updated his website. Drop him an email and use the image below for reference (cost – 95$). BTW the pearl is from Yuki, however the current batch aren't as good they used to be. Here's the link to Phong's site, with old insert… http://www.jewelryandwatch.com/contents/en-us/d242_Insert_Bezel.html

These are a good low budget solution: http://www.jkhorological.com/Product-detail.php?product-id=2476

Great news, thank you [emoji120]

Nice! Looking forward to seeing some shots when done.

Nice one [emoji106] “He who can have patience can have what he will.” Ben Franklin

Just tea added to the lume plots and a halogen lamp to heat them slightly, same with the lume on the hands. The dial was then sprayed very lightly with a matt varnish.

Yes, looks great buddy! After seeing it on yours I had to get one too [emoji106]

5517 today

Thanks! The build was a while ago, some of the parts are now unavailable unfortunately. However, here goes: Cartel 5517 midcase with fixed spring bars. Together with caseback. Both with correct markings (no longer available) WSO bezel assembly (better than current batch) Ingod44 dial (no longer available) Hands (HR, If I remember rightly. Second hand tail trimmed to be more gen-like. Something often overlooked on many builds) ETA 2846 movement. Gen T19 service crystal Phong Insert, Yuki pearl (better than current batch) Phoenix NATO strap in Admiralty grey (they manufactured the original MOD straps) Think that’s about it!

Just added a Phong insert to my 5517. Very impressed with the quality, check out those serifs!