TeeJay

Swap them Pho.

+1

Looking sharp though

Okay, using the same tool as before,

I decided to try luming the dial from Emily's FM Crazy Hours :bangin:

Seeing as I had to use a tool which was too big, and didn't have a loupe, I think I did as good a job as possible

Cousins UK sells luminous kits...no shipping issues...

Ahh, that sounds like a plan, thanks for the information and feedback, it's very much appreciated

Nice work indeed! Takes a steady hand to do this stuff!

Many thanks, and it does indeed I don't think I'll be trying to lume a dial after a few beers

Maaa Maaan !!!! for your second go that is super !!!

improving is the key to everything in life !!

AC

R

Many thanks, bro, there's always something new to learn, and that's what keeps things fun

Nice job TeeJay! Before long you'll be looming with the best of them. I wouldn't even attempt something like that.

Later,

ww

Thanks indeed I have to admit, it was a more advanced dial than I would have liked for my second attempt, and first attempt with the new tool, but, I couldn't afford to send the dial away, and couldn't stand the dial as it was, so it really was one of those 'X-Wing in the swamp' situations where I'd either do it, or not, and I did it

Well done, your on your way and there is no stopping you now, soon everything no nailed down will be lumed in your house.

Keep it coming, the next step should be to buy a lume kit with the real stuff, so you can put what you have learned into practice.

Many thanks indeed If I had the cash, I'd definitely invest in a lume kit, but all in good time I did look online at a lume paint company (US Based) but they wouldn't ship the powders abroad due to it coming under 'hazmat rules', could you recommend a source?

hehhh hehhh, I guess you are right. Some members are students here, so income can be tight. Some are still looking for work and need to impress at the interview.. I get it now.

But most can afford a budget noob watch, like a Reg PO. Some people have iphones on data plans that cost more than a watch!

Indeed, budget watches are more easily obtainable, but what I was meaning, is depending on someone's income, say for example someone living on disability, even a budget watch can be an expensive purchase, in terms of how much disposable income they have.

As above, I think the sensible thing to do is to only spend (on anything) what is spare cash. If that means saving up, so be it, and of course, it depends on to wha extent someone wants to 'get into the game'... Do they want to get a load of watches, or only a few select models... All things to be considered

Very nice

I believe the Navy used time for navigation and this was the quartermaster's piece. Kinda like GPS.....

Ahh, so that would have been the 'time source' to which other clocks/watches would have been set and compared?

Right,

I m moving onto drilling springbar holes, knowing my love of botching these jobs how do I proceed ?

Clamp and drill or is it more involved, I ve got the POS case to practice on in the mean time.

Ah the joy of modding when you have no skill and infinite stupidity

Glad to have been of inspiration

Oh, and with regards using superglue, while it will no doubt get me shouted at, I must admit that I have used it a few times when re-securing loose lume into the surround, and I find it gives me the best results for securing bezel inserts. I've tried using two-part epoxy, but when I then rotated the bezel, so it wouldn't glue solid, the pressure of it 'peeling' between the bezel and insert forced the insert out of the bezel. I can understand why people advise against superglue, as it spreads easily, and could easily wick into a delicate area, but personally, I feel comfortable using it in miniscule amounts. With regards using it on any dial work (such as re-securing lume) I just allowed the glue to cure fully before re-casing the dial, and had no issue with fumes fogging the back of the crystal. Of course, if I were to re-case it with the glue still curing, then yes, fumes would be a definite

PS

Can't wait to see how the project progresses

That's a beauty, K What does the term 'comparing watch' mean?

Following the lume job (I can't say 're-lume', as there wasn't any to start with ) I'm going to give the 1655 24 hours wear to see if can get a bit more attached to it

It's good to see so many DIY projects coming from your bench. Hey, even ziggy started somewhere. I'm not ready to lume.. I know that for a fact!

If that's to me, and not TT, many thanks

Good stuff Tim. I have yet to try a lume job. I'm getting psyched for it. I'm thinking of trying a cheapo product first but shudder at the thought of what Zig would say!!

Thanks, S It's a very rewarding exercise I'd really like to try it with a high quality lume, but at the moment, I'm finding the Night Color adequate for my needs (after a little grinding to smooth it out )

Looks awesome TJ! The only suggestion I would have is to try and find some nice Testors paint for the orange hand. If you can get the hand to look a little more even, then I think you will have nailed it!

Much appreciated I was originally planning on using model paint, but when I remembered my markers, I couldn't be bothered to make the 50 minute round trip into town to buy the paint I have to admit, I really like the uneven effect (doesn't capture so well on camera, and looks appalling in Macro) as I think it adds to the aged appearance Next step, will be to scuff the case a little Funny how such small details can change the perception of something

Nice one TeeJay, I still recommend cats whiskers for fine detail tho.

Harry doesnt mind, as long as I wait for them to shed naturally of course

Thanks I used the narrowest section of the nylon loops used to attach labels to garments/fabrics for sale, but I might well have to consider a cat's whisker to get that fine detail for future projects I'm liking the cut of Harry's gib

Mi Amigo......Shalam Alaikum! That's one heck of a Lume Job! Impressive.....muy bien!

Mucho gracias, bro :drinks: I figured I had to do all the hour markers, or there wasn't any point in doing it at all. Surprizingly though, they were easier to do than the large markers I know it's not perfect, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out

Remember this:

I wasn't over impressed with it when it arrived, and, while I warmed up to it a bit over the weekend, as soon as I had the opportunity to get a new Tudor dial on my wrist, the 1655 was off. I knew the dial needed re-luming, but given the result and feedback I had when I tried to relume this Submariner dial with a fine-point brush, I knew I needed to change my approach...

So, a slight change in equipment, a little more time grinding the Night Color from 'cottage cheese' to a smooth paste, and NCIS as background noise, and I got to work. I am very happy with the result of the facelift, and it actually makes me want to wear the watch now

This is what I used:

Work in progress:

While I had the watch stripped, I took the opportunity to tint the 24 hour hand. I'd originally envisaged a more 'Doxa Orange', but the marker I used, not only went more into the red spectrum, but also left a somewhat uneven patinated finish. The hand looks like junk on macro, but to the naked eye, it looks sweeet

I also gave the dial two coats of matte varnish

Here's how it looks in the dark:

And here's how it looks on the wrist

Okay just to reitterate what i said in my last post here's a cross section of ten modern and vintage crowns. On close inpection they all have slight differences.... yes?

Are you happy now Kurt..

To be fair, they do not all appear to have differences...

Middle crown, top row, and far right crown, bottom row, have the same lower coronet shape as the crown K took from the packet, and is unquestionably a gen crown. The other crowns all have the same lower coronet as identified as 'aftermarket', and fitted to the watch in the photo... Those are clearly identifiable coronet shapes.

If I might make a suggestion? Might this be an example that both crown types are 'genuine Rolex manufacture', but one type is as issued 'from the factory', and the other type as issued as an aftermarket 'stand alone' part?

I'm not claiming to be an expert, just contributing my observations

That really is a beauty, bro

How about 5,000 gbp? Would 5,000 gbp 'convince' you?

Would it convince you?

It's a pretty obvious difference between the two styles of crown.

I swear I am going to get to the bottom of this.

here is the GEN compared to all the Aftermarket crowns I have....(They were bought as aftermarket with the associated aftermarket tubes):

Notice, the Gen on the left has a smaller opening at the base of the crown relief. The aftermarket crowns are more round and bigger openings.

Somebody please help me make sense of this.:-)

Regards,

Kurt.

Comparing those photos to this one:

I would say that the above crown is aftermarket, and seeing how easy it is to see the larger opening on the base of the coronets of the aftermarket, nothing will convince me that the above crown is gen.

Just to be clear, I was hoping for a recommendation of a specific rep (eg: wm9, trusty, etc...) that people think is the best quality version of this type of watch. thanks

If you want the best, I would suggest seeing if WM9 has any AirKings. If not, you're essentially choosing between the dealers and the prices they offer, as they all carry (or can acquire) the same stock. Best of luck

Depending on your wardrobe, I'd suggest the AirKing or the Exp I accordingly... AK for suits/smarter wear, Exp I for more casual...

Good to see you posting again Will a new bezel really lead to less vigorous wear? Beaters are beaters for a reason, and a few nicks and dings just add to the character, and more reason to love and wear them

This is the only pure white dialled watch I've had:

I did have the Vacheron Constantine, but gave it to a friend as I just couldn't stand to wear it, but that was more of a cream-colored dial than pure white.

I found the 113 very versatile, and great for formal or casual wardrobes. I'd definitely like to add another white dialled watch to my collection at some point, but it might not be for a while...