TeeJay

I was thinking about this photo Nanuq posted a while back, which showed how the lume had been bleached white by the sun, and the UV had also started to 'brown the dial'. When I tried aging my dial, I did so by baking it under the grill for 30 seconds, and achieved the following result... Obviously a bit too much browning on the dial, but also, the markers are similarly much darker. For my second attempt, I was planning on only baking the dial for 10-15 seconds, to get a less browned result on the dial, but, I'm thinking that the result of the indices would still be too dark, so I've had an idea, and wondered if anyone thought there was any validity to it... Might precisely covering each hour marker with blutac protect it from the heat, while the dial is being baked? Has anyone any other suggestions how I might be able to achieve a baking of the dial while protecting the markers to create that sun bleached look?

I wouldn't say that was too much at all, if anything, it's a very controlled bleaching, how long did you submerge the insert in the bleach for? Many will advocate putting the watch in a pocket with keys and cash for a few days, and that will get some small marks into the case. If you want to put a few 'more serious' impacts into some key positions, you could try scraping the case/bracelet against rough housebricks, ceramic tiles, or even holding a pair of sharp scissors open, and then using the cutting edge of one blade to 'scratch' a mark into the case. I have found that if you put the marks into the case, they can still 'look fresh', so I would suggest going over any marks with a green scotchbrite pad, just to help 'blend them in' a bit. If you have an acrylic crystal, I have found a good way of scratching the crystal, and getting it nicely 'crazed', is to use a pocket knife to put a few scratches in place, then using the 4-surface nail file in circular motions all over the crystal, starting with the most coarse, working up to the finiest grit, then buff over the crystal using toothpaste as a rubbing compound on tissue paper, then repeat the entire process with the 4-surface nail file and toothpaste a few times, to ultimately achieve a result like these

That's true... I'd best get myself booked in for the forehead 'chump' tattoo

Absolutely so. They create the demand through marketing, and create an inflated price tag which some people simply are less likely to be able to afford, so those who have been swayed by the marketing and want the product find themselves not being able to afford said product, but still wanting it, so they start searching for the next best alternative: Reps. Indeed, they [the corporate moguls] do it to themselves, as they create a demand which creates it's own void, which rep manufacturers are then able to fill... That is a very interesting example, and indeed, maybe something like that would be the ideal solution Everyone saves face, everyone gets to keep doing what they're doing, and the buyers still get to keep making their own decision Of course, it could create the situation where: Dude walks into AD and asks to see a Submariner... Sure, Sir, says the assistant, Swiss or Asian version? What's the difference? asks the dude... About $1000 in price, says the assistant... I'll take the Asian version, replies the dude All I'm thinking, is would the average customer be willing to spend the extra dollars, for differences which would only be appreciated by a watch enthusiast? (who by extension, would also appreciate the Asian version for it's own merits...)

I got one this time

A big dog needs for nothing else

Yes, and it may not be PAYE, but at the end of the day, it is still 'being taxed', in some form... I said that? Okay, yes, Rolex have released some new models of late, and, they've even been good enough to throw a new bracelet design in here and there, but for the most part, the EXP IIs, the DJs, the Subs, etc, (what I would suspect to be their staple sellers) are all long established designs, which costs would have been recouped on some time ago... Oh for sure, there's always going to be some examples where the cost is actually more reasonable, but, I don't see any Rolexes with a gyro tourbillon

Double post

From what you've said about the organized crime nature of the rep manufacturing end of things, I'm sure he pays his 'tributes' to keep from getting his legs broke As for those other things, I think it's safe to say Rolex have recouped their design costs a long[/] time ago... I think if someone actually wants to buy a gen, then they will do so. I don't think reps actually take away gen sales.

That's never been a misconception I've labored under I agree with the point you made the other day about modified movements being better than stock, so I admit, there is some credence that the movements are worth more than some of the basic movements in reps, but overall, I still feel the prices are artificially inflated. Of course, that's business, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it Fair Trade watches are what it's all about

I would have said "make people realize that *insert High End Brand here* are not worth buying", but that's just me They can hate me all they want, I'll just keep on hating them back for their corporate greed, and carry on buying reps

Thanks for the tip about Cillit Bang, I'll remember that for when I work on my next insert I think combining that technique, with a very quick bleaching, could produce some fantastic results

It's a 'locally produced ETA movement...'

Interesting result What happened to the second sweep hand?

Ahh, I'll have a look online and see if I can find some pics Sounds fantastic though

Thanks I figured with a return being a likelihood, I had nothing to lose by trying to re-assemble it, and as mentioned, it was as much a matter of pride in wanting to at least send it back in a reasonable, rather than disassembled condition I think had the other guide come through before, I think I could have fixed the problem, but, never mind, such is life I think a decent set of tools might well be worth investing in when I have the spare cash

No Scot in the family line as far as I know, but, it wouldn't surprise me if there was somewhere As you say, no need to get something fixed if there's a possibility of fixing it oneself As the reverser wheel is now well and truly lodged inside the movement (I left it 'free floating' in the back of the case to provide a nice 'rattle' for whoever gets it back, so they'd realize there was a problem with the movement), I simply don't have the tools to fix it, but it's very self-affirming to know that I can at least handle that kind of job without too much problem That's cool to hear about the double-discount/refund as well

Thanks, bro Looking back, I left the dial under the grill for 15 seconds too long, and I should've left the insert as it was after the first bleach-job, but it doesn't irritate me enough not to wear it, and I know I'll be able to order new parts very easily If anything, the watch which I can't stand to wear, is the 5177 case I have on the NATO strap. It's wierd, when the bezel insert was in the vintage sub, the silver color (while obviously not ideal) didn't really bug me as it blended with the rest of the watch, but on the 5177 case, I absolutely hate it I would have ordered a new insert, but used the cash to get the DJ for Emily instead Still, watch this space regarding the 5517, let's just say 'I have plans for it'...

That sounds gorgeous, I'd love to see it Is it anything like Damascus steel?

Always good to know that TT's on the job when it comes to keeping the trash out No problem at all, your posts really bring warmth and humanity to the forum, it just wasn't the same without you about, I hope your recovery is progressing well The thought's very much appreciated As far as I understand the law on blades, it's legal to own them as a collector, but they have to stay in the home. Carrying a lock-knife, gravity knife or switchblade in the street would definitely land the person in trouble. I forget if the legal length is 2 inches or 2.5, but I think as long as the person has a valid reason for having the knife, then it's not a problem

Had I known that rather than the suspected loose rotor, the auto-wind assembly had dismantled itself inside the watch, I would never have removed the caseback, and just sent it back as it was After that, it was pretty much just a case of 'clearing up the spilled milk', as I didn't want to return a watch for a faulty bracelet, only for the movement to be in pieces in the bag as well To be fair, the dealer immediately offered a replacement bracelet, but when I explained that the movement also had an issue and my wife wanted a replacement, the shipping address was right there in the next email I think it'll be a long time and several stiff drinks before I try anything else with a watch movement, I think I'll just stick to 'kit-bashing' the parts together instead

Thar's absolutely fantastic, thank you Had the reverser wheel not got itself lodged up in the movement, that would probably have enabled me to fix the movement Of course, it's going back to the dealer, but at least it's going back in one piece

That's good to hear they've been shown the door Good to see you posting again, brother

Oh man, I'm not cool enough for spam

Quick update The perfectionist in me couldn't leave the watch as it was, so I had it apart again, and spent the morning trying to re-allign all the little cogs and bits, only to have the chronograph bridge disturb the last piece each time. Eventually, I realized that the 'last piece', was in fact the wrong piece for that place, so I swapped it for the smaller cog-like part, and got the chronograph bridge on without problem. This has left me with a watch which will still not auto-wind, but will at least wind by hand. It's still getting sent back, but at least I can say I did all I could to try and put it back together after it's self-destruction Very fiddly work, my appreciation and respect for modders and masters like the ZigMeister has shot off the scale (and boy do I need one after that ) In all my panic to get this re-built, it totally slipped my mind, so a huge thank you for all the help, I'd've been well and truly stuck without it