TeeJay

Ultimately, curiousity. I wanted to see if I could do it. My aim wasn't actually vintage the strap, but to take the color down a few shades so it would match with a suede jacket I have. I'm only keeping it on the Submariner as I like the strap/watch combination until my new SMP comes through. Then the Submariner will be back on the SS, and back in the drawer, but I'll be keeping the strap to use on a project I'm planning to recreate a vintage 6200, were the aged strap would be a nice touch.

Thanks The portion of the strap that come from the 12 position got a bit beaten up, as I used jewellers screwdrivers to hold the strap flat under the bleach, and that rubbed away a few spots of the finished leather, but, that just adds to the aged look. I cut a 2 litre Pepsi bottle in half so I could use the top section as a funnel to pour the bleach back in it's bottle, and then I put the strap sections in the bottom part of the bottle, took it outside, and just ran it under the garden tap till the water ran clear. Once the water stopped foaming, I took the strap sections, and rubbed it down a bit more with my thumb while the water was still running. That took away the excess bleach, and the layers of strap material that had been loosened by the bleach. All in all, I'm pretty happy with how it came out

This is the result of 30 minutes immersed in household bleach. Before: After:

Thanks, I hadn't actually seen your post when I wrote mine as yours was posted while I was writing. It looks like a really nice watch as it is, but you're absolutely right, once those mods are made, it will be fantastic and totally unique. That's looking pretty sharp, where did you get the green GMT hand from? I was thinking about using an LV Sub for my GMT Submariner project, but hadn't seen a green GMT hand anywhere... I found that, before I broke it, the movement in my project watch also kept better time than my other watches. It also had a bracelet with the same kind of clasp. Always amused me how the clasp (although not as aesthetically pleasing) has 'thicker plates' than Rolex clasps If you were to ever decide to tinker with it, I think that blacking the numerals would look great, and then putting it on a black leather strap would look really sharp

Personally, I don't like fantasy models, as that can be the quickest way to getting a watch called out as a rep. However, I would put an exception (and a big exception) to this statement. If the watch is something that someone built themselves, or had built for them, then that is not quite the same, as it can at least be defended as being self/specifically made, rather than simply purchased 'as is'.

That sounds like an excellent idea, and certainly less 'aggressive' than my skimming idea... Do you have any pics of the watches you used that method on as a demonstration? I'm hoping to get some photos of my bleached strap posted up tomorrow

I thought it might be nice to have a thread to share tips and advice on vintaging watches. So far, I have found that a daylight bulb was good for vintaging dial lume, and bleaching a strap also had an aging effect. I had an idea for vintaging a case, and wondered what people thought... Empty case, with some electricians tape over the crystal, and strategic places on the bezel insert, then 'skimmed' over loose gravel, like one would skim a stone over water. My theory is that the rotation of the case, and differing texture of the gravel would create totally random nicks in the case, rather than say taking a wire brush and buffing in certain directions... What do people think? Good idea, or would the damage be 'too much'? Any other tips and advice would be most welcome

Sounds like a good plan to me. I've just got a positive for a custom vintage Rolex dial from ClassicWatchParts, so will be undertaking a similar project. I'm going to be ordering a 6200 dial, but printed in contemporary colors and with white lume, essentially how the watch would look if it was BrandSpankingNew rather than 50 years old. I'll have a spare Submariner from my planned GMT Submariner project, so thought putting the 6200 dial inside would make a good side project.

Awesome. NATO straps go well with any watch

Today certainly seems to be a Rolex day Here's my contribution to the cause, the first wrist shot of my Submariner on the strap from my Daytona;

Are you someone who regularly changes their watch, or are you someone who tends to wear the same one for a while? If you frequently rotate them, then treat yourself to several good quality watches. If you tend to stick with one, then buy a really nice watch.

I can't really comment about the color comparison, but, is it possible that the man's watch was genuine, but the bezel insert had been replaced with an aftermarket insert following a repair?

What precicely makes it 'very poor looking'? Wrong bracelet on it? If it's getting a rubber strap, what difference does it make what bracelet it comes on? Who cares what the movement costs if it keeps good time? I was not trying to compare this PO to the UPOs that the Cartel have, and that the 'detail fanatics' crave, I was just saying that the level of detail it has, for the price it costs, are acceptable. I think you're confusing my motives. I do not expect a $95 rep to look exact to the real thing. I am not someone who obsesses over the details of the reps available. I don't care if it's a 4th gen, 5th gen, UPO. I don't care if there are minor inaccuracies in detail to the genuine article, like the HE being a few mm lower than it should be. As I said above, it is more accurate than my Planet Ocean, and as long as it says Omega Seamaster, not Qmega Seameister, and would pass as an Omega for the average, everyday person who knows nothing about watches, then that is good enough to me I can appreciate accuracy and details as much as the next guy, but it is not something I am desperate for in my own watches. I don't want to pass them off as gen to others (or go into ADs to try and 'get one over') As long as there are no glaring errors like spelling, totally incorrect fonts, fantasy models etc, then I'm happy

And why's that, then?

Cheap? It looks better (in terms of accuracy) than my Planet Ocean (has 'Swiss Made' below rather than above the minute indices) Is it a Cartel Ultimate Planet Ocean? Not at all. But, in terms of 'getting what you pay for', it certainly appears acceptable. My 2531.80 project watch, for example, probably not worth the $40 I paid for it, and it had a Japanese movement in it, but, it kept better time than my $800 Submariner. Things like the position of the HE, the serifs on the fonts, the anti-mag shield, the AR, mean absolutley nothing to me. (Inside layer AR is great, but double layer AR is just asking for trouble when it gets rubbed off.) I don't want a watch that I could pass off as genuine in an AD, I want a watch that I find satisfactory. To me, as long as the dial says Omega Seamaster, and not Qmega Seameister, I'd be happy with it. Some people want their reps to have 100% perfect detail, and to people like that, I would say buy a gen, as no rep will ever satisfy. Some people (I'd count myself in this group) are only after reasonable accuracy for their own pleasure. For the cost of that Planet Ocean, if it is indeed as it appears in the picture, that would be good enough for me. Indeed, I'll be sure to let people know how I get on, although it might be a while until I have the spare cash to make the purchase.

That's looking excellent. Where was the strap from?

I forgot to say, on the sale where it says 40mm rather than 42mm, I would attribute that to clerical error rather than actual size. Also, with regards the HE placement, don't forget that the bezel is not 'zeroed', and that can 'throw the eye'. If the watch supplied is indeed as pictured, then I would say it was well worth the money, and I plan to get one as soon as possible

On the contrary, my friend, it's more a case that I don't really care. For that kind of price, I would not expect real accuracy of detail, but it is certainly something that would pass inspection from the uneducated masses, and that's good enough for me

I'm constantly on the look out for watches, be it on people on the seat opposite me on the bus/train, or actors in moves/TV. Always good to see who's wearing what watch

I can't vouch for the quality of this dealer as I have never used them myself, but, they have been recommended to me by another member privately, but how does $95 sound? Planet Ocean Personally, for that price, I'm prepared to take the risk of trying a new dealer, I just with I had the spare cash to make the purchase. As you'll see from the link, they've answered all my questions satisfactorily, and very swiftly...

I've had a Daytona since christmas, and, although it hasn't been worn everyday, it is still working as well as the day I got it. It's not a seconds at 6 model, instead, the 6 dial makes a 24 hour sweep. The 3 and 9 dials do move independantly, but I haven't figured out precicely what they measure (haven't monitored it that closely yet) They can also be zeroed with the top and bottom pushers (24 hr @ 6 is a constant with the main hour hand) To be honest, it's not a watch I've worn much because style wise, I prefer 'plain' dials like Subs and SMPs, but, it is a nice watch, and deserves more wrist time than it's received. I got mine from a dealer on LoudFrog for $75. It's nothing special, but there are certainly worse watches out there Best of luck with your purchase

Thanks, I really don't know why I didn't try this combination sooner, as I've had my Daytona since christmas, but I'm really glad I did. It might not be 'Corporate Smart', but I like how it looks, and I think I'll be putting all my Rolexes on straps from now on as they're just so comfy.

I didn't think to do a wrist shot, but, this is what I'm wearing at the moment, and, might well stay that way till my new SMP arrives :biggrin:

You could try ClassicWatchParts, but their prices are not cheap...

I, for one, have certainly been inspired. In the upcoming months (any time between now and the end of the year, I am going to be ordering several Daytonas, as I want the straps for other watch projects, and the Daytonas themselves will be surplus to requirement, so these will be 'up for grabs' at a later date. I might do an auction, a raffle, or maybe even just give them away to anyone interested. I've gained a hell of a lot from this community so far, and when able, I plan on giving something back in return. Congrats to GhostfaceZX, and thansk to Ubi for making the competition available