Sherrington

Don't know what you guys think, but the dial on this 1680 looks like a MBW dial to me. Or is it my old eyes!!! 1680

Wearing the best 5517 on RWG this week, just before I offer it for sale!!!

Look at the state of this!!! Now that's what I call ageing!!!!!!!! Daily Beater

Glad to hear it's not the finished article. Here's a TYPICAL DRSD dial from the hundreds of photos I have (mostly from TZ not Ebay!!!!). This is the look Mickey should be getting.

OK. Thought I would share with you all the best relume that I have ever seen on a MBW dial. I have been modding both my 1680 and 1665 for 9 months now, on and off, but the one thing that really bugged me is you can see the false painted markers on a MBW dial. This is neither accurate or realistic. So off 2 spare dials went to the master of all the dial relumers out there for a make over. I was very specific with my request to The Zigmeister, providing exact photos of what I required. This was basically a relume were the markers were flat rather than domed, and with a realistic gritty old tritium look. When I received them back I was amazed at how perfect the reluming was. The markers were just as I requested and nearly ready to be installed into my 2 watches. What you have to bear in mind is having a dial relumed by hand is not exactly the same as the machine applied markers of the vintage Rollies. If you hold them at a very accute angle you can see slight ripples in the markers caused by the paint drying out as the markers are being relumed. With The Zigmeister's raw talent these are to an absolute minimum (this guy has the steadiest hands there is). However, being a perfectionist, I decided to make a tool to smooth them out and set to work. Here's how it was done:- First making the tool. I took a cocktail stick (no not out of my Martini!!!) and cut the tip off at an angle. Then I cut out a 1mm (yes 1mm!!!) circle of 400 grit wet and dry emery paper and stuck it on the end with superglue. And thus the tool was born:- Next I set to work very carefully sanding down each individual marker to a smooth flatish finish. It took over a hour to get just the perfect finish to each marker that I was looking for. And here's the result. Here's a full dial shot prior to being fitted back into my 1680. Here's the GENUINE photo we were trying to emulate. And here's the relumed MBW from the master The Zigmeister. So you see, there are relumers out there.......and then there is The Zigmeister. I know which one I would use. Oh BTW he also did a MBW 1665 DRSD dial that I refinished as well. Just need to take some photos of the assembled watches, when I have the time.

I have both and love them equally. Although I am in the process of changing my white letter back to a DRSD with a modded dial. Watch this space. Anyhow here's the current versions for now. Oh and a 5517 thrown in for good measure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you want the truth? Looks like the Alps!!!!!!! I hope he is going to rub them down. Here's what a relumed Rollie should look like. This was done by the best in the business (The Zigmeister) and finished off by yours truly. Although The Zigmeister did the hard work. I will post later this week how it was done.

Great job on the CG's. I told you it could be done. Just because RBJ and Palp can't do it doesn't mean it can't be done. Glad you found the advise useful. I would have still used a Dremel though, less painful on the fingers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob. You're a skeptic

If he's got hair then he won't have any Polident, as he should have all his own teeth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No...not really into vintage Roles

Well done mate. Great post. First time for this one I do believe. You could also try watch oilers instead of toothpicks as they come in various sizes.

Well, personally I think it's crap. Only kidding!!!!!!!!!!!Great job Chris, Look forward to the tutorial.

Great refinish Rob. I do love the relume!! As for the CG's here's my modded 1680 ... All my own work too. Just wait till the other little mod, we have recently discussed, is done.

Looks great. Best datewheel for these you can get at the moment.

If you find the concept of buying genuine parts to make our reps look even closer to the originals, then a replica watch site seems a strange place to hang out. Suggest you try Timezone.

Oh. Hey up. We have a smart [censored] newbie who knows everything afetr 3 posts Suggest you read up first on reps before making stupid comments

Don't hold off any longer Bob

That's one fine 1680 Randy. I find the 1680 and the 1665 are my 2 favourite watches and certainly the most accurate. I love mine. Only one more mod to do and that's in the pipeline. Watch this space

Well that's really smart way to F*ck up your watch. Put it up close to a magnet? I would take the back off as well, if I was you, and see if it's still waterproof by throwing it in the nearest pond !!!!!!!

This for me Or maybe this? Or perhaps this? Oh [censored] I wish I had 3 arms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have done exactly the same thing with my 1665 & 1680 bracelets when installing gen springbars. I used a needle rat tailed file to elongate the holes. My set of needle files is CK which you can get anywhere in the UK. I am sure the cousins ones will suffice.

Try this. Watch manufacturers Info

I seem to rotate mine every week for some reason. 1680's turn this week.