jelliottz

I know not everyone likes being talked out of their goal, but I too went down this rabbit hole of once wanting to build a super Franken 6538, and I gave up before even starting. It wasn't impossible, but feel I used my better judgement and went away from it.

As an alternative, might I suggest a Titus Calypsomatic. They start cheaper and Max out in the price range of building a 6538, have very similar characteristics, share the 37mm x 47mm dimensions, many have true negative relief dials, big crowns, and they have easy to service ETA 2472s inside.

Here's the one I wear regularly. It's a parts watch I built from what I acquired over time. Dial, case, movement, crystal are original. Bezel is period correct. Hands/crown are replacements.


And here's a couple 100% genuine ones I restored.


Not a bad profile.


It's just a thought, but its a fun way to have a truly vintage piece without most of the headache that the 6538 brings. My hat is off to all the guys who've built themselves a super-franken 6538/5510 or one of the small crown Frankens. You guys are on a whole other level.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 
Damn, very very nice. Where did you find that dial?

Hey! I know that watch!

The crystal actually needed quite a bit of sanding for 2 reasons. 1) the black finish added thickness to the inside diameter of the bezel. 2) I had to be able to press it on with hands only. I was worried about using a press and scratching the finish.

Great build. The 36mm size really works well for the blackout look. It's very understated Iin size, but it has some serious wrist presence.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not mine, but I wish it was. Only with me for the new hands and pearl.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Workbench has been well populated lately. The 7016 only needs a tube to be completed.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wish this was mine, but I know the owner doesn't mind me sharing it.

And here's a few more with my 1963 Titus Calypsomatic big crown.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

1970 Omega Geneve 166.054



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow that looks fantastic!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yema, the French watch brand, used 19mm fast shoulderless bars on their Superman divers. The bars exist, but they're not common.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Here's one for comparison.
 

It was the "special guest" at a RedBar event I was supposed to attend but wasn't able to make it. A friend sent me a picture raving about how I missed it. This was the only picture he sent me, but it immediately didn't look right to me. Spending too much time here and researching pictures, I guess.

My gut was right.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

What do you think RWG? Is this a genuine 6536? Says it's pre-1959. Something doesn't feel right to me. All service dial/hands/insert? Aftermarket?

What are your thoughts?

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Pictures always help.


Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Hi guys, how is this? A prototype dial for my custom watch.

using a method I invented myself and unfortunately must keep private. 

Nice to see you bringing your dial over here. Glad it's going well.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

@DVNE, I don't think the original is "flawed", do you? :

Is this limited to a small run of PCG 5512s? Just the explorer dials?

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Do you have any pictures of the watch in pieces? I'm going to be taking one apart shortly. Would love to see everything before having at it. Thanks!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Didn't try to double layer my decals.

At what DPI did you print?

You guys, these dials are looking amazing! This is so cool. What items do I need to buy in order to try this myself? Ink jet printer, the decals, blank dial plates, lume powder? When I get to stage where I want to try it myself, can I PM or email you guys and ask for help and for your dial image files?

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Absolutely.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

First attempt at home made gilt dial on brass plate

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great first attempt. I double layer my decals. It helps to clean up the lines on the text and prevent any brass from showing through. It does make the dial thicker though. I usually remove the date wheel and dial spacer to balance it out.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Looking great!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Patiently hunt ebay or snag some TC hands and relume them.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Gen crystal arrived today. The t22 was a Super easy install on my case. No modification needed. Clarity is amazing.

Nice shape too.

Sorry for the harsh kitchen lighting.

My gen crown should arrive any day. It should have been here today, but USPS cropped the bed... Actually I blame the seller. If you're going to charge $8 for shipping domestically, you'd better ship priority. Instead the guy pocketed more than the $2 he was already set to. Boo...

Once the crown arrives, my current build will be as follows:

Tonnywatches refinished gen dial

JMB v2 case set with custom engravings and reshaped case back

Gen t22 crystal

Gen 6mm crown

Mix of hands relumed to match

Seiko 7s26 movement.

Not too shabby, but way more money than I originally intended to spend. It adds up fast. Almost $900 with me handling all the building. Still, it's a nice Franken.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Hour and minute hands fit really well. I had to pick the seconds hand for it to fit.

There are variations on canon pinion height with different movements. Mine is low. But it still clears the dial. I higher one would obviously be the better choice.

It has been worn every day since being built. I just ordered some more genuine parts. A gen t22 and 6mm crown are inbound.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Thanks for the insight. I should know in a couple days.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

It looks fantastic! Well done. Your first effort is way better than mine was. My first dial corroded underneath the decal within 24 hours. Practice only makes them better. You will refine your process until it becomes second nature.

Again. Great work!!!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Congratulations on the nice work.

That Seiko movement is really interesting. I have a Seiko 5 with that movement and the power reserve is incredible. Movement has great reputation for being very rugged and if something happens ... well a on of Seiko watches for around 100$ (new) to just swap the movements...

How tight do the hands snap on the cannon pinions (hour, minute, seconds)? Cannon pinion height might be a bit close to the dial, judging from the photos ... but on my Seiko 5 the height is comparable to H4 on an Eta, so there might be some factory variations.

Love the way it worked out.

 

Wear and enjoy it as often as you can in good health

Hour and minute hands fit really well. I had to pick the seconds hand for it to fit.

There are variations on canon pinion height with different movements. Mine is low. But it still clears the dial. I higher one would obviously be the better choice.

It has been worn every day since being built. I just ordered some more genuine parts. A gen t22 and 6mm crown are inbound.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

2824, 2783, 2784, or if you want an 18k vph movement Felsa 4XXX or ETA 2451...  I'm sure there are others too.

 

DISCLAIMER - The Felsa and ETA 2451 require a little "determination" to fit...

Don't forget the Seiko 7s26. ;-)

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yes. Prices seem right.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk