JSebWC

I think this project is dead in the water unless I step it up a notch.

 

Yuki doesn't offer hand sets for eta or dg movements  only gen movements...as the dial is set up for gen 1570/1520/1530/1560 movements.

 

Raffles doesn't have hand sets for 1019...only 6541   I swore I saw them there but I was mistaken.

 

So I would need to find a gen movement to make this work...$1500.00  later....

 

*SIGH*

 

 

So I think this project is dead in the water.

Yuki only had handsets for Gen 1570/1520/1530/1560 movements.

 

Raffles only has handsets for 6541    I thought I saw 1019 hands but I was mistaken.

 

So in order to complete this I would need to step up to a gen movement and still managed to somehow cram that dial into my case.

 

Gen movements $1500 +  

 

*Sigh*

 

suggestions anyone?

 

 

Yes. !!. Is the paper gen or did you print a copy and age. Looks great


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1 hour ago, manodeoro said:

It's not only about the chapter ring.
The "TSwissT" @6 could be hiden and that would really be a pity.

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It would be a shame ...but if only loose the TswissT and not destroy the dial before I can fit it into the case it will be an achievement and the swiss sacrifice will be worth it  

10 hours ago, JoeyB said:

First, what is the diameter of the dial that came with your 1655? Does it fit the case with no 'wiggle-room' at all? You might have some flexibility as 1mm isn't much room. 

 

I have reduced the diameter on dials, and made dials round from flat stock, by using a bamboo shish-ka-bob skewer as an 'axle' in the center hole, and lightly touching it, making the dial spin on the axle, to a bench grinder.

caution: Using metal as an axle will ruin the dial by enlarging the center hole while spinning!  

A toothpick isn't strong enough and will break. The bamboo is strong enough. Afterward you can use that bamboo stick to apply lume. 

 

Holding the axle and using my thumbs on each side to steady the dial, I touch the dial edge to the bench grinder slightly. The dial will spin on the axle, and grind a tad, then stop and fit to the case.  It usually takes a few times as you don't want to take too much or overheat the paint on the dial. If you have a spare dial you can practice. 

 

 

 

The diameter is 27.5

the inside diameter of the case under the rehault is 28.0 

 

Thanks for specifying the metal axel on the dial  I was thinking of trying to mount it a dremel cut off bit shaft and spin it against sand paper.... this seemed somewhat controlled to me.  perhaps I can mount the bamboo into the dremel and then use some rodico on the end to prevent the dial from flying off into no mans land....

 

 I like your idea but I would be afraid of making contact with the dial and having the applied markers  break off...and the heat effecting the finish is also a consideration.  

 

both ways sound like a quick way to flush 135 bucks to me...hahah I should order a few me thinks , along with hand sets and I know my chances of butchering the seconds hand is pretty good too :/

 

Thanks for the suggestions...if anyone would care to volunteer to perform this machining I would be happy to compensate them for their time and of course a bonus for not destroying the dial hahah

 

6 hours ago, Sogeha said:

The big fear with reducing dial size is paint flaking. There are some threads. I believe members have had success by protecting the dial face and mounting the dial on a spindle such as a dremel, then holding sanding paper to the spinning dial. Slow, patient and very careful I would think. As I mentioned, ensure the chapter ring will not be hidden first. Do your research, take a brave pill, then go for it. 

 

 

yup thats what I was thinking.....yeah slow and steady is the pace for sure....lots of measuring and patience!!  brave pill  ha  I was thinking big boy pants!  haha

 

I will search around for threads...

 

 

 

24 minutes ago, jigelow said:

Could you tape off the dial to prevent flaking? Painter tape maybe since it's not a strong adhesive? I suppose it depends on the level of finish the dial resides in during the work. 

 

yes  but the dial in question has applied markers and cornet and would be concerned about these braking off, while spinning or on removing the tape.

 

yes I would be concerned that the tape may pull the finish from the dial as well... who knows what their finish process is.   their meant to look pretty  not be handled excessively and have adhesives applied to them    

I can't help you on that. See how you go, worst case, we have some talented guys who may be able to help you by opening up the dial opening a bit. You are needing 0.6mm. Another option is to look at how the minute track sits, maybe you can reduce the size of the dial slightly and not end up with the minute track partially hidden.

Yeah. I think reducing the dial diameter is probably the easier of the two. Although I am not sure how to go about this without completely buggering up the dial




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What did you use to sand off the Cyclops. I assume the Cyclops was plexi but is the actual crystal plexi as well or is is sapphire.

Also I used helenarou for a custom Explorer dial and she did have a couple options on diameters. I would hit her up to see if she can get you one in the size you are looking for. Hers are ETA feet also.

I used a dremel with a sanding drum to deduct the height of the cyclops. Once it was down I used sand paper. 180. Dry and Wet sanded with 400 800 and 1000. Then Poly watch.

Thanks for the tip. I will try contacting her to see if she can provide any help with a dial

And here I thought this was the easier of the two builds.


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Thanks. I appreciate it. I am happy with the progress but am bummed cause it may crash and burn on the dial situation unless I can figure out a solution. Even the gen dials are 29.08 mm. I guess the case has a larger interior to make room for the faraday cage. One thing I overlooked.


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I am starting to feel like I'm talking to myself in here.

Anyway. Sanded the cyclops off the xtal. Still needs a bit more sanding and polish to clear it up. But so far. Pretty good for a first attempt.




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Update:

 

I hit a snag...

 

was about to hit buy on the Yuki Dial but thought I would measure the case and dial to make sure it fits.  and it looks like the yuki dial is too big.

on their site it states 29.2   , on the cartel case under the rehault where the dial would fit I got 28.0mm     Is Yuki pretty accurate on his dial sizes ,  is this a typeo on his site?  or am I Fuked??

 

It looks like there is room to shave .5mm off the edge but I dunno if I have the finesse to do this.   Help....

 

 

 

deciding on movements.....eta 2836 clone or dg 2013 ?

 

 

I can get hands for either from Raffles and maybe yuki has some he can include.  I heard that if you ask for hands to suit your movement, he can generally accommodate your build.  

 

 

Ah, yes! Now I remember- the T-38 is the non-cyclops version of the C-116! I have a little cheat sheet of the various crystals and their non-cyclops counterparts- will have to add this to the list.
 
Where are you planning to get the dial from? I just found a couple at Yukiwatch- with the hands, but the hands fit a 1530 etc. movement. That 29.2mm dial might not fit in your 1655 case.

I heard that Yuki carries hands did eta movements You have to ask /specify when your order. I plan on using one of his dials with an ETA movement.

If not I think raffles has hand sets for the 1019. I know I've seen them around.

Today is parts parts order day.

Also going to attempt shaving the cyclops on the xtal

Casework complete. On folder oyster.


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Update
While waiting to hear back from various sources on bezel options I figured I would try sanding and polishing to stock 1655 bezel that came on the case. Didn't take as long as I expected.

Started off with a file and the sandpaper varieties. Then moves to the polish. Green white and red rouges.





I am quite impressed on how it came out. It's coming together. I may go back and give the case a bit more polish work to balance it out.

Gary Clark got back to me on crystalS. I need a 25-38 tropic. He is working on them It will be a bit before he has these for sale so it looks like I will be sanding cyclops.
Next is to order parts!!

2 minutes ago, Mr Seamaster said:

Holy moly that looks awesome so far!

Bezel is yuki?
Subscribed!


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Bezel assembly is from ND Trading.   

6542??



This excites me !!!


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6 hours ago, manodeoro said:

True !!!
I tried for weeks to print at 6000 dpi and/or higher def without being able to avoid puddles ... then I tried 4500/5000 dpi and everything was OK
I should have asked you some advice sooner.
BTW ... the idea of building and albino is slowly settling in my mind, so I will probably ask you some tips and tricks if you dont mind

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I have considered dial printing and by the talk in this thread by a number of people  I think more people are interested in this going the direction of the 6542?   I am not sure I am up for attempting to print and lume dials but if someone was to possibly make an extra one or two 6542 dials,  I would gladly pay them for their time and materials!!

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Sogeha said:

"It is a 40+ year old with an interesting history" I love that ? Actually while I would obviously avoid an over polished gen, I think it can look great and very convincing on a rep.

 

Guys here share information very freely, you have already discovered @JoeyB is a diamond. Search out @Bart Cordell threads on dial printing. I'm sure he would be delighted to be asked about printing. As the proud owner of one of his dials, I can tell you they are superb.

 

 

Yes , as would I.   So the story goes,   The original owner  of this watch was involved in an accident riding his motorcycle and the watch case, crown and crystal were heavily damaged in the accident when it broke from his wrist and was later found on the highway, face down and by one of the response workers.   It was given to his wife when she arrived at the hospital after hearing about her husband in ICU.   Long story short, The owner survived and lived to ride another day and his wife took in the watch to have it fixed and surprised him with it when he got home from the hospital.  he thought he had lost it but she had it fixed.   The marks that were left in it were reminders that day and how precious life is........or something like that.   I should realy consider writing Drama novels  lol

 

 Anybody have any suggestions on buying an off the shelf Bezel that could work for this ?
 

 

 

Day two update:

Continued shaving the cg. I used the old 1655 bezel as a guide and got it pretty close. It's not perfect or pretty but it is a 40+ year old with an interesting history. . I got a bit carried Away and sanded down The lugs on the crown side a bit too much. I may at a later date go back and shave down the other side to balance out the case and bring it back closer to uniform





I think I am happy with the level of finishing on the case Grinding wheel. Drum sander. 180 , 400. , 600 , 1000 grit and then polishing wheel. I left some of the grind marks in the case as I didn't want to take the case down even more on the one side

Reinstalled the crown tube.


Also tried sanding off the cyclops and That will take a lot of patience and Finesse

Got home and tried the crown and it threaded on. Happy to find out that I didn't butcher the tube Success!!



Next up. The. Bezel. The WSO. Exp 39 bezel is designed for a flat sapphire xtal and and gasket. Anyone think that I can mod it to fit a domed acrylic ?

Gonna order parts and a movement next. Fun stuff. !!




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The first issue I see is finding a plastic crystal without a cyclops. This watch case takes the C-116 crystal and I don't know what a similar crystal without a cyclops would be. But if you find a crystal that fits the case tightly, you could have jmb turn a bezel for you that would fit. Buying a good set of calipers will help you thru this process.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I assumed that a no date sub xtal would work. If not. I have a few xtal a here that I can try removing the cyclops from and then polish.

 

I have callipers and an assortment of tools. Just working on the skills now.

 

I talked to JMB About this build a bit also. But he was not not built one to date. I think that the wso bezel could work. With some mods. I als thought about sanding down the 1655 bezel. Past the engraving and then polish. That would be a lot of work and sanding. Lol

 

Maybe[mention=24124]jmb[/mention] will chime in and provide some info on bezel options?

 

 

 

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I think this build is gonna go in the direction of a Milgauss 1019

WSO just got back to me about his smooth bezel for the 39 mm explorer. The cartel 1655 bezel if is 31.1 and THE WSO bezel is 30.6 Id. So a bit of sanding drum work and I should manage to get it to fit. Anyone have experience with a 39 mm explorer 1. It probably has a flat glass and I need a domed acrylic for the 1019 so will this not work out??




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And so it begins.....my first build.

 

I started off with a cartel 1655.   The movement bit the dust on me so I figured this is my chance to try my hand at modding.  This tread will be the timeline .

 

What am I building?  good question.   I so very badly have two watches that I want to build.   A GMT Master 6542 and a Milgauss 1019.  Both of which are NLA from the TD's so if you want one you gotta build it yourself.  and from what I have read, neither are very good examples of the models so alot of modding would be needed to make either of them half decent .

 

Pics for Reference..cause everyone loves pics of watches....if you dont, what the hell ya doing here?? lol

 

After a few convos with @JoeyB  I picked his brain and he was very kind to share his knowledge and experience in the 6542 build.  Finding a reasonable priced Dial atm is difficult  so this is why I am leaning towards the 1019 currently.  the challange with the 1019 build is finding a smooth bezel to fit the cartel case.

 

Either Way the case needs some work so I started on that and if I dont completely mess it up, I will then decide and order parts....

 

So I am stripped down the 1655  to bear bones.

 

Drilled out the lugs.   Broke a bit...but managed to get it out, save the case and get the rest of the lugs done.   Not too bad...sorry no pics.

 

 

 

Tonight I started on the lugs. Getting the crown tube out was a bit of a challenge as it was locktite into the case so it took some force but managed to get it out and managed not to destroy it.

Next we're the lugs. A steady hand and a Dremel with first a grinding stone and then sanding drum to clean up the marks left by the stone.



Looking at the pics and comparing them to the gens. I still have a bit more to go to make the case smooth for the crown. It's been a long day and I was getting hungry so I called it.

Feedback , suggestions and comments welcome. I'm here to learn

Thanks for looking.




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wow great piece and to have a complete set like you have makes it feel more gen!

great work, wear it well

AHhhhhh   so this is who DLF's 6542 went to!!   I almost had that watch!!   It looks great in your collection!!

 

Fantastic photos!!   that Macro lens is awesome!!  

 

Enjoy them!!

 

 

I also would be interested in a few sets of 20 mm spring bars  

 

great find..I see they also sell ETA movements 

Nicely done.


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Great results. The swap for the thinner hands makes a difference. Subtle. But quite obvious when you compare them. Well done


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Nicely done


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Bump. Anybody ?


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Hey Guys,

 

Looking for the Correct Flat 4 Bezel for my 1655 

Yuki has one but its not quite the one I am looking for. Its the small bold font.

I am looking for the thin wide font like the one shown.

checked ebay   and one guy is selling them for $350.00   was looking for more in the 150-200 range.

Are there any other options out there?

TIA

JSeb