manodeoro

Thanks. I'll first try to find a pdf file but if I cant I'll probably order it.

Would say it depends on the light. Lume looks more "orange" on the wrist pic. Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

Sorry for the noob question but wath is the document (book ?) behind your watch ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

It looks very similar to the BP 16610 I used for my 16800 Comex build. I paid 124$ only but it's definitely not genuine construction , though very lookalike IMHO (will show that 16800 soon). It's been a real PITA to drill the lugs and rework the case so for my next build I'll probably use the 16610 LN from JF ... if it proves to be more genuine construction and accept Gen parts.

Wonderfull job ! I love those chamfers Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

2 mandatory conditions if you want to keep your SELs bracelet : 1 - the holes you'll drill on the lugs must be perfectly centered with the existing holes 2 - you must enlarge the SELs holes up to 2.1 mm If I were you the first thing I would do is to order nice 2mm bars so you can check if you have to drill the lugs 1.25 or 1.2 mm (some 2mm bars have thinner spring parts). Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

May I hask you how much you paid for that 16610 ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

BP has a 16610 (I bought one a few months ago) and JF has a new 16610LV and will soon sell a 16610LN. From which seller did you bought your LE 26610 ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

Never heard of LE Factory. Noob, BP, JF ... but never LE Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

Definitely a "strange" early 16610 but whit some DIY mods it could be a nice daily beater. Is your bracelet a 93250 ? If YES you could drill the lugs and SELs so that they accept 2mm bars ... you can do that with a 1mm diamond file. But the first thing I would do, if I where you, is to check if the bezel can be easily removed. If YES you can easily rework the case and crownguards. Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

It is "something else" [emoji23] But, as I wrote in your thread, I'd really like to see better pics. Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk "le factory" ? What is your crystal size ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

This one is very nice ... and MUCH better than your "1680" [emoji6] Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

Strange watch ... some sort of mixed up : - drilled lugs like an early 16610 - 93250 SELs bracelet late 16610 - stubby crown guards and maxi dial like a late 116610 Would you post some better pics of the dial and case ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

Nicely done ... though "butchered" is almost an euphemism there. I'll add just one comment : "Next time you dive 2000ft down you'd better keep your watch INSIDE the u-boat" [emoji23] Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

The dial is designed with Illustrator then printed on white decal paper, put on the dial plate then 5 coats of varnish. I first tried to keep the original dial and put the COMEX and SWISS-TSo I modded the whole dial. I will show all the process in a specific thread went RWI is really back. Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

My 16800 build is a low budget (I'm not Norwegian and I dont work in oil & gas) so I'm trying not to be anal about details. I just bought a BP 16610 Sub and mod it myself to a "year 1984" 16800 COMEX : 1 - mod the dial to a COMEX one (remove the indexes, DIY decal, put the indexes back ... it turned to be an easy mod) 2 - drill the lugs for 2mm bars (most difficult part of the job ... almost ruined the case) 3 - drill a 93150 bracelet and 380 endlinks to accept 2mm bars 4 - rework the lugs to a thinner profile and redo the chamfers (work in progress) 5 - remove the engravings on the rehaut (just kept the serial number) 5 - engrave the caseback (diver's number will be 193 ... my son's size in centimeters) 6 - build a vintage service box I'll add a vintage leather strap from cheapnatostraps (I already made some myself but I'm short in time so I jsut bought one) with a rolex buckle (brushed with a polish coronet), put everything in the DIY service box and give it to my son next sunday ... if everything goes well. Here's a pic of the dial and one of the "service box) I'm definitely NOT Norwegian ... just French. My son studied instrument engineering in France (INSA) then oil & gas engineering in GB during 6 months. He needed an internship for his 5th academic year so he sent a resume to Aker Solutions in Oslo and got a 6 months job as an engineering assistant ... and they never let him leave. He lives there since 9 years now and since 2 years I have a Norwegian grandson BTW ... considering what he's earning there I'm not certain you would get a huge pay cut if you get a job in Norway. Norway and oil & gas jobs make everybody dream ... That's why my youngster son did quite the same studies and works as an instrument & control engineer for a small consultancy company. He's based in France so he earns much less money than his elder brother but he does a lot of consultancy missions abroad (only 26 and he's already worked in Norway, Singapore and Russia) so he really enjoys his work ... and he still hopes to get a permanent job in big oil & gas company.

Very great thread @altesporsche ... thank you VERY MUCH Though I dont have any ceramic bezel (I'm stucked on vintage and "early modern" watches so only metal inserts) I really appreciate the informations you provide here. Sharing experience is a great and very honorable behaviour. So it seems you work in subsea engineering ... oil & gas or else ? If YES you could be interested by the 16800 COMEX I'm building for my elder son (oil & gas instrument engineer in Norway) ... I'll create of thread about that build as soon it's finished, possibly next week.

Thanks for the pics and the feedback. I feared the design could be too crispy for a vintage dial so I'm really glad the dial turned out that nice. Look forward to see how it will look when a little aged.

+100 ... dont even need to build a real franken Here's a 76K$ 16800 COMEX sub ... not sure anyone would feel comfortable wearing such a watch and here is what you can get with 16610 dial and some skills ... just put it in a modded 16610 case with drilled lugs and 93150 bracelet ... enjoy

Now you HAVE to post pictures !!! Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

I'm afraid so. Didnt you checked the dial seat BEFORE selecting your dial ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

A lathe !!! So you're heavily equipped [emoji6] I too really hope your dial come out as well as possible With the work you're doing that A/6538 will be a very stunning and unique piece so I judt cant wait to see it finished. Which movement are you planning to use ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

OMG ... I'm definitely following your thread. Hope you'll take pictures while welding the bars. What is the tool (machine?) on your first pic ? Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk

Here is what I would buy, if it proves to be possible to drill lugs with Dremel : - Dremel 3000 : 70$ (pic) or a "Rep" one (50$) - 43 mm adapter for Dremel : 15$ (pic) - 43 mm precision drillpress : 70$ (pic) - 43 mm stand : 15$ (pic) - drill bits and accessories : 30/80 $ So for about 180/250 $ I could get tools good enough to do all the work on my own builds (I will not mod for other members ... just my own watches). What do you think about that ??? DREMEL [url=http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=589536i608935.jpg][/url] 43 mm ADAPTER [url=http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=235120mbI9KX1oFqVCtbNZLxpAm7w.jpg][/url] PRECISION DRILLPRESS [url=http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=6982085027000FS15.jpg][/url] 43 mm STAND [url=http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=9134111supportdemachines4800000L1561844914141.jpg][/url]

At least could you just tell me : 1 - have you drilled lugs (non predrilled) with a Dremel ?.. YES/NO 2 - if "yes" then did it worked well ?.. YES/NO Those YES and/or NO wont be much time consuming but very much helpfull for me cause I'm in the process of picking the "right" tools to mod my watches (now I do most of the job with files, sandpaper and my hands). Envoyé de mon XT1068 en utilisant Tapatalk