Slartibartfast Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 OK, so having had some success with making a datewheel overlay from a water slide decal, it dawned on me that I could have a go at creating a dial for a couple of empty case sets that I bought from the bay. These cases were sold as Tudor Oyster Prince cases. They are good, but not the genuine article that they were supposed to be. Still they were cheap! I wanted to recreate a Tudor Ranger, and an early Explorer Precision, both of which originals I would love to own. Now this is just a bit of fun you understand, and is no way intended to be a 1:1 replication, but just something I have done for my own satisfaction, taking pictures from the net for reference. Purists look away NOW! Still here? OK then, first things first. I needed to create a dial blank onto which I could apply the dial decal. So I bought a sheet of 0.4mm gauge brass sheet out of which I could cut the blanks. First thing is to mark out the radius of the dial with a compass set. Then I used my 'dremel' to cut out the disk by cutting around the scribed circle in short straight lengths. After cutting out the blank, I needed to grind off the sharp edges to create a smooth, round disk. I needed a dial diameter of 30mm (this being a 'Jumbo' Prince case set), so after checking the final outcome with callipers, was quite pleased! Now, the decal I am using is clear, so to form the white print of the dial, I would need to create a template that used black ink for the black parts of the dial, but clear for the white printing. So, I needed to paint the dial blank white, so that the clear decal areas would show through white, giving a painted appearance. Next job was to create the dial 'model' in AutoCAD. This picture shows the Explorer 1 I have 'created', but the same process was used to 'create' the Ranger. Now print this using a 600dpi laserjet onto the decal sheet. I tried many variations to get the dial to print correctly, and by trial and error, got it to be as good as possible (giving the limited tools available). When the decals are printed, it is simply a case of cutting them out and, using a cup of water, wetting them so that they can slide onto your dial blank. This is very satisfying, as you suddenly end up with a recognisable dial. Now I needed to apply a bit of lume for that authentic look, so used Revell Night Color with a touch of cream acrylic paint to get the right tone. The finish of the laser print decal is not that even as it stands, so I needed to apply a layer or two of acrylic spray matt varnish to get a more even finish after luming. This worked quite well, IMO! After a good period of time to allow the paint to dry, it was time to build the unit. I decided I needed to have a go at the Ranger first. I had a spare ETA2836-2 sitting around, so ordered a set of Ranger 1 hands from Singapore. I had a Rolex crown handy too, so that was pressed into action. By the way, before I get asked, I recreated a 'white' Ranger, as my research has told me that all the 'red' Rangers are fake. Wouldn't want to 'fake a fake' now would I! After throwing it all together this was the result! The sharp eyed will notice some small differences between the dial photos, as I have progressed the artwork as the project moved on. Between first prototype and final product, I have printed, applied, lumed and subsequenntly rejected at least a dozen dials until I was satisfied with the result. Actually I am quite pleased, and can't keep it off my wrist. Can't wait to get the Explorer together! If you got this far....then thanks for reading. Hope to have amused you. Slarti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Damn Impressive! Keep up the great work of ART! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HaloArchive Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Wow, that is truly impressive! Great Work! You should sell custom dials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neuuubeh Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Awsome work!! Thanks for sharing, I was thinking of trying something out myself. Now that the road is paved... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Wow that is such incredible dedication to such an addictive hobby! Thank you very much for sharing that with us and job well done! Looking forward to the next set of pics with the Explorer!! Bravo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyberetta Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 That is some great work my friend! I think adding the lume is what really made them look sweet! Maybe a little side business you might want to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Looking forward to the next set of pics with the Explorer!! Bravo! Will post as soon as ready. Dial is finished and all ready to go. Downside is that I only have an Asian 21J to fit it to. Looking for an ETA powered no-name on the bay to rip the movement from. You never know! Cheers now! Slarti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWR Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Will post as soon as ready. Dial is finished and all ready to go. Downside is that I only have an Asian 21J to fit it to. Looking for an ETA powered no-name on the bay to rip the movement from. You never know! Cheers now! Slarti I have an ETA 2836 no-date from an explorer I if you are interested... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexman Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Sweeeeeeeeet Looks mighty fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Nice work, Slarti! Very creative! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 That is some creative stuff SB...love to see a close-up of the dial. Looking forward to seeing the Explorer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Simply amazing Fantastic Result never thought of reproducing Dials I'm really impressed Congrats looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbchubb Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Very creative thinking..... like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 That is some creative stuff SB...love to see a close-up of the dial. Looking forward to seeing the Explorer It's good to get such positive feedback! Thanks chaps! I will post some closer shots of the dials when I take the shots of the Explorer. Although, that may ruin the illusion! Still; in for a penny.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Very interesting... Very! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcoast68 Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 This is just awesome!! Great result too, like I always said, AutoCAD people rock . Just you try to get this kind of fun information on a gen forum, it doesn't happen!! Be sure to post pics of the Explorer I when its done. Congrats!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavidoc Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 beautiful. Would love to know what type of decal paper you use and where it can be purchased. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 beautiful. Would love to know what type of decal paper you use and where it can be purchased. Thanks Just did a search on water slide decal paper on ebay, and took a chance. It was unbranded, but works a treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Oh man, that is SWEEEEET If I was able to come up with a decent design for a Tudor dial, might you be able to print one up, and if so, how much would you want for the dial? I'm really keen to build a Tudor watch, but just don't have the kind of cash for an NOS dial, and something like what you've done, would be absolutely ideal for what I had in mind As you say, maybe not great for a perfectionist, but for someone just after a fun watch, I think you could really be onto something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krpster Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Truly amazing! Well done. Now my gears are really turning!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 so cool ! congrats -better than the fake dials on ebay cheers, Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 That's pretty nifty, SB. The lume job looks pretty damn good. Heck, the whole process is fantastic- way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charmquark Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Really Impressive and a nice watch at the end of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 so cool ! congrats -better than the fake dials on ebay cheers, Frank That's pretty nifty, SB. The lume job looks pretty damn good. Heck, the whole process is fantastic- way to go! Really Impressive and a nice watch at the end of it. Thanks for all the kind words, guys. Time to get that Explorer bolted together. Now where's my toolkit...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Really nice work my friend! I never thought it will be possible to do something like that! I've made the same datewheels as you did - flat-top - but I noticed that all flat-top's are silver...so my project fells thru, because for a silver sunbrushed datewheel it needs more than a good printer... But now after your post I think some doors are opened which we never thought they will, and there will come some exclusive reps on daylight...just can't wait to see them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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