jmb Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Hopefully this is an easy question - Did the "No Date" Submariner always come with lug holes and if not when was the transition to a case style without holes. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Modern is not really my thing, but I believe they still have lug holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Well, I guess I better figure out how to drill me some, then. :-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosnik Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Rosnik, That's one of the new "Z" serials? Looks very nice. I guess I'm going to have to figure out how to correctly locate and finish drilling the lug holes so mine won't immediately look phoney. This will be a chore... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 If I am not mistaken, 1 or more of the pinned items in the Watch Repair & Modifications forum contains instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Freddy, I've looked at them but I think they are for "re-drilling" existing holes but I'll look again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 You may be right. A year or 2 ago, I posted a tutorial on creating a working He valve in an MBW case (required drilling holes through the side of the case), which may be helpful if you can locate it via the search. I think it was for my 5514 Comex Sub, so you might try searching some of those terms in the Rolex forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosnik Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 To drill Gen pringbarr holes, without little holes, you have to find one watchsmith that is able and that got the right machinery to do the work for you. I got one but it's UE located. See the work done on WM9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 I plan on doing it in my milling machine as soon as I decide the best way to accurately locate the holes. I will spotface where I need to drill with a 1/16" carbide endmill, center drill, then drill the thru-hole. This process will need to be done once per end as once there is a thru-hole in one lug it will be as simple as drilling all the way through the other lug. The drilling is easy, the locating is the bugger-bear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosnik Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yes, the problem is were to get the holes to center SEL. Remember please to enlarge SEL holes for GEN springbars too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 (edited) Yeah, I can make the holes whatever size I want! :-) And, although it may be considered cheating by some, I can always just locate and drill a shallow hole in each lug and epoxy in a nub of pin just so when examined the watch will at least "look" correct. But, I really rather prefer to locate and drill properly if humanly possible. I've often wondered why watchmakers didn't actually tap these holes and secure the band with two "set screws" instead of a flimsy spring-loaded pin. I may have to do that on one someday, really would be pretty easy to drill and tap the holes. I could then take a stainless steel set screw, chuck it in lathe, and turn down the end of it to the proper "pin" diameter. I'm starting to get excited about this idea, time to order me another $40 Sub and get drilling!!! :-D I looked at your project sub and it IS superb! Mine will not be nearly so nice but hopefully will look OK... Edited October 2, 2009 by jmb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosnik Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 For practice. The cheaper REPs are easy to drill, due the pour and cheap steel used. WM9 steel is really hard.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 That's what carbide endmills and cobalt drills are for! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 OK, I have "sacrificed" one of my rare $40 Submariners to practice locating and drilling lug holes. I think it went fairly well, I did get one hol a few thousandths off but I don't think it'll really be noticeable when worn. I now need different springbars! Can anybody point me in an inexpensive direction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vortx Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 i ordered mine for 4 usd at yukiwatch.com shipping inclus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Thanks, vortx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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