Guest avitt Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 When the IWC Portuguese FA Jones Edition replica came out a few years ago, I was really eager to try one. I admired the Jones' large, simple styling, and thought that it would be nearly ideal for replication. But try as I did, I could never appreciate the rep. It just felt too light, and unworthy of the original. And it didn't help that the only model that I liked used a cheap, crappy set of painted blue hands. I tried three different reps, and all of them had hands with flakes or chips in the paint... After trying unsuccessfully to locate a proper set of blued steel hands, I threw my two remaining reps into a box, and starting looking at alternatives. It wasn't until recently when I found a dial which would fit the larger-than-normal size of the Jones case. This was an unusual dial, from a Hamilton pocket watch...Unusual, because it was made for the 6498 movement! Using my oldest Jones case set (with a sapphire crystal) and scraping together the remaining bits from eBay, this is what I ended up with: Now, I understand that this watch is not for everyone (in fact, I don't even think it's for me). But it has a nice, solid feel, and I like to look at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 You don't stop amazing avitt !!.. I guess we just come to expect the best from you anyway you slice it. !! Most impressive !!.. it brings out the dial 10 fold !! AC Lani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Thanks Lani! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky driver Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 wow cool watch...i would love to see a wrist shot if you have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 That is really cool Avitt - Love the dial Wonder what a DLC'd case would look like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 That is absolutely amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 This shows a lot of thoughtful insight on the part of Avitt. To collect pieces and put them together into a handsome, WORKING timepiece is a talent I'd very much like to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Not my style either, but I have to admit that it looks like it left a gen factory that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kronos twin Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 what an amazing timepiece. I'm truly impressed. This is fine workmanship. Well done! Can you share with us the measurements for the pocket watch movement. Is it the same size as a conventional 6498? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kronos twin Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 never mind. I'm an idiot. The dial came from the pocket watch, not the movement. I thought both did. errrr.... Nothing to see here, carry on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmarshal Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 The styling on that dial is fantastic. Great dress watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 I'm actually rather fond of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 I think it looks great. It really does look like it left the factory (or studio!) this way. Well done. How do you determine ahead of time which watches will fit which movements? Is there a reference that indicates which pocket watches from which era might be sized for a 6498, or do you have to do this on speculation (buying the pocket watch because it looks about right, cracking it open and taking a chance??). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Love that dial mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kronos twin Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 I would echo what Toad asked. Also, what is the largest dial size one can use in an FA Jones case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Me likey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I think it looks great. It really does look like it left the factory (or studio!) this way. Well done. How do you determine ahead of time which watches will fit which movements? Is there a reference that indicates which pocket watches from which era might be sized for a 6498, or do you have to do this on speculation (buying the pocket watch because it looks about right, cracking it open and taking a chance??). Toad, the easiest thing to do is to stick with the movement for which the case was designed. The FA Jones rep used a 6498, so my real task was to find a 6498 dial which fit the opening of the case. With regard to the dial diameter - again, it's easiest to try to match what was originally in the watch. I simply measured the diameter of the Jones rep dial. This gave me the ideal measurement...To find the range of acceptable dial diameters, I used calipers to measure the opening. Then it was just a matter of searching eBay for a proper dial (using the terms "dial" and "6498"). I was trying to match the style of the Jones, so I looked for a white, porcelain pocket watch dial. But most of these are made for 16 size movements... Then I came across this one: made for the 6498, and the perfect diameter! To confirm that this was the "right" dial, I printed out a picture to scale, cut it out, and tried it for appearance: The last task was picking the hands. With this dial, the choice seemed obvious: antique style, white. Roland Kemmner had just what I needed... Building a custom piece is not so difficult at all! You have to give it a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickdick Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 Jawdropping! Like it was ment to be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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