jmb Posted April 7, 2010 Report Share Posted April 7, 2010 The title of this thread, where did that come from? Seems I remember if being an ad slogan for the Fiat X1-9 or Triumph TR7, but I digress.... I was fascinated by the really strange looking Datejust with the integrated band JoJo posted so my evil little gears started churning, I ordered a basic plain-Jane silver dialed Datejust, and then the gears went to sleep for a while. Well, last week the gears struggled back to life and I ordered a small spool of 316L welding wire and some heat dam putty. The stuff got here yesterday so today I went out to the shop to play. I'll just toss up a couple pics as a teaser and if the project actually sees completion (and I'm not too ashamed of it) I'll post a how-to as I am taking a few snaps along the way. I have one end about 95% roughed in, just some final shaping and a polish. All of the lathe, mill, and rough filing are done. Although there are still a couple of pits left I'm half tempted to leave 'em (and not risk screwing something up) and call it "aging"! The slot for the band attachment, and lug hole still needs to be done but that is a subject for another day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justasgood Posted April 7, 2010 Report Share Posted April 7, 2010 Dude, You got some mad skilz! Can't wait to watch this one come to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlydog Posted April 7, 2010 Report Share Posted April 7, 2010 Bring it on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowerShot Posted April 7, 2010 Report Share Posted April 7, 2010 A M A Z I N G ! ! ! ! This will be a great project to follow!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted April 7, 2010 Report Share Posted April 7, 2010 Sheeeeiiiit, I was just thinking the other day if you'd be giving the project a go, I can't wait to see how it turns out :tu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 OK, the lug mods are "roughed" in unless I want it to look like an old abused watch then they are almost finished! I think this will have to go back into the box for a while as I have some retention rings, to make, other stuff to mod, real job, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 NICE!! This one has some great potential... Can't wait to see the next steps of progression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 King Midas-ize that sucker, jmb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Nooooo LH, I wanted the stainless version! I've never been much on gold watches and the only "yellow gold" piece of jewelery I have is a simple wedding band... If I get a chance tomorrow I'll file a chamfer on all edges and decide if I should fill any more of the pits or let them go... If I knew the match would be perfect I'd just fill the remaining minor blemishes with silver-solder... I still have to make the conical "chapter ring" and figure out how to get markings on it. For this I will just machine the rehaut straight, machine the ring, and press into the case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Oh, I'm not much of a gold watch guy, either. I just wanted an Elvis-themed Rolex rep. How about a TCB engraving on the caseback? Best of luck on what's looking like a terrific project. I can't wait to see what comes next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastergod Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Thats amazing! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the process Cheers, MG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 LH, you may have something there the TCB logo is kinda cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Cool is that the oyster quartz case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 WAIT. let me get this STRAIGHT. YOU'RE BUILDING YOUR OWN CASES NOW?!?! HAH I LOVE IT!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 OK, the lug mods are "roughed" in unless I want it to look like an old abused watch then they are almost finished! I think this will have to go back into the box for a while as I have some retention rings, to make, other stuff to mod, real job, etc... And I thought I was busy....................................... Looking good my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Andy - I think the 1530 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date may have used the same case, they sure look the same. @high - I wish! It probably would have been easier... This started as a Datejust case and I welded up between the lugs with 316L filler wire and re-machined. Look at picture #2... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Still great work mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 I had a little spare time today so I finished shaping the case, polished the sides a bit, milled slots for the band, and drilled holes for the band pins. Don't really know if I can refer to the holes as "lug holes" on this one! Drilling almost .31", straight, with a .061" bit is an a$$ kicker! One cobalt bit was able to make three clean holes, the 4th started and then the bit started "walking". I immediately stopped and switched bits but that hole is one I/m not very proud of. Here's a nice one: The band doesn't really look correct as the mid-links are too narrow, the links are curved, and the band isn't quite wide enough but for now it will have to do. Maybe tomorrow I'll make some pins for the band and press them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 This is so awesome! Great work jmb!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 That looks fantastic While the bracelet link might not be as wide as the original, I think it looks quite okay I think once it gets finished and polished up, it's going to look really tasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 Thanks for the support on this - one thing for sure is that it will be rather, shall we say, unique! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 Wow, it really looks seamless. Fantastic job! I wish we were neighbors!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 Thanks, chief! It's almost starting to be fun making this thing now that all of the little burns I got (dumba$$ didn't wear his gloves) are healing and don't sting anymore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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