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The Shape of Things to Come - 1530


jmb

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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"! :rofl:

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The slot for the band attachment, and lug hole still needs to be done but that is a subject for another day...

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OK, the lug mods are "roughed" in unless I want it to look like an old abused watch then they are almost finished! :brow: 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... :p

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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

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Oh, I'm not much of a gold watch guy, either. I just wanted an Elvis-themed Rolex rep. :elvis:

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!

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OK, the lug mods are "roughed" in unless I want it to look like an old abused watch then they are almost finished! :brow: 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... :p

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And I thought I was busy....................................... :thumbsupsmileyanim: Looking good my friend!

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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... :blink: This started as a Datejust case and I welded up between the lugs with 316L filler wire and re-machined. Look at picture #2...

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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: ;)

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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.

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Maybe tomorrow I'll make some pins for the band and press them in.

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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!

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