jmb Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 I went out to the shop a little early today and turned some 2.0mm rod down to 1.5mm and made a couple of pins to attach the band to the modified case. I made them a snug sliding fit and when all is finished they will probably be epoxied into place making the band more or less a permanent part of the watch. After attaching the band I put the movement back into the case, installed the hands, and just set the crystal and bezel in place as I'll be taking it back apart for a bit more filing and a final brush and polish. I then tried to screw on the back and found I could only get about 1 turn out of it - CRAP!!! Looking at the case threads under the microscope revealed some deformation, likely from getting red hot during welding, which is probably causing the back to not screw down properly. If I can't think of a way to fix the threads this exercise might wind up being just a "display" piece. Is it going to be perfect? H3ll no! Will it be close? Probably not... Was it worth investing all this time in it? I think so as I feel it satisfied my curiosity as to just how carried away one can get with what was basically a $30 watch! Hopefully it will capture the concept and essence of the original and you have enjoyed watching it's progress. Once it is 100% complete I'll post some final pics and if there is enough interest I suppose I could do a more detailed pictorial chronology. Here's a few more pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 Looking great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 Now you're talking! Definitely looking the part J! Keep up the great work! I'm sure in no time you will become our resident case manufacturer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 I may want to decline that job, this has been somewhat trying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 Fantastic, jmb... That's really "something else"! Can't wait to see the finished article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 Thanks, LH, it is definitely different! I thought I was going to be able to post finished pix this evening but a cranky keyless works and the fact I still can't get the back screwed on have sort of put the brakes on this project for the time being. Seems like some of the a21js cause me to have to straighten out the keyless about every third stem removal/install cycle... I'm seriously contemplating replacing the 21j movements in my favorite watches with clone 2836 movements - they seem to be a bit easier to get along with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sneed12 Posted April 15, 2010 Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 The 2836's can be cranky too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 Great. But, it seems if you just look at an a21j wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vafarmer70 Posted April 15, 2010 Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 Great. But, it seems if you just look at an a21j wrong... If that aint the truth. Thanks for sharing your work, really good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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