Happy Motoring!

[freddy333]

While waiting to leave for dinner, I swapped the DJ hour hand for the 6542 sweep seconds hand & thought it made for a nice motion video (the 1 thing I find that my Canon A80 is sadly lacking is HD video )

Motor has now been running, without incident & on a single, 40-turn wind, for 32 hours. This thing is shaping up better than I had ever expected. I just hope the dial turns out to the same level.

[Nanuq]

Oh, that's just cruel.

You KNOW that every time you post in this thread I knock over my coffee cup reaching for the keyboard.

Granted, my cat loves coffee, but he's had about enough I'd say. Give him a break, eh?

[tmg]

Fantastic work sir, I eagerly await phase III.

[freddy333]

Fantastic work sir, I eagerly await phase III.

Phase III is not likely. Unless, of course, I find (& am willing to pay for) a gen dial & insert (that is all that will be aftermarket in this 1).

[panerai153]

Freddy,

That is a beautiful watch . the old 6542 "PanAm's" are my absolute favorite GMT. Unfortunately, I am destined to only drool over the genuines and the Franken's that are of the calibre of yours. They are waaaaay out of my price range at this stage of life! powerball where are you!!!

[bruce79]

Amazing project...a true one of a kind franken. WOW

[freddy333]

Thanks for the thoughtful comments. Here is a new pic with its sweep seconds hand installed (temporarily)

I am debating whether to paint the ss hand white or leave it as is (a number of 1950s Rolex sports watches (like some 6542s) had white ss hands)

[Nanuq]

Freddy, I'd leave it natural silver (not painted silver). I have gilt hands and dial on my 6536 and a white hand against the gilt would just look odd. Your whole aged look would be enhanced IMHO by an aged steel seconds hand.

Ummmmmmm you ARE going gilt with the hands right?

[freddy333]

No gilt, steel & I think you convinced me to leave all the hands (including the ss hand) as is (unpainted steel).

Thanks.

[Ronin]

Ditto, stick with silver. I tried to paint one of these white for my 653x "Homage" - Nightmare. The only way to do it is to strip the lume, light sanding, then airbrush and re-lume.

The other option is to go with glit for hour/minute/GMT? and a silver seconds hand. (this is what I did, the contrast between gold and silver makes the silver look white)

[kent2]

go with the white hand. it is more visible and in my opinion suits the deep black dial better. i just have one with a white seconds hand but will do a conversion when i can find the drive

[jeff g]

You know Freddy, over on the gen Rolex forum, they would call you names.

However, I have to agree with an earlier assessment, and agree that Rock Star comes fairly close to describing your dedication and abilities.

Thanks for this.

Keep on keepin on dude.

[tmg]

Phase III is not likely. Unless, of course, I find (& am willing to pay for) a gen dial & insert (that is all that will be aftermarket in this 1).

Guess I meant the finished product!

[freddy333]

Update -

My dial is finished & will be shipped out on Monday. So, hopefully, I will have either a finished dial or a finished 6542 by the end of next week. In the meantime

[mastergod]

Update -

My dial is finished & will be shipped out on Monday. So, hopefully, I will have either a finished dial or a finished 6542 by the end of next week. In the meantime

Fantastic project. Congratulations!

MG

[freddy333]

Comments?

[Ronin]

:wub:

I have no words.... Can't wait to see the finished product.

The key-lining, font and overall alignment is perfect IMHO.

[redwatch]

That dial is stunning Freddy! No complaints here at all. I think that will finish off your phase II project very, very nicely!