Project wrap up; Rolex 5514

[FxrAndy]

Lost for words (and that is not oftern for me)

Wear that in pride!

Well done R and R

[coolfire]

So... this Beauty was what was under wraps, R! Dang... what a Beauty!

Congrats to you, my friend! I'm jealous!

[Ronin]

I keep going back and looking at the awesome pics.

I think this is my favorite. I love how the lume / aging looks like "Foam from a Cappuccino" MMMmmmmm Yum!

 

[ubiquitous]

Thanks, Ronin

Next time we meet up, I'll bring it with for you to check out!

Cheers,

//ubi

[omgiv]

Saying that is beautiful just doesn't do it justice!!!!! I always enjoy reading your posts Ubi and have learned a great deal from your projects. This one surely doesn't disappoint and I love the detailed pictures!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

[panerai153]

Randy,

All I can say is BEAUTIFUL,BEAUTIFUL,BEAUTIFUL!!

[jeff g]

'Frankenmeister', there is a nice ring to that one R.

Could be the new you.

Another beautiful job.. You are definitely.... THE man.

[Dizzy]

Damn bro that's sweet. Excellent work on this one. I was thinking about using a regular 5513 dial on my 5514 project also. If I come across a nice gen dial then I might just do that. Where are u getting the caseback made??? What's the aproximate cost? I was just going to polish my rep caseback down until the comex is almost gone...

[Cats]

IF i only had the time money and skills to start such a project.

Or maybe better not otherwise my little boy will never see me except behind my watches.

SUPER GREAT LOOKING Ubi

Wear it well

Carpe Diem

Cats

[watcher]

That is simply stunning!!! I cannot say anymore than that!

[tmg]

[P4GTR]

Alright buddy.. I know you like to travel the road less traveled... but I think its time to go ahead and pop the thing in a gen case and make it gen. lol... You're really 9/10ths of the way there you know.

[ubiquitous]

Thanks, gang! Just got back from having this one pressure tested; passed with flying colors to 150m (the limit of my local guy's pressure tester, I think). He couldn't confirm any more than that, but it's more than I'll ever need, methinks.

@Dizzy- Phong is doing my caseback for me. I specified some details to him and he is having it made to my specification. Hopefully it will be done by the end of the month. Cost... Not sure on that as it is built into the price of the case.

@Cats- The project wasn't really too bad, actually Gen Rolex movements are easier to work with and handle than ETAs in my opinion. Cost... Not too bad when spread out!

@P4- The idea of using a gen case did cross my mind; and maybe I may just do that down the road. I do have to admit to being a little hesitant in drilling the case for the He valve, however...

@omgiv, P153, Jeff G, watcher, TMG and everyone else that has stopped by- Thank you all for the very kind words! I do appreciate it!

Thanks one and all!

Cheers,

//ubi

[ubiquitous]

One thing I forgot to mention (and perhaps the finishing touch on this project)...

 

[dbutlerman]

I like the serial number bit! Very cool indeed!

[jmb]

Cool serial number concept.

[highoeyazmuhudee]

OUTSTANDING as always Ubi!

[Eton]

WOW! It's simply beautiful, great work as always

Cheers

[TeeJay]

Wow, what can I add that hasn't been said already... That's a fine project to be sure

[rolexmaniac88]

What a beast! Must love the serial number stuff! It makes the watch so unique, it is not a replica anymore! It is a unique timepiece you'll enjoy for a long time! Don't even think about getting a gen case (plus, who would drill it for the HEV?).

Just one thing: i'm not a keen expert on that matter but aren't the CG's a bit chunky (even though i've seen some gens with more pronounced CG's so who knows)?

Needless to say it is a great watch (and a rarer project around there)

[stilty]

One thing I forgot to mention (and perhaps the finishing touch on this project)...

Yes, very nice touch! And as per your inspiration, I did the same thing. My custom serial is of my children's birthdays.

Might as well make it personal. No point in stealing serials off the web.

but your engravings look much nicer then mine!

[Toadtorrent]

Guess I have to re-adjust my application technique to match the misalignment from the factory.

Very funny.

Awesome work...great product. Wow...what a journey. That is an absolute stunner!!

Big congrats to Team R!!

[edrep]

I thought im still dreaming Ubi,then I realized its already past 4 in the afternoon.

[chiman12]

That's great Ubi!!!
I actually used a part of my birth date for the serial on my 1665 project. But now I'm discovering that the Yuki case has it's inaccuracies for a drsd...what to do...what to do...

[stilty]

Oddly enough, this isn't the first gen dial I've had with misaligned lume...

//ubi

Not to throw the topic too far off, the lume looks to be applied by screen or pad printing. The initial printing is done by a pad printer, and it looks as if luminous paint was applied by pad printing as well. The dial vs pad are off just slightly so the imprint of luminous ink is just off slightly. Very hard to align the dial print with the pad, especially with that tight of tolerance. With modern computerized equipment, the result would be better.

My theory is, Rolex just let these go and accepted as is. We have to keep in mind that back around the time these were made, the quartz movement was kicking the [censored] out of mechanical watch companies, Rolex included, and they were losing money and needed to keep all costs down. Which would include not scraping dials with slight flaws. And in reality, that slight imperfection is not noticed from the wrist and only by loupe, or by Ubi's photo skills!

Anyway, that is a beauty you have put together! Glad to see it all work out.