Jump to content
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  • Current Donation Goals

Red sub dial ageing experiment


aeromatic

Recommended Posts

Well Its sunday afternoon and im looking at some left overs from my 5513 project that used to be a 1680 redsub rep actualy

the redsub dial was not to bad for an out of the box vintage rep costing 198usd the problem is the too clean look and shiny dot markers

I decided to cook the dial in the oven (grill) at 200c for 20 mins(ok that was too high i know) so here are the results

Here is the dial before

post-27094-0-43801000-1297710357.jpg

after the oven abuse

post-27094-0-43736000-1297710415.jpg

post-27094-0-50606000-1297710487.jpg

notice that the dial has bubbled up from the extream heat

the shinny dot markers have gone and the white print has become a (goldish patina)

next move i sprayed a wood varnish laquer (mahogany) tint 3-4 coats then waited for it to dry still tacky i pressed the part that had bubbled up flat which created further patina then i took some dust in my hand and rubbed it over the dial then brushed off the excess which resulted in this very faded and aged looking dial the dust and rubbing also removed the gloss

post-27094-0-22098700-1297710596.jpg

post-27094-0-64161900-1297710730.jpg

post-27094-0-37377700-1297710799.jpg

post-27094-0-15084800-1297710850.jpg

post-27094-0-19695800-1297710902.jpg

handset also got the laquer and ageing treatment the tint has turned the shiny parts of the handset golden patina also some marking with a black marker pen

post-27094-0-77900100-1297711021.jpg

post-27094-0-83823200-1297711115.jpg

the result was a complete suprise to me i dident imagine it to turn out this way ok it is extream! all i need now is a case to put it in!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting 'gilt' effect the aging has achieved on the dial...

Yes i agree certainly looks more authenic than my 6538 guilt dial!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is a shame that bubbled but you have made an interesting dial that looks like it has had a life in interesting (and Hot)circumstaces

Yes i wonder if a lower temperture would have avoided it but then again its a factory dial i suppose in a way it adds to the aged look but im sure that a less extream finish on a quality dial with a varnish tint in a lighter shade should give

an excellent result taking the dial out often and checking it until it has reach your desired patina i know that a lot of people would throw away these factory dials and buy expensive dials but this is an alternative for say a budget build

here is a gen dial photo for comparisonpost-27094-0-28613700-1297722737.jpg

well i hope it is a gen!

Edited by aeromatic
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can just imagine my wife saying "Whatcha cooking?"

A rolex dial :whistling:

Yep sure sounds funny! :thumbsupsmileyanim: I think our wifes will have us committed for sure!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

how strange it turned into a gilt dial....I think it turned out great...in the case, I bet that bubble stuff doesn't even look noticable. great work....the magic gilt oven..cheaper than gold.

You are right not noticable in the watchcase! yes it sure is strange i love guilt dials! :thumbsupsmileyanim:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

here is a gen dial photo for comparisonpost-27094-0-28613700-1297722737.jpg

I would say that you could achieve a similar result to this picture provided you start with a good dial!

mabe just skip the oven and only do the varnish, spray it on 3-4 coats then dry (while still tacky) rub the dial with your thumb very lightly not to much pressure but apply a little dust to your fingers and rub it in dont worry about putting too much dust you can rub some of it away with your thumb. also rubbing the tacky dial with toilet tissue and rubbing the dial

will give the dial a texture as the toilet roll will leave fibre on the dial

after looking closer at this dial it looks like it has been coated with varnish do any member know this dial or confirm that it is a gen?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im thinking of ordering good quality 5513 dial and skip the oven treatment and just coat it in varnish in much the same way

should be interesting with a lighter shade tint

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well tomorrow is sunday, i purchased two redsubs reps and wonder how a tropic dial would turn out in another dial ageing experiment! :black_eye:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up