Rolexaddict Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 (edited) Starting with a 98$ 5514 Comex from Josh, the only investment was a pair of gen Rolex springbars (5$) and a 8.95$ plexi. What I did : - The case high was reduced of about 1mm of thickness to look like a 5513 thinner Sub case. Josh's 5514 uses a 1665 case. - The rehaut was also reduced as it is to hight - Lug holes are drilled to accept gen springbars - I adapted a PA 462-67 plexi from OFrei which has been rounded and complete repolished to look like a dome - Reworked crownguards -not to much- according what I have seen in vintage shops - The ugly fat crown was reduced and the tube screwed deaper to match - Vintage lume job on dial and hands - Home made pearl (a drop of epoxy mixed with lume pigments, once hardened I coated with crystal epoxy) I came back from a second short trip in Thailand, the watch was 5 meters deap with me in apnea and around 40 meters deep with a friend who dives with bottles there TOTAL COST : 1 watch ....................... 98.00 usd shipping ...................... 35.00 usd 1 plexi ....................... 8.95 usd 1 pair of Rolex springbars .... 5.00 usd Elbow oil ..................... 00.00 usd (took a little time...) ___________ Grand total ................... 146.95 usd The watch look o.k for me, I did everything just by feeling and observing gens, not a great work, you can put critics and comments, no problem, I know is not perfect and here there are many moders with better eyes and skills than me, Just keep in mind its only a play which cost me only around 150$ Pics are not really good to enhance the watch, but it give you an idea I tried with a Tudor insert Also with a leather strap Edited April 7, 2011 by Rolexaddict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Ooo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Scope Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Nice! Cant beat the price. I think a thinner case back would really set it off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Looks great, but I think you need to flatten the upper curves of the lugs (the area above the springbar holes) to match the curvature of a Sub case. Although you have done a great job reducing the height of the case, the shape of the top of the lugs (when viewed from the side) still looks more like a Seadweller than a Sub Compare to your case Also, you may want to replace your bezel, which also looks more like a (thicker) Seadweller bezel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGGodwin Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Looks awesome and for a great deal! Well played! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Looks good! Not bad for $150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 - I adapted a PA 462-67 plexi from OFrei which has been rounded and complete repolished to look like a dome This is my favorite part of your build. Fantastic work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Very nice RA...I also have a Josh 5514 that I am going to work on, but I am still in the hunt for a good dial! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexaddict Posted April 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Thanks guys for your nice comments ! Looks great, but I think you need to flatten the upper curves of the lugs (the area above the springbar holes) to match the curvature of a Sub case. Although you have done a great job reducing the height of the case, the shape of the top of the lugs (when viewed from the side) still looks more like a Seadweller than a Sub Compare to your case Also, you may want to replace your bezel, which also looks more like a (thicker) Seadweller bezel. Thanks also freddy for your positive critic, You pointed out exactly the 2 visual flaws : First point : I forgot to mention I had also removed around 0.5mm by filing the bottom of the bezel ring. But it is still to hight, I cannot remove more metal as I would ruin the bottom limit of the retaining spring groove The only solution would be to by a complete set of retaining ring and sub bezel from VSO, but it cost the price of the entire watch... Second point : Yes, you are right about the curve of the lug top. For the story, I bought 2 watches. The first one I got -I think- the right sub side visual profile. But I think -imho- I removed to much material from the crownguards, especially from the bottom, also I thought it was to pointy. So I considered this job as missed, then I started again with the second case, removing less material from the crownguards and without grinding the top of the lugs pics of the first case I have modified : If you think this case is better, I will switch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Well done, RA! I like the bargain builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexaddict Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 (edited) error Edited April 9, 2011 by Rolexaddict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexaddict Posted April 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Well done, RA! I like the bargain builds. Thanks D. I will send you a pm to give you news ! Very nice RA...I also have a Josh 5514 that I am going to work on, but I am still in the hunt for a good dial! difficult... I would say, stay with Yuki, avoid NDT, they are just Gentlemen Scammers and the reality : my older brother was a commercial in the Comex company from 1968 to 1976. 5513 dials contract with the Comex stamp was limited to around 150 pieces... so, wat americans try to impose to you is [censored], Ebay americans Rolex parts dealer are 99.99% scammers selling fake. Rolex is European and belongs to European culture. Period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted July 12, 2011 Report Share Posted July 12, 2011 I would love to find a way to modify a thicker bezel to look and feel more like the 5514 one. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.