6538 Brevet Crown sub

[bones]

Silix case reshaped, edges softened.

Caseback given wear marks and re-polished

Case Re-polished going from 250 grit down to 9 micron jewelers paper and finally on buffing wheel with green polishing compound

8mm Brevet Crown

Clarks bezel insert minus pearl

Clarks 1.8mm Shoulderless springbars

Silix Rivet bracelet given wear and tear

Dial and hands aged, given bubbled tritium look.

Plexi crystal re-shaped by hand then re-polished with Polywatch

And with a slightly different dial and hand set.

[Nanuq]

What a great build! Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

[bones]

I must say, out of all the builds I've done so far, this was not only the most fun, but definitely my favourite. I've got another 6538 case ready for working on, but im away for a week from monday so wont get a chance to do anything to it till i get back. Have to say though, even though its kind of wrong, I prefer the second dial/hand combo.

Edited September 3, 2011 by bones

[freddy333]

1 of the best I have seen, but, as is, this falls just short of perfect. At this level, I would toss that crummy, fake-looking bracelet (get a Yuki or gen) & install the proper second hand. That would put it over the top. Still

[tmg]

Well done Bones!!

[bones]

1 of the best I have seen, but, as is, this falls just short of perfect. At this level, I would toss that crummy, fake-looking bracelet (get a Yuki or gen) & install the proper second hand. That would put it over the top. Still

Well thank you, that's high praise indeed. The bracelet was always going to be a detractor unfortunately. But as always budget is the main issue. A yuki bracelet is more than the sum of the watch. The seconds hand I knew would divide opinion (ie me on one side and everyone else on the other ) But i'll take your comments on board. Thanks again

[freddy333]

If you want to tame the budget, swap the bracelet for a nice strap. Subs always benefit from a proper bracelet, but, on par, at least a strap would not shout 'fake', which detracts from an otherwise credible build.

[tmg]

Yup, it would certainly be at home on a bond strap!

[bones]

The seconds hand got changed.

[woof*]

That's a great job bones!

It's worth a gen bracelet now.

[Ephry73]

Very nice bones. Very nice indeed.

E

[Jkay]

How did you create the cluster of marks on the insert in two locations? That cluster of marks is very similar to a vice mark .. or a locking pliers mark, but there is no physical damage here, only the dots.

[bones]

Large Rolex caseback opener (DSSD) with some light pressure.

[Dizzy]

Very nice!

I built one of these Cartel subs last winter. It is one of my favorite watches and Im wearing it as we speak! I had a little trouble with my bezel though. Next to impossible to get it back on. Looks just like yours, except I have a Yuki bracelet on mine. Its worth the money trust me. Get one.

[Ephry73]

Nice Bond strap, but an aged leather NATO, or bundt strap would be even better.

E

[bones]

Very nice!

I built one of these Cartel subs last winter. It is one of my favorite watches and Im wearing it as we speak! I had a little trouble with my bezel though. Next to impossible to get it back on. Looks just like yours, except I have a Yuki bracelet on mine. Its worth the money trust me. Get one.

I had a lot of issues getting the bezels back on these subs. Basically any of the ones with the retaining spring. But i've learned that forcing it into the gap usually locks the bezel in place. You can actually clip all but the last little section in with your hands.