Rolexaddict Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 I had a little trip to Cabo Verde islands and took with me my kitchen table watchplumbing custom special 5514. This is my travel watch as she likes water. 70 meters deep 6 months ago in Thailand, only 15 meters deep here. The insert is naturally damaged from intensive use in salt water sun and has sand bites ans scratches. Initially it was a 108.00US$ watch from Josh (those serie with the vrong bezel assembly). I started to remove about 1mm from the top of the case + the same amount of material from the rehaut which was to high imho. Drilled lugholes of course. The dial was relumed. I wrote already this story, the target was to imitate the 5513 slim case with an HEV made for the Comex and becoming the 5514. But later I have made some improvements. I re-cut more seriously the crownguards, removed material to made more rounded the top of lugs as they still loocked like thick SD, shortened the 7mm crown and glued a Yuki pearl on the insert. The plexi is a 8.95US$ PA 462-67 from Ofrei which was grinded, rounded and repolished to give the dome look, as a super dome will not cosmetically match with the slim case. I used also a folded bracelet from a Josh's 1655 and I changed the clasp for a Sub one with the diver extension. I also put a coat of clear matt warnish on the dots lume, dots became a little shinny and the color changed slightly... normal, a matt coat applied on a matt surface = brillant. Anyway, you will think I am crazy, but really I am convicted that my Comex looks better than gens Also a gen 5514 is in a range of 50 - 80K€, my MasterPiece is only around 100 euros, btw I love it and I am very proud with this piece of sh..., sorry this exceptional watch. The wallet I used for pics is a gen, it was given with the Comex watches and regular 1665. It contains the famous Rolex #2100 tool, the waranty book, a diving decompression table, a complete backup divers extention kit, pins and screws (stored inside the tool) I removed also about 0.5mm from the bottom of the thick SD bezel, it looks quite good but still a little to thick than a regular sub bezel but I cannot remove more material without ruining the case/bezel ring assembling construction. A complete sub bezel assembly from WSO will work, but it will cost more than the background investment of 108.00$ + shipping + 25.00$ yuki pearl Santa Maria's city, world biggest malls there... Boavista island ugly beaches... hope you enjoyed this little article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Great project and article. I am a fan of the 5514 as well. Wear that one well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Your hard work shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Very nice - vacation spot looks pretty good as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zeleni kukuruz Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Mr R. I realy like the comex subs!!! But after this i have to say that i love them or yours that is!!! Well made and it looks very sexy!!! Pm me if you get bored of it im here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Very nice!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 Definitely the journey to the completed watch is priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchguy2 Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Very nice, your effort has been rewarded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 I'm liking the bracelet mod and the cg's look good for a Josh case. Great work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 I love that bracelet! BTW, I have the same case back. 70m doesn't sound too bad for a $108 rep \ E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexaddict Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 thanks to all for your kind comments, I also like to read/learn and enjoy photos off other members jobs, I dont add comments as I am to lazy...sorry for this I'm liking the bracelet mod and the cg's look good for a Josh case. Great work. Thanks. I have seen a 1665 with a diver ext. style clasp and folded links in a collector shop, this has given me the idea. The case is good to work on, it was these series of 1665 made with the "316F" stainless steel, lot of metal on the cg, so easy to re-cut I love that bracelet! BTW, I have the same case back. 70m doesn't sound too bad for a $108 rep \ E On my watch the caseback is very thick and oversized, no possible to open it with a Rolex tool, I had to made a custom tool using mixed epoxy and steel powder to "print" the caseback grooves.. Anyway all reps caseback are thick enough to support pressure, the problem, rep as gen also, is the crystal. A domed plexi, from its ergonomy (basic physics rules), will have a better resistance against pressure and water weight than a flat crystal. Also the rounded form will cancel reading aberations under water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilyailya Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 great looking watch. better than 50-90k one? ? absolutely got to be crazy to spend that much on a watch . i might get a modded one someday from forum as daily , but for now enjoying my bk wm9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Fantastic write-up and great looking watch. It's amazing what can be achieved on the cheap! I wish I had such skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Is that a Gen bracelet? E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexaddict Posted October 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Is that a Gen bracelet? E Yes, its a gen replica no, its a custom construction, as I wrote, this was built using a Josh's 1675 folded bracelet and replacing the native clasp by a Sub clasp with the diver extension The 2 arrows show the 2 modified parts allowing to join the diver's ext. and the folded link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Oh I missed that part. Looks good, very good. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zeleni kukuruz Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Sorry for returning here, but i realy like this build ALOT!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rower Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 I'm glad you did! What a great post. In the past couple of years I moved to Panerai but am now back home to Rolex. So comfortable! I wish I had the talent to do my own mods. I have ruined so may watches trying to mod them. I love this Comex and the great work that went into it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 It is not how many watches you ruin, it is what YOU do with them after you've ruined them that counts I'm pretty sure the Abyss started life like that somehow. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolexaddict Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 (edited) I have found a little friend for the Comex, the rare 660ft-200m anchor Also now I have all the parts to build a second one, thanks to Ephry who sold me an excellent dial ! Edited January 5, 2012 by Rolexaddict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zeleni kukuruz Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 woooow, great pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Lovely. Just did a similar mod on the bracelet I had on the 5514 and one folded link I received today. Still waiting for the correct end links. Which ones did you end up using? E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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