Donerix 2.0 145 Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 I want to build one for a friend who fell in love with it, but just can't drop the $15K on it right now Released in 1972, made solely for one year. The least expensive watch in the Rolex catalog at the time, it is now one of the rarest Rolex ever made. It features the coveted “Explorer 3,6,9? dial & markers. Considered a spartan version of the famous Explorer, it is thinner as result of the manual wind movement. The watch is especially desirable for the Explorer style in conjunction with the bold “COMMANDO” on dial. So any suggestions on how to get a dial? I have a suitable case and movement ready to go. Would love to get some expert opinions on this one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nanuq 3,177 Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 Talk to these people. Betcha they can do it. http://www.krdial.com/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
freddy333 1,047 Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 Ditto Nanuq's suggestion, but you will need to send them a gen dial to refinish. They do work for Rolex, so they will not work on reps or frankens. Another option is this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Donerix 2.0 145 Posted November 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 Freddy: Thanks for the hint, but the link goes to the CWP main site. Can't find anything relating to the project. Cab you give me a hint, maybe I am looking in the wrong sections.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zeleni kukuruz 271 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Woow Don! Never new rolex made a dial like that! I would love to have one like that! A cool vintage soft leather strap would look so darn sexy on this one! Pleas keep us posted about this project, i realy want to see it finished if you have luck with the dial! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lhooq 549 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 E: Here's another good shot of the Commando: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chrgod 18 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Cool watch! Never heard of the Commando. Thanks for the history lesson. I can imagine that you could make a new dial by using water transfer marks. I belive somebody in here used it for a Space dweller project. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
coolfire 52 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Awesome. I think I have a new love. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cls 0 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I can imagine that you could make a new dial by using water transfer marks. I belive somebody in here used it for a Space dweller project. You can't print white on a typical printer for waterside, you need an Alps or similar with white ink. Talk to these people. Betcha they can do it. http://www.krdial.com/ No legitimate dial refinishers that I know of will change a dial to make it a different model. They get asked all the time and sometimes have a statement about it on their site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
praetor 13 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 (edited) no legitimate you say??? that dial is easy to make Edited November 13, 2011 by praetor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lhooq 549 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 No legitimate dial refinishers that I know of will change a dial to make it a different model. Didn't KR transform a 16520 dial into a 6263-a-like for that "Daytona Heritage" project earlier this year? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Valty 32 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Really interesting thread here -- I don't know if they will change the model of the dial, but the answer will be interesting for sure About the 16520 to 6263 dial... Yes... but it's still a 16520 dial... Do they really want to make the full transformation from an Explorer dial to a very limited dial who really exists ? Not sure about that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyB 208 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 You can't print white on a typical printer for waterside, you need an Alps or similar with white ink. That's true, you cannot print white with a normal inkjet printer, but you can use white water-slide decal paper, or paint the bare dial while and use the clear water-slide paper. But someone with a better skills than me would have to do the lume for the numbers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TeeJay 105 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I'd suggest having a word with JMB about a decal I suspect the hands will need to be a modified set of DateJust hands, but who knows what treasures can be found online Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Donerix 2.0 145 Posted November 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Guys, thanks for the input. Should be a fun project. I will keep you posted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mcotter 10 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Another viable option is "International Dial Co." in Ohio....Yes M, KR did transform a current Daytona dial into a vintage! Regards, mcotter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dublinlad 0 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I could be wrong, but I think the Commando was only 31mm, which is small even for a womans watch these days. Also remember reading somewhere that they were mostly sold at Abercrombie and Fitch stores as watches for "boys", maybe one of the intermediate Datejust cases would be a close match sizewise - but would anybody actually wear a watch that small? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lhooq 549 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Yes M, KR did transform a current Daytona dial into a vintage! I knew I'd heard it on good authority! Thanks, M! dublinlad: I think the Commando is 34mm--a size fit for an Air-King. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAZ 0 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Awesome watch project! Didn't know about the commando! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Donerix 2.0 145 Posted November 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I think it's 34mm and it's for a fairly petite woman She has a gen two-tone DateJust she got from her dad, so I think she will be fine with the size. I just love the look of it and it would be one of those watches that only the ones in the know would stare at it .... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyB 208 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Yep, according to Christie's it is 34mm. http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5065386 "Lot Description Rolex. An extremely rare stainless steel water-resistant wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and bracelet Rolex, Oyster, Commando, ref. 6429, case no. 2'075'578, manufactured in 1969 Cal. 1225 nickel-finished lever movement, 17 jewels, the black dial with luminous Arabic and baton numerals, luminous hands, sweep centre seconds, in tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case with screw back and screw down crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with clasp stamped GF for Gay Frères and 7-72, case, dial and movement signed 34 mm. diam." Sold for $21,500 in 2008. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
manodeoro 129 Posted January 3, 2019 Report Share Posted January 3, 2019 I want to build one for a friend who fell in love with it, but just can't drop the $15K on it right now Released in 1972, made solely for one year. The least expensive watch in the Rolex catalog at the time, it is now one of the rarest Rolex ever made. It features the coveted “Explorer 3,6,9? dial & markers. Considered a spartan version of the famous Explorer, it is thinner as result of the manual wind movement. The watch is especially desirable for the Explorer style in conjunction with the bold “COMMANDO” on dial.So any suggestions on how to get a dial?I have a suitable case and movement ready to go.Would love to get some expert opinions on this one.Hi Donerix 2.0 ... I read that old topic and I'd really like to know if you achieved to build that 6429.Envoyé de mon Moto G (5) Plus en utilisant Tapatalk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyB 208 Posted January 4, 2019 Report Share Posted January 4, 2019 I made this a few years ago for Donerix. You are welcomed to you use it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
manodeoro 129 Posted January 4, 2019 Report Share Posted January 4, 2019 4 hours ago, JoeyB said: I made this a few years ago for Donerix. You are welcomed to you use it. Thant's really kind of you Joey !!! I was just wondering if Donerix had finished his project to know if he would share some of the problems he had and solutions he found while building that Commando. Mine is already on the bench at the moment ... I'm about to finish the case reworking and the dial and hands are ... just waiting for me to lume 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Revere 46 Posted January 5, 2019 Report Share Posted January 5, 2019 @manodeoro Where did you get those hands? I’m also curious about the November & case you selected. I tried a commando project years ago but stopped when i couldn’t find good hands. Your post gives me hope Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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