jmb Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 sgtguk mentioned the fleabay sterile vintage cases from HK and I remembered picking up a couple a few months back out of curiosity - I believe he has these listed at $69 plus $10 S&H. I decided this would be a good excuse to test out my "new" hand and see if I could do stuff without tearing anything up. The case is set up for a 2836 (or equiv) and comes with a sterile Snowflake Date type dial (ETA), movement spacer, a set of axe hands (ETA), sterile trip-lock style crown, and three NATO straps in Grey/Green, Black and Blue. Have I ever mentioned that I'm not fond of straps? Although the bezel attachment is not gen like (uses octo-paperclip spring) it does come with lug holes and the stock crystal is so poorly glued in that it's extremely easy to pop out. This is a completely sterile case without lug engraving or any engraving inside the case-back. The CGs don't look all that bad (these haven't been touched) but the "pearl" is just sort of painted on In it's stock form it comes with a crystal with magnifier but since I was building a no-date type watch I popped it out and started digging through the crystal box for something that would fit without a whole lot of effort. Imagine my surprise when a T21 dropped right into the milled crystal slot just like it was made for it! I mixed some clear epoxy and laid it in the milled channel for the crystal, seated the crystal, and set it aside to cure. After the glue had cured I reassembled the bezel onto the case and moved on to the innards. I had a 2836 which I had never gotten around to reassembling after cleaning it so I figured this would be a good test for the fingers. I reassembled and lubed the movement and I was pleasantly surprised at how much easier it was without numb fingers!! It actually runs although I seem to have lost the "hack lever" over the past 1+ year it's been torn apart!!! I stuck on one of my "decal" dials and a ratty looking set of hands and popped everything into the case. I then stuck it on the timer and adjusted it to .1 msec beat error and -2 sec/day and called it good 'nuf and screwed on the back. I then threaded on the NATO strap and pronounced it a watch. All-in-all I don't think it turned out too bad and I would actually wear it if not for the strap so it'll probably show up in the for-sale section or get disermboweled and go back into the parts box. Here's some pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 You are officially my new hero........ Take a bunch of left over crap and turn it into a deent looking watch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 You are officially my new hero........ Take a bunch of left over crap and turn it into a deent looking watch! I think that is now called "art"...is it not? Great job once again J!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Now that looks a very different watch than the one on my ebay listing Fantastic job it would make a great beater, if your selling let me know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 That looks really great J! Any chance the "pearl" is removable? Might look better without it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted February 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 The "pearl" is just a spot of lume paint so to really do it righ it needs to be popped off, a hole drilled, and a pearl dot glued in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackR Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 looks great J...glad to see/hear that the hands are better...R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 The "pearl" is just a spot of lume paint so to really do it righ it needs to be popped off, a hole drilled, and a pearl dot glued in... We have the technology! Great little beater you made there J! You should send a pic of it to the eBay guy selling these kits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 great work man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krpster Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Very cool! Always finding new ways to save Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 That's a really nice piece of work, my friend I know you're not a fan of the NATOs, had you considered one of the silicon Tropic-style straps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted February 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 ...had you considered one of the silicon Tropic-style straps? Oh, gag! No straps - PERIOD!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Oh, gag! No straps - PERIOD!! I think you might be pleasantly surprised with the Tropic-style strap, the waffle back and venting makes it comfortable to wear in hot weather, and if it gets wet, they dry incredibly quickly Failing that, I guess you could just put it on a bracelet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seafoam Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Looks great J!! What's your source for the generic case just out of curiosity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacher62 Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Oh, gag! No straps - PERIOD!! I agree with J. Somehow a Rolex just must have it's intended bracelet. I have a newly built 16013 on a dark brown genuine simulated alligator (with even a Yuki buckle) but I have a yen for a jubilee in 18K and SS like it is supposed to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted February 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 sea - Case was a "sterile" vintage style Sub case from fleabay seller onlinestorehk. He usually has them on a "Buy It Now" with "Make Offer" option. I bought a couple and they averaged out to $60/ea with shipping... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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