My summer watch: a vintage rollie on the cheap

[dow]

Here is my little vacation watch for 2012. It's my first rollie I've made (but I have built many pam style watches) and I really appreciate any leads on how to upgrade rollies. I also have a Comex Sub and a DSSD in my drawers that I will rework later this year. I was really into vintage Daytonas, but I'm reluctant to go that path as it seems to lack reasonably priced parts.

I have a Athaya brevet crown and tube that I could use, but for now I wanted to see how the stock crown works. I'm very impressed with the Clark xtal, and I strongly advocate others to replace the stock plexi with this one. It really makes a huge difference.

The parts:

Cheap Silix Rollie

I did soften the case a bit - it came with some sharp edges.

Dial aged and relumed (the silix dial has mustard colored indices, which I killed and replaced with off white lume)

Bezel bleached and sanded. Pearl remade.

Hands sanded to brass, aged and relumed

Clark Crystal ref no 25-19. It's a bit too small for this case - needs gasket and some glass glue

Bond Nato (I got the watch a riveted bracelet, but the quality is really bad)

[TeeJay]

Looking good My only suggestion would be to swap the NATO for a Tropic-style strap, as they're much more comfortable if they get wet and dry out much quicker

[Mapman57]

Nice - well done and probably less than a hundred $$$

[dow]

I will check out tropic style straps! Thanks for the responces

[TeeJay]

I will check out tropic style straps! Thanks for the responces

I forgot to give the link, this is the most comfortable rubber strap I've owned

http://www.modenawatch.com/product.sc?categoryId=32&productId=36

[japanic]

You should take a look at Squinky on eBay, if you haven't already...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/squinky/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

[Tiyal]

awesome!

[dow]

Awesome leads! Squinky have some very good looking NOS tropic rubber straps. And that modena for 15 usd! I will need to try me a tropic...

Btw today the pearl inlay fell out. LoL, this watch gets vintaged by its self!

[woof*]

Nice work

[dow]

No black 20mm from modena available, but I'm trying this one: http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=130581232143

[alligoat]

Btw today the pearl inlay fell out. LoL, this watch gets vintaged by its self!

Your pearl was no big loss- it had the small metal surround which is incorrect for the 6538 sub. I don't know if an Ofrei pearl would fit in there or not.

I bought a wholesaleoutlet990 insert for my 5508 which actually turned out to be good

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEZEL-INSERT-FOR-VINTAGE-ROLEX-SUBMARINER-5508-5510-/310304841369?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483f9c1e99

But since the Silix case isn't gen spec, it might not fit in there.

Is raffles-time selling cheaper acrylic pearls?....

The lume job looks nice as do the hands, a good pearl would be excellent!

[dow]

Hi alligoat! I could not find the older style of bezel inlay from WSO. Only contemporary and 5513 style. So I might try to install an ofrei pearl (after the vacation). I will also check with ken if he have something that could fit.

[woof*]

The Ofrei pearl is pretty small. You might be able to install it on top of something you filled the hole with. Ofrei pearl is 2mm

[Nanuq]

Remember the old inserts have a tiny hole for a tiny pearl with no metal surround. Newer inserts have a big hole for the big pearl.

[mjmj]

Looks Great!

[dow]

Thanks again for info and leads! I need to check out how the gen pearls loook... But I'm concidering to make it simple and just fill the hole with lume and seal it with a drop of superglue.

[dow]

With Squinky tropic strap. Very comfy! Thanks japanic. Pearl situation is yet to be addressed, alternatively I will just leave it as it is

[TeeJay]

With Squinky tropic strap. Very comfy! Thanks japanic. Pearl situation is yet to be addressed, alternatively I will just leave it as it is

Perfect Tropic-style straps really are awesome