6152/1 case reshaping log

[mellons]

From talking to a few forum members on hf/wc and here we thought it might be useful for some newer members to see what a case reshape looks like: it might save a few binned cases! Also although the aftermarket parts are superb (e.g. nightwatch) it is important for beginners to know you can get close to gen appearance on a budget also, without breaking the bank. The new jackson fiddy case is a great alternative for a plug-and-play budget vintage build.

This is just my personal way of reshaping- there are a lot of great reshapers out there who have been doing this a lot longer so please chime in with faster less labour intensive stages that can be done. All mine are totally by hand (no dremel). I had a recent conversation with another forum member about shapes and really, as gens were hand-done, one can get a gen image to match many ways of reshping these cases- there is quite a variety out there.

I always think the best way os to get one particular watch, say the arillo fiddy, and look at as many images of that before shaping. Looking at multiple images of differnent watches I think confuses a reshape due to the variety of shapes out there. That being said, some angular 6154-like and others more rounded, they all had blunter lug ends than most reps out there.

Here is case ready to be reshaped- a standard "old jackson" case still available from him. All these cases are slightly different imho depending on original manufacture run.

This one will concentrate on getting a gen-like look particularly at lugs and will accentuate the fuller cushion shape. Again, the more one does the better the shape becomes, and I am sure I will look back at the images here and say to myself "oooh god, I didn't post that..." lol: that's what we all are doing all the time imho.

First of all tide line marked out a little over half way around case, with areas to be adjusted coloured in black with indelible marker

Notice bezel is left in place for marking out

Bezel and cg removed and initial rough filing completed- concentrate on area between lugs and sides (top of case). reshape starts using large hand file and sticking to areas in black- continuing curve as necessary. just be careful of area around cg- easy to remove too much material. leave finer reshaping to lug ends to next stage (with needle files)

All creases are removed to underside of case roughly and all sharp lines removed

It is also important to check that bezel has not been undershot at thic point- roughly place and check if shaped area coincides with bezel seat.

More fine filing to smoth out rough initial reshape- take off any excessive "lumpintess". Lugs to be reshaped or "dug out"- concentrating on getting more vertical surface where lugs meet case. Notice material left above lugs becomes more accentuated. This is done with needle-files.

The shape of all 4 lugs completed with any unevenness addressed- being careful that all 4 lugs match!

Notice i have only rounded the underside of the case between the lugs- i used to take more material out of this area but i think it was a throwback to being used to getting rid of the strap-slot on the older mini-fiddy cases. not much is needed here just smooth out crease.

Underside also gets smoothed out with needle files

Fast forward lugs have been sanded down and overall case has been given the once-over with 400 grit sandpaper to see how shape is. I think brushed finish is more unforgiving on blemishes so it is useful to use an abrasive pad on the complete case at this stage: this highlights areas to be worked on. Then roughly assemble to see what shape is like- you can then mark off areas that need to ba adjusted etc. on this reshape i have accentuated more of a fuller curve at the lugs- shallower is fine but trick is to continue curve down past top of lug to get close to gen geometry- this will leave an unever section on case end just above the lug: similar to gen.

for this mock-up i am using a modded standard jackson cg and a dsn solid caseback as I am going to do a slim build-up on this one.

Lugs will need a bit of work to curve underside, get rid of flat ends and give curve a bit more of a vertical point. I tend not to take too much off lugs as this is the drawback of a lot of re- cases- not enough material.

Now just sand down the filemarks to suit- even with a highly polished finish (if that is your preference) you will get that vintage appearance as the surface won't be machined-flat: it will be slightly textured. Then you are nearly ready to assemble completely. Complete assembly to follow....

for final finish you can use a variety of methods: i wrap fine sandpaper around needle files and just go over cases. Then you can get an abrasive pad from any hardware shop and do final rub- at this point you can go slightly more worn or polish-up to a high shine. For final shine there again are a variety of compounds: i use t-cut (auto abrasive for scratches) and elbow grease.

This one is a slim build and has a dsn solid caseback, a silix 6154 bezel, a sterilised jackson cg with athaya lever (with pin and glue mod) with a solid plexi reshaped to fit. A nice southy mm dial with nightwatch hands finishes the build. For this one a seagull 3620 (undecorated) from roland kemmner provides the engine. All mounted on one of timeband's great gpf sewn-in buckle straps. Again you can go wild (nw 3 piece dial, 3 piece bezel + plexi, display cb with domed plexi etc) but if the mid-case isn't right it will detract from the completed watch.

final shot: before and after (another case here)

[PeteM]

As always mate a great read and very enjoyable and informative

Thank you for taking the time to share.... beats seeing all these new PAMs again and again and again blah blah blah...

[mellons]

thanks pete

here is same case with thick 6mm plexi and solid nw caseback....