monkeypunch Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 I've gathered most of what I need for a 5500 Explorer franken: a 1500 case, Yuki Dial, Gen 7835 bracelet, and a 2846 movement. I have run into two problems: I'm having trouble finding a no-date crystal (i'm just using the cyclops one that came with the original case until I find a solution), but what seems to be the major setback is that I have everything assembled, but when it comes time to put the stem in, it keeps mucking up the keyless works. I can remove and insert the stem just fine outside of the case, but as soon as I line everything up it goes kaput. I've done and redone the keyless works several times, and every time I go to put it in the case, the same thing. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 I think the no date crystal is the T-12. If that doesn't work, try the T-13. Clark's has both as I recall. I wonder if you need to use a 2824-2 instead of a 2846-2. Put the dial and the movement in the case and then sight thru the case tube hole. If the stem entrance to the movement is low, you need the narrower 2824-2 movement. That's what I used when I built my Explorer I in a 1601 DJ case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomic_doug Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 I second the 2824. That's what I used on my last 5500EXP. It fits well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolojack Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 if you need a gen 5500 full case set (with 5500 back case - 1002 backcase is for the airking, few people know that) I have a 1962 one I'll put up for sale soon.... Good luck with your project!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Well, i finished it! Funny thing I forgot to mrntion is that I did have it working, not for long with the 2846. It looked perfect, except that the minute hand wouldn't move, when I took everything apart, thats where the trouble started...anyhow I assembled it today with the 2824 and everything seemed to work. I'll post some pictures later. Thanks guys for all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Obviously I need new hands, and a new crystal, both of which are in the mail. SIde view: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Looking good! A new set of hands and a flatter crystal would definitely help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 I had a sapphire crystal meant for a 1500 case that looked perfect, but sat too low and prevented the seconds hand from moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 (edited) Added new hands last week. The tropic 13 arrived today, sadly it wouldn't fit. For the time being i'm going to just going use the original crystal. I managed to remove the cyclops without much incident. Edited August 13, 2012 by monkeypunch 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I had a sapphire crystal meant for a 1500 case that looked perfect, but sat too low and prevented the seconds hand from moving. There is no sapphire for the 1500 case, it's plastic or nothing. Same with the 5500- they're old! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 It was an aftermarket crystal from WSO. The main reason I bought it was because I couldn't find anything to fit the 1500 without a cyclops. After removing the cyclops i sanded, and polished, polished, polished! The dial and hands are bugging me now. I may vintage them a bit to tone down the white on the dial and hands, as they look too pristine for a watch that's supposed to be close to 50 years old... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I'll check my crystal list at the office. I've got both the 1500 and 5500 cases which are slated for Explorer builds in the future. The 1500 will probably require a new bezel since it's loose on the current no cyclops crystal that I have on there (jmb does this for a fair price- just send him the parts and he turns a new bezel). Sometimes you need to try a couple of different crystals/mfrs to find one that fits right. Your polished crystal looks good. If you want to age the dial and hands, maybe a light coffee/tea stain would do it. Just dry the dial and hands afterwards so that it doesn't mess up the lume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ile Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 your exp 5500 is absolutely amazing. i have recently changed a crystal on air king 5500 from cousinsuk.com and it fitted perfectly. it only costed a couple of pounds. I guess you could do a relume with vintage lume on both dial and hands to make it look even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Well, thank you. I'm sure the crystal would fit 5500 case, the problem is that i'm using a 5500 case. a tropic 12 is too tight and a tropic 13 is too loose. I never considered a relume, but i'm liking the idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 I checked and the T-12 is corrrect for the 5500 case- you may have to get another crystal, maybe from another mfr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 Crap, I meant a 1500 case! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ile Posted August 16, 2012 Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 try either here: http://www.ofrei.com/page419.html or: www.cousinsuk.com and search for Steinkreuz XS295.157 best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted September 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 Just thought I would share some pics of the finished product: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue. Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 Just thought I would share some pics of the finished product: That is a really good looking result! Love it. I wouldn´t go a route to vintage the hands and dial. They look just right. If you get a comment regarding the appearance of the dial and hands, being too new, you can always say that the Explorer has been serviced not long ago That gen bracelet looks nice. What size of springbars have you used for the bracelet? Diameters of the pistons would be interesting? Can you please tell some measurements or point to the source where you got them? Wish you a lot of wrist time with the Explorer and wear it in good health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zeleni kukuruz Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 Just thought I would share some pics of the finished product: I want this one, so pleas pm me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted September 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 Thanks guys. The spring bars are gen spec from Yuki: http://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/6784664/7760959.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mir36 Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 That's an inspiring build. Hoping to do the same with a case I purchased from vlydog. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue. Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 Thanks guys. The spring bars are gen spec from Yuki: http://www.yukiwatch...664/7760959.htm Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldegeneve Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Awesome build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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