ww12345 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I finally finished a project I'd been working on since I started in the rep game - a gilt 6542. First I had problems with figuring out which movement to use, then not having a decent dial, and finally not having a small GMT hand or affordable insert. Finally, about two months ago, all of that fell together and I was on my way. By the way, a huge shout-out goes to PBDad, who made this whole thing work together. The dial is an Ingod gilt dial, and while it is not super glossy, it is not entirely matte - kind of like the gen gloss dials I have. It has the OCC marking and the SWISS markings, and IMHO is a pretty good alternative to Yuki, NDT, etc., especially as it is priced at $130. I had to relume it, so I tried to make it look like an early advertisement I saw. I know the 5, 10, 20, etc. markings are too small, but that's how it appeared in the ad so I wanted to make it look like the ad. (The ad was what made me fall in love with the 6542) PB modified the dial (by grinding off the lip) and mounting it to a separate dial ring. This took a lot of ingenuity on his part, so props to him. The hands are a combination of different hands I had lying about - it is a cartel white second hand (for the 1655), a curve-ish hour hand (unknown maker) and a minute hand that matched the gen as far as I could tell for length/lume space. The small GMT hand is Rafflestime, and is pretty close to spec, IMHO. The movement is a DG 3804b, which I am extremely happy with so far. I am now convinced that this is the best movement for PB added a silver DW (which I don't think would have been accurate to the watch originally - I think my two main choices would have been roulette or b/w) but I'm really happy with the DWO. It bugs me to no end to have the numbers either fuzzy or not absolutely center justified, and this one is neither. The numbers are super crisp, even through the magnifier and are lined up perfectly in the datewindow. The case is an old Silix 5510 case. It has the bezel needed for a 6542, and while I did some initial reshaping (filing the lugs down to a normal level, and installing a better, though not gen crown) it was pretty good out of the box. PB drilled the lugholes and to me, it is pretty convincing. I have it on a Hirsch buffalo strap, which makes it a pretty comfy wear, though I am looking for a Jubilee, just to try... I have a 6636 stretch rivet bracelet that goes well with it, too. The bezel insert came from JoeyB. Mine was a custom order, as I wanted it to be really lumed - I know that's not reality, but again, that's how it looked in the ad. He superlumed it for me, which resulted in a really cool (IMHO) aged look. It looks slightly water-damaged, which to me gives it an air of authenticity. Edit - Oh, I forgot to mention - genuine Tropic 116! This crystal is super clear!! I couldn't believe that gen was that much better than Clarks, but believe me, it is! Here's the preliminary pics. More to come soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zeleni kukuruz Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Now that is passion!!! Great [censored] watch mate, love it!!! Congrates to you and all involved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Love to see a lume shot Stunning watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 that is a beaut! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Really nice watch! Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I would go with a bracelet, but your hard work & passion show in this piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww12345 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Wow, Freddy. I have to say - it's a cool thing when the "King of 6542s" stops in to your thread. Thanks! I'm going to get some pics of it later tonight on the bracelet and get a lume shot. The lume shot will blow you guys away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I agree with Freddy. It HAS to be worn with a bracelet. Other than that, looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww12345 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Thanks, By-Tor! OK, so we've determined bracelet > leather. Now the question - Oyster vs. Jubilee? I'm torn between both, so I'd like some honest opinions/feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Really wonderful watch, ww! 6542s make me jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Oyster, as God (& Rolex) intended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBOGH Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Looks very nice. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Great job!! I agree, only and oyster will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Magic And definitely an Oyster bracelet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww12345 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Pics uploading now with lume shots on an Oyster bracelet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmj Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Looks fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww12345 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Here's some updated pics - check out the lume on this awesome watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 You should visit the Photography forum & learn how to do Macro pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww12345 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 I know - this was with all the settings. I'm going to have to try and do a better job next time. Any tips? Your photos usually (read: always) come out cool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 This is a common question, for which there is a single answer - read your camera's owner's manual (so you know what features your camera has & how to use them) & the tutorials in the Photography forum & practice, practice, practice. Taking good pictures is just like driving a car. Once you know how to work the controls, it just takes practice until their operation is 2nd nature so you can concentrate on the task & not the technology behind it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww12345 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Will do. I'll try to get some more pictures taken tomorrow, and I'll try using a white background with plenty of foreground light (what I've learned so far from the photography forum.) Stay tuned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 That would help, but I would read the 'Macro' chapter in your camera's owner's manual 1st. Once you figure that out, you would have clearer pics, the lack of which is the biggest impediment keeping people from seeing the fine details of your watch. Note that most of my pics are taken with this 2002 4MP point-&-shoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww12345 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 By the way, here are some photos PB took of the DW aligning... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchguy51 Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 By the way, here are some photos PB took of the DW aligning... I kind of like the look of the dial without the lume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 I kind of like the look of the dial without the lume Please do not requote an entire set of pics just to add a line or 2 at the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.