cc33 Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I picked up this old 6536-1 dial from vrm last week partly because the seller called it ugly and partly because it was cheap. Anyhow it ended up being pretty bad in person. I have heard back from 2 dial restoration company's, Kirk rich being one of them and Bob Ridley the other. They both said that after inspecting the pictures I provided that the dial was beyond a good cleaning.. It would have to be redone. I asked if there was any way to save the dial and just clean the crud off because I like the dial itself. The answer I got was no, the dial would be ruined in the process of cleaning it. The crud was too 'baked' on in their opinion's. So I decided to try cleaning it myself. I figured the worst that would happen is that I would ruin it and just have it redone. I took some canola oil which was the only oil I had, and gently covered the dial with it. Slowly but surely the "stuff" would loosen up and with the help of a handful of qtips I managed to get it all off!! It took a few hours but now it's all gone and the dial looks much better. I had no idea that it would work but I'm so glad that it did. Now to find a case and all the rest. The pics are mixed up but I'm sure you can tell which are before and after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc33 Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Big diff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ylfig Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Great job! I would have probably been to scared to even try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc33 Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Thanks! Really had nothing to lose.. This is how it will look under a crystal, I'm digging it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmj Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Impressive cc. Great work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devus Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Pros don't have the heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt.watch.obsessive Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I like the look a lot and it's always amazing how the lettering somehow holds up. You're going to have to really age the crap out of the case ;-). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc33 Posted March 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I like the look a lot and it's always amazing how the lettering somehow holds up. You're going to have to really age the crap out of the case ;-). Thanks, the reason it holds up is because it's under a layer of lacquer. If this was a printed dial it wouldn't have worked. I kind of thought it would be ok as long as I was gentle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toocan Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I really like it too. It looks awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zeleni kukuruz Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 I like the look a lot and it's always amazing how the lettering somehow holds up. You're going to have to really age the crap out of the case ;-). Dosent have to do that! I have seen [censored] up dials in mint cases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeromatic Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Super dial ! we are always trying to make so called redone dials look like that get a decent case and find a gen rolex movement ! the dial deserves only the best ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 That really shows just how gorgeous the gilt lettering can be. My 6536 has that same rich deep gold color, but the gilt 1675 in comparison looks like cheap brass shining through. It will be fun to watch this one come together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 looks gorgeous. any chance to show us the dial feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc33 Posted March 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Feet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 thanks so much! beautiful dial. i'd actually sent the seller about the dial, after you bought it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rower Posted March 2, 2013 Report Share Posted March 2, 2013 Excellent work! I have to say that this forum and a few others have the most passionate people when it comes to watches. It is posts like this that keeps me coming back. Thank you for taking the time to share your work and your passion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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