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[Tiger Rolex 6538] Re-Shaping Like a Boss


slay

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While building my Franken 6538 a few months ago, I was in absolute tunnel vision mode. I amassed way more parts than I needed, because.... because why not?!??! 
Here it goes. 
You start contemplating about dials, then you learn about GILT dials, but a GILT dial is bloody expensive, so you get a cheap(er) non-GILT dial and instantly regret getting one. So of course you have to get another dial, this time a GILT dial. Yes, that's better! Now what do you do with the old dial? No idea. OH, someone wants to get rid of their tiger case, maybe I could use the cheap dial for that? Done deal. Hm, wow, this case looks bigger than I expected, I guess 1.5mm in diameter does make a huge difference, eh? 

So what now?

Let's buy a Dremel. While we're at it, let's get the whole damn shebang. Why? Because it sucks when you are just about to finish building a watch and all that's missing is a tube or a screw and you don't have one at hand. OK. Rotary Tool Workstation, Flex Shaft, Vise, Carbide Burrs, Polishing Set, Safety Goggles, 100s of drills in 0.1mm increments, taps & dies, 20 different stem adapters and lots of other goodies...

Let's Play!

Did I already mention that the Tiger/HR/Silix case looks hideous compared to a real 6538 Case? Doesn't matter, I'll just mention it again, because it does. It's diameter is 38.22mm excl. crown, but it should be 37mm. 1.22mm doesn't sound like much, but trust me, it looks like much!

It's not an expensive case, so let's just experiment. WorkStation, Sanding wheel & a Vise should to the job.

Here are some pictures of the WIP:

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We're getting closer...

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...and closer...

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trimming the lip for a proper case-profile from the side

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halfway through

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checking in...not quite there yet...

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almost...

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a little more polishing...

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voilà

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to be continued
 

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10 hours ago, Nanuq said:

Nice work!! I should send you my MQ case.....

:whistling:

Aren't they already 99% to gen spec? the underside of the lugs may need a bit of shaping to get that upside-down "moustache" profile look from the side:

 

3HR9rV3.png

 

 

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7 hours ago, Nanuq said:

It's already gen spec but that upside down canoe look could be accentuated a little ... that's where Phong has him beat.

That's easy to fix, you should be able to do that with sandpaper and a bit of patience! I slimmed the entire profile of a Yuki case just with sandpaper (because I didn't have anything else back then). I have a 6536/1 on the bench that could benefit from that as well, I'll post a pics when I do the work!

 

MQs engravings (between lugs, case-back) are way ahead of Phongs, now that would be something that's more difficult to fix

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