dbane883 Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 Hi guys, I mentioned awhile back that I was embarking on a new project. Well, its now ready for public criticism. I had my heart set on building a 3,6,9 PCG sub from the early '60's. Having first acquired a cal 1530 with the appropriate butterfly rotor, I looked for an appropriate case. Luckily (although $$ buys one a lot of luck), I found a genuine 1962 PCG case and decided that an explorer dial is the direction i wanted to go. The watch came complete, but had a more recent cal 1530 and a very bad aftermarket dial. Sadly, the mid case was poorly polished and the bevels were all but destroyed. This is what it looked like when I received it. Truly horrific: I can live with an unpolished case that has worn lugs, but I cannot live with a case that was recently polished poorly. As such, I proceeded to give the mid-case a complete make-over. While a NOS looking case may not be appropriate for a 1962 watch, it’s not uncommon to have the case-refreshed by professionals who know what they are doing. If a case is going to be polished, I’d rather have one done properly that one done poorly. After several hours of surgery and taking steps to ensure the CG’s were minimally touched, here is the end result on the mid-case. I think it’s much more acceptable now: For the dial. There was only one choice. Obviously he cannot be mentioned, but I decided I wanted a 3,6,9 “silvery” gilt dial, exclamation. There are several different varieties of 5512/5513 explorer dials, but I think the one I chose suits the build. The hands are still a work in progress. While genuine, I am still seeking a set of flat hands. The hands I’m using now were a set I had lying around. It’s doesn’t look terrible, but I think flat hands would really finish off the project nicely. Genuine cal 1530: Caseback: Most 5513’s in the early ’60’s used 5512 stamped casebacks. It came with the mid-case and despite the poor polishing, the case was in stellar condition. Not corrosion whatsoever. Complete specs: Genuine ’62 5513 mid-case, caseback Gen cal 1530 Gen Tropic 19 superdome gen 5513 hands custom redial gen 700 twin-lock crown and tube Gen bezel asembly gen Uber-font “Long-5” insert (the only “kissing 50” long 5 i have ever seen) Gen 7206 rivet bracelet with 80 endlinks Just waiting to find the right hands, but until then, here are the semi-finished project: Group shot: On the wrist, the PCG 5513 feels great. I think it’s the slender profile that makes it so comfortable. It’s a little known fact, but the PCG cases were a tad thinner than regular CG 5513’s: I'm hoping to have a set of original flat hands soon, but until then, I will have to live with this as it is. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogeha Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 I could spend all day reading about your builds. Thank you for sharing and enjoy your new watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Magnificent. I love the pale silvery gilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 First class work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Lovely so a 1962 then ? My birth year and like others looking for one from that year to buy or build perhaps . Best stop looking before I go for a bundle with this idea in my head again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slay Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinaguy99 Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Simply amazing. Love your work. Would love to talk in private about my explorer 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Darth Bane, das Bevelmeister! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Amazing. Just gorgeous. Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrickvilleboy Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 perfection! digging it! these are mammoth and pricey projects I gather - good for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmpaHimself Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Oh my goodness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hologramet Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 You are a master of lugs and bevels. Truly awesome... Care to share how the magic is done? What tools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netniet Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 20 minutes ago, hologramet said: You are a master of lugs and bevels. Truly awesome... Care to share how the magic is done? What tools? Indeed, teach us What a amazing build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mui.richard.hk Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Speechless Suddenly I feel like mine belongs to the bin... a watch is meant to be worn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teiki75 Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Very sweet project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candide2424 Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 5 hours ago, netniet said: Indeed, teach us What a amazing build. One more lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djulink Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 (edited) 5 hours ago, hologramet said: You are a master of lugs and bevels. Truly awesome... Care to share how the magic is done? What tools? That would be that kind of tool (thanks to dbane for the pic) PS : amazing work and awesome pics as always Edited April 8, 2016 by djulink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogladio Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Best sub ever? That chapter ring gilt exclamation dial sure looks the part and paired with a fresh bevel pcg case... Thought about a skinny 4 insert? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsandtigers Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 by "luck" you mean me Looks great buddy, congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukenorris2011 Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 This is truly amazing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 I was wondering when you would post up some pics. What a beautiful example. Flawless execution Congrats on another perfectly built masterpiece . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick1972 Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Incredible case works as usual! The lugmaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowsweet_ Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Be still my heart. Those bevels... That dial... Next level work as always dbane, wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Stunning ! Perfect work as always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted April 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Best sub ever? That chapter ring gilt exclamation dial sure looks the part and paired with a fresh bevel pcg case... Thought about a skinny 4 insert? Skinny 4 is more period correct for a '63 build. Also, there is some controversy of the authenticity of skinny 4 inserts. I don't think there is any official Rolex pictures of that insert in any of their literature 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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