Bart Cordell Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 I bought this watch in January in m2m on RWG. it is the Trusty Time model equipped with an ETA 2836-2 movement Titoni modified to have the GMT function. She had gone into the hands of RolexAddict for his work as usual modifications. To know :- Complete case and crown guards reshaping according to gen 1675 models,- Re-drilled lug holes to allow the use of gen Rolex springbars,- Bracelet end links modification to allow to fit gen Rolex springbars,- A thin and flat SS brushed case back,- A small arrow GMT hand,- A Clark 25-116 GMT plexi,- A 1675 insert at the right Rolex specs,- A pair of genuine Rolex thick springbars,- Date wheel overlay fading,- WSO Insert fadded,- Waterproofing 3ATM.Not bad but I expected a better job at reading the praise for RA.I hardly ever wore this watch, and you have guessed why. The dial is one of the baddest with that unlikely crown and 3D indexes glued. This is perhaps why owners has changed three times in three months before I acquired it.Since I was at the beginning of my experiments creation gilt dials, I left aside to focus on my other projects.This fall so I took the time to take care of the dial, and it was not easy. It is much more difficult than for a simple dial without date. I could not find one that is suitable in my batch windows dials. In fact, the diameter of the central hole should be wider to the pinion GMT, good size and in the right position date window. Another problem, all these dials are "modern" Rolex rep with glued indexes that reveal a more or less large hole when they are removed. Obviously these holes did not fall in the right places compared to the indices of my decals. Arrrgh!Only solution, fill the holes with solder, sanding, then cover everything with gold leaf. It was a first and I can assure that it is far from easy.You know what happens, a decal, several coats of varnish, sanding after some less successful layers to eliminatesome defects. Then applying my vintage recipe lume on the dial and hands.Thank you all for reading to the end, and for the purposes observers there is a little fantasy to discover Kenavo! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retina Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 alot of work went into the dial im sure have been following this build closely, congrats Bart! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolojack Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Bravo! What a journey... I love your effort about creating your own dials 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prdubis Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 1 minute ago, rolojack said: Bravo! What a journey... I love your effort about creating your own dials +1 Awesome job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 +100 very nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sogeha Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Excellent result Bart, you have some amount of determination. I'm not a big fan of that case, but the dial improves things immensely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imajedi Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Amazing. So many skills both computer and otherwise involved in this. Incredible results. I like the gold leaf, it gives an unevenness flicker to the gilt that looks more gen to me. As others have said, dial deserves a better case and gen insert. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Thanks friends !Nobody found the hidden secret ?@rolojack you know what I'm talking about, keep your mouse shut ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Bart, that's a good looking gilt effect. I like it better than my gen gilt 1675! Mine is far too bright and brassy.I found your little secret. Nicely done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Bart, that's a good looking gilt effect. I like it better than my gen gilt 1675! Mine is far too bright and brassy.I found your little secret. Nicely done! Come on, better than your gen dial ? I can't believe that ! We could make an exchange Nice In what pics did you find the hidden fantasy ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogladio Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 That looks about a 1000 times better than before, the gilt rail exclamation is a true classic. Keep us posted if you do more updates to this watch! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 2 hours ago, Bart Cordell said: Come on, better than your gen dial ? I can't believe that ! We could make an exchange Yep! Mine looks like the base plate is BRIGHT BRASS color instead of a muted gold leaf. It's okay but it bugs me. One small suggestion... talk to Tonny about his small-arrow GMT hand. It's a beauty and priced the same as the Raffles small arrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Yeah the gold leaf effect is better than brassed plate. I will prepare a new 6538 dial with it. Is this small arrow hand fit ETA GMT pinion ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 I don't know ... I bought it for my gen 1575 movement and it was a tight fit. I don't know what parts were used to retrofit your 2836-2 to add the GMT function? I bet Tonny can answer this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Ok will ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Bart - nice work. I agree with Nanuq regarding the GMT hand. It also looks like an aftermarket crown, so I would consider swapping that for a gen. With a better GMT hand, a gen crown & a bit of artificial patination, using my usual benchmark (arm's distance viewing), it would be difficult to ID as anything but gen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Bart - nice work. I agree with Nanuq regarding the GMT hand. It also looks like an aftermarket crown, so I would consider swapping that for a gen. With a better GMT hand, a gen crown & a bit of artificial patination, using my usual benchmark (arm's distance viewing), it would be difficult to ID as anything but gen.I have a spare gen 5mm crown and tube. Don't know if it fit, but I will try. Thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 I forgot to thank all the members who have made me their support in this project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 that is a really great build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Awesome build man! Your dial work is exceptional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hcaht Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Nice work BC! You should be proud of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Thanks all !then someone to discover the hidden fantasy ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowsweet_ Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Wow Bart, just... WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Cordell Posted October 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 16 minutes ago, meadowsweet_ said: Wow Bart, just... WOW! Thanks mate ! Its just a vulgar DIY, far far away from the quality of your project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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