A better 6538 project

[Bart Cordell]

One of the most delicate parts of the assembly. Stem and stem extension sizing

[Bart Cordell]

Some adjsutement to do. Pearl lume, lollipop hand, dial without scratch @4. But I can wear it now !

[mir36]

That's a masterpiece.  Thanks for sharing the build process.  Could you share the part list too, besides to Tonny case?

[Revere]

You may be able to fix the defect at 4 with incredibly careful application of a little-nothing'th of isopropyl alcohol on a pointed cone-shaped lint-free QTips. Very specific, but I have had some success in removing varnish like that

[Bart Cordell]

@mir36
Tonny case
Gen tube and crown
Clarks Tudor (or JK, I can't remember) hands
ETA 2824-2
Gold leaf gilt dial.
@revere I will make another dial.

[Nanuq]

Bart, that thing is magnificent. I have one small suggestion: ditch that crystal for a dome. I can't remember what I put on the Frosty Flake, I believe it was a Clarks T19. It was about $60 and it looks very much like the T17 that's supposed to be on that 6538.

[philwongnz]

Looks awful Bart

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[Bart Cordell]

Bart, that thing is magnificent. I have one small suggestion: ditch that crystal for a dome. I can't remember what I put on the Frosty Flake, I believe it was a Clarks T19. It was about $60 and it looks very much like the T17 that's supposed to be on that 6538.

Yes it's planned. Tried a sternkreuz HW 304, but it don't fit tight on mid case neck. I don't want to use glue.

[Bart Cordell]

I need advises how to remove the lume from the pearl please.

[jackflash]

I need advises how to remove the lume from the pearl please.

You can scrape it out with a toothpick or watch oiler. You may need to soften it first with water or acetone.

[Bart Cordell]

@jackflash Thanks !

[DVNE]

I'd replace that pearl with a empty athaya acrylic pearl that you can lume to match and save that one for another project 

Lookin mighty fine btw!

[Bart Cordell]

@nanuq was not it a Michael Young T19 ?

[Nanuq]

Bart, you're absolutely right. It was a MY and looks really good. If you know what you're looking at it will drive you a little crazy because it's not quite perfect, but it's a darn good looking crystal. Very "vintage".

[Bart Cordell]

Bart, you're absolutely right. It was a MY and looks really good. If you know what you're looking at it will drive you a little crazy because it's not quite perfect, but it's a darn good looking crystal. Very "vintage".

Now I need to find the inner and outer diameters of it. I will ask MY.
Thanks !

[Sogeha]

You really are getting better and better at this Bart. 

Guys, you think these look good in the pictures, you should see how much better they look in real life.

[Bart Cordell]

@Sogeha Thanks my friend !
Hope to see your build soon

[Bart Cordell]

Forgot to mention the stem extension in the parts list.
A tap 7 (1.2mm) to tap 10 (0.9mm) is necessary.

[Bart Cordell]

As suggested by@DVNE, I replaced the pearl by an Athaya and put some vintage colored lume to match. I found it quite difficult. What is the best way to do it ?

I also changed the gold second hand with a white lollipop.

[JoeyB]

I've found that putting a bit of lume in the cup and then a drop of 5 minute epoxy and it comes out nice.

 

[Bart Cordell]

I've found that putting a bit of lume in the cup and then a drop of 5 minute epoxy and it comes out nice.
 

Manipulate and place the pearl on the insert hole is a bit tricky. I was afraid to twist the insert.
So here is the first update already.
Athaya pearl and OnlinestoreHK white lollipop lumed to match.

[mir36]

That came together nicely! 

[stray_cat]

This project has turned out so nice and yet I'm sure an even better dial is going in it. Following this build is better than porn lol. Thanks for sharing .

[Bart Cordell]

Thanks !
The better dial is still shipping from Lanzhou

[Sogeha]

It looks very good now, but personally I think the second hand is too brilliant white. I just looked online at gens and of course over the decades there has been a mellowing of the paint. They are mostly still very white, but seem not so stark white. IMO it is a very small detail that would give it a huge boost forward.