Hayst Posted July 17, 2021 Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 To those have posted on these here fora I would like to extend my thanks, for I have been quietly gleaning information from your posts over the past months that I might build a watch for work. I like the simplicity of the oyster case and the explorer dial so decided to go that way...sans branding as I just wanted watch that would stand up to daily use of shovels, chainsaws, and every other unsavoury job the council can throw at me. I stripped an old Ollech und Wajs that had seen better days and salvaged a couple of other bits and pieces from a couple of other watches, these parts I put together in an unbranded Raffles case with dial and hands from same vendor. Raffles 16200 case Raffles dial Raffles hand set Eta 2824-2 Elabore unmarked jubilee bracelet from ebay. Shitload of patience, tweezers, and large magnifying glass...and very sore knees from crawling about on the wood floor looking for all those damnably horrible wee screws I dropped. Please note that I was not trying to emulate a Rolex so didn't give a toss if the whole thing isn't correct...it works and suits me, twenty one seconds slow in the past seven days is good enough. Regards. Ps, yes that big scarred mitt with the calluses all over it did actually manage the task. Had not done this before, it was interesting. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted July 17, 2021 Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 Very nice! I see two cases in the pictures. Planning on making a second watch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted July 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 (edited) That is the old O&W case. I have since picked up all I require for a watch for my daughter. A 34mm Raffles Tudor case, Tudor dial and hands, and a Eta 2824-2 top grade. Just waiting for a 5.3mm Rolex crown and a leather Tudor case to turn up before I start. I have already installed Rolex pendant tubes and chased out the threads in both cases. Edited July 17, 2021 by Hayst 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 Thought someone may be interested in how my daughter's watch came up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted September 12, 2021 Report Share Posted September 12, 2021 Looks great! How does she like it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted September 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2021 She is down in Ballarat at Uni so has only seen pics, I finished it last night and shall send it down during the week. She does like the pictures. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted September 12, 2021 Report Share Posted September 12, 2021 I'm sure she will especially love it knowing that you made it for her! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted September 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 I set this yesterday at 1 second fast, shews less than 1 second (faster) variation in 24 hours. Not real scientific but I am pleased as punch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 Outstanding job! Those are impressive results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mir36 Posted September 18, 2021 Report Share Posted September 18, 2021 Very well done. Congratulations. I hope your daughter cherishes your gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted September 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2021 (edited) Good news as my lass will be home later this week and can pick up the watch...I really am looking forward to seeing her. On the watch front, it has been just over five days nine hours and the watch has gained just under 7 1/2 seconds so I am guessing that it has settled to a gain of under 2 seconds per day. Yes I am pleased. Edited September 19, 2021 by Hayst 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted October 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 (edited) Got bored with the dial...and by doing this I get to avoid doing the lawn and she-who-must-be-obeyed-or-else will still cook tea. I purchased a repro yellow lume 6610 and a set of gold yellow lume hands (seriously, cheap as chips) off Raffles. I used a tooth pick and some Auto Sol chrome polish to remove the Rolex name and symbol, then used a lady's blush brush to brush some cement powder colouring (brown) on the hands and dial to take the newness off and dull the colour of the lume. Seems okay...I prefer the printed dial as it doesn't jump out as much in bright sunlight, and the lume shines better on this dial in the dark. Edited October 9, 2021 by Hayst Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted October 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 (edited) Thought I would add a picture in bright sunlight...the cement colouring has dulled off the lume nicely and added an ever so slight browning to the dial. Edited October 9, 2021 by Hayst 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtools Posted October 9, 2021 Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted December 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2021 Not sure if this will interest anyone but the Raffles Dials Tudor and Explorer cases lend themselves to a double O ring seal on the case back. 28mm on the case back thread and a 30mm on the rear case seal groove...will probably mean nothing but it is easy to feel the second O ring when doing up the case back. When the case back is removed there is no damage to either seal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted December 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2021 Scratch that "and Explorer", it only works on the Tudor case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted February 4 Author Report Share Posted February 4 Bored, so dropped in a Soprod Newton PO92, a Raffles Tropical dial and a new swiss pendant tube plus gasket. Went for old and knocked about look. I shall put it on the Timegrapher tomorrow. On the plus side I got to utilise the set of Bergeon screwdrivers my girls got me for Christmas...really nice change from the cheap Chinese set I have been using. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted February 4 Author Report Share Posted February 4 It was interesting for a bit but I shall be changing back to a Raffles 6610 gilt dial tomorrow as I cannot see the time as easily on the brown dial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSebWC Posted February 4 Report Share Posted February 4 Nice job on the builds. you seem to have been bitten by the bug haha careful or you will end up with a watch box full of them I hope your daughter loves her new Tudor! I recently just bought the tropical dial as well but went with a bit more of a safe queen look before I decide which direction I want to age it further. I did age the lume on the dial and hands lightly with a brown air brush paint . I like how your dial turned out with your aging technique. it gives it a well worn look. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayst Posted February 4 Author Report Share Posted February 4 I have been watching your builds and like the profile the T21 gives. Unfortunately I work on the local shire and an acrylic crystal would be destroyed almost immediately. ...and wild horses couldn't drag that watch away from my Daughter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted February 4 Report Share Posted February 4 8 hours ago, Hayst said: It was interesting for a bit but I shall be changing back to a Raffles 6610 gilt dial tomorrow as I cannot see the time as easily on the brown dial. Both dials are knockouts, so you win either way. But I would always give the nod to well done (ie, believable from an arm's length away) tropical dials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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