Rolex Explorer 6350 Honeycomb ... pushing the limits a bit further

[manodeoro]

So it's all about building a 6350 Honeycomb ... a long journey that started about 2 years ago.

 

Many threads have been already posted here about early Explorers, so I wont write too much and will limit myself to the main informations ...
1 - The Explorer line was registered by Rolex in January 1953 ...
2 - The 6350s were the first Rolex to carry the "Explorer" on its dial ...
3 - The "honeycomb" 6350 ... this name referring to the specific texture of its dial ... is one of the most rare model ...

 

I've been making dials for years and, if I remember ccorrectly, my first attempt to make a negative-gilt one was mid 2016.
I slowly improved my skills along the years, modifing the technics I used, and always trying to do better and to take up new challenges.
This until I felt, mid 2021, that I could maybe achieve to make a gilt honeycomb dial.
I started to gather informations, pics and technicals details, read articles on the topic, and think about the difficulties I would have to overcome.
At the same time I started to draw the outline of the project and quickly did my first print tests.
And today, almost 2 years after I started, I'm happy to present the result I reached.

 

What has been implemented to achieve that build ?

 

1 - An "Explorer" box from Raffles ...
which I had to put through the worst torments ...
I drilled the lugs to be able to use 2mm bars, but I also thinned them to modify their profile.
I also rounded the caseback to get closer to the original "semi-bubbleback".
And of course I engraved the whole thing, both between the horns and inside the caseback.

 

2 - 316 stainless steel, a precision lathe and … elbow grease ...
Concerning the bezel, very particular on the Rolex 6350, I first thought about modifying the bezel of the Raffles case but I quickly realized that the only way to get closer to the original bezel was ... to make one.
So I took the time to study the profile and draw it, some 316 stainless steel, a precision lathe, some files, a lot of sandpaper ... and I ended up with a bezel that, in my opinion, is totally credible.
And frankly I am delighted with the result.

 

3 - 6350 "honeycomb" dial ...
This was the central point of the project and what required the most patience and imagination.
I won't tell you in detail how I proceeded ... there are some techniques that were obvious and everyone will guess it, and there are some little tricks that I discovered through mistakes, unsuccessful attempts, hesitations and then successes.
I think my efforts have paid off and I am really happy with this dial

 

4 - 2824-2 low-beat and no-date movement ...
I wanted a recent movement, which could receive a dial with dial feet (I don't like dial-posts) but I also wanted it to be low-beat and that the crown has only 2 positions (a no-date movement).
I started with an Asian 2824-2 movement clocked at 21600bph ... these movements are reputed to be of "average quality" but once disassembled, cleaned, lubricated and reassembled they work very well and can even be regulated to almost 0s/day.
On the other hand I replaced the keyless works parts by those of an ETA 2801, original no-date and of better quality.
The result is a new low-beat and no-date movement.

 

5 - Some parts bought on the market to complete the project ...
- T22 plexi
- BREVET + crown
- 2mm fat springbars
- 6200 gold plated handset … just because of the specific seconds hand ...
- 1016 gaskzts set ...

 

And that's it ... I think I've done the trick.

But "without pictures it doesn't exist" you might say, so I'll stop writing and let you make your own opinion ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JoeyB]

Many years ago when I talked Ken at Rafflestime into getting the Brevet crown and GMT small 4th hand made the communication sometimes got in the way. They needed some 'finish' work. Ken got the crown with the '+' made, but it was still too wide. So, I took a chance and modified it and outlined it here:

When shaping the crown/+ side care must be taken to not lose the bottom of the '+'.  I did that carefully with a Dremel stone that had a hollowed out top on it, a few swipes by hand. 

 

I may be mistaken, but yours looks to be that one from Rafflestime. I love how they turned out, on my 6204 and 6542 it's the finishing touch.  

 

[WooliBooli]

Just got this dial from you loved the write up! 

[alt.watch.obsessive]

Bezel looks great!

[kvuaria]

hi

the watch looks good! I have a TC 6350 case and removed the bezel. I was wondering can you make me one? or have one avail but does your bezel have a step? if its solid it will not work. see picture. Also where did you get your engravings?

thanks