Falco Posted February 9, 2007 Report Posted February 9, 2007 Rlx 1655 Explorer II vintage, as worn by Steve McQueen in his last movie "The Hunter", or so they say Case Trustys 1655 "1:1 top grade", smoothed, CGs & drilled lugholes Fitted ETA 2893-2 GMT movement , modified spacer ring Fitted a 1570 caliber GMT hand from cwp after slight modifying Dial and hour/min hands repainted Fitted aftermarket Rivet hollow rolled link bracelet, different aftermarket endlinks, gen springbars Gen tube/crown Crystal is standard rep because 116 gen crystal and aftermarkets are too wide and even w/ fitting an o-ring or plastic spacer (between crystal & case)the whole thing loosens after a week. A 1680 gen crystal gives cyclope is too far to the left and only covers half the date window. I don't want a compromised rep so back to the rep crystal hmm... Any crystal suggestions are appreciated
Guest RiverwindMDS Posted February 9, 2007 Report Posted February 9, 2007 Man, That looks good... One day I'll ask you If you can do to mine the same heart transplant... But you took the wrong case..
Falco Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Posted February 9, 2007 Man, That looks good... One day I'll ask you If you can do to mine the same heart transplant... But you took the wrong case.. you're absolutely right! The "1:1 top grade rep" thing is total BS . MBW didn't have anything better to offer However, I really like this watch because it looks sort of toy-ish and for sure I'll wear it at the next 70's party
rag9fx Posted February 9, 2007 Report Posted February 9, 2007 Hmm you could always glue down the crystal unless that leaves you with a massive gap between the crystal and the rehaut . i am feelin those crown gaurds how long did it take you to bring those into shape?
ubiquitous Posted February 9, 2007 Report Posted February 9, 2007 Looks good, Falco... Nicely done and a nice combination of parts. I do believe that this is one model us vintage fanatics are sorely lacking in our world of good replications; maybe one of the factories will take the hint and offer up a quality rendition of the 1655 with the ability to accept genuine parts? One can only hope... BTW... I love that McQueen burn out pic at the end... Awesome!
Guest RiverwindMDS Posted February 9, 2007 Report Posted February 9, 2007 you're absolutely right! The "1:1 top grade rep" thing is total BS . MBW didn't have anything better to offer However, I really like this watch because it looks sort of toy-ish and for sure I'll wear it at the next 70's party http://stores.ebay.it/JDM-Fine-Collections...genameZL2QQtZkm Just ask this guy if he can find a good case for you...
Falco Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Posted February 9, 2007 Hmm you could always glue down the crystal unless that leaves you with a massive gap between the crystal and the rehaut . i am feelin those crown gaurds how long did it take you to bring those into shape? Tried gluing it down with hypocement, o-ring and a plastic spacer, but that made the bezel move after some days of wearing it. The CGs not really finished, here's the CGs of a gen:
Guest RiverwindMDS Posted February 9, 2007 Report Posted February 9, 2007 Every time I see that movement I love it more and more...
Falco Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Posted February 9, 2007 Looks good, Falco... Nicely done and a nice combination of parts. I do believe that this is one model us vintage fanatics are sorely lacking in our world of good replications; maybe one of the factories will take the hint and offer up a quality rendition of the 1655 with the ability to accept genuine parts? One can only hope... BTW... I love that McQueen burn out pic at the end... Awesome! Thanks Ubi, yes they just need a gen crystal to fix that irritating discrepancy between case-crystal Oh thanks Marco for the Ebay tip, always wondered about that JDM dealer. Seems to sell upgraded MBW type parts, unfortunately very expensive
rag9fx Posted February 9, 2007 Report Posted February 9, 2007 Yeah i am not a massive fan of gluing things down... i like the secure feel of tension ... but you could always glue down the bezel ... since it isn't supposed to rotate. I never realized that the CGs were that pointy on the 1655... skeet and urul have mislead me again! The Trusty case aint too bad then for CG work .
Falco Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Posted February 9, 2007 Yeah i am not a massive fan of gluing things down... i like the secure feel of tension ... but you could always glue down the bezel ... since it isn't supposed to rotate. I never realized that the CGs were that pointy on the 1655... skeet and urul have mislead me again! The Trusty case aint too bad then for CG work . Tried gluing the Bezel w/ hypocement including bottom of crystal. I'll try to get some super dual-curing metal glue over the weekend, and maybe put in an extra o-ring will help. Trusty case seemed good for CG mods.
Falco Posted February 10, 2007 Author Report Posted February 10, 2007 Forgot to post these, McQueen wearing Rolexes, looks like a 5512/5513, hard to tell
stilty Posted February 12, 2007 Report Posted February 12, 2007 Great watch and I love the movement! Nice job! Did you you need to build a spacer between dial and movement as the movement is thinner than regular eta movmements? I'm currently working on a franken project with 2892-2, and so far have found I need a spacer that is 0.37mm between dial and movement. Otherwise the stem won't line up with crown tube. I'm wondering if you had that problem and what you used. I'm experimenting with sign vinyl. I've had a sign maker laminate sign vinyl until it is 0.37mm, and computer cut me a spacer that goes between the dial and movement without interfering with date wheel. It is similar to a gasket. I've had it cut 28mm OD and 25.5MM ID. Can't think of anything else to use at them moment.
Falco Posted February 12, 2007 Author Report Posted February 12, 2007 Great watch and I love the movement! Nice job! Did you you need to build a spacer between dial and movement as the movement is thinner than regular eta movmements? I'm currently working on a franken project with 2892-2, and so far have found I need a spacer that is 0.37mm between dial and movement. Otherwise the stem won't line up with crown tube. I'm wondering if you had that problem and what you used. I'm experimenting with sign vinyl. I've had a sign maker laminate sign vinyl until it is 0.37mm, and computer cut me a spacer that goes between the dial and movement without interfering with date wheel. It is similar to a gasket. I've had it cut 28mm OD and 25.5MM ID. Can't think of anything else to use at them moment. Didn't need to make a spacer between dial-movement because this strange rep had no groove/slot cut out for the dial, dial's just lying there stabilised by the spacer ring which fitted almost (needed to trim it to fit movement holder screws because the 2893-2 is thinner than 2836) I know your problem but I solved it in another way with another project. If you know the silver ring that goes between the movement and dial, just make abot 20 notches (no cuts) upwards in it so that it will be raising the dial. very easy if you know what I mean,if not I'll try to find a picture
stilty Posted February 12, 2007 Report Posted February 12, 2007 Didn't need to make a spacer between dial-movement because this strange rep had no groove/slot cut out for the dial, dial's just lying there stabilised by the spacer ring which fitted almost (needed to trim it to fit movement holder screws because the 2893-2 is thinner than 2836) I know your problem but I solved it in another way with another project. If you know the silver ring that goes between the movement and dial, just make abot 20 notches (no cuts) upwards in it so that it will be raising the dial. very easy if you know what I mean,if not I'll try to find a picture I think I know what you mean, the ring that fits on top of the movement between movement and dial. I've got a few, but they won't fit my movement as they are made for 11.5''' 2824-2 movements, and I'm using a 12.5''' 2892-2 movement, and it did not come with this ring.
Falco Posted February 12, 2007 Author Report Posted February 12, 2007 wish I had a spare ring , try pm tourbillon1801 here on RWG or try contacting geo.tel (ebay seller in germany)
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