Tutorial: Improving The Bezel Engravings on The Rolex Sea Dweller Deep Sea (DSSD) v4 by JimBean

[jimbean]

Greetings,

This post will show you the child simple and cheap 'office' modification to improve the engraving on the DSSD v4 bezel. If you haven't read my review of the DSSD v4, you can find it here and read about the minor bezel issue. I called this an 'office' modification because I thought of it and started the modification at work using supplies you can probably find in any office or office supply store. I hope you find it helpful. Now to the show.......

Watch: Rolex Sea Dweller Deep Sea (DSSD) v4

The Issue:

Below are example pics of the bezel engravings before the modification. Notice the rough and imprecise paint job on the engravings. This issue is confined to the vertical edges of the engraving and is caused by missing and/or excess paint.

Required Tools:

• You watch...duh!
  
• Your finger nail
  
• Thumb tack
  
• White 'Sharpie' Paint Marker (any of the tip sizes)
  
• Clean rag (I used my t-shirt)
  
• Small piece of paper or the cap of a soda bottle
  

Step 1:

Using your finger nail, scratch the top edge of the vertical wall of the bezel engraving. This will scratch off the over spray of paint that is partially responsible for the imprecise looking numbers and markers. Do this for each marker and number that you feel needs it.

Step 2:

Shake the marker, then depress the tip of the white sharpie paint marker onto your piece of paper or bottle cap until paint pools out. Then dip the tip of your thumb tack in the paint.

Step 3:

Run the point of the thumb tack (which should now have some paint on it) along the edge of the vertical wall of the engraving. Don't worry if the horizontal floor of the engraving gets some paint on it. Wait several seconds for the paint to get more viscous after painting. To be more precise, you can use a loop. I didn't have one, so I eyeballed it. When painted it should look like this:

Step 4:

Now use your clean rag or in my case my t-shirt to to wipe the excess paint off. Use your clean rag covered finger nail and run it parallel to the vertical wall of the newly painted engraving. Most of the paint should wipe right off, except those in the initially blank areas of the engraving wall. Note that the paint I used looks brighter than the original paint. But since, you're only using very small amounts of paint to fill in the tiny gaps, it blends right in. If you missed a spot, you can always repeat step 3. Also, if the painting on the engraving floor is uneven, you can file it down with a fine grade nail file.

The Result:

Once satisfied with your paint touch up, let dry. Then open up a beer and enjoy the results. Now give this a shot to improve your DSSD v4 bezel. You can probably use this technique on the GMT IIc, but you may need a darker paint marker. I hope this was helpful and it works out for you. Please feel free to ask any questions and comment.

Eye Candy:

[R0NiN]

Wow, nice how to, really a visible difference! Thanks!

[AlexGucci]

I have little problem engraving on my Gmt II ceramic.

It is possible also with this model or not? One of number engraving is it not perfect color...

What can I do?

Thank you,

Regards.

[gioarmani]

Mod really makes the V4 pop!

[yaron]

Did you try this method to improve the GMT IIc bezel numbers? Because the so called "full ceramic" bezel numbers are little grey and IMO should be whitened. Is the same Sharpie PAINT can be used?

Thanks.

[mikellem]

Anyone else having a problem seeing the pics?

Could you kindly repost!

Thanks,

MM

[mikellem]

Now I can the pics..

[mikellem]

Thanks JB,

Great addition to the V4..

Looks very much nicer...

MM