Jump to content
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  • Current Donation Goals

Home made how to. Silver flat top three datewheel


Slartibartfast

Recommended Posts

It seems to have a slightly rough polished finish. I know what you mean, but the gen has a radially brushed finish.

Surely that should be straightforward to reproduce - brush the wheel before applying your 'sticker'? Unless I'm missing something?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is what I thought but if you have ever seen or tried to reproduce the radial brushing on a gen datewheel .... it's impossible! :lol:

Agreed. It is a tough one. The few I've made are okay, but still not close to the gen finish. From what I can tell, there are at least five steps involved. And I still don't know the variables for each step.

1.) brass blank (is it polished, matte, brushed before plating?)

2.) silver plating (before or after brushing?)

3.) brushed finish (does one brush the brass blank or brush finish the silver plating?) Also, has anyone noticed the finish is perfect? And I mean perfect!

4.) clear coat (matte finish? Acrylic? enamel? airbrush?)

5.) pad print the numbers (how much hardener? thinner? what is the humidity today?)

I'm still working on the plating and brushing... then after that, what clear coat to use? Then perfect the ink mixture on the pad printer. Then back to try again with a different combination.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An easy solution to the "brushed" appearance is to simply leave it alone.

Early silver datewheels were not brushed (MK1)

Later models & service replacements (MK2) had the bright "brushed" look

Final service replacement versions (MK3) where white

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to agree with JoJo here. I think what you have done with the transparency is brilliant & easily good enough for any non-gen-powered projects I might consider. The only way anyone would be able to detect the absence of brushing of the metal is to view the watch close-up with a loupe. But I think that anyone getting that close with a loupe will certainly have a wealth of other things to call you out on before they cite you because of the granular texture of your datewheel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only way anyone would be able to detect the absence of brushing of the metal is to view the watch close-up with a loupe. But I think that anyone getting that close with a loupe will certainly have a wealth of other things to call you out on before they cite you because of the granular texture of your datewheel.

I quite agree!!! :D:D:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Auction was a big success. A big thank you to everyone who took part in support of this great forum.

Special credit to winner RoninQ for putting his hand in his pocket BIG TIME!

Thanks again guys!

@RoninQ.....please post some pics when you have applied the decals. Can't wait to see!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up