leitztozeiss Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Well, I had received a beautiful, pristine california dial 3646 from Neil and decided to experiment on some vintagizing ideas. Some of you might recognize it as one I sold to John a few days ago. I sold it to fund other projects. But, I just wanted to share some of what I did and some pics. First, I removed the crystal, stem, strap, and caseback and gave the entire case a medium coarse satin finish with sponge-type wood finishing pads - I started with medium grit and went to fine grit. I did the same to the end of the crown and to the crystal bezel ring. I rubbed the crystal lightly with a pad, then repolished using brasso to give it a worn, but polished look. With the crystal already removed, I went to work on the dial and hands. I used one of my kid's black charcoal pencils to color the indices and hands. I also dabbed the indices with a gummy eraser to balance between the original color and the charcoal color. This went much better than anticipated, and it was very easy - no messy paints, no dipping in expresso or tea. Once I got the indices to a desired color, I took a pad and scoured the entire dial in a circular motion to give it an even faded look. Looking back, I think maybe a dark brown or dark orange color would've worked nicely also. Also, I wiped the metal frame of the hands with a pad to give some wear to the edges, so in certain light a hint of metal would show through. Finally, I reinstalled the hands and put the case back together. I vintagized the strap using a scouring tip on my dremel. Then, I sold it to fund another project (6152!!). Here's the pics: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikellem Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Excellent post! Thank You,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris5264 Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 This is one of the reasons I really like this forum. No one would ever experiment with a gen panerai. I think it turned out great. While WM's watches that go for a grand may be a bit nicer (perhaps?), some of these are serious competion. Looking forward to the 6152. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novaman Posted August 8, 2006 Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Received this watch from Gil yesterday (08/07); he did a great job and the watch runs extremely accurate for a rep. I am wearing it now. I have an 30T2 Omega WWW mil issue ca 1943; close to same wear and dial/hand patina. The Omega was probably a flight watch; some of my WWII ground force wrist watches show considerable wear. BTW, Gil is a super person to deal with. I hope to see more of his projects. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leitztozeiss Posted August 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 Thanks John!! Glad to see it's already getting use. I'd love to see it next to your other vintage war-era timepieces. And, thanks to Marco, this will be the basis of my 6152 project. I'm still on the fence on which way to take this project: destro crown guard with brevet ital engraving, or brevet winding crown version. Marco also sent me a tastefully vintagized destro marina militare dial with 3-oclock subseconds dial, so I'm swaying toward the former. Hmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novaman Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 I wore this watch to a meting last night and a friend,USN retired admiral in his 60's, noticed it and upon handling it commented how great it looked as a vintage piece. I told him that it was a recently "vintageized" and he stated that whoever did this was very talented and should go to work for Hollywood as a prop master. He noted his past experience w/ Hollywood as a scene/prop advisor for USN ships/equipment. He wears a 1960s seadweller and appreciates vintage stuff. So Gil, you might want to consider a part time job w/ the movie masters for watch props! I'll send you some hard copy prints of the 3646 with a few of my mil watches shortly. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leitztozeiss Posted August 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Well, that makes me very happy - thank you for sharing!! I really would like to see pics of the 3646 next to your military watch collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finepics Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Look out for my project 3646 coming soon with some serious modifications!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leitztozeiss Posted August 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I was fortunate to catch this over at TRC, a WM 3646!!!! Thanks cpt390!! I'm now deliberating whether to install the cal. 616 in this watch. Hmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarks Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 Wow cant believe I miss this thread! That is a brilliant job you have done Gil! Taking up any custom jobs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitmic Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Wow cant believe I miss this thread! That is a brilliant job you have done Gil! Taking up any custom jobs? I wonder the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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