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HOW TO: Heavy aging

DR3M3L

TECHMIN
Advisor
27/10/14
4,775
98
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First, let's take a look at our "project watch"....


yzugeqed.jpg



IMO a great looking watch- however we want this watch to be aged about 40-60 years. I like the more 'extreme' aging on some models like this one. So, what we're going to do today is:

- Aging dial
- Aging hands
- Aging bezel insert
- Little aging on case (not explained here, but easy to do using a shoe box filled with all kind of materials and just shaking with the case inside...).



First, let's strip down the watch, take the back off.



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Get the movement out :)


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Removing the dial (I take this as explained somewhere else, you can use levers or a hand puller tool.


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My own designed dial/movement holder which is absolutely great with these kind of projects to hold the dial without touching it, just holding the dial holder:


ysunevyb.jpg





First thing I did is adding a very light layer of laquer, then drying it QUICKLY using a haridryer or something.


5emygaza.jpg


Drying.......


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Adding a layer of a micture of tea AND coffee (I use an espresso..)

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After letting it dry for a while you'll see the result is starting to look nice :)


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Repeat that step for a few times, add drops on spots you want to age heavier, etc. Here's mine:


umy8ever.jpg



As a final step I did add a pattern by using a piece of packaging foam. Like this one:

HSM-Preserve-Hi-Flo-web.jpg


The result:


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Now, let tht sit for a while and start with your insert. I did the following:

- Remove the pearl
- Use bleach to age the insert


When the pearl is removed you're right looking at the Bezel steel, something I do not like. So I added a layer of dark brown/black paint to the back of the insert too:


9ajytevu.jpg



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To get the insert a bit 'scratched' you just take different grids of sandpaper and play a little bit with it :)






The next step is RELUMING the dial! This model will look so much nicer IMO when having bold old-looking lume. So here we go:


ezyhu6u7.jpg



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de3aqyra.jpg



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u8umyrem.jpg





Now only the lume needs aging on both dial and hands, to give them an 'old' look just use some tea/espresso mix again and apply it in multiple layers to get the result you are looking for... Here's mine:




ede8ute5.jpg



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Now, put everything back together! Here's my result in a video so you can see it in multiple angles:

[youtube]7rljujb08cY[/youtube]
 

tt88

㊙️ Time does not wait ㊙️
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
15/9/12
12,247
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Village, of course
looks.......old :D

was that nautilus harmed in any way through the process? :hehehe:


thanks for sharing!
 

Shooboo

Renowned Member
8/9/13
769
1
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Wow beautiful guide. Thanks. Would you be willing to send me the watch for closer examination joran :)
 

Nikoteen

I'm Pretty Popular
12/5/12
2,601
38
48
Nice work....i love doing this sort of stuff...great results
 

riure

Horology Curious
15/3/11
17
0
0
Good job. Amazing watch!

Thanks


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junbug5150

Put Some Respect On My Name
Supporter
24/12/14
4,209
23
38
Sweet. Hoping to try out something like this soon.
 

Salvatore

This member is doing hard time, they pissed off the goat.
INMATE
27/5/15
95
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Where did you get this rep for the project. I love it!


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Scarra

You're Saying I Can Sell?
26/5/15
31
0
6
DR3M3L - that is a fantastic mod, love it and the process! One question: what did you do with the packing foam? (apologies, the image took forever to load n my computer...)
 

zlwelch

Active Member
13/4/12
329
19
18
Hoosier
DR3M3L - that is a fantastic mod, love it and the process! One question: what did you do with the packing foam? (apologies, the image took forever to load n my computer...)

From the looks of it, I think he dipped the foam in the varnish and dabbed it on for texture.

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