I thought I would start this thread to 1) get comments from the experts, and 2) help anyone new starting the same journey I am undertaking at the moment. First, I have been repairing, modding, and restoring vintage Seiko Pogues, Kakume's, Dr. Chrono's, Bullheads (both Citizen/Seiko) and most other 6139's and 6138''s for years. Also many Citizen 8110a's. I also mod, repair, and restore new and old dive, sport, and dress watches (mostly Seiko, Citizen, a few Timex Marlins, you name it, and a few Bulova's with Swiss movements and a couple odd ones here and there). Got into reps several years ago, did some repair, a little modding, but never ventured into franken because I always had 5 other watches in the hopper that needed parts and work. As we speak, I have a Citizen Bullhead, Citizen 51-2273 1970's diver, Seiko Pogues, and new Seiko Turtle all in the hopper needing parts to finish...plus, I am re-jeweling 6309 arbors right now as well....
I was getting a little bored on the Seiko scene...I own too many mods and vintage restorations...I was always saving for the next rep to put in the watch box...then one day I ventured into the Vintage section here at RWI. All these years and never once before did it interest me...and...wow! The bug bit me...and, where the hell do you start? It's almost like asking, who makes the best sub...how to make the best 6538 or 5513?
And...there are sooooo many rabbit holes on this subject, it is really overwhelming at first. So, I read and read and read and slowly you start to unravel the mystery on how to start a build.
So, I am starting my own 6538 as my first build. I am not going all out $$$, so no Ruby or Vietnam cases for me. Rather, this is a journey to learn, but end up with a damn nice watch in the end. I plan on posting all the pics as I transition through this build...I welcome comments and advice. As I said, not an expensive build, but something to learn....
First...what case? Even before that...what dial? This is an eternal landslide of information and you need to get it right or your just throwing money away...So I decided Raffles dial because they are inexpensive and I think they look decent enough for a starter project. The one I have coming is 29 mm. I then decided on the TC 5508 V6 case. I am not sure how accurate it is though, but I saw someone say it could be used, so I bought it.
This is what you get for ~$100. I could have saved some money and left the bracelet because I'm going for a Gecko Goldfinger Nato...
I was getting a little bored on the Seiko scene...I own too many mods and vintage restorations...I was always saving for the next rep to put in the watch box...then one day I ventured into the Vintage section here at RWI. All these years and never once before did it interest me...and...wow! The bug bit me...and, where the hell do you start? It's almost like asking, who makes the best sub...how to make the best 6538 or 5513?
And...there are sooooo many rabbit holes on this subject, it is really overwhelming at first. So, I read and read and read and slowly you start to unravel the mystery on how to start a build.
So, I am starting my own 6538 as my first build. I am not going all out $$$, so no Ruby or Vietnam cases for me. Rather, this is a journey to learn, but end up with a damn nice watch in the end. I plan on posting all the pics as I transition through this build...I welcome comments and advice. As I said, not an expensive build, but something to learn....
First...what case? Even before that...what dial? This is an eternal landslide of information and you need to get it right or your just throwing money away...So I decided Raffles dial because they are inexpensive and I think they look decent enough for a starter project. The one I have coming is 29 mm. I then decided on the TC 5508 V6 case. I am not sure how accurate it is though, but I saw someone say it could be used, so I bought it.
This is what you get for ~$100. I could have saved some money and left the bracelet because I'm going for a Gecko Goldfinger Nato...
