What do you guys think of my project so far?

[05tbowner]

Just received my mil sub from RSH today and was able to start working on it. I "vintaged" the case up a little bit with a few methods I discovered on the forum. I wasn't to fond of the bezel insert, so I removed it for not, but plan on replacing it with a gen faded sub bezel. I'm also going to swap the 21 jewel movement for a ETA 2824 shortly. Here's what I was able to accomplish today.

I just threw it on a explorer band I had laying around with older style end links for now, but have a black leather nato on it's way, should be here tomorrow. I'm looking to age the dial a little, so my question to you all is do you have any methods on doing that?

 

[d4m.test]

No, I'm still a noob who's learning; however, I think you project is going well, as the pics show an old, well-used sub... .

dave

 

[d4m.test]

Lookin Good; Love to see the bezel, will it be turn-o-graph or typical sub?

 

[kilrimont]

Looking good on the ageing. Where did you get it? Does t have fixed lugs and 5513 or 5517 enngraving between?

 

[05tbowner]

Looking good on the ageing. Where did you get it? Does t have fixed lugs and 5513 or 5517 enngraving between?

I wish it had fixed lugs...I might do that myself one day. I got it used from a member on here. It has 5513 between one side of the lugs.

Lookin Good; Love to see the bezel, will it be turn-o-graph or typical sub?

I'll be taking a ton of photos when the bezel insert comes in.

 

[kilrimont]

5513, very cool. Last week there was a 60 tick bezel on the bay. That would look great on your project if it fits. And a nato from corvus. Cehck out my DRSD project.

 

[constantwatch]

Hard to tell from a real 5517. It should look very nice when you get the insert installed.

 

[nicko]

It's looking very nice, I have seen many orig Milsubs and this looks pretty similar sans the $60k less in your pocket. :biglaugh:

 

[ThinkBachs]

It seems like the lug holes need to be a little larger, then replace the spring bars with gens that have polished ends- this makes a HUGE difference IMHO...

 

[mattheis]

I ordered a milsub insert from Clark and was disappointed to find out it was WAY too small for my rep bezel. The center diameter was smaller than the outer diameter of the crystal and a 1mm gap from the outer ring of the bezel. Oh well, it was only $15 bucks but FYI

 

[woof*]

I ordered a milsub insert from Clark and was disappointed to find out it was WAY too small for my rep bezel. The center diameter was smaller than the outer diameter of the crystal and a 1mm gap from the outer ring of the bezel. Oh well, it was only $15 bucks but FYI

My theory about that is because this particular variant of a milsub has a modern sub case. I have the same one and the case is flatter and the bezel is larger than my 5512 and 5513's from josh.
I don't know this for fact but it's the way it looks to me.

 

[pc12drvr]

My theory about that is because this particular variant of a milsub has a modern sub case. I have the same one and the case is flatter and the bezel is larger than my 5512 and 5513's from josh.
I don't know this for fact but it's the way it looks to me.

+1

 

[Darthmemnoch]

Like the aging on the case... the dial needs more work in my opinion

 

[05tbowner]

Like the aging on the case... the dial needs more work in my opinion

Haha, I know I know...I just am not sure how to age it right. I was thinking about wearing by the hole where the hands fit through. I'm also trying to figure out how to age the hands. I heard tea or coffee ages both the hands and dial, but not sure what I have to do...

5513, very cool. Last week there was a 60 tick bezel on the bay. That would look great on your project if it fits. And a nato from corvus. Cehck out my DRSD project.

Black leather nato is on it's way! It can't come any sooner though.

It seems like the lug holes need to be a little larger, then replace the spring bars with gens that have polished ends- this makes a HUGE difference IMHO...

Know anyone who can do this?!?! I don't have the tools needed so I was goign to improvise..

 

[mattheis]

My theory about that is because this particular variant of a milsub has a modern sub case. I have the same one and the case is flatter and the bezel is larger than my 5512 and 5513's from josh.
I don't know this for fact but it's the way it looks to me.

woof* ~ Good to know. Is that the $98 5512/13 that you're referring to?

 

[pc12drvr]

Know anyone who can do this?!?! I don't have the tools needed so I was goign to improvise..

Gen 5517's have fixed bars

woof* ~ Good to know. Is that the $98 5512/13 that you're referring to?

Yes, yes it is! I have one too in the middle of "transformation"

 

[woof*]

Gen 5517's have fixed bars



Yes, yes it is! I have one too in the middle of "transformation"

One of mine from josh is in the same process! gen crown and tube,lugs drilled, and a new crystal
I may turn another one into a milsub after reading this!

 

[05tbowner]

A little more progress...

I was able to do some modding to my milsub today. I aged the dial and hands this morning. I tried using the coffee method, but I was getting impatient, which is something you can't be in this hobby! So I stuck the dial and hands in the oven for about 35 minutes at 410 degrees and surfed through a few forums in the meantime. I'm very happy with the results of the dial and hands, even though when my ETA movement comes in, I'll have to do this all over with new hands anyway.

Also, I received my gen bezel insert, but it wasn't for a 5517 like the buyer stated, it was for a 5512 or 5513, so I returned it. I just installed a really crappy bezel insert for now just so it has a finished look. I'm also having a custom strap made for this watch as we speak with a gen rolex buckle made out of an old brown coach leather bag.

 

[joegrimm]

If you send it to Smidsy im sure he can age it for you. He did one hell of a job with a daytona...:facepalm: :biglaugh:
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/rolex-daytona-cheap-73791

 

[5up3rman]

05tbowner. He geez nice watch.
Where are you getting the black leather NATO from?
Would love to know