My gen dial white Explorer II

[sneed12?]

Ever since I built one for Ruprekt I've wanted one of my own. I snagged a lot of parts (gen dial, ETA 2893-2, Noob Explorer) that another member was selling, and put my new watch together this morning.

Here's a shot of the parts I got, plus a spare movement I had lying around, plus my other Noob Explorer II (which is for sale, now that this build is done).

Comparison shots of the dials. Gen dial is on top, original Noob dial on the right (note the gunmetal markers). On the left is the dial with black markers that is currently available new through dealers, which I swapped into this Noob case a while ago (thread on repgeek here). You can see that the gen dial has a very light stain on the 12 o'clock marker and very very light damage to the "L" in Explorer.

I decided to use a Swiss ETA 2836-2 rather than the 2893-2 that came with the kit, since I the GMT hands I have didn't fit the 2893 (I could have ordered one, but I was impatient and I don't like the quality of WSO's stuff). I'm going to try to sell the 2893-2, and if it doesn't sell, I'll install it in my GMT IIc.

Here you see a 2836-2 w/ Noob DWO, the BK DWO that will replace the Noob one, some hands, and the gen dial.

Dial installed, BK DWO installed, hands installed.

Completed watch. Gen dial is the one with the bracelet installed, the one on the left is my old watch. As you can see, the "old" one is pretty good, actually! Weakest spots are the lume and DWO.

 

[Wiz]

Very nice work, and very nice watch as well, the white dial is really growing on me!

 

[KBH]

Didn't you find the second, hour and minute wheel height to be a little too low on the 2893-2? Or did you ever get that far into it?

I've got an extra 2893-2 that I'm trying to come up with a good use for.

 

[rsh]

you are quite talented my friend. How do you attach the dial to the movement ?

 

[lilbrboi]

i bet he used dial tape...

 

[sneed12?]

Didn't you find the second, hour and minute wheel height to be a little too low on the 2893-2? Or did you ever get that far into it?

I've got an extra 2893-2 that I'm trying to come up with a good use for.

I did get that far--not this time, but I've tried builds like this before.

If you look at the green GMT hand that came with my 2893-2 (I have it posted FS somewhere, with a pic) you can see that it has the tall collar on it. The rep GMT IIc ETA hands also have the tall collar/long tube to increase the hand stack height. I *think* that by itself will give you enough clearance to fix the hand stack height issue.

you are quite talented my friend. How do you attach the dial to the movement ?

I use glue, but DarthAlex has me thinking about trying to install new dial feet next time.

 

[Ruprekt]

You should do the dial feet. Pretty nice having a gen dial with feet in the eta position so it can be easily serviced down the road.

 

[pc12drvr]

Great build, buddy! It is pretty uncanny how good the noob dial is compared side by side to the gen, though - but well worth it!

I think I'm with you on the dial feet issue. After trying different methods, the feet yuki are selling are looking more and more appealing.

 

[JPJ]

That looks great and you posted it on my birthday ......


What do i win ..............

 

[correctime]

Very nice indeed. Gotta love the Exp.II's.
The "old one" does look great too.
Did you happen to measure anything on it while you had that one apart..? I'm curious to know if the crystal ring on it is as tall as the Noob.
Mine certainly isn't, so I can't use it to build a GMT II.
And the inner bottom of the rehaut ring measures 27.3

 

[King Jubilee]

Gawd, I want one of these...do not like the new Exp II. Other than having someone build, anyone have a good one for sale?