my attempt at the Hillary homage Explorer I

[markh]

Ok. So I saw the custom Rolex's made for the Hillary/Norgay Everest anniversary.

Check it out here... http://www.hillarytenzingedition.com/

I liked the Explorer on a leather Nato strap. I'll post pics below. I bought a cheap leather Nato off ebay just to see how it would work and what size (20mm or 22mm) I would like better. I like it on the 22mm but the strap isn't exactly what I want. I'd like to get as close to the actual one as possible so if anyone has any suggestions... I saw one on ebay that might work. I like the smaller keepers on the gen one. Some I've seen have really big keepers to accommodate thicker leather I guess.

I bought a 21j 39mm Explorer I from the sale forum here but I didn't like the shiny bezel so I used a scotch brite on it and like it much better. I wish the 3, 6 and 9 were brushed as well but not that big of a deal. I don't really like the red lettering on the gen so I won't be doing that...

Let me know what you guys think or give suggestions or whatever.

mine...

Gen...

 

[Atticus]

Very Nice Mark!!!

 

[markh]

Hey thanks man...

Just fyi... Atticus is who I bought the watch from...

 

[constantwatch]

Considering the HTE crate with everything in it costs 28,800 Euros (which could feed a small village in Africa for a year) I'd much rather have your watch.

 

[mydnytrydr]

Great look, markh ..... love the strap!

 

[bama1965]

Very nice looking watch. Very rugged looking. I like.

Ken

 

[markh]

I have a new strap being constructed. Hopefully it will be very similar to the original. I'll post pics when I get it...

 

[LHOOQ]

Nicely done, Mark. I remember when the Tenzing Edition Explorer was being teased by Philipp on VRF, and many people (including me) had visions of a modernized 1016 in their heads. The final result was less ambitious, but still nice. The price tag, however... For my feelings on the genuine Tenzing Edition, please see this link and read the dumbest comments. I'm on a similar wavelength.

How about cutting up that Scotchbrite pad into tiny squares, picking one up with forceps, and brushing those numerals? Hands, too, while you're at it. I think that would be a fantastic look.

 

[wat44]

using forceps to re-birth, eh? I like it!

 

[markh]

How about cutting up that Scotchbrite pad into tiny squares, picking one up with forceps, and brushing those numerals? Hands, too, while you're at it. I think that would be a fantastic look.

I would LOVE to do that. I unfortunately suffer from the dreaded shaky hand syndrome so I fear the entire dial would have to be roughed up...

Oh and I'd really love to have the boots as well but it seems as though they weren't included in the final product collection.

I'm trying to find a semi-inexpensive pair to create my own version...

Here's a link to the pic of the boots... scroll down they're toward the bottom.

http://slamxhype.com/fashion/rolex-hillary-tenzing-explorer-watch/

 

[LHOOQ]

I would LOVE to do that. I unfortunately suffer from the dreaded shaky hand syndrome so I fear the entire dial would have to be roughed up...

It depends on how the dial on your rep is put together, but you should be able to take out the 3/6/9 by poking a pin through the mounting holes in the back. Then you grab each numeral by the feet and rub it against the Scotchbrite or a high-grit sheet of sandpaper. It will still take a bit of work to get an even finish on everything, but the damage you can do is kept to a minimum.

Just tossing out ideas, and hoping you're willing to be a guinea pig.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, you really ought to be able to take off all the applied markers without much trouble. I can think of at least one guy who had his 214270 rep's dial spray-matted, and the hardware was taken off before the Krylon (?) was applied.

 

[markh]

I don't mind my watch being a guinea pig... But I'm telling you, I'm too shaky.

I also don't have the knowledge yet to separate the face from the movement to get to the back of the numbers.

How about I send it to you and you give it a shot?

 

[LHOOQ]

Heh, you want to see shaky hands? Just watch me try removing and recasing a 7750 movement! If you've seen Blazing Saddles, think of Gene Wilder as the Waco Kid...

Other than one attempt at reluming, all of my modding is theoretical. That's why useful guys like jmb get so much work from me.

 

[markh]

Yep. I'm the Waco Kid number two then...

I'll wait and see how the strap turns out and then maybe look into the number thing.

It's just an inexpensive 21j so I don't mind seeing what I can make it into.

I'm not going to do the red paint on the word "Explorer" though. I don't like the way it looks. I think it's distracting.

 

[LHOOQ]

Agreed on the red text. You're not going to be able to mod your existing dial in a way that will look decent, and it's not a great look, regardless. More like another bullet point for the "How is this different?" list, next to the huge-ass box and hiking boots.

Still, the brushed bits are a great idea--more sensible and more subtle than coating the whole watch in PVD!

 

[markh]

Ok. So here it is. I had another member make a leather Nato for me. Turned out pretty good... I like the look and I think it's pretty close to the original I was going for. The first pic is the Gen version. The next few pics are my watch...

 

[ispytonyv]

Looks nice, but out of curiosity why did you intentionally make the strap too wide?

 

[markh]

because i think the thinner nato looks a little too dainty on my wrist. i wanted it to be more substantial...