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6542 Build

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crwilsn

Active Member
18/5/13
243
0
0
I am gathering parts for a 6542 build. I have been buying cheaper reps while stationed in Bahrain and used them to learn the watchmaking trade. It is time to put those skills and a few ideas I have had on the way to build my dream watch.

So here is what I have so far.

- Tiger no crown guard Sub case - Thanks Jerkstore
- Tiger hands and dial (will put together with dial if I have not found suitable alternative)
- Asian Clone 2836 movement - Ebay
- Small GMT hand - Raffles Time
- Clarks 115 Domed crystal - ebay
- Marathon spring bars - Not sure if I want to risk drilling case on my first build.
- Bracelet - I know a rivet bracelet is right but I have a real nice modern style sub bracelet that I will use.

The main things still to source are some of the defining features of the watch.

- Dial - I have looked at all the options and am not happy with any of them. Raffles and Helenarou do not produce a 6542 or even a gilt 1675. Yuki is out of stock and Ingod44 is getting a bit pricy for what I am trying to do. To top it all off, the Tiger case has a 27mm rehaut and a 28mm max dial size. I am going to stop by hobby lobby tomorrow and pick up some water slide decals to play with. I have a couple of extra really cheap dials I can play with and may be able to make something that will look ok. That means learning to lume also but in for a penny as they say.

- Bezel - I may eventually buy a plastic replica bezel but I was thinking what I could do with what I have. I was looking at some plasic resin encapsulated coins and thinking a layer of plastic resin on top of a metal bezel may look pretty darn close to a real one. With a little yellow tint it might just work. Of course at night there would be no lume but for a $15 bezal and a $15 jar of plastic resin, I might be able to live with that.

So there it is. Stand by to watch a noob mess up a bunch of expensive parts.

Clay
 
HAMMER DOWN

HAMMER DOWN

Active Member
12/5/12
241
116
0
Good luck! Sounds like one hell of a build. I would love to build a 6542. Way over my head though!
 
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crwilsn

Active Member
18/5/13
243
0
0
Ok so here is the progress so far on the big things.

Case - sharp edges eased and whole mid case polished. I haven't drilled the lugs yet as I have not decided yet. The marathon springbars look great with zero risk of screwing up the case. The tips extend out and look like a smaller version of the right thing. That being said though, I bought a set of rolex ones just in case.

View attachment 25893

Bezel - I was originally going to use a black metal insert but after looking at a bunch of pictures of 6542s, I decided to try and replicate a plexi bezel. I found an aftermarket and used a dremel to reduce the outer diameter. Plan is to fix it to the bezel then cover with epoxy resin to look kind of like the original. We'll see how it turns out.

View attachment 25892

Dial - I had an extra dial from a very cheap sub that I bought to take apart. I attached to a Dremel and filed the outer diameter to fit. I then sanded off all the paint for a bare brass disc.

View attachment 25894

Then printed a dial on decal paper after many trials on photo paper to get the size right.

View attachment 25895

And here is the final dial. Still needs some touch up with black around the edge and a few coats of gloss lacquer.

View attachment 25896

Last part is a roulette date wheel on the way from hk. Now I need to learn to lume a dial.

Clay
 
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Delaforce

Banned member, the goat does not approve
Banned
21/11/11
154
0
0
Nice!!!! work look forward to the end result :)
 
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Mendota

Respected Member
16/10/08
3,220
88
0
MN
I'd have to dig for the bookmark, but there is a seller over on RWG (I believe) who custom makes 6542 bakelite inserts for people. You can pick the colors, and tell him if you want it aged or new looking. You can also tell him if you want it to be luminous or not. Remember, the gen inserts were radium based and the active ingredient in the binder for the radium lume would have long since burned out. The radium itself has a wicked long half life, but the agent in the binder that reacts with the radium to produce the glow burned out very quickly so a gen insert would not have any luminescence remaining.

If I remember correctly, the price is very reasonable and is in line with what people are paying for regular aftermarket inserts. Maybe $35 or $50 or something?

Nice work with getting started on this. Just getting started is winning half the battle right there.
 
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Alex_P1

I'm Pretty Popular
11/5/12
2,030
14
38
Mendota said:
I'd have to dig for the bookmark, but there is a seller over on RWG (I believe) who custom makes 6542 bakelite inserts for people.

If I remember correctly, the price is very reasonable and is in line with what people are paying for regular aftermarket inserts. Maybe $35 or $50 or something?
Click to expand...


Oh no! The only thing putting me off building a 6542 was getting hold of the bakelite insert... I remember seeing one on here (I think it was Daz who built it) which looked amazing but sourcing the insert had been expensive and or difficult, so it put me off.

If you can find that book mark it'll be much appreciated.


OP, your watch looks great, excellent work on the dial. I was going to build a Black Bay homage using a Tiger case but the odd sized dial put me off, as I couldn't find a suitable rep Tudor one anywhere (someone was making them but had sold out). I love my 1675 and building one of these would be a great project.

Good luck with the rest of it.
 
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