My GMT 1675 build

[Wiz]

Hi guys,

I started working on this watch about 18 months ago. This was my first "complete" 1675 build. I always wanted one, so I took the necessary time to perform the work and gather all the parts, and even if it has been a long (and expensive) journey, it was definitely worth it.

Basically it has been my daily beater for almost a year now, but so far I couldn't really find time to share, or even take pics. Only a few of the guys saw it in the flesh at the EU gtg in CPH last december, but it was a work in progress at the time.

If everything goes as planned, this watch is going away in a trade in a few days, so before it's gone for good, I thought it would be a good idea to take a few pics and share them.

I'm really happy with the result, the watch is exactly what I wanted it to be. The only extra I was thinking about was a gen crystal, but I couldn't really justify the price difference with a clark crystal. Now on to the specs.

Parts:

1655 cartel case,
Gen mate dial,
Gen crown,
Aftermarket tube,
Gen pepsi bezel insert,
WSO bezel assembly,
Yuki hour/minute/second hands,
Cartel gmt hand,
Raffles time Caseback,
Swiss 2846-2 modified with GMT gears,
Unknown silver datewheel,
Clark crystal,
Rep folded bracelet,
WSO 580 end links,
Gen spring bars.

Work:

Reworked case profile (but not too much to avoid compromising the water resistance),
Reworked CG,
Drilled lugs,
Soften all edges and performed a light aging of the case,
Installed the aftermarket tube and gen crown,
Reworked and installed the WSO bezel assembly with Clark crystal,
Reworked and installed the gen bezel insert,
Light aging of the hands to match the off-white color of the dial,
Install the gen dial,
Soften edges of the bracelet and clasp for a more gen feel.

Other details:

The dial is a genuine mate tritium dial from a well known EU parts seller, not the "refinished" or rep crap sold as gen you can find on ebay.
Same for the crown, 100% gen.
The insert is gen but is damaged, it's crushed from 6 to 16 on the red half.
Waterproofing tested to 3 ATM, didn't try to test it higher.

Pics!

Makes me smile when people ask me for puffy lume when I see how "un-puffy" this one is.

 

[Beone21]

The model doesnt appeal to me as much as other vintage models. But the effort, time and TLC shows in this build. Very nice work.

Someone is going to be very happy with this. The trade must be something very interesting for you to do this trade.

 

[co-axial]

I remember that watch,Wiz from our GTG, looked fine back then and looks even better now. Well done. The drilled lugholes look quite good; I tend to ruin them whilst drilling (2 out of 4 tries :facepalm: )

 

[justlounging]

Looking good..i wonder how the insert got crushed..

 

[Wiz]

The model doesnt appeal to me as much as other vintage models. But the effort, time and TLC shows in this build. Very nice work.

Someone is going to be very happy with this. The trade must be something very interesting for you to do this trade.

Financially speaking it's not really interesting, I'm not even getting back what I paid for the parts, not to mention the work involved. But I wore the watch almost every day for a year now, and I feel it's time for a change. Not changing for better, just for different.

 

[co-axial]

What you changing to.?

 

[armanou-pascal]

Great pics of a great built 1675 Wiz ! Really stunning !
That´s what i am looking for here in EU ...

 

[Wiz]

Looking good..i wonder how the insert got crushed..

Oh I know. I brought it back in my suitcase and the box I thought would protect it didn't quite do its job.

 

[txrob779]

Have mercy....great build, great work, killer.
This model is one I absolutely HAD to have. I dont know how you can let go of it Wiz.

crack on then

 

[txrob779]

Did you choose the WSO bezel assembly over the Clark for any specific reason?
Seems like that WSO kit was the one to have until Gary unveiled his 3 piece kit that I debued on my 1675 that Rick914 built?
I am just curious because I still see guys using this WSO kit? Maybe I am missing something?

 

[Wiz]

What you changing to.?

It should be a 1665.

 

[Wiz]

Did you choose the WSO bezel assembly over the Clark for any specific reason?
Seems like that WSO kit was the one to have until Gary unveiled his 3 piece kit that I debued on my 1675 that Rick914 built?
I am just curious because I still see guys using this WSO kit? Maybe I am missing something?

I actually ordered clark's bezel assembly because I wanted to check it in person, but it turned out the teeth of the bezel are not accurate for a 1675, or maybe only for the very lastest models. And as all the specs of the 1675 we build are made to look like earlier 1675 (1970 and before), it was better to install WSO's.

 

[txrob779]

Interesting, this is the first I have heard this feedback on Clarks bezel assembly. I wonder if something changed? or if mine is "incorrect". I probably wont bother with a change but I am very curious. I am going to link you and have you look at the prototype that is on my 1675 and maybe get your "thoughts" If you have time

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/...5-gmt-104249?t=104249&highlight=1675+txrob779

Page 4 is where the pics start for the Clark prototype E....

 

[Wiz]

The teeth of the bezel are incorrect indeed, but that's not new, I think I read it when clark released their bezel.

Anyhow, the difference is not huge, so I wouldn't bother over it.

 

[txrob779]

Okay cool....Not that means a hill of beans but in my quest for parts I had many conversations with Gary, bezels, inserts, insert colors, dials etc and he called me one day and out of the blue and offered me this "NEW" bezel to try and see how it worked out. So, it's a neat story that I had/have the first one he ever farmed out for a test drive. How cool is that...YEEHAWW

 

[rols16610]

Stunning 1675 Wiz