Question about "modded" Rolex's (General)

[dothedo]

First of all, I would like to mention that the "search" button and I have become quite acquainted...and I truly feel in my heart that a slow but rewarding friendship is starting to develop....

I also look a little everyday in the Rolex Forum...and through the "Repair" and "Mod" sections to learn as much as I can...read up on a few things.

There are many detailed and great explanations/pics/discussions...some easier than others to understand....

but...

what exactly is the purpose of a mod?

To make them look more like the original? Hobby? Both?!

I would like to eventually get a Rolex...and explore this a little more. Very interesting to me

As always...much obliged....

Rob

 

[Spirit]

...You already asnwered your own question there
Mod is for both reasons indeed. It´s a hobby, a "manual hobby" where you can .....how can I say...enjoy some "craftsmanship" while modding your watches... Like diecast cars or planes...

It´s to make it look like the original.. and it´s to make you happy with it.

I gotta say, I made my first mod this week, I shaved my 16610 Submariner CGs, and...I gotta tell you. On the wrist, it made no difference at all. lol. I even can´t see it when wearing my own watch! It´s only really visible when you put the CGs against some light or white background, ´cause other than that, only on ubber macro mode photos I could check what I have done to my Submariner

But you know what? I feel good doing that, I started shaving the CGs in the middle of the night...like 3:30am already, and I wanted to see what would come off that, and didn´t stop until I was finished with the modding. Nobody will ever see this difference other than us here in this forum with super macro photos, but who cares? I was happy to make it and I´m happy for having it modded!

Now I´m gonna get another thing to mod, the pearl...I have already recessed the insert a bit, but as a new one is coming along, I´ll recess it too.

It´s cool, and a way to just relax and hold our attention and thoughts to something to just 'fly away' for a little moments.
..I was kinda stressed this night, and couldn´t sleep, so there I was sanding CGs out of nowhere... lol

Just enjoy it, mate


Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[dothedo]

Thanks for the reply Spirit...I am really interested in the modification part of everything. I had no idea...I guess I was just thinking watches came "pre-made" from a factory or something. This is all very new to me and fresh....but again very exciting.

I kind of feel like I am back in school again...but learning about things I ACTUALLY WANT to learn about. hehe.

I would love to see pics of your Rolex! I usually go outside and smoke a cigarette when I can't sleep or raid my empty fridge for something exciting...but who knows....maybe someday I'll be playing with my watch instead.

Thanks again for the reply...I was kind of hesitant to post this because I didn't want it to come off as a stupid question (even though I am beginning to feel like it might have...ha)

None the less I appreciate it

Rob

 

[AllergyDoc]

One very easy mod is to replace the replica bezel insert and pearl with one from Watchmaterial.com. I did this with my Seadweller. The result was an insert that sat below the bezel lip: more accurate, I think.

 

[dothedo]

I searched for the term "pearl" and "pearl insert"...228 pages came up...mostly talking about mods already done or planned....


I know what the bezel is...what is the pearl?

It's not in the glossary of terms either (could be wrong)....

 

[AllergyDoc]

Pearl:

 

[dothedo]

Got it...so it is an actual pearl. Makes sense

Over-thinking a plate of beans....

 

[Spirit]

Heh! I´m almost always trying to raid my empty fridge too.. lol

The best part of the day - the most calm - is the late night for me, and it´s cool to be doing something that you like while eating, if you can´t sleep.
I´m always on the laptop, and usually on the forum here, browsing the net, or gaming a bit...

But another thing that has taken my nights is photoshooting my watches, and now modding what I can is a new option too

Here´s a pic of the shaved CGs (CrownGuards) of my 16610 Submariner...
...On the wrist, it´s a really insvisible mod, and noone but us here - mega zoomed pics stalkers will notice...but I enjoyed doing it and later will probably do that to my LV Sub too =)

On this Rolex, I had already recessed the Insert on the Bezel, as Doc did on his Sea-Dweller, but as I´m waiting for a new insert arrive with a WM Pearl (WatchMaterial) I´ll have to recess the new insert too, to make it look better with it, more GEN alike.

This is the mentioned 16610 Submariner, with the 16610LV on the background..

Here the 16610LV that will have its CGs sanded later...and maybe get a new Pearl even more later on

This one needs a new Pearl urgently...and I would like to get a new Clasp for it too

...and so goes on, I´m on my 13th or so Rolex still..(Subs, Daytonas, Datejusts, GMT-Masters...etc)


Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[seventhexile]

Here's another example of a wm pearl mod.

The insert on the left has a 'noob zit' and the one on the watch is the wm pearl

 

[dothedo]

Unbelievable...

You are right...that is something you probably wouldn't see unless you had side by side pictures. I like the black submariner...I think that will be my next purchase. Then I can start researching even more....but will have a live Rolex to compare with!

I know someone who I guess can get authentic Rolex bands....I haven't really asked too many questions

But I did take one down to one of the authorized dealers here...and it was real. He sells them for $150-$200...when he gets them in.

My only issue is I wonder if that would mess up the watch at all...I mean putting a genuine band on? It wouldn't scratch the non-genuine parts would it? Or be too heavy?

 

[dothedo]

I can absolutely see the difference...

The pearl on the right looks more "whole"...less metal.

 

[Spirit]

I can absolutely see the difference...

The pearl on the right looks more "whole"...less metal.

Crown Guards, actually!
...Yeah, but keep in mind that this pic was taken in 7.2mp and then reduced to hell...
On the wrist, it´s totally impossible to see the difference on those shaved CrownGuards

Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[AllergyDoc]

Spirit,

Are those Rollies superlumed?

 

[seventhexile]

Spirit,

Are those Rollies superlumed?

I've asked him about that before..
apparently he just gets fing lucky w/ lume!!
Then again he gets to see them before he guys them
*shakes fist*

 

[Spirit]

Unbelievable...

You are right...that is something you probably wouldn't see unless you had side by side pictures. I like the black submariner...I think that will be my next purchase. Then I can start researching even more....but will have a live Rolex to compare with!

I know someone who I guess can get authentic Rolex bands....I haven't really asked too many questions

But I did take one down to one of the authorized dealers here...and it was real. He sells them for $150-$200...when he gets them in.

My only issue is I wonder if that would mess up the watch at all...I mean putting a genuine band on? It wouldn't scratch the non-genuine parts would it? Or be too heavy?

Nope =)
It wouldn´t mess the watch at all, and would be error-proof for accuracy... heh!
...Only down on it is price, that the GEN bracelet cost more than some rep watches...

But adding GEN parts to the watch totally makes part of this hobby, if you really want to spend this money on!
Crowns, Tubes, Inserts, Dials, Crystals, Bezels, Bracelets....depending on the watch (not all of then accept GEN parts) it all can be done.

The most common are the Tube and Crown, Insert and Pearl.

Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[Spirit]

Spirit,

Are those Rollies superlumed?

Doc,

...as 7th said. I´m a lucky bastard...lol! :lol:
All of them have the standard rep lume, out of the box. =)

The LV has nice lume on the hour markers, but weak on the hands and pearl. the 16610 has a nice lume on the hour markers and pearl, but hands glow like a torch!
The 16613 has poor standard lume, and zit pearl has no lume at all.

Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[dothedo]

I want one...and since the general consensus is that all dealers are good...I am going to get one. Then I am going to come and bug everyone for tips!!!!! :lol:

 

[dothedo]

I love the nicknames

 

[seventhexile]

I want one...and since the general consensus is that all dealers are good...I am going to get one. Then I am going to come and bug everyone for tips!!!!! :lol:

whatcha guna get ?

 

[Spirit]

haha
Welcome to the DarkSide, mate!
...it will surely bite you to death with one watch after another!


@ Doc:
Usually, I let the camera with a exposure of 2 or 3 seconds to capture the Lume of my watches, with the desklamp ON.
But yesterday I played a little bit just to see if I could make the seconds hand glow thru the dial, and left the aperture open for friggin´ 20 secs, with no light in the bedroom, pitch black illumination.

Here´s the result. Submariner 16610 [Black Bezel]:

QUESTION:
Are WM Pearls superlumed, or have nice glow-like-a-torch lume as this one? I hope so...

Cheers,
Spirit.