A while ago i read an article about an Explorer 1016 which catches my attention.
I liked these so much that i decided to do a similar one next.
Imho the 1016 uses a 36mm case, while the 5500 uses a 34mm case.
Purchased a genuine Rolex 1002 case through Ebay for roughly 350€, which is 34mm
and refurbish it a bit, while keeping the charme of the years.
I took this, with caseback and Acryl crystal as „the base“.
So here comes my Explorer “1016“ lookalike (5500) build, based on a genuine Rolex 1002 - 34mm case.
Bought a rep Explorer Dial for it, which was to big in diameter (28,5mm instead of 27mm)
and way to shiny for my experience.
First thing to do was to sand down the dial to make it fit.
Here you can spot the difference of the Rep Dial - before & after
(Left „the sanded version“ - right „default“)
Next step was to „vintagize“ the Dial and a Set of selected hands.
(I don’t wanted to extend that process to much, as i want to get some light creamy look of the lume at the dial & hands. Not to excessive)
On the movement side, i make use of the well known (& reliable) „low beat“ ETA 2840.
(Note: ETA was disassembled, mainplate bored for dial feet & movement holder screws, bevor i did the revision)
With this, i was ready to assemble into the genuine Rolex 1002 case & do the final regulation...
Together with a rep rivet bracelet it may do the trick for me.
At last...
A wrist shot of this new „old“ baby of mine...
(Welcome to your new life)
I liked these so much that i decided to do a similar one next.
Imho the 1016 uses a 36mm case, while the 5500 uses a 34mm case.
Purchased a genuine Rolex 1002 case through Ebay for roughly 350€, which is 34mm
and refurbish it a bit, while keeping the charme of the years.
I took this, with caseback and Acryl crystal as „the base“.
So here comes my Explorer “1016“ lookalike (5500) build, based on a genuine Rolex 1002 - 34mm case.
Bought a rep Explorer Dial for it, which was to big in diameter (28,5mm instead of 27mm)
and way to shiny for my experience.
First thing to do was to sand down the dial to make it fit.
Here you can spot the difference of the Rep Dial - before & after
(Left „the sanded version“ - right „default“)
Next step was to „vintagize“ the Dial and a Set of selected hands.
(I don’t wanted to extend that process to much, as i want to get some light creamy look of the lume at the dial & hands. Not to excessive)
On the movement side, i make use of the well known (& reliable) „low beat“ ETA 2840.
(Note: ETA was disassembled, mainplate bored for dial feet & movement holder screws, bevor i did the revision)
With this, i was ready to assemble into the genuine Rolex 1002 case & do the final regulation...
Together with a rep rivet bracelet it may do the trick for me.
At last...
A wrist shot of this new „old“ baby of mine...
(Welcome to your new life)
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