6538 big crown accurate build and questions

[r6538]

i can't see how to edit my posts to add info, so sorry for spamming, but you should be aware that you might need to shave a smidge of material off your case's crystal retaining ring for it to fit over the crystal

 

[Jigen]

looks about right comparing it to mine - you can tell because the edges of the crystal look very round. the service t17 looks noticeably less round at the edges. i think this looks right

I will post some pictures when they come in.

 

[Jigen]

i can't see how to edit my posts to add info, so sorry for spamming, but you should be aware that you might need to shave a smidge of material off your case's crystal retaining ring for it to fit over the crystal

That should be easy enough, time to use the excess sandpaper from my car stuff Also, Phong said it fits gen stuff, so we can put that to the test.

 

[r6538]

yeah he said the same thing for my first build and i definitely needed a touch of sanding on the ring haha

 

[Jigen]

How do these look to you guys? Since I have not decided on the dial yet, the lume color isn't bothering me too much.
@CarlosFFF @369mafia @Singapore9

 

[r6538]

they look good, relatively little curvature to the hands. who are these from? i'd like a set myself, i tend to stockpile parts for a rainy day

 

[r6538]

ah wait these are the hands from phong? they look good - probably not useful for me since i use an ETA in my latest build and resizing 1030 hands to fit ETA isnt doable due to the amount of stretch needed to fit (or so i hear)

 

[WatchN3RD]

How do these look to you guys? Since I have not decided on the dial yet, the lume color isn't bothering me too much.
@CarlosFFF @369mafia @Singapore9

Honestly, the hands look great. But what time frame or years are going for? Those look like high quality Vietnamese hands with great lume. I'd love a set.
Might be too narrow for straight out the factory though, if you want to obsess about it. I think 1016s had wider, longer hands until about '55. I know for a fact 1675s did through much of the 60's. I can only guess the Submariners were similar?

 

[WatchN3RD]

Sorry, I was only referring to the minute hand. But how many watches that old haven't had there hands replaced anyway?

 

[r6538]

the minute hand width looks correct to my eye

 

[Jigen]

they look good, relatively little curvature to the hands. who are these from? i'd like a set myself, i tend to stockpile parts for a rainy day

Handset | Vintage | 6538 | Gold | White Big Dot Sweep | Non Glow Luminous | eBay

• Reference : 6538. • 3x Piece Handset : Hour | Minute | Big Dot Sweep. • Luminous : Non Glow. Optional : Luminous Glow Upon Request.

www.ebay.com

 

[Jigen]

ah wait these are the hands from phong? they look good - probably not useful for me since i use an ETA in my latest build and resizing 1030 hands to fit ETA isnt doable due to the amount of stretch needed to fit (or so i hear)

yeah it was from his ebay store, I thought they looked alright too. Should be arriving on Monday and will take pictures again

 

[Jigen]

Honestly, the hands look great. But what time frame or years are going for? Those look like high quality Vietnamese hands with great lume. I'd love a set.
Might be too narrow for straight out the factory though, if you want to obsess about it. I think 1016s had wider, longer hands until about '55. I know for a fact 1675s did through much of the 60's. I can only guess the Submariners were similar?

I'm going around a series 3, ~57' build. Since I am not that confident on my parts, it is safer to make a crossover series instead. I wanted a silver triangle no hash but haven't seen a bezel I like.

 

[Jigen]

Also anyone have better way to reach MQ? I want his dial but no luck on having him message me back on his site

 

[Jigen]

ah wait these are the hands from phong? they look good - probably not useful for me since i use an ETA in my latest build and resizing 1030 hands to fit ETA isnt doable due to the amount of stretch needed to fit (or so i hear)

I'm sure a miniature round file can help with that. Not that I've done anything that small like a watch hand but other things like carburetor progression hole worked before.

 

[WatchN3RD]

I'm going around a series 3, ~57' build. Since I am not that confident on my parts, it is safer to make a crossover series instead. I wanted a silver triangle no hash but haven't seen a bezel I like.

Here's a picture I found that's supposedly an untouched, all original from 1958. So, the larger hands were definitely used on some, but with 95% of hands probably being replaced on 70 year old watches, I think your hands should work perfectly for a believable build.

 

[Jigen]

Here's a picture I found that's supposedly an untouched, all original from 1958. So, the larger hands were definitely used on some, but with 95% of hands probably being replaced on 70 year old watches, I think your hands should work perfectly for a believable build.

Thank you very much for the reference photo, I still feel like my set is a bit too shiny. I'll see how it pairs up to the dial when they all arrive.

 

[Jigen]

looks about right comparing it to mine - you can tell because the edges of the crystal look very round. the service t17 looks noticeably less round at the edges. i think this looks right

@CarlosFFF what do you think?

 

[Jigen]

@CarlosFFF what do you think?

@CarlosFFF its about 5mm high bottom to top

 

[Jigen]

Problem with Phong, he doesn't have an III.57 case back... I was told specifically it can be made,smh. Might need to get his II.57 case back and stamp myself.