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A modernized vintage Air King

KJ2020

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12/3/18
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Part 1

So I've had this Raffles 114270 OG POFY DESN case for a while. @jmb has famously modded these with drilled lugs and a better bezel (V1), and then additionally slimming the height profile (V2). This was a leftover V1 he had lying around doing nothing.

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Originally I was going to make the usual vintage Explorer or maybe a Space Dweller but after looking at the dials I kind of lost interest since my case lacked the V2 mod. I like making different, even unique builds so I came up with this plan.

A modernized vintage Air King, yeah that's the ticket! Some things old, some things new! I decided on an all polished case and started working on smoothing up the case and bezel. I replaced the crystal and got the vintage Air King dial from Raffles. The hands came from Ali Express.

I wanted a green second hand like the modern Air King has but couldn't find anything suitable from aftermarket vendors. So I just painted one. It's not so hard, you just need to make sure the tape mask is stuck tight and use very light coats. Also get the hand up out of the paint bed immediately. You can just paint it while suspended but I find it easier to do it flat when masking is involved. No luming was necessary on this one.

I roughed up the hand a little with some 3000 grit to ready it for paint.

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Mask it off and really press the edges down

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Tape it off and use really light coats

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After it’s even and smooth, pick it up right away

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Next I figured I should get rid of the 2nd stem position since there's no date. You can buy the setting lever spring from an ETA 2801 (about $12), or just sand down one of the bumps on the regular one. Also the other calendar parts were removed.

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I had a jubilee I wanted to use for this piece. The end link needed a little reshaping for a better fit.

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*Continued in next post
 
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KJ2020

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Part 2

Also the end link springbar collars would only take a 1.8mm springbar. Those collars can be replaced with custom ones or even just cut and opened up a little. But I wanted to try a different approach this time. Crazy, I know. So I cut off some nice springbar tips, and used plastic dots as backers to hold an epoxy bed. It's good! I love drilled lugs and didn't want those beauties to go to waste.

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This is the difference it makes.

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The 29mm dial had to be shaved a little, this case would only take a 28.5mm. I just shaved this one by hand like this other dial, it only takes a few minutes.

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New dial feet had to be epoxied on and I always file down the dial spacer so the dial still sits flush.

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*Continued in next post
 
Last edited:

Storm.

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Beautiful build as always! Great piece. Love the seconds hand
 
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WatchSmith.US

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It’s one thing to make such an amazing build, and another to document the entire process as you brilliantly do. Thank you once again KJ! This is really outstanding!
 

KJ2020

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Thanks a lot for all the nice comments guys! The Air King is such an interesting piece I wish Rolex would give it some more attention. Good brief article below about the model's history if interested. Who knew there was an Air Lion, or an Air King Date? Imagine finding one of those in an old estate sale!


Cheers
 
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jmb

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Very slick with gluing in the spring-bar nubs! Looks great and the green sweep hand really pops!
 
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KJ2020

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Very slick with gluing in the spring-bar nubs! Looks great and the green sweep hand really pops!
Thanks bro, I wanted something different and it's easy to get carried away and create an eyesore but this one is a current fave!

Appreciate your work on the case!
 

paul837

Getting To Know The Place
5/11/19
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Lovely, I have an appreciation for tasteful fantasy builds and respect for people who share their methods and knowledge for others to benfit from.
 
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