An opinion on this 1665 DRSD case reshaping process

[GenTLe]

Hi All,
it's my 1st reshape, so I'd like to have some comment from the experts to check if I did a mess or I'm proceeding well. And if you have some suggestion to give me.
One crown guard and the relative lug have been reshaped, the other is stock. The reshaped one still has to be polished.
The lug holes have been already moved to 1.25mm

Thank you.
GenTLe

 

[Retina]

Looks good

 

[mech500]

Nice work buddy. Find yourself some HD case pics on the Internet and use that as a template (if not already doing so). What case is that btw?

 

[fatarms]

You are well on your way to making it look much more gen

What method/tools are you using to reshape the case?

 

[tepekei]

I agree that this is looking good so far!

Reminds me that I have some refinement to do with my build.

 

[GenTLe]

Thanks guys. Work done, I will share some pic this eve or tomorrow (now I am at work).


I used Dremel with sandpaper drum, then 800 grade wet sandpaper by hand, then 1000, and finished with engine valve-seat fine grinding compound over the cotton tool for the dremel.



The case is a JKF one. The Athaya 702 crown and tube are ready to be installed: I didn't need to re-drill the tube hole, just re-tap with 3x.35 tap tool, create a bit of countersink with a 5mm drill bit and and it is perfect.

 

[Thrasher]

What I always look at as important is the radius from case to CG its not enough to thin the cg but you must thin the base while keeping a good curve/Radius at base of CG

 

[GenTLe]

What I always look at as important is the radius from case to CG its not enough to thin the cg but you must thin the base while keeping a good curve/Radius at base of CG

That is what I have done, maybe even too much, cause I was following this example:

 

[GenTLe]

Ok, here we go.
With the macro shot some of the tiny scratch (invisible at naked eye) emerge, but I'm fine with it: I'm bored to mess around with the grinding and polish paste, it's a DIRTY process

 

[tripdog]

You've done a pretty good job - looks good !

Next time, after the dremel drum go with the wet & dry from grade 240 to 1500, it will eliminate all the micro scratches which you can now see, and makes final polishing much easier.

 

[GenTLe]

I did it 800, then 1000 and finally 1500 (all wet ones). Probably not enough

Ah, since I've seen people breaking the crystal trying to keep the watch in position (i.e. for lugs redrilling), let me share my way, tt works perfectly and doesn't ruin the case.

 

[GenTLe]

Removed and reglued the dwo:

 

[NCRich]

Nicely centered!

 

[kavlares]

Waiting for your next post to see your progress!!!
nice work btw...

 

[GenTLe]

Nit fully satisfied by a couple of things I ordered a new bezel insert and a new dwo from my td. It will take some time to update the post now

 

[GenTLe]

So... it has been finished

The jobs done on it:
- case reshaped
- lug holes drilled to accept gen-like spring bars
- bezel spring replaced with a CousinUK Rolex aftermarket one, this solved the loose bezel problem
- DWO repositioned
- movement replaced with an ETA 2846 (21600BPH) taken from an old 1992 Automatic swatch, serviced and with mainspring, 4th wheel, cannon pinion and hour wheel from the original 2836 (in order to have good power and the right height of hands over the dial)
- Athaya 702 crown and tube

Pic following

 

[GenTLe]

The "dirt" on the hour hand is just a reflection: there're no spots on it

 

[GenTLe]

 

[GenTLe]

 

[NCRich]

Very nicely executed Gentle! Looks the business.