Beginning my 6538 Build…

[DeLoMan]

Hi all. The journey has begun. I’ll be using this thread to document my 6538 build. It’s been several years since I last built a replica, so it’s fun to be getting back into this. So far I’ve been working on a Raffles’ case, and I must say for $50 shipped it’s quite a bargain. Sure, the dimensions are a little off, dial size is 28mm-29mm, etc, but for the price I can’t complain. I bought a spare for future projects too.

So far I’ve drilled the lug holes, sanded and brassed the bezel with a blowtorch, thinned/reshaped the case a bit, softened the edges, sanded the insert and chewed that up a bit, and gave it all a good tumble in a box full of screws to help add 60+ years of wear to it. Trying to make it look natural. Will it ever be as accurate as if I spent thousands on a build with a Vietnam case? No.

Here’s where it’s at so far. Next up will be an NH38 movement (basically an NH35 with no date mechanism), a gilt dial from manodeoro (the dial pictured is a waterslide decal attempt I tried), and Tiger concept hands with a lolipop seconds hand. Looking forward to the end result.

 

[369mafia]

Nice work on the case!!

 

[Winni1611]

As said, the case is fine. Not shure if someone would leave these deep dongs on his gen. In my Phantasie he would try to polish them out as good as possible (therefor I like the overpolished look).
Thats great on building vintage watches. Everyone has his own Story behind it.
Waiting for final results

 

[DeLoMan]

As said, the case is fine. Not shure if someone would leave these deep dongs on his gen. In my Phantasie he would try to polish them out as good as possible (therefor I like the overpolished look).
Thats great on building vintage watches. Everyone has his own Story behind it.
Waiting for final results

I’m sure I’ll hit it with a cape cod cloth a few times before the build is done to polish it while still leaving enough wear and tear to keep with the heavily used tool watch look.

 

[Karbon74]

I’m sure I’ll hit it with a cape cod cloth a few times before the build is done to polish it while still leaving enough wear and tear to keep with the heavily used tool watch look.

cape cod is not going to do much to this
I would recommend some gradual buffing 800-1000-3000-5000-7000 grit

It will still leave the marks, but it will give the look of someone who cares for the watch

except of course if the core concept is the "I don't care" tool watch look

 

[DeLoMan]

except of course if the core concept is the "I don't care" tool watch look

That’s the idea! Haha. I feel like a lot of these were beaters back in the day. This one has amazing patina: https://rolexpassionreport.com/16054/the-desert-james-bond-rolex-6538-big-crown-submariner/

 

[DeLoMan]

After a few minutes with a cape cod cloth. Scratches toned down just a tad but still very visible, as intended.

 

[DeLoMan]

I was having a few doubts about my case shape after I had done some filing on it (I know we are ALL perfectionists here about our own work) and was trying to compare to some gen images. Most of the pristine gens have longer lugs. However, I came across a YouTube video of a well worn and heavily polished gen, and the shape shocked me. Pretty darn close to what I got Raffles shape to be, just by coincidence! Obviously the crown is a bit higher on the gen than on the Raffle case, and the bezel teeth need some wearing down, but not bad if I can say so! Looking forward to finishing this build once I get my @manodeoro dial.

I also started looking at strap options. Not sure if I’ll go with a rivet bracelet, nato, or a heavily aged leather strap. Here’s a leather option.

 

[369mafia]

I dig that weathered leather strap Where is it from?

 

[DeLoMan]

I dig that weathered leather strap Where is it from?

Thanks! It was a ”roll of the dice” AliExpress purchase for $10. It looked good when it arrived but was too shiny, so I did a few quick passes over it with a red scotchbrite pad to get it to what you see. I’m not entirely sure if I'll use it on this build or another one.

 

[Tictac789]

Hello,
Nice base you have here.
How did you reshape the case? a dremel ?
Thx

 

[DeLoMan]

Hello,
Nice base you have here.
How did you reshape the case? a dremel ?
Thx

Thanks! I used small hand files and various grits of sandpaper to polish the file marks.

 

[Karbon74]

Thanks! I used small hand files and various grits of sandpaper to polish the file marks.

oh man. I started out with hand files but it takes ages and my hand was flying all over the place. Personally, I feel I have more control with a fixed dremel and working the case around

 

[DeLoMan]

oh man. I started out with hand files but it takes ages and my hand was flying all over the place. Personally, I feel I have more control with a fixed dremel and working the case around

I get that. I’ve used both, but a Dremel can sure take too much off too fast. But on a $50 case, I guess it’s worth the risk! Haha.

 

[Karbon74]

I get that. I’ve used both, but a Dremel can sure take too much off too fast. But on a $50 case, I guess it’s worth the risk! Haha.

yeah, that's why I move to a 300 or 400 grit sanding drum quite fast once I got the gross shape

I still do chamfer, plus final gradual buff and polish by hand though

 

[DeLoMan]

yeah, that's why I move to a 300 or 400 grit sanding drum quite fast once I got the gross shape

I still do chamfer, plus final gradual buff and polish by hand though

I’ll make note of this for the next one I make. Will save me some time and sore fingers!

 

[Tictac789]

I'm thinking about reshaping a 50$ case for a sub Tudor. I'll buy a dremel stand for sure.
Is it possible to do for a beginner? Or It is only for pro's?

Thx

 

[Karbon74]

I'm thinking about reshaping a 50$ case for a sub Tudor. I'll buy a dremel stand for sure.
Is it possible to do for a beginner? Or It is only for pro's?

Thx

it's 50$ + cost of dremel and station
worth trying. at worse you lose 50$ a few times
Cheap for lots of fun. By the hour, for entertainment, it beats dinner and a movie

 

[DeLoMan]

I got a beautiful dial in today from HelenaRou/MK, and went to work weathering it. Then did the hands. Also aged a Tiger bezel insert. Hopefully assembling this weekend!

Dial as received:

Dial and hands after aging:

A quick glimpse of what it will look like in the case:

Really happy with how this one is coming along.

 

[Karbon74]

i seriously like this.
What ageing technique on dial? Coffee and oven? or paint?