Blancpain X Swatch - Experiments and prototypes - SUCCEEDED !

[Karbon74]

There’s a new 42mm steel case homage on Ali that looks like a really good base for a mod project:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EH5srhQ

The main issue is that those homages have a dial seat for a 28.5mm dial.
The rep is 30.5mm.

@Pinion Minion already did that route of reducing the rep dial

I am looking at two other variations
1. A simple low work mod that anyone could do
2. An advanced version with an automatic movement

 

[Caboose]

The main issue is that those homages have a dial seat for a 28.5mm dial.
The rep is 30.5mm.

@Pinion Minion already did that route of reducing the rep dial

I am looking at two other variations
1. A simple low work mod that anyone could do
2. An advanced version with an automatic movement

I also attempted to reduce the rep dial diameter. It's fine. But it looks a bit odd. Even the low work methods are annoying.

I think the obvious solution is to find some Pagani rep to replace the dial on, as they use 31mm dials. But I don't see one that is a good candidate.

 

[Karbon74]

Well, hello

 

[Karbon74]

So, I replaced the movement with a new SP35D. The date is white and not black as the rep but the rep dw is dead

I like it better actually. The good thing is that the stock stem is long enough and even needs a trim

Now, for some reason the battery is dead and the new mvt came without one. More waiting until I get some.

The SP35D is a bit of a phantom. Impossible to find the specs.

 

[Karbon74]

So here is the main trick to the build.
The dial is 30,5mm

You need to find a case where the dial seat is 32mm. This means the rehaut will be 30.4mm. You will need to measure.

Then you get a SKX 30,5mm chapter ring. Some light sanding of the OD, then press the chapter ring into the rehaut.

Voila. You have ample place for the dial and the chapter ring base makes the seat.

Now, depending in the case, you might need a shim or a washer to align the stem.

Also, the fake rotor assembly will probably not fit. So either you find a closed caseback, or you take apart the fake rotor and glue it on the mvt.

Anyway as it is likely that you will wear this with a NATO, it’s not so bad


Edit: i forgot !
You will need the spacer from the rep, and sand it down so that the caseback closes.

 

[Karbon74]

Finally, while the case is ginormous at 45mm, the lug to lug is 47-48

Also, the bezel to dial ratio makes it that the watch appears smaller

So it wears quite ok.

 

[Karbon74]

I am so done with this build
Those SP35D are total shit

The stem snapped again.
Fuck my life.

This build is down and will stay down until I compose myself

 

[Caboose]

I am so done with this build
Those SP35D are total shit

The stem snapped again.
Fuck my life.

This build is down and will stay down until I compose myself

I think you gotta swap the movement to something else. It just makes the most sense. 3d print a movement holder for the new movement, and done. What was wrong with the NH35A as a potential movement?

 

[Karbon74]

I think you gotta swap the movement to something else. It just makes the most sense. 3d print a movement holder for the new movement, and done. What was wrong with the NH35A as a potential movement?

The date window overlay.
It was too thick plus so large that it did not leave space to fix the dial

Those SP35D from AliX are dodgy as hell. One was DOA and for this one, I got everything to work fine…and then I saw that the seconds hand was slightly warped…so I opened it again…and the fucking keyless locked

On a quartz. Fuck

Also, the SP35D is not even listed on Sunon’s website. I have no clue where that thing comes from. No specs sheet, no documentation online.

Hate hate hate

 

[Karbon74]

IT IS ALIVE !!!!




Fully functional !!!

Quick date is a bit finicky but that the rep quartz

 

[davelister]

Okay that looks amazing.

I almost bought the Gen in Vegas last week. So glad I didn't having seen this.

 

[Karbon74]

Note for anyone trying this
The first thing you do once you removed the stem is to oil that bugger

I don’t know where those movements come from. they are dry dry dry

 

[Karbon74]

Wristshot in natural light
This thing is massive and not suitable for my 16,5cm wrists

The case has impeccable finish and the heft feels quality. The rep nato is meh, but serves its purpose. It would deserve a higher end strap.

 

[Tippyracer]

This thing is massive and not suitable for my 16,5cm wrists

Curious what is the outer diameter of that steel case? And the lug to lug?

 

[Karbon74]

Curious what is the outer diameter of that steel case? And the lug to lug?

45mm OD case
LTL also 45mm
Total wingspan 51mm

So it actually would wear really well on a 17cm wrists upwards.
On my wrist it’s too big but there is no overhang

A 42mm Seamaster wears much worse than this for me

 

[Tippyracer]

Yeah that's a big watch, but it sure looks good!
Glad to see you finally slayed that dragon, you didn't let it beat you!

 

[Karbon74]

Yeah that's a big watch, but it sure looks good!
Glad to see you finally slayed that dragon, you didn't let it beat you!

That was the baby dragon
Now the grand daddy dragon to put a mechanical movement in this !!!

 

[davelister]

Wristshot in natural light
This thing is massive and not suitable for my 16,5cm wrists

The case has impeccable finish and the heft feels quality. The rep nato is meh, but serves its purpose. It would deserve a higher end strap.

Um. I needs one? Pls?

 

[Karbon74]

Build Guide :

So here is the main trick to the build.
The dial is 30,5mm

You need to find a case where the dial seat is 32mm. This means the rehaut will be 30.4mm. You will need to measure.

Then you get a SKX 30,5mm chapter ring. Some sanding of the OD, then press the chapter ring into the rehaut.

Voila. You have ample place for the dial and the chapter ring base makes the seat.

Now, depending in the case, you might need a shim or a washer to align the stem to the tube.

Also, the fake rotor assembly will not fit. So either you find a closed caseback, or you take apart the fake rotor and glue it on the mvt.

For the stem and crown, you will need a stem extender. BUY SWISS. The AliEx stem extenders are shit. You might need to add a o-ring inside the tube. Mine did not have one.

Anyway as it is likely that you will wear this with a NATO, it’s not so bad.

i tried with a strap but the case is too heavy.


This case is 45mm
23mm lug width
45mm lug to lug
51mm wingspan
Bezel rotates unidirectional with a firm click
Overall nice finish

 

[davelister]

I might just buy the gen I'm that lazy