Blancpain X Swatch - Experiments and prototypes

[Jossé]

When you are almost there and you fail

Looks awesome though

 

[Karbon74]

Looks awesome though

It is!
The end result is sooo good

 

[Karbon74]

It is!
The end result is sooo good

I even found a solution for the dial fitment and overall esthetics of the front face

 

[Karbon74]

 

[Beartooth]

those stem extenders from AliX are pure shit

You need to be careful of taking strange pills bought from AliX

 

[davelister]

That looks fantastic!

 

[Karbon74]

 

[Caboose]

This looks great! What is the final bill of materials for the build?

 

[Karbon74]

This looks great! What is the final bill of materials for the build?

I am not done
Many many issues cropped up

The key issue though is that I cannot find spare stems for the mvt SP35D
I used stem extensions but it snapped in the crown

So now I am pivoting to an Nh35 build
Using the SP35 date window as a DWO

Wish me luck

 

[VaFarmer70]

Following

Great work. I cannot wait to see when you are completely done

 

[Caboose]

I am not done
Many many issues cropped up

The key issue though is that I cannot find spare stems for the mvt SP35D
I used stem extensions but it snapped in the crown

So now I am pivoting to an Nh35 build
Using the SP35 date window as a DWO

Wish me luck

I actually attempted the metal Blancswatch build and also snapped the stem in the exact way you described attempting to use the cheap AliX stem extenders.

Great minds think alike!

Hope you find a solution.

 

[Karbon74]

Now, i ordered Swiss made stem extensions
They are ln the way. I can’t wait to close this

I put a NH35 instead of the SP35 rep quartz… which is better as the gen has that Sistem51 automatic

The two issues I need to solve now are:

1.Dial fix
The scavenged DW takes all the mvt surface. i will need to carve out the inside so that I can affix the dial

2.decorated rotor.
The case has an exhibition caseback.
But with the Nh35 rotor, I don’t think I will have the space to put it

 

[Karbon74]

I am sad to report another massive fail.

The date window overlay takes all the space, so it’s not possible to affix the dial.

I tried to put it on the spacer but because of the overlay thickness, the dial does not touch the spacer.

Still, i tried to lock the caseback, but then the dial compressed the date wheel, and I think I broke the NH35 quick date set
Nevending lesson not to force anything…

Anyway, the NH35 route does not seem feasible, at least not with my current skill level or customization material.

I need to rethink the approach. Maybe back to the SP35…but I need to buy a new rep as I modded the DW into an overlay. Fun fun fun…

 

[Jip7645]

Looks great though! I’m sure you’ll get this nailed down

 

[Karbon74]

Looks great though! I’m sure you’ll get this nailed down

Thanks
The thing is that it will not be a easy mod for people to replicate even if I manage to find a solution.

 

[Caboose]

Thanks
The thing is that it will not be a easy mod for people to replicate even if I manage to find a solution.

Keeping the default movement in and not breaking the stem would seem to be the best option. Finding quality stem extenders may make this whole thing work. No need to remove hands or anything, just clip old stem, slap on extender, size stem, done.

 

[Karbon74]

Keeping the default movement in and not breaking the stem would seem to be the best option. Finding quality stem extenders may make this whole thing work. No need to remove hands or anything, just clip old stem, slap on extender, size stem, done.

Yeah
That is indeed the new plan.
A SP35 costs 4-5€ and comes with an uncut stem

Also I have bought Swiss extenders.
I need to order a new rep now

A pity as I really wanted an automatic in that thing