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Build: Rolex Explorer II 1655
- Thread starter AlphaCat
- Start date
- 30/3/08
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Mate, no one can see your new posts, you need to take out a ticket at The RWI Help Desk and fix your dual account issue.
Update: I received the BP base watch, Tiger hands, viet bezel from Kuared and sternkreuz crystal.
Any suggestions for starting?
What tools do you recommend for reshaping the case? And what techniques are the most safe to use?
I was thinking about a belt flatbed sander for the initial shaping and then a fine file + stones for a precision working.
I have a dremel, but I doubt that using it free hand can lead to a good result.
Any suggestions for starting?
What tools do you recommend for reshaping the case? And what techniques are the most safe to use?
I was thinking about a belt flatbed sander for the initial shaping and then a fine file + stones for a precision working.
I have a dremel, but I doubt that using it free hand can lead to a good result.
- 9/7/12
- 22,652
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No, there would be nothing left of the case after 30 seconds.
The easiest if you have zero experience is to use the Dremel with 240 grit sanding drums for basic shaping. Use finer grade drums until you get to the point where you can use polishing compound.
Thank you! I was hoping to receive your advice! I’ve seen you works and I’m a huge fan of you
Do you use the dremel freehand (watch base fixed on a support) or do you attach the dremel to a support and move the case with your hands?
And you said “if you have no experience use the dremel…”.Thank you! I was hoping to receive your advice! I’ve seen you works and I’m a huge fan of you
Do you use the dremel freehand (watch base fixed on a support) or do you attach the dremel to a support and move the case with your hands?
what is the alternative when you acquire experience and skills?
- 9/7/12
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Put the case in a vise, clamped front/back so the sides of the lugs you're working on are facing up. Hold the Dremel in your hand, drum parallel with the lug sides. Best to decide exactly what you intend to do in terms of reshaping before starting, and practice your 'hand/Dremel coordination' on a scrap piece of metal first - it's very easy to take a huge chunk out of the case with a slip of the hand.
Files, polishing paper & polishing compounds.
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This is 1972/ first edition of Explorer 2, I bought it in Lissbon 260$ and used it almost every day since then.
Now I looking for sombody that can service it and new crystal and perhaps a crown, I can’t lock it.
a 300$ work + parts. Anybody here perhsps.?
If you have short videos where you are doing the process and you don't mind sending to me, I'd really appreciate them. Still a young engineering student (20) trying to learn manual skills, my purpose is just to have fun (not interested in doing this as a profession or for money in general) and not to show a fake clone to friends pretending it's a gen piece (it's just for personal joy).
- 9/7/12
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This is someone else's thread about a build they're doing - pretty rude to jump in and ask a completely unrelated question.
We have a section on the forum which list approved watchmakers, you should look there.
No I don't have any videos of either of these - though I don't know whether you're referring to the Dremel or the files/polishing paper.
Compare your case with a genuine case, identify what is wrong - the curve at the base of the CGs where it meets the lug sides isn't correct, the width of the lugs isn't correct - I would just concentrate on working on those 2 areas.
Was referring in general to videos of you doing something similar (case reshaping in general). Just to have a proper form of execution in mind and try to follow the same approach
@tripdog What products do you use to age the dial? Can you tell me a little bit about the process? And what if I have a dial with the orange indexes (unfortunately the seller sent me this version instead of the one with white indexes)?
I guess I have to mask the orange indexes (that are already green lumed) with some transparent / white varnish
I guess I have to mask the orange indexes (that are already green lumed) with some transparent / white varnish
- 9/7/12
- 22,652
- 18,198
- 113
- 9/7/12
- 22,652
- 18,198
- 113
I wouldn't attempt to age that dial in any way, the biggest issue is the color - though there are gens' with a color fairly similar to your dial. You'll notice the dials have not 'aged' in any noticeable way other than the lume plots changing from white to something close to sepia - the black paint doesn't age, it's the binder in the lume that ages.
If you want to tone down the color on your dial then I suggest purchasing some water based matte varnish, some water based paint in the beige/cream color range and mixing the varnish with the paint to make a wash that you apply with a paint brush - 00 for the larger plots, 0000 for the small squares around the outer edge.
www.romainrea.com
If you want to tone down the color on your dial then I suggest purchasing some water based matte varnish, some water based paint in the beige/cream color range and mixing the varnish with the paint to make a wash that you apply with a paint brush - 00 for the larger plots, 0000 for the small squares around the outer edge.
Rolex Explorer 2 ref. 1655 Mk4 Dial
The reference 1655 Explorer 2 is one of the coolest and maybe underrated vintage Rolex sports watches in today’s market !Originally developed for use by cave explorers, the fixed bezel allows the wearer to accurately tell 24-hour time. This one of the later models with cool Mk4 matte dial and...
bulangandsons.eu
Rolex explorer II 1655 Steve Mc Queen en acier automatique
Montre bracelet en acier. Boîtier rond de 37 mm. Lunette en acier fixe 24h avant. Mouvement automatique. Boîte et papiers.
www.romainrea.com
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