So as many of you know I am explorer guy , but mostly been into the 6350 (for obvious reasons 
) and of course the 1016. for years but the 6610 has always been a second thought to me, and that was mostly because there were no reasonable parts available for one, specifically a gilt dial option in the aftermarket.
Cruising IG one day , I laid eyes on this beauty.
and thought. Okay, maybe its time.
Since we now have such a great resource base and talented builders and dial makers such as @manodeoro This was the time to achieve this as He had fine tuning his dial making techniques during the pandemic and was now ready to offer his wares to obsessives such as myself.
(original 6610 advertising )
The 6610 was one of the earliest models within the Explorer line, having seen production for just a few years from 1955 until 1959 with the 6350 being its predecessor.
The Recipe :
Raffles explorer case
enlarged lug holes -Shaped / softened lugs
distressed and aged but a well cared for appearance
T21 Clarks crystal
modified raffles bezel - I may swap my JMB bezel on it but the higher angle give the case a nice bubble look that I am into right now
JMB bubbled caseback
Low beat Asian eta 2824
ghost date removed / 2 position setting lever
Raffles Brevet + crown - shaped
Cousins uk Gilt Tudor sub hand set - aged to match dial
Tiger Concepts white lollipop seconds hand - aged
and of course , last but not least, the Gilt gloss 6610 dial by Polaire watch makers of France.
with just the right amount of patina and aging to create a superb alternative to all other options available
Created on a gilt dial plate with ETA feet, the build went together flawlessly after aging the hands. (seen here with the Tudor seconds hand)
The Tiger Concepts hands were in transit.) I aged the lume one the dial slightly darker and did the hands to match .
When the TC Seconds hand arrived this week I wasted no time aging the lume and mounting it. Dropping it into the case set and buttoning it up
The moment everyone is waiting for...
My cam does not do the gilt details justice but I tried...
Again thanks to manodeoro for the outstanding dial that has added another grail to my collection
As always, comments and questions welcome.
Thanks for looking
) and of course the 1016. for years but the 6610 has always been a second thought to me, and that was mostly because there were no reasonable parts available for one, specifically a gilt dial option in the aftermarket.Cruising IG one day , I laid eyes on this beauty.
and thought. Okay, maybe its time.
Since we now have such a great resource base and talented builders and dial makers such as @manodeoro This was the time to achieve this as He had fine tuning his dial making techniques during the pandemic and was now ready to offer his wares to obsessives such as myself.
(original 6610 advertising )
The 6610 was one of the earliest models within the Explorer line, having seen production for just a few years from 1955 until 1959 with the 6350 being its predecessor.
The Recipe :
Raffles explorer case
enlarged lug holes -Shaped / softened lugs
distressed and aged but a well cared for appearance
T21 Clarks crystal
modified raffles bezel - I may swap my JMB bezel on it but the higher angle give the case a nice bubble look that I am into right now
JMB bubbled caseback
Low beat Asian eta 2824
ghost date removed / 2 position setting lever
Raffles Brevet + crown - shaped
Cousins uk Gilt Tudor sub hand set - aged to match dial
Tiger Concepts white lollipop seconds hand - aged
and of course , last but not least, the Gilt gloss 6610 dial by Polaire watch makers of France.
with just the right amount of patina and aging to create a superb alternative to all other options available
Created on a gilt dial plate with ETA feet, the build went together flawlessly after aging the hands. (seen here with the Tudor seconds hand)
The Tiger Concepts hands were in transit.) I aged the lume one the dial slightly darker and did the hands to match .
When the TC Seconds hand arrived this week I wasted no time aging the lume and mounting it. Dropping it into the case set and buttoning it up
The moment everyone is waiting for...
My cam does not do the gilt details justice but I tried...
Again thanks to manodeoro for the outstanding dial that has added another grail to my collection
As always, comments and questions welcome.
Thanks for looking
Last edited:
but I like the dial texture a lot.
