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Fantasy GMT Master 1675 exclamation mark dial

Bart Cordell

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I bought this watch in January in m2m on RWG. it is the Trusty Time model equipped with an ETA 2836-2 movement Titoni modified to have the GMT function. She had gone into the hands of RolexAddict for his work as usual modifications. To know :

- Complete case and crown guards reshaping according to gen 1675 models,

- Re-drilled lug holes to allow the use of gen Rolex springbars,

- Bracelet end links modification to allow to fit gen Rolex springbars,

- A thin and flat SS brushed case back,

- A small arrow GMT hand,

- A Clark 25-116 GMT plexi,

- A 1675 insert at the right Rolex specs,

- A pair of genuine Rolex thick springbars,

- Date wheel overlay fading,

- WSO Insert fadded,

- Waterproofing 3ATM.

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Not bad but I expected a better job at reading the praise for RA.

I hardly ever wore this watch, and you have guessed why. The dial is one of the baddest with that unlikely crown and 3D indexes glued. This is perhaps why owners has changed three times in three months before I acquired it.
Since I was at the beginning of my experiments creation gilt dials, I left aside to focus on my other projects.

This fall so I took the time to take care of the dial, and it was not easy. It is much more difficult than for a simple dial without date. I could not find one that is suitable in my batch windows dials. In fact, the diameter of the central hole should be wider to the pinion GMT, good size and in the right position date window. Another problem, all these dials are "modern" Rolex rep with glued indexes that reveal a more or less large hole when they are removed. Obviously these holes did not fall in the right places compared to the indices of my decals. Arrrgh!

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Only solution, fill the holes with solder, sanding, then cover everything with gold leaf. It was a first and I can assure that it is far from easy.

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You know what happens, a decal, several coats of varnish, sanding after some less successful layers to eliminatesome defects. Then applying my vintage recipe lume on the dial and hands.

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Thank you all for reading to the end, and for the purposes observers there is a little fantasy to discover ;)

Kenavo !
 

dan4nts

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18/8/16
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What is wrong with the first crown? I know Rolex has many different type of crowns even on gens..
 

NCRich

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:clap: That is some kind of attention to detail. I don't know that model well enough to know the fantasy part. Or maybe I'm too distracted by that beautiful work.

Congrats.

Rich
 

Retina

Respected Member
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18/12/14
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Never seen a terrible crown like this
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[emoji632]

that crown actually appears on the modern DSSDs

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but it looks amazingly horrible on vintage rolexes, i really really despise the crown shape on a dial which can be fixed by a simple update on the pad printing.
 

Bart Cordell

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that crown actually appears on the modern DSSDs

DSSD_Warrenb6e621da.jpg


but it looks amazingly horrible on vintage rolexes, i really really despise the crown shape on a dial which can be fixed by a simple update on the pad printing.

One more argument to prefer vintage Rolex. This crown is as horrible as the watch. Just my opinion ;)


[emoji632]
 

Retina

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One more argument to prefer vintage Rolex. This crown is as horrible as the watch. Just my opinion ;)


[emoji632]
the DSSD has its charm, not for everyone. I owned two for awhile before selling them off because I very much prefer a more elegant slim shaped vintage Rolex ;)
 

connery77

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FAN. EFFING. TASTIC

The new dial absolutely completes the package. Amazing.
 

Bart Cordell

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I forgot to thank all the members who have made me their support in this project.
 

Nicoolas

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Olééééé !!!! Congrats !!!
My old build say hello.:punk:

 

369mafia

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That looks amazing. Totally makes the watch. Great job as always my friend. Look fed to seeing more builds


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

junbug5150

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That is an amazing build. That dial and the PCG, I love it. Great job.
 

tripdog

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these holes did not fall in the right places compared to the indices of my decals. Arrrgh!



Only solution, fill the holes with solder, sanding, then cover everything with gold leaf. It was a first and I can assure that it is far from easy.





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I think that's the best gilt dial I've ever seen !

Fantastic work - I know it wasn't easy to sort out all the problems - but it really was worth it !

Congratulations !
 

Bart Cordell

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Thank you so much.

It's all about the dial. I love this watch as much as I hate it before.
[MENTION=48066]tripdog[/MENTION] Your idea to use gold leaf is brilliant [emoji93][emoji1317][emoji3]
I could never achieve this without you. The effect is so fantastic that I want to remake my 6538 dial.
[MENTION=81487]Nicola[/MENTION]as you made me gain precious time with your template. Just needed to rework some details to match my desires [emoji1303]



[emoji632]
 

tripdog

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Thank you so much.

It's all about the dial. I love this watch as much as I hate it before.
@tripdog Your idea to use gold leaf is brilliant [emoji93][emoji1317][emoji3]
I could never achieve this without you. The effect is so fantastic that I want to remake my 6538 dial.
@Nicolaas you made me gain precious time with your template. Just needed to rework some details to match my desires [emoji1303]



[emoji632]

Just looking at it again - it really and truly does look like a 60 year old gilt dial ! Fantastic !