Finished. I was able to achieve a nice fade on the milsub insert.
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Full Spec 5517 Mil-sub build on a budget
- Thread starter 369mafia
- Start date
Finished. I was able to achieve a nice fade on the milsub insert.
freebalkany
Active Member
- 24/8/21
- 299
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Not very "budget" friendly, but I just saw this online https://www.ebay.com/itm/266787107986
freebalkany
Active Member
- 24/8/21
- 299
- 312
- 63
Hey,It appears I have been bitten by the Sub bug, so I wanted to try my hand at a Milsub and see how well you can do one on a budget. No Viet parts, only parts from Raffles in this build. Not a lot of progress pics but I will describe my techniques in detail for those who wish to attempt this on their own.
The inspiration: ( the rare and elusive mil-sub)
The ingredients.
Raffles 5513 case set - new release from Him. Its different than the one I had bought at the end of last year The new cases come with a domed acrylic where my first case I got from him had a sapphire crystal , uni directional bezel function and more accurate crown guards.
The new case is closer to their 6538 case set offering but with thicc crown guards. So that was the first thing I tackled was shaping the crown guards and creating some space for the crown.. It is a bonus that they come with a domed acrylic. The case sides were also quite flat .
Its always nice not having to order parts from another vendor. especially at the shipping rates that Clarks is charging these days.
The tube was being stubborn so I just worked around it. I was able to get in there with some needle files and shave down the inside edges of the CG I feel I want to go a bit further with that and probably will.
The dial - The lume on the raffles option I ordered came with an aged lume that looked lemon yellow . Not to my liking so I painted over the lume with an acrylic white , and then tinted it to my liking with some air brush paints. I prefer more of a toasted almond to a lemon yellow. I also aged the hands to match The acrylic paint gives the lume a bit of texture of a vintage diver , I have noted a few things I would like to do differently on my next build but overall it looks good.
Since I have been dialing in my insert baking technique. I figured I try my hand at this one. (since I had a mil spec inserts ordered from TC on the way ) I wanted to push the limits a bit further with it to see what was past the point of dark chestnut and again I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I love the fade I am able to achieve and how it transitions from a dark to lighter tones. it gives a unique look and changes slightly at different angles and light. I will probably attempt this with the new insert as well. I think it will really pop and be very unique but something is to be said about a nice faded greyish insert on a milsub also. We shall see .
The big hurdle on building a mil sub has been the fixed bars. to address this issue I installed a set of 2mm spring bars and the soldered them into the case by filling in the lug holes. filed and polished them up. not bad for a first attempt. Next time I would probably use a solder with a higher silver content to see if that it can be polished up brighter to match the case, where as they are closer in appearance to the lug bar, which is not so bad. The proper way is to drill the lugs and insert a stainless rod. Maybe on the next one I will attempt it. overall pleased.
I also attempted the ref stamp on the underside of the lug. I missed the mark on the second 5 , so its not perfect but it looks age appropriate for a tool watch and a cool detail. Its rather tricky trying to work in the inside curve of the lug.
Raffles has milsub casebacks in stock so I had to pick one up as the icing on the cake.
Aged the case set with dings ,dents and scratches and did the final assembly.
My first attempt at a 5517 budget build. Overall I am pleased.
The khaki nato really compliments the lume and compliments the bezel color and really ties it all together. Its a bright and interesting watch on the wrist.
I also dig it on my aged medium brown and dark chestnut strap it really compliments the bezel
I will update when the TC Milspec insert arrives and I have aged it to my liking.
Overall this was a fun build I originally was planning build it and to sell on , but now I am not too sure. this one might be a keeper, dammit!
Thanks for looking As always questions and comments welcome.
I was thinking about maybe building a 5517.
Would you mind telling us how you managed the weld/solder the spring bars in place?
Cheers
insert spring bars,
solder holes in lugs until flush
use a small wire brush to clean up any splatter on mid case
freebalkany
Active Member
- 24/8/21
- 299
- 312
- 63
The_scotsman
Getting To Know The Place
- 5/6/19
- 28
- 42
- 13
Always a great video to watch. He’s got so many cool MilSubs!
The_scotsman
Getting To Know The Place
- 5/6/19
- 28
- 42
- 13
Lovely work! The patina on the bezel insert and the dial and hands looks fantastic!
New product drop!
Raffles now offers engraved Milsub case backs for their case sets,
Raffles now offers engraved Milsub case backs for their case sets,
Thank you
I have a good sense of quitting while Im a head, and knowing when to stop. Its much easier to add more than remove.
suffolkdiver
Anyone got any heliox ?
A very interesting read but I can't see any of the pictures 
I'd love to build up any watch but now have hand tremors, and trying to screw together a 4mm nut and bolt is a hard job.
I'd love to build up any watch but now have hand tremors, and trying to screw together a 4mm nut and bolt is a hard job. A very interesting read but I can't see any of the pictures
Not sure why you cant see pics. However if you need assistance in building your watch. Reach out yo me to discuss.
suffolkdiver
Anyone got any heliox ?
I can't see any pics on any part of the forum. I've looked in the sales part. The only one in this lot is 369mafia's post 96 of the Raffless case back.
I could see most of them but now just blank posts. I tried to download clickpix.org, but it won't open? I use IMGBB and find it very easy.
My computer did a upgrade a few days ago and it my be this?
And thanks 369mafia for your help in the possible build I may do?
I could see most of them but now just blank posts. I tried to download clickpix.org, but it won't open? I use IMGBB and find it very easy.
My computer did a upgrade a few days ago and it my be this?
And thanks 369mafia for your help in the possible build I may do?