How to: Relume a rolex-style dial [Video Tutorial]

[Wiz]

Hey guys, today a video tutorial on how to relume a dial with hollowed indexes, like the lastest Rolex dials.

HD version available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXmj1mQWRew

[AME]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXmj1mQWRew[/AME]




Here are also a few pics of the result

Two of the indexes received a layer of white paint appiedbefore the lume, while the 2 others only received lume.

 

[shizm23]

in those pictures it looks like the paint layer did not make a difference.. or am I mistaken?

 

[mroz]

Nice one!!

Nowt else to say about it.....

 

[Wiz]

in those pictures it looks like the paint layer did not make a difference.. or am I mistaken?

It has indeed a really small impact on how bright the lume glows, probably because applying some paint leave less space for the lume material, but the good point is that the markers look whiter in broad daylight (closest to gen rolex lume).

 

[KenD]

Great tutorial! I've been meaning to try doing this myself.

What tools did you use exactly, and where did you source them?

I saw a dial holder, an oiler (but which one?), etc..

What kind of glue was that exactly?

Was getting the dial off difficult?

 

[Wiz]

What tools did you use exactly, and where did you source them?

I saw a dial holder, an oiler (but which one?), etc..

What kind of glue was that exactly?

Was getting the dial off difficult?

The knife I used to separate the two plates is called an Opinel. It's a French brand, they make knifes with very hard and thin blades, but you can also use a Stanley knife.

Separating the two plates needs to be done very gently. The plates are not difficult to separate but really easy to bent.

I have a set of 5 entry level oilers, but it's almost impossible to tell which one to use for which job, as it also depends on the viscosity of your mix.

I used GS hypo cement as the tube was almost new, but when it has been opened for a while the viscosity is too high.

 

[shizm23]

It has indeed a really small impact on how bright the lume glows, probably because applying some paint leave less space for the lume material, but the good point is that the markers look whiter in broad daylight (closest to gen rolex lume).

Good stuff.. thanks for this video man, very well done

 

[RobbDizzle]

Awesome vid, wiz. I know now that I'm probably too noob to try a relume job on an actual watch...maybe I'll snag a practice dial sometime. I love how the white paint makes an ever so small difference that brings it so much closer to gen

 

[darkgunslinger]

Awesome video tutorial! You make it seem so easy!

 

[ThinkBachs]

What a great share Wiz! I've seen others who relume these and they come out with a bubble effect which looks terrible. Yours look nice and flat, which is really nice. I just might have the courage to try this myself now.

 

[Wiz]

What a great share Wiz! I've seen others who relume these and they come out with a bubble effect which looks terrible. Yours look nice and flat, which is really nice. I just might have the courage to try this myself now.

You can get some cheap dials to practice off the bay, or even from our dealers

 

[alvinado]

Well done wiz! you are getting better and better! The white base layer did not make so much of a difference in this case is because I think you already used a white based lume (premium blue) I suppose.

But I said it and I will say it again, I really love your clear and concise tutorials.

 

[pippo]

Wiz thanks a lot, this is the first luming tutorial really useful and educational.

Is there a safer way to get rid of the old lume? I Have the impression the risk of scratching markers is not small

Please feel free to share more hints and techniques, it'd be really appreciated

 

[Wiz]

I'm actually looking for a chemical that could somehow dissolve the lume, but so far I haven't been able to find one that works on that particular one.

 

[pippo]

Yeah, I was thinking about a chemical as well, not sure if it's doable though

 

[frigpig]

Acetone will soften lume significantly. You have to break up the binder...not the lume.

I wonder Wiz......Pearl up next???

 

[Wiz]

Yes, I need to try acetone but it's a restricted chemical here, therefore I need to ask a friend to order it for me.

About pearls, yes, that's next

 

[trksh-bzr]

great work, wiz! I have a dsd insert you can have to play with if you want it it's a v3 or 4 with incorrect 10,but with empty pearl, ready to get a new lume job.....

 

[bentoboi]

well done, was actually waiting for this kinda tutorial since i wanted to relume my PO...currently the lume on my PO sucks big time...may i ask can i do the same to Omega PO??

 

[Wiz]

Yes, I don't see a reason why it wouldn't work