Marina Militare 3646 Davidsen with Germano custom-made strap incl. sewn-in buckle
Hope you like it :victory:
Mods done:
Replaced dial with thin lume version
Aged dial/hands, case, crystals and strap using various methods
Aged/darkened Rolex bridges using phosphoric acid & steel wool
EDIT UPDATE:
Vintageing process;
First, most of these instructions I've found on the forums and my sincere thanks to those posted
similar instructions before. Second, try at on risk.
Dial: brushed lightly w/ steel wool and a thick mix of (chewing) tobacco, Nescafe and sugar
mixed in just a little cold water is rubbed on the dial with q-tips.
Careful around dial text since the text is water soluble in luke warm water.
Extra sugar can be added into mix and placed onto dial numbers if you want a more glassy/shiny look
on these.
Hands: Fine sandpaper onto surface, then paint them w/ diluted mix of the dial mixture
Case: Press granite stones onto case, use sandpaper, steel wool and cape cod polish.
Crystal: steel wool around outside edges, diluted yellow ethanol marker pen at inside vertical edges
Strap: steel wool on buckle, soaking strap overnight in leather oils, dry, and wiggle the strap in
all possible directions. Polish leather when dry w/ cloth to get a shine.
Rolex plates:
First note that winding stem of Molijna movement needs to be removed in time-setting position,
but still can be messed up. Movement also prone to rust. Please read Ziggys posts about it.
Also acid is dangerous, wear gloves and goggles.
Remove rolex plates and leave in at least 40% phosphoric acid at least overnight until darkened in right shade.
give it a light polish with steel wool and apply light coat of anti-rust oil like WD40.
Alternative to phosphoric acid is gun bluing but movement will get a blue/black instead of grey/black tint.
Additional mods possible but not tried yet:
Davidsens crown doesn't fit close to the case, tube can be removed & grind down for this and inserted deeper.
Did sort of like it the way it is though.
Lug welding, need to find proper cheap equipment or a good watchsmith.
That's it, don't be afraid to try and if I can do it you can do it
Hope you like it :victory:
Mods done:
Replaced dial with thin lume version
Aged dial/hands, case, crystals and strap using various methods
Aged/darkened Rolex bridges using phosphoric acid & steel wool
EDIT UPDATE:
Vintageing process;
First, most of these instructions I've found on the forums and my sincere thanks to those posted
similar instructions before. Second, try at on risk.
Dial: brushed lightly w/ steel wool and a thick mix of (chewing) tobacco, Nescafe and sugar
mixed in just a little cold water is rubbed on the dial with q-tips.
Careful around dial text since the text is water soluble in luke warm water.
Extra sugar can be added into mix and placed onto dial numbers if you want a more glassy/shiny look
on these.
Hands: Fine sandpaper onto surface, then paint them w/ diluted mix of the dial mixture
Case: Press granite stones onto case, use sandpaper, steel wool and cape cod polish.
Crystal: steel wool around outside edges, diluted yellow ethanol marker pen at inside vertical edges
Strap: steel wool on buckle, soaking strap overnight in leather oils, dry, and wiggle the strap in
all possible directions. Polish leather when dry w/ cloth to get a shine.
Rolex plates:
First note that winding stem of Molijna movement needs to be removed in time-setting position,
but still can be messed up. Movement also prone to rust. Please read Ziggys posts about it.
Also acid is dangerous, wear gloves and goggles.
Remove rolex plates and leave in at least 40% phosphoric acid at least overnight until darkened in right shade.
give it a light polish with steel wool and apply light coat of anti-rust oil like WD40.
Alternative to phosphoric acid is gun bluing but movement will get a blue/black instead of grey/black tint.
Additional mods possible but not tried yet:
Davidsens crown doesn't fit close to the case, tube can be removed & grind down for this and inserted deeper.
Did sort of like it the way it is though.
Lug welding, need to find proper cheap equipment or a good watchsmith.
That's it, don't be afraid to try and if I can do it you can do it
