Project complete
It took me some time to complete the Transitional 861 project and eventually I have decided to try doing it in the original way I intended to:
1) Base the project on a GEN Omega 861 movement from 1968 (27xxx) range.
2) Use a 321 Applied Logo dial intended for a 321 movement.
3) Use a 145.0012 Case (Driven by cost and the fact that it has the "right" case back - from the outside).
The Main issue with using the 321 Applied Logo dial is with the dial legs:
* The legs are located in the same place as 861 dials.
* The legs diameter is 0.2mm thicker than the 861 dial legs.
* The legs are 1mm longer than the 861 dial legs.
To make the 321 dial fit the 861 movement I needed to remove 0.1mm from the perimeter of the dial legs and then shorten each leg by 1mm.
I have enclosed the dial in a plastic sheet leting only the 2 legs through and started working on the legs with a nail polisher (The legs are made of copper). This method did not work well. I believe using an electric polishing tool may do it better.
I have used pliers and worked it strongly on each leg from various angles. This made the legs a bit thinner and longer, This needs to be done very carefully!!!
In the end after checking that they can fit the leg holes on the movement I cut the excess length from each leg (Now more than 1mm).
I think using dial stickers and special copper legs intended for use with the stickers would have worked well too (There are good options made by Bergeon and can be bought from Cousins).
The 2nd issue was with the 145.0012 case. Previously in the thread you can see I wasn't sure about the way the 861 movement with its movement ring will fit the case.
In reality it does fit, but the case pushers need to be shortened (Again by 1mm) from the inside of the case (Again, carefully, not to scratch the crystal) or replaced with 145.0022 pushers.
I think it is recommended to use 145.0022 case and not the 145.0012 case. The case back can be replaced for the Hippocampus bearing 145.0012 case back easily.
To complete the project and for a vintage look I have used a 1171 bracelet I bought originally for my SM300.
I like the end result, although I would like to replace the Crown and Pushers for ones intended for a 145.0022 case in order to make the watch look as accurate as possible.
And the other project I have been working on in parallel : A 1957 Reissue based on another GEN 861 movement.
This time a 145.0022 case with stainless steel bezel was used.
Most items were bought from Cousins.
The 1957 Dial and Hands were bought from a seller on eBay.
Thanks for the previous member advice
and Cheers,
Shokobo
