My 1675 build begins

[GBOAC]

Greetings,

So quite a few of you have seen my Trevor 1675 thread a d now that reality has begun to creep in, I e decided to mod it.

Firstly, the watch is basically the cartel 1:1 and my question is this: Which WSO bezel assembly do I need?

This for $79
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=160797503878

Or this for $165
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=170838596185

My next question is how did you guys solve the caseback problem. The 1:1 has a vintage rounded case back that I don't think was correct for a late 60s thru 70s 1675. Rafflestime has this:

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=150822664795

Would this case back work?

I'm going to order the Clark crystal and a hand set from raffles to fix the dodgy hour hand.

So case back and WSO bezel assembly. I'm curious if the cheaper of the two will fit the 1:1 ring??

Thanks for the guidance!

 

[Mendota]

Isn't a submariner caseback thicker than a GMT? That's part of what gives it a higher depth rating. The 1967 1675 I looked at recently had a rounded caseback, just like my rep late '60s 1680 red sub. FWIW

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. I really want one of these. After looking at vintage gens from the '60s I realize a good rep would be almost every bit as enjoyable. Almost.

 

[GBOAC]

Hey there, thanks for the lead on the rounded case back. I'd like to not have to go searching for one. Boy if you saw that in an ad, I'd love a link.

 

[txrob779]

Joe, the clasp is in the mail.

 

[woof*]

Has it been 100% determined that the cartel 1675's will take the WSO/gen bezel system?
If that's the case, why has everyone in the past been using the explorers as a base watch?

 

[txrob779]

Randy, Rolex Addict said its because the cartel's case's CG's are too short..the EXPII's case is more correct

 

[woof*]

I know he says that, but everyone has been building them this way a couple years. If the bezel construction is the same, the cg's are not that big a deal. I'm surprized this wasn't debated a bunch..maybe it was and I missed it lol

 

[GBOAC]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm gonna get a few things on order here shortly. Is there a price difference between the Clark bezel and the WSO?

 

[eduardor]

Hey GBOAC, just recieved mine a couple of hours ago. I already lubed the bracelet, faded the insert, drilled lug holes, aged case and bracelet. I'll post some pics later, my camera ran out of fuel
I'am already waiting for a clarks crystal and bezel.

Lume is pretty damn good BTW, it's better than my new 39mm explorer. How about yours?

 

[GBOAC]

The lume on mine is excellent for a rep all around. Its a case of "yeah it's great, but the gen would be long dead by now"

Right now I'm waiting for Rick's photos of the bezel fit before I make out my order.

Can you post some pics of what you've done so far?

On mine I'm considering doing the all red GMT hand. Never seen that rep'd before and the watch would be roughly correct for a mid 70s piece

 

[eduardor]

This is the first time i mod a watch and i don't have any watch repair tools so i had to improvise.

Here are the tools i used.

I used the knife to remove the bezel, wich came off with the crystal. I removed the crystal from the bezel then i pressed it on the rehaut followed by the gasket.
I removed the insert and bleached it.

I drilled the lug holes and they look a lot better, they where tiny.

Then i sanded the bracelet and used a screwdiver and some pliers to gently hit the case to give it some dents. Also sanded the caseback.

Wristies

Its the first time i mod or age a watch. So be nice.

 

[GBOAC]

Nice fade! Lookin' good!

 

[GBOAC]

WSO bezel and all-red gmt hand sourced. Should be here in a few days, pretty excited

 

[ajs914]

Love the fade.

If you don't mind some constructive criticism, I think you are overdoing it in spots and some of the wear doesn't look like natural watch wear. For example, there's no way the inner clasp is ever going to get those kinds of scratches as the clasp is always closed when the watch is worn. I'd try to simulate natural wear and tear. I'd also polish over the scratches. Fresh scratches from a tool have a hard edge to them but scratches on metal over years and year have a softer look to them.

Also vintage watches tend to have been repolished and refinished several times over so that may be a look you like.

 

[eduardor]

Love the fade.

If you don't mind some constructive criticism, I think you are overdoing it in spots and some of the wear doesn't look like natural watch wear. For example, there's no way the inner clasp is ever going to get those kinds of scratches as the clasp is always closed when the watch is worn. I'd try to simulate natural wear and tear. I'd also polish over the scratches. Fresh scratches from a tool have a hard edge to them but scratches on metal over years and year have a softer look to them.

Also vintage watches tend to have been repolished and refinished several times over so that may be a look you like.

Hi ajs914, thank you for the advice, this is the first time i age/mod a watch, so aybe i got over exited, but ou are right there's no way the inner clasp could get those scratches i 'am going to try to remove tthem, i already softened the scratches so there's no hard edge and the case sides are also polished.

 

[ajs914]

Great first effort. Keep us updated.

I'd also polish the crystal but maybe leave some the deeper polished scratches. That might be a more authentic vintage look.

 

[GBOAC]

Yep, lookin great!

I agree, polish those scratches and it'll look great.

 

[Rick914]

Hi ajs914, thank you for the advice, this is the first time i age/mod a watch, so aybe i got over exited, but ou are right there's no way the inner clasp could get those scratches i 'am going to try to remove tthem, i already softened the scratches so there's no hard edge and the case sides are also polished.

You need to read some of Bonesey's How-to age a watch threads bud.

! word of advise: dont scratch the crystals. It will naturally scratch as you wear it. This is the most common repair made to these watches and not uncommon to have a beat up watch with a new crystal. It will scratch over time, and then youll want to change it to a new one again

 

[GBOAC]

Yeah an acrylic crystal looks like hell after a few years anyway, no need to express age it

 

[txrob779]

or try this...take a dremel with a polishing wheel on it, use some car wax and poilish over the scratched plexi....that way it has the clean luster of a clear plexi but has the scratches still IN the plastic....like a patina if you will....still teh blemished texture but a polished shine....thats what the wartchsmith used to do my gen 1601's plexi

really nice fade on the insert....hats off brother ....tell us how you did it..

P.S. The pros and cons of posting your work is, ask HOW, you get a ALOT if opinions on your work...so thick skin is required

On bracelet and case patina's...Wiz told me how he does it....take the bracelet off...close the clasp and in a coffee can, bag or whatever use a combo of old rusty nails, bolts, nuts and some rocks and shake the bracelet in it for a while to simulate natural wear..Check often to not over do it but if you DO, you can use 000 synthetic steel wool (looks like Scotchbrite) to bring it back some.

jmb uses machining shavings too....looks great ....be careful with the case..i dont reccomend the shake can technique for the watch head when the movement in installed....can cause too much shock and could do all kinds of bad shit....best to use various files and shit like that to gently nick up and gouge the case some.

Excellent start though