New 6542 - budget factory option by TS-Station

[Hinclimincli]

For me it was about 3-4 days from payment confirmation to receive qc pics.

Hmmm... Veeery nice, thanks for the intel sir!

/goesrefreshemailagain

 

[nikoel]

I have no doubt that a 3804b would fit the case, but it would require a new handset and the dwo would need to be transferred. For me personally, the difference between 21k and 28k isn’t that much of a concern.

But there is a middle ground option. A conversion. Taking the balance wheel, pallet fork and escape wheel and replacing them. Swapping literally a few parts rather than going for a completely different movement

 

[nikoel]

Also the gen from memory is 19,800BPH - in my eyes 21K is close enough. To me 28K is too flawless in it's sweep. Skip to 3:10 to see the gen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzOUPTpfvqg

 

[Hinclimincli]

Also the gen from memory is 19,800BPH - in my eyes 21K is close enough. To me 28K is too flawless in it's sweep. Skip to 3:10 to see the gen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzOUPTpfvqg

Just WOW. Love those close ups, look at those hands with that 3D effect, that watch is gorgeous. I'm surprised the lume is still working, actually...

 

[Mendota]

Just WOW. Love those close ups, look at those hands with that 3D effect, that watch is gorgeous. I'm surprised the lume is still working, actually...

It looks like they are using a black light to get all of the plots to illuminate. I don't think any of it would actually glow in regular dimly lit conditions. The radium is still very much radioactive, but the binder that originally reacted with it is long gone.

 

[Mendota]

Also the gen from memory is 19,800BPH - in my eyes 21K is close enough. To me 28K is too flawless in it's sweep. Skip to 3:10 to see the gen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzOUPTpfvqg

Amazing video! This actually is more helpful than many of the pictures and discussions I have seen about it on Hodinkee and Rolex Passion Report. It was helpful to actually see him handling it, rotating the bezel, and to watch the seconds hand move.

Let's talk about the insert, now that we have been able to examine the gen up close. Ugh, this TS watch is going to require a lot more modding than originally expected. Look at how thin the gen insert is and how little it actually rises up over the top of the bezel ring. Can this rep insert be sanded down to remove THAT much height?

I have a pic saved somewhere on my old laptop of an original Rolex recall notice that was sent out to all 6542 owners after Rolex admitted that radium was unsafe. They urged all 6542 owners to come into a Rolex AD anywhere in the world to have their radium insert replaced with a non-radioactive insert free of charge. Most did, but some people didn't and those original radium inserts are now priceless! The replacement inserts in pristine condition are also unbelievably expensive, but the original radium ones are like the tears of unicorns.

 

[wombob78]

It looks like they are using a black light to get all of the plots to illuminate. I don't think any of it would actually glow in regular dimly lit conditions. The radium is still very much radioactive, but the binder that originally reacted with it is long gone.

So a good way to test the authenticity of the 6542 if u are ever going to buy one will be to use black light ie. UV light ????


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[Hinclimincli]

So a good way to test the authenticity of the 6542 if u are ever going to buy one will be to use black light ie. UV light ????


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I'd rather take it to a really reputable watchsmith/shop/jeweller. You are talking about a >$80k watch here, I would not leave it to chance.

 

[Mendota]

So a good way to test the authenticity of the 6542 if u are ever going to buy one will be to use black light ie. UV light ????


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I don't know, but it sure seems to work. Are you planning on buying a gen anytime soon? Test it out and let us know how it goes! Ha ha!

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[wombob78]

I don't know, but it sure seems to work. Are you planning on buying a gen anytime soon? Test it out and let us know how it goes! Ha ha!

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When I save up enough. I might hahaha


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[wombob78]

I'd rather take it to a really reputable watchsmith/shop/jeweller. You are talking about a >$80k watch here, I would not leave it to chance.

Prob a Geiger counter might work as well to detect the Radium content on the Bezel and dial.


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[369mafia]

Let's talk about the insert, now that we have been able to examine the gen up close. Ugh, this TS watch is going to require a lot more modding than originally expected. Look at how thin the gen insert is and how little it actually rises up over the top of the bezel ring. Can this rep insert be sanded down to remove THAT much height?

I have a pic saved somewhere on my old laptop of an original Rolex recall notice that was sent out to all 6542 owners after Rolex admitted that radium was unsafe. They urged all 6542 owners to come into a Rolex AD anywhere in the world to have their radium insert replaced with a non-radioactive insert free of charge. Most did, but some people didn't and those original radium inserts are now priceless! The replacement inserts in pristine condition are also unbelievably expensive, but the original radium ones are like the tears of unicorns.

Here is the recall from rolex


Yes I believe that you can sand down the insert from the top to achieve a more gen profile. I did this with my NDT Trading insert ..

So I removed it from the watch and sanded down the insert on some wet 1000 grit paper. Once I reached a desired height. It leaves a flat spot so I contoured it with a small piece till the flat spot was gone.
Then moved to 2000 grit. Finishes or off with a light rub of poly watch to clear up the sanding marks. But didn’t polish it to a high gloss finish as it came new. This piece is 60 years old after all.

the proportions of bezel to crystal are more gen now.

Next I lightly sanded the back to remove a bit of. Paint and filled in with some black marker to give it a more vintage look

I am happy with the results.

 

[369mafia]

I aged the finish on the back side by lightly sanding areas of it and then filling it in with black , red or blue sharpie to give it variation in colours to show wear.



I later went with a Viet insert. Shaped a bit, relumed and aged. in the same fashion

 

[Mendota]

I aged the finish on the back side by lightly sanding areas of it and then filling it in with black , red or blue sharpie to give it variation in colours to show wear.



I later went with a Viet insert. Shaped a bit, relumed and aged. in the same fashion

Unbelievable work! This looks amazing and I love how your profile is now like the gen. Is this the same TS watch or is this a Vietnam case? Your watch is gorgeous.

Yes, that's the recall notice I mentioned. I also have a pic of the certificate card they gave to each watch owner after replacement, that says something like "certified to be radium free" or something similar to that.

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[bigtiddygothgf]

I aged the finish on the back side by lightly sanding areas of it and then filling it in with black , red or blue sharpie to give it variation in colours to show wear.



I later went with a Viet insert. Shaped a bit, relumed and aged. in the same fashion

who is the VN insert from? was looking at Rubys but the 6 looked very weird to my eyes.

 

[Thrasher]

What a great thread this has turned out to be, Thank you all!

 

[wombob78]

I aged the finish on the back side by lightly sanding areas of it and then filling it in with black , red or blue sharpie to give it variation in colours to show wear.



I later went with a Viet insert. Shaped a bit, relumed and aged. in the same fashion

Beautiful piece of work bro


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[369mafia]

Unbelievable work! This looks amazing and I love how your profile is now like the gen. Is this the same TS watch or is this a Vietnam case? Your watch is gorgeous.

Yes, that's the recall notice I mentioned. I also have a pic of the certificate card they gave to each watch owner after replacement, that says something like "certified to be radium free" or something similar to that.

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Thank you. This is a total custom build and the pride of my collection being the first build project I attempted. Its far from perfect but its got alot of character.

1655 case set - shaved cg. drilled lugs aged.
Clark 25-116 crystal
@bartcordell decal dial negative relief gilt dial - aged lume - one of a kind
serviced eta movement with Roulette date wheel
raffles hands and Brevet + crown
NDT trading bezel assembly with viet aged insert
WSO rivet bracelet


Rad safe caseback decal also







Thanks for all the compliments guys I appreciate the kind words. When I first discovered the 6542 I became OBSESSED and HAD TO have one.

Things I would change.:
low beat movement
better hands
Viet Case with proper engravings and fat bevels.


Cheers!

 

[r6538]

Jsebwc Can you share where you got that jubilee bracelet?

 

[369mafia]

Jsebwc Can you share where you got that jubilee bracelet?

It came with my BP GMT 1675 its not accurate for the 6542 but its comfortable and looks great on a gmt