Interesting, that's some pretty intricate metal cutting. And then placing the tiny middle pieces of letters like R O A etc. Wow.
I have handled quite a few, they are. It's not something you can see easily in pics but IRL it's obvious. The only difference with what manodeoro posted is they are mostly delivered with a smooth gloss lacquer finish.
MQ sells the same stuff if not better, some say all vietnam dials come from the same maker and MQ gets sort of first dibs.
do you refer to the dials
If YES ... there is no metal cutting
Metal is perfectly flat and polished and the black ink is printed on ... only the gilt parts are not printed
That works exactly as a gilt decal dial but black is printed using silk-print or pad-print
That makes more sense, I was wondering why there was no appreciable depth contours between the colors. Still, that's some intricate detailing. Fascinating aspect of this hobby, you have certainly taken it to another level. Thanks for the explanation.
??? do you refer to the dials ???
If YES ... there is no metal cutting
Metal is perfectly flat and polished and the black ink is printed on ... only the gilt parts are not printed
That works exactly as a gilt decal dial but black is printed using silk-print or pad-print
How much do they ask for those dials ?... $$$ I suppose
I'd really better like one without any lacker on as it seems the recess effect of the gilt parts is much more present without than with lacker.
Plus, if I'm true, the original dials were produced without any lacker on.
Since a few months I've been training with a friend that does silk-printing and now I feel almost ready to go my own way.
So last week I have ordered some slik-screens, frames, sensitive emulsion, inks, etc ...
As I already have designed many vintage dials for gilt decal dials, I really hope that before summer I could achieve to print my first own real negative-gilt dials.
If I succeed that could an opened path to build any negative-gilt (or else) vintage dial I want to have, plus the possibility to build those for any movement (I can solder the dial feets where they have to be) and adapt the design and printing to any case-opening variation.
... fingers crossed
??? do you refer to the dials ???
If YES ... there is no metal cutting
Metal is perfectly flat and polished and the black ink is printed on ... only the gilt parts are not printed
That works exactly as a gilt decal dial but black is printed using silk-print or pad-print
How much do they ask for those dials ?... $$$ I suppose
I'd really better like one without any lacker on as it seems the recess effect of the gilt parts is much more present without than with lacker.
Plus, if I'm true, the original dials were produced without any lacker on.
Since a few months I've been training with a friend that does silk-printing and now I feel almost ready to go my own way.
So last week I have ordered some slik-screens, frames, sensitive emulsion, inks, etc ...
As I already have designed many vintage dials for gilt decal dials, I really hope that before summer I could achieve to print my first own real negative-gilt dials.
If I succeed that could an opened path to build any negative-gilt (or else) vintage dial I want to have, plus the possibility to build those for any movement (I can solder the dial feets where they have to be) and adapt the design and printing to any case-opening variation.
... fingers crossed
MQ asks up to 1000 usd for one of these, but in general they can be sourced around 250-350 from other dealers.
The dials on the pics I posted are NOT mine, neither produced by me ... those were produced a while ago by "he who must not be named"
If I only could achieve to make dials even a 20% of that quality for my own builds I would be really happy ... but I'm still on the first steps of a very long staircase
This is my negative relief decal dial with gold leaf applied to the dial before the decal applied
That would be « Gilt » (no, it could be cheaper; it depends on the « how to make the dial » process):
So, KJ2020, did you get your albino dial from Ruby? I'm searching and I can't find any, would this be the correct section? http://rubyswatch.com/Products/parts/gmt-6542
Also looking for a decent Pan-Am caseback but for some reason Yuki website is no longer working...
So, KJ2020, did you get your albino dial from Ruby? I'm searching and I can't find any, would this be the correct section? http://rubyswatch.com/Products/parts/gmt-6542
Also looking for a decent Pan-Am caseback but for some reason Yuki website is no longer working...
Yuki website still working for me today but it seem they don't sell the caseback alone and only a complete casekit.
To be 100% honest, I think that paying $1000 for a 6542 casekit with a LASER engraved Pan-Am caseback is crazy
Hinclimincli ... one thing you could do is to :
- design the caseback engrvings with Photoshop
- have laser engraved on your caseback (could cost about $30 ... depending on where you're based)
- smooth the sharp edges of the engravings with a dremel and a wire brush
- redo the caseback linear brushing if needed (flat working support + caseback on a movement holder + 360 grade sandpaper + ruller)
- ENJOY
Here's a pic of my A/6538 caseback, laser-engraved and smoothed by myself (I could have done better if I did spent a little more time)
Hope this help
Look here for white dials
http://rubyswatch.com/Products/parts/gmt-1675
Also, try contacting member jmb I heard he can engrave casebacks, the Pan Am in particular
Why thank you for the comprehensive list. It seems a bit overwhelming to someone with my limited skills, though, haha. I wish I had the tools, the time and the knowledge to do that with confidence. One day, one day...
TOOLS : all you need is a cheap dremel-like - about $40
TIME : sleep less
KNOWLEDGE : if you can fit a new head on your electric toothbrush you can fit a wire brush on a dremel
SKILLS : if your teeth are properly clean (no offense) you can do that job