PAM 177L (fixed crystal!!) and my first handmade strap!

[watchfaker]

I got a chance go to to Harbor freight today and picked up a watch crystal for about $11 after 20% coupon and also a hole puncher (listed as $7 but rang up as $0.07!!).

Anyhow, when I first got the watch, the crystal was uneven and it would bother the HELL OUT OF ME! Finally its fixed!

Also, I went to the outlet last week and picked up a nice gen leather Banana Republic belt. The belt has a nice grain texture with semi gloss finish. I made it into a strap by following these videos (this is 1 of 6http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/redirector.php?url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAelAHcT7LA) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAelAHcT7LA"]YouTube - 1. How To Make A DaLuca Panerai Handmade Watch Strap (1 of 6)[/ame] but I aged it a bit with water and removed the shine with nail polish remover for a distressed look. The strap is very soft and thick! The belt was a sz 40 and is enough to make 3 straps! This is my first strap that I've made and it turned out quite nice! What do you guys think?

Before:

All fixed + handmade strap!

 

[The_Jackal]

That looks fantastic. Good work

 

[QinetiQ]

Schweeeeet

 

[Fiddo]

Looks good! Your strap looks much better than the ones I've tried to make.

 

[Epimetheus]

Your strap looks better then some of the ones in the sales area!

 

[watchfaker]

That looks fantastic. Good work

Looks good! Your strap looks much better than the ones I've tried to make.

Your strap looks better then some of the ones in the sales area!

Schweeeeet

Thanks for all the positive comments! I might actually make a few more when time permits and post them in the FS forum

 

[RobbDizzle]

Great job vintaging the leather, it really looks killer. The stitchless design you did really sets it off.

 

[juancodb]

very nice strap!

 

[watchfaker]

for some reason, the video link was removed... search "how to make watch strap" in youtube and you'll see the Daluca 1 of 6 video...

 

[ugoderosa]

How did you fix the crystal? I assume it was unevenly pressed in at the factory. Was it difficult to replace?

 

[watchfaker]

How did you fix the crystal? I assume it was unevenly pressed in at the factory. Was it difficult to replace?

First remove the CG. I used one of those sticky balls to remove the case back, there are two small screws that hold the movement. There is a smaller screw that hold the crown... but BE CAREFUL not to unscrew it too much otherwise the winding mechanism can become loose! Only unscrew it until you can pull the crown out. Flip the watch and the movement should come out easily. Set that aside, and then using a crystal press (I got this one) with the larger size die (bigger than crystal, but smaller than case) on the bottom of the press and a smaller size die on top (smaller than crystal) and a gentle press (watch facing down) should pop the crystal right out.

I then repressed it but it was still uneven. Eventually after 2 presses, I noticed that the unevenness was due to the nylon gasket not being completely smooth. With some 1000 grit sandpaper i wet sanded it where it was making the crystal rise. After the sanding I was able to press it back on and it was completely flush and even. Insert the movement back, and screw in the two holders. Push and twist the crown back and once its in, turn the smaller screw tightly to hold it in place. Test out that you can wind and adjust time and replace the CG.

 

[Big L]

Nice strap!