{*PCTeam*} Elias Pre-V Buckles: WARNING Mario Paci Carnage Inside

[d4m.test]

Hey there Grimlock...what you got there? Looks like a few nice Paci's... What is that a PAV99? Ooooo and a Kodiak Cognac? Oh man, nice straps, those are waterproof too right?...Yeah, hey wait, what are you doing with that screw driver? AaaaaHHH? You tore out their tongues? What's wrong with you???


Wait, what are you doing with that dremel???? No, I can still fix them! STOP!!!


All joking aside, a good friend on HF made these for me. Amazing...


Much Better!


How about some wrist shots?


This has to be one of the best 203/A dials ever made. And that PVD coated reshaped 111J With the BM C3?....Wow, I can't claim the work here, that was by Projectologist (Thanks R, Amazing stuff!!!)






Thanks to Projectologist, Southy, Elias, ETA, BM, Jakob, and Paci for making this build possible.
The 203/A is my grail watch, and I am lucky to have been able to make such a good example. There are still a few things I am chasing to make it better...

 

[donerix]

Nice stuff you got there. Love the new buckles.
Just one question: why didn't you just remove the buckles in one piece when you re-stiched the straps?

 

[AP_VC]

Awesome. Post up the maker's info, if he doesn't mind, I'm sure lots of us would buy MX sewn in buckles!!

 

[d4m.test]

Donerix, I actually didn't unstitch the straps. I made a small cut in the thin part of the new buckle and bent the buckle to allow the strap to slip on. If I had more patience I would have sent the straps to you for the stitching work. The cut is so small that it does no compromise the tongue. It stays in place just fine.

Elias on homageforum created these beautiful buckles. PM me for his contact info.

 

[donerix]

I guess well done then
Elias stuff is great.

 

[justlounging]

very nice indeed..congrats!

 

[COLDI]

Those are awesome. Is he making more?

 

[d4m.test]

Those are awesome. Is he making more?

Coldi, He makes them to order... Check out his section on HF....AMAZING! You can get them engraved with whatever you want, have them sandblasted, brushed, PVD coated, you pick. Plus his 1:1 GPF Mod Dep. buckles... Boom... Mind blown. It's watch nerd heaven

 

[COLDI]

Thanks for the info man!

 

[ssclassa80]

I still don't understand the installation of the new buckles. Where's the cut and how did you fish it through with no damage to the leather? Thx!

 

[d4m.test]

I still don't understand the installation of the new buckles. Where's the cut and how did you fish it through with no damage to the leather? Thx!

Step one to not ruining your super expensive Kodiak: after removing the tongue, expose as much of the lower corner of the buckle as you can by pushing the leather over to one side. Squeeze it in place while you grip the exposed part of the buckle with some needle nose pliers. This will help to prevent the dremel blade from jumping and biting into your strap, thus ruining it. Instead the blade will skip off of your pliers. I still recommend protecting the leather with a heavy cloth.

Step two: After you remove the tongue on the awesome Elias buckle, you will see the thin part of the buckle where the tongue wraps around. Use your thinnest dremel tool and cut this part. Now the buckle becomes surprisingly pliable. Now before you proceed, make sure and deburr both edges of the cut. This will keep you from damaging the leather. After you deburr, bend on half down and one half up. Fish the buckle through the strap, bend it back into shape, reinstall the tongue! DONE!

These buckles are great finishing touches for your Panerais. Find Elias over at homageforum.com and get some. I think the beadblasted stainless is only around $35 each. Brushed is slightly less. He's a great guy to deal with as well.

 

[Cheesemonger]

I was looking for that user over there, but do not see a listing. Could they be under another name?

 

[d4m.test]

Here is a link to his profile, but you need to register first.

http://www.homageforum.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=5812

 

[Cheesemonger]

Here is a link to his profile, but you need to register first.

http://www.homageforum.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=5812

Many thanks!

 

[Taze00]

Elias makes the best buckles!!


Sent from my iPhone 5S using Tapatalk

 

[blizzard]

i'm speechless grim, awesome build, strap, buckle and everything

 

[ssclassa80]

Thanks, I wish I knew this before I dinged my Simona putting on a cut brass buckle used from HF. It's hidden when worn but I know it's there dammit.
I will pick up a few Elias buckles soon. I've been bending some flat buckles into curved preV style for lower profile. These look perfect

 

[larsklausen]

Hello grimlocktime, i would very much like to get the contact info of the buckle maker, if it`s possible

Best regards from Denmark. 004541614030

 

[ALE7575]

Grim you have joined the best makers and builders in this project
REALLY GREAT !!
Congrats