Planning my first mod on 1655

[jam_27]

What is a DW bezel mentioned here and where to find one? I am looking for a flat 4 thin front bezel for 1655.

Also, where to get a vietnam bezel (as mentioned here)? This one, or is there more to this?

 

[KJ2020]

What is a DW bezel mentioned here and where to find one? I am looking for a flat 4 thin front bezel for 1655.

Also, where to get a vietnam bezel (as mentioned here)? This one, or is there more to this?

DW refers to David Wong, a modder/vendor who used to provide very nice vintage parts and watches to forum members. He disappeared, leaving many orders unfilled, aka ripping people off. You will only find DW items for sale in M2M.

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who charges more for vintage parts than Minq Q. You really don't even want to go there.

 

[jam_27]

DW refers to David Wong, a modder/vendor who used to provide very nice vintage parts and watches to forum members. He disappeared, leaving many orders unfilled, aka ripping people off. You will only find DW items for sale in M2M.

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who charges more for vintage parts than Minq Q. You really don't even want to go there.

super info. thanks

 

[McDuck888]

KJ2020 KJ your knowledge is so much fun! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[jam_27]

Info from William (@tiger-concepts) is that his 1655v2 bezel outer dia is 38.55mm, so it will stick out of my BP dial (Bezel 38mm). So, tiger bezel which looked promising is out of contention. MQ is asking EUR 300 + DHL shipping for his bezel and I have crossed it from my list as well it as well.

 

[KJ2020]

Info from William (@tiger-concepts) is that his 1655v2 bezel outer dia is 38.55mm, so it will stick out of my BP dial (Bezel 38mm). So, tiger bezel which looked promising is out of contention. MQ is asking EUR 300 + DHL shipping for his bezel and I have crossed it from my list as well it as well.

What about the inner diameter? If that would fit, .275mm could be shaved off and the edge repollished. Ideally it would be done on a lathe but it can be done DIY with a dremel. I just shaved a dial DIY that way.

But do you think that .275mm would be even be that noticeable? I'll probably grab one of these at some point and see about making it work. IDK when though, I have a lot of unfinished projects.

For the dial shave I glued a die to the dremel bit, then stair-stepped it with sharp chisel edge. Then glued the dial onto the die with E6000 glue which I have used a lot and thought it would be uniquely suited to this task. It is quite strong but can also be peeled away cleanly. Turns out it worked perfectly. I think a bezel could be similarly shaved.

 

[jam_27]

What about the inner diameter?

For the dial shave I glued a die to the dremel bit, then stair-stepped it with sharp chisel edge.

William wont let me know the inner diameter, so no way to know unless I purchase the watch from him. He does not sell the bezel separately.
I do not have the tool you mention. I am starting with a basic watch repairer tool kit. Surely more when I get more experience, not at the moment.

 

[KJ2020]

https://www.amazon.com/Bezel-Stainless-Steel-Vintage-Explorer/dp/B07D6TRTNW

Ewatchparts is the same as WSO on Ebay, it's their Amazon name. Refunds are easy, I return as much stuff as I keep.

 

[KJ2020]

You can't believe everything EW/WSO states about their products

Not this: 40mm
Not this: It will fit a men's Rolex Explorer II 1655

Hence my high number of returns, haha.

 

[jam_27]

https://www.amazon.com/Bezel-Stainless-Steel-Vintage-Explorer/dp/B07D6TRTNW

Ewatchparts is the same as WSO on Ebay, it's their Amazon name. Refunds are easy, I return as much stuff as I keep.

Thanks. I have already asked him (on ebay) to give me measurements. Lets see what he comes back with.

 

[jam_27]

But do you think that .275mm would be even be that noticeable? I'll probably grab one of these at some point and see about making it work. IDK when though, I have a lot of unfinished projects.

To me the tiger bezel here and here look thicker than the one I have on my BP version. As much as I like the tiger bezel, they do not look just swap-able to me .
Does anyone know where William (@tiger) gets his from?

I have been comparing the tiger 1655v2 and chronotac xplorer II. They seem to have the same bezel and the case (tiger and chronotac appear to have similar wide rehaut). Any one has more insight into this?

 

[KJ2020]

To me the tiger bezel here and here look thicker than the one I have on my BP version. As much as I like the tiger bezel, they do not look just swap-able to me .
Does anyone know where William (@tiger) gets his from?

I have been comparing the tiger 1655v2 and chronotac xplorer II. They seem to have the same bezel and the case (tiger and chronotac appear to have similar wide rehaut). Any one has more insight into this?

What you should be comparing the Tiger bezel to is the gen, not two other reps. It may be closer to the real thickness. In any event, I think it looks better thicker, it protects the crystal better, and it's pretty easy to shave some thickness off the bottom if you need to. Just put a piece of sandpaper flat on a bench, tape the bezel to a crystal die or a block of wood and wax on, wax off til it suits you. If the inner diameter is the same, the Tiger bezel can be modded quite a bit in height and slightly in diameter.

William probably gets his bezels from some grizzled old local villager working at home who has been making them for years.

 

[jam_27]

What you should be comparing the Tiger bezel to is the gen, not two other reps.

Oops, I see that I need to be more careful about my sentences here. I meant I have been comparing the tiger and chronotac with the gen bezel.

Could I please have a pointer to the sand paper to use (number & make)?
​​​​​​​I would also like to shave off a bit of my BP lugs - they appear too sharp to me. Would a sandpaper do this job (sorry I have no experience in buffing steel)?

 

[KJ2020]

Sandpaper make or brand is not especially important. Grit is what matters. Typically you start with a coarser grit and as you get closer to finishing you move to finer grits. Your starting grit depends on how much material you want to remove. For this bezel job, I would probably start with 320 and see how it does. End with 1000 or 1500. It's important on a any sanding job involving a round object to pay close attention to keeping the sanding uniform. When you tape it to a die or a wood block you typically hold it with 2 or 3 fingers while pressing it into the stationary sandpaper. You need to rotate your grip points to distribute the pressure evenly and not constantly exert pressure in the same spots.

Here's a datewheel I turned into a datewheel overlay.

 

[KJ2020]

If you attempt to sand the lugs, be very careful and start with about 600 grit. Putting a slight bevel on the bottom corners will usually eliminate the sharpness. Put a small wood block behind the sandpaper to help keep it uniform. Dont be aggressive with it, you can end up with misshapen lugs.

 

[jam_27]

If you attempt to sand the lugs, be very careful and start with about 600 grit. Putting a slight bevel on the bottom corners will usually eliminate the sharpness. Put a small wood block behind the sandpaper to help keep it uniform. Dont be aggressive with it, you can end up with misshapen lugs.

Super. Thanks

 

[jam_27]

Tiger 1655v2 is out of stock :blue:

 

[KJ2020]

Wow bummer. Did you ask when he would have more? That's been in his inventory forever, surely he will get more.

 

[jam_27]

Wow bummer. Did you ask when he would have more? That's been in his inventory forever, surely he will get more.

William says he has no plans for updating his 1655v2 stock at the moment....

 

[KJ2020]

William says he has no plans for updating his 1655v2 stock at the moment....

Damn, that's too bad. I was just getting an itchy trigger finger, haha.