Some 341 BIG Egi love!

[CBR]

At least something good came out of today!
So I was fortunate enough to have a fine member let go of this one! Arrived in 1 day in perfect condition!
I LOVE big watches... This thing makes big watches look tiny. Im amazed at how confortable it is actually.
I made this strap the other day when the seller told me he would let it go. Its made out of a Wilson baseball glove.
I gave the watch to a friend who is a cabinet maker. Tomorrow he is going to build a desk top stand for it! I will post pics of that when I get it.
T

 

[acharria]

As usual...Nice avatar....
Totally forget to read the thread.....

ok, ok, great watch.....The strap looks really soft....

(Damn avatar)

 

[guanaco]

Holy crap T, that's HUGE!

 

[COLDI]

Just throw it around your neck and show Flavor Flav how its done, Panerai style

 

[acharria]

Just throw it around your neck and show Flavor Flav how its done, Panerai style

LMFAO.....

 

[Anopsis]

Dude, a desktop stand will be awesome! I didn't think about using one as a tabletop clock.

 

[CBR]

OH dont get me wrong... Its going to get worn.
But my buddy said he could make it so that it was a quick install in the stand. And I should have a semi-private desk while Im gone and I can use some of that earthquake putty to mount it to the desk.

 

[pcsam]

look a bit big on you mate ......................... get a python strap on it like mine ..............

I like the idea of a desktop stand .................any-chance you friend could make me one ......

 

[aronax]

major congrat !!!

wear it well...can't wait to see your stand !

cheers

Aronax

 

[CBR]

I have found a few things that I think can easily be modded to make it a little closer to gen.
First thing I did was polish the edges of the CG so that I didnt add any DNA to the sharpened edges. I really think that SOMEONE sharpened them...
Next I noticed that the bezel markers are ALL about twice as tall as they should be. Since the numbered markers could not be shaved down from the top (would remove the numbers) I pulled them off and intend to sand them down from the back side. There is a pin on the bottom which will be sanded off, but with some epoxy it will be just like the ones on any of the Submersibles.
The pearl is a tough one. The gen has a saphire crystal dome on it. If they would have used the pearl from MOST of the SDDS it would have been much closer.
I am going to try to replicate the dome with epoxy and see how it comes out.
I am not quite sure how to go about doing the CP fix on this watch, but that would make a huge difference also.
These things and a greasing of gaskets and it will be ready for service!

 

[Anopsis]

Sounds like a lot of work, but should be fun! Did you notice the bezel markers also being sharp edged?

 

[CBR]

YES the bezel markers are like razor blades... The thing I found interesting is that I THINK the small markers are actually part of the bezel. I tried getting a couple off and gave up.
The screw in the case back was just not threaded in all the way. After opening it up, it screwed right in nice and tight.

 

[CBR]

SO I had some time today to machine a canon pinion cap and build a pearl for the 341.
Now I know what to do with all those left over precision screw driver tips. You cut them with a high speed cut off wheel so that you have a perfectly flat surface. Then using a piece of very fine sand paper you hand sand the entire diameter of the steel post until it fits perfectly inside the void. Then you polish that surface to within an inch of its life along with the top flat surface. Then you cut that into a very very very thin wafer piece and test fit it in to the hole. If it fits perfectly you use a fine oiler to apply the very smallest of dots of epoxy onto the already nearly invisible piece of steel and press it into place.

The pearl is nothing more than a super hard setting crystal clear epoxy. I had to do this a few times because of air bubbles in the epoxy. But I finally did get what I think is the proper dome without any bubbles.

Pics: Please forgive the dust on the outside of the watch... macro pics are a *****!

Some gen pics for comps:

 

[Anopsis]

Awesome work T. You are a truly skilled craftsman. Looking good!

 

[pcsam]

good work mate ......maybe you can fix mine when you come back from your tour ........

 

[tommy_boy]

Love the strap, T.

 

[CBR]

I made another new pearl today. The original was not tall enough compared to the gen.
I also made a few more of the CP caps. If someone wants one, just let me know and I can get them off to you.

Installation is pretty simple if you can get the movement out... The caps are perfectly sized so that the will fit in the hole. It just takes a very steady hand to put a pin head size drop of epoxy on the bottom of it.

 

[CBR]

No strip club tonight... So I made Beef Bourguignon with a nice Chianti and some fresh French bread.
Good friends, nice watches and scheming....... Add bewbies and this would be a wet dream!

 

[pedecter]

I was waiting all nite at the Cheetah and you were into the French beef! Egads! That watch is outstanding! Wrist Shot, please.

 

[cuerep]

Nice work, but man I still can't get over the fact that that is one big azz watch......