So it was snowing like a bastard today, and decided that there was no bloody way I was going to work. I was waiting for a vintage 47mm case to arrive and low and behold today was the lucky day.
I had picked up a sterile watch off the bay. It was in a radiomir case, and I really didn't like it. Couldn't put my finger on it, but something was missing, (yah, yah, it was missing the logo). Anyway I picked up this 47mm vintage case from someone off another forum. Case was in ok shape, the crystal was plexiglass, and was epoxied in. Some of the epoxy did run onto the crystal, and I noticed it after it was put together. No biggie as I am just using this "in the mean time" while I am waiting for another dial to arrive.
The strap is a cheap rep strap that came with the ebay watch. It stunk something fierce. Like the oils or something that they used to tan the leather. Anyway, I washed it with soap and water three times, nothing, still stunk. I then cleaned it with acetone (a gunstock maker once told me to soak my shotgun stock in acetone over night to draw out any oils that may have crept in from the inside before re-finishing it.) The acetone draws out the oil. Then I generously rubbed in some fruits and passion olive oil, cypres and lime hand cream, and some wax dressing. Now it smells beautiful and is butter soft.
Anyway, here are some pictures of it. It isn't half bad. Will make a good beater watch for sure, something for the gym maybe.
The back shot came out a bit blurry, but you get the idea.
All in all I am quite pleased with it. I have a plain Marina Militare dial coming, but maybe a DSN vintage will look good.
A little bit of something to clean off the dried glue is in order too, or maybe a whole new tall plexi.
Cheers
Pietro
I had picked up a sterile watch off the bay. It was in a radiomir case, and I really didn't like it. Couldn't put my finger on it, but something was missing, (yah, yah, it was missing the logo). Anyway I picked up this 47mm vintage case from someone off another forum. Case was in ok shape, the crystal was plexiglass, and was epoxied in. Some of the epoxy did run onto the crystal, and I noticed it after it was put together. No biggie as I am just using this "in the mean time" while I am waiting for another dial to arrive.
The strap is a cheap rep strap that came with the ebay watch. It stunk something fierce. Like the oils or something that they used to tan the leather. Anyway, I washed it with soap and water three times, nothing, still stunk. I then cleaned it with acetone (a gunstock maker once told me to soak my shotgun stock in acetone over night to draw out any oils that may have crept in from the inside before re-finishing it.) The acetone draws out the oil. Then I generously rubbed in some fruits and passion olive oil, cypres and lime hand cream, and some wax dressing. Now it smells beautiful and is butter soft.
Anyway, here are some pictures of it. It isn't half bad. Will make a good beater watch for sure, something for the gym maybe.
The back shot came out a bit blurry, but you get the idea.
All in all I am quite pleased with it. I have a plain Marina Militare dial coming, but maybe a DSN vintage will look good.
A little bit of something to clean off the dried glue is in order too, or maybe a whole new tall plexi.
Cheers
Pietro