My first build after modding for about a year. I started my watch collecting with gen Omegas 15 years ago and missed out on the Watchcos and this reference has been a bit of a grail watch for me. I wanted an gently aged Seamaster 165.024 build. I was excited about some things being done with the Hruodland watch, so I jumped in with two feet. Ali Hruodland donor watch, sterilized the caseback, tumbled case in metal shavings and aquarium gravel. I didn’t like the bezel numbers and long hash marks being beige, so I popped out the mineral crystal and teased the bezel insert off carefully (it’s thin glass – ask me how I know (ended up having to buy two watches – haha)), scraped off the beige paint that was over the lume (but I didn’t have to re-lume afterwards; the paint scratched off pretty well). I gave Raffles Time hands and a Raffles dial a soft patina with some time in a hot oven. Switched out the NH35 movement for a Seagull ST2130 movement, switched out 3 position jumper to a no date ETA jumper (and all the other superfluous pieces) to remove date function. I used a plastic 2824 movement ring from Ali to fashion a spacer that I modified so I could use the existing NH35 movement holder. A lot of trial and error there! Ebay to the rescue for a gen Omega crown and new tube (looks like a screw down crown but it’s a push-in waterproof crown). UncleStraps for a period correct Tropic strap (although I would request smaller diameter spring bars instead of fat bars from them unless you are going to drill the case’s holes out). I decided to stay with the domed mineral crystal (at some point I just had to say enough was enough, but maybe one day, along with a historically accurate white seconds hand (I kind of like all the hands to match anyway)). I am really liking this timepiece. Very comfortable especially with the tropic strap and the Seagull is keeping really good time (+5 seconds a day). I don’t plan on diving with it but it’s a great classic beater. Shout out to the RWI community which has been very helpful (and understanding of my naïveté)!
