Yelow69 0 Posted September 12, 2014 Received my 1680 white sub from TS today and began the modding. General softening of the case and work on the bezel insert. After all the sanding and polishing I reassembled the watch and about two hours later I looked down and the crystal had cracked in two places. So I have sourced new gen spec parts and will update once received. Now for the pics, go easy this was my first attempt at "vintagizing" a watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelow69 0 Posted September 13, 2014 Just finished my first patina attempt. I quess there's a steep learning curb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BentleySharp 0 Posted September 13, 2014 Oooh that poor watch... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelow69 0 Posted September 14, 2014 Cleaned the dial up and thought the indics came out a little darker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edwinowl 180 Posted September 14, 2014 Dude I admire your endeavour but you've overdone the insert IMO. Buy another and use a 1200 plus paper gently, try a bleach first see how it responds. The ageing needs to be minor not major. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dallas 0 Posted September 14, 2014 (edited) My Marathon SAR watch that spent 3 years in the middle east does not look that bad. I need to post some pictures on my old honestly worn watches tos show what real wear looks like. I real life, you will never have those scratches running around the bezel. Or that hasbeen my experence in my life. I put hard honest wear on my watches. Edited September 14, 2014 by Dallas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelow69 0 Posted September 14, 2014 Dude I admire your endeavour but you've overdone the insert IMO. Buy another and use a 1200 plus paper gently, try a bleach first see how it responds. The ageing needs to be minor not major. Thanks for the input. I will continue to update. I have a gen spec bezel assembly and crystal on the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edwinowl 180 Posted September 14, 2014 Don't be disheartened though mate. I did the same first up. Do some gen research and look at watches of the age you want to replicate. It will fall into place. Good luck, I'll look forward to seeing your results. Shoot me a PM anytime if I can help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StormyNight 0 Posted September 14, 2014 Prefer mine a bit less battered. More "lightly scuffed and faded" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StormyNight 0 Posted September 14, 2014 Plus, doesn't a 1680 have a "top hat" plexi? Which would take the scratches? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelow69 0 Posted September 14, 2014 Prefer mine a bit less battered. More "lightly scuffed and faded" Nice crown guard work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerkstore 14 Posted September 15, 2014 I have a gen spec bezel assembly and crystal on the way. I don't think those Timeshops watches are in spec, though. You probably have a paperclip bezel assembly and a 29mm dial. If that's true, the new bezel assembly won't fit and the crystal will need to be shaved down and glued to fit, rather than friction seated by the crystal retainer. Consider starting over with a quasi gen spec (eg, cartel) watch; that way, the time you spend modding it will offer a more accurate result. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelow69 0 Posted September 16, 2014 I have a gen spec bezel assembly and crystal on the way. I don't think those Timeshops watches are in spec, though. You probably have a paperclip bezel assembly and a 29mm dial. If that's true, the new bezel assembly won't fit and the crystal will need to be shaved down and glued to fit, rather than friction seated by the crystal retainer. Consider starting over with a quasi gen spec (eg, cartel) watch; that way, the time you spend modding it will offer a more accurate result. I do have one from the cartel on the way. It will be interesting to compare the two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerkstore 14 Posted September 16, 2014 Good move. The more you mod, the more you notice the little things. I like to look at the dial archive in the vintage rolex forum for gen examples. Nice effort. Looking forward to your next one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelow69 0 Posted September 18, 2014 Just finished installing a new gen spec crystal and bezel assembly along with a gen spec crystal retaining bezel. But couldn't stop there and decided to bleach the insert. Next will be some crown guard reshaping and date wheel aging. Then this one will be ready to find a new home. Now for the pics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC1221 44 Posted September 22, 2014 youre at the beginning of a very long journey my friend. TS 1680 is a good one to start out with though. its cheap, comes with a decent case and seems to have gen like crystal/bezel construction. does the atheya crown/tube fit without re-tapping these cases? might have to grab one for the case. just wish the dials on these looked better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronin007 0 Posted September 22, 2014 Stormy,some of the old 1680 ended up with cystals like the t-19,copied mine off that,saw a load on the rolex forum,Mbw ,gen insert,t-19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelow69 0 Posted September 25, 2014 Installed new 7mm crown and finished shaping crown guards. With old crown With new crown installed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D_Chico 0 Posted September 26, 2014 Looks great buddy! Long way from where you first started Keep up the good work! Crown guard looks great! That's no easy task.. That crown looks pretty good too! you gotta hook me up with your guy that you get those from! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
