Five of Clubs 0 Posted December 15, 2010 This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for months and I just wanted to say that you guys have a terrific forum and I have learned a lot from you. Everyone here remembers the legendary Combat Luminor created by JohnG (link). This amazing watch spawned a similar creation by Avenger 007 (seen here and here). I had just joined another rep forum when I read about these watches and I was completely blown away by the skill required to create something like that. The extent of my ambition was trying to find a nice Omega rep when my daily watch died! Anyway, Avenger007 sold his version of the Combat Luminor and not long after it came back up for sale. I loved the watch JohnG built so much that I just had to have it. However, I was a little disappointed when the watch arrived. The watch was just too minty and perfect for my taste. This watch was supposed to have survived the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, but it looked like it had never even been worn! The fantastic back-story that JohnG told had been totally lost. I wanted to fix that. I contacted a watch-smith (Katt on RWI) to disassemble the watch, then I did a vintage-job on the dial, hands, and case. I also bought a new case back and had it engraved. He then put it back together and I slapped on a Gunny strap. Below are the results. I'm very happy with it, especially since I still have no clue how to work on a watch. Thanks RWG! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted December 15, 2010 Lurked for months, reading... and still believe in John's story??? J/K... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted December 15, 2010 Great first post! Congrats on an awesome-looking watch too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted December 15, 2010 Damn fine job mate. John will be honoured and 007 will be pleased to see such an effort made as well. Bloody nice looking strap to I must say! Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sconehead 5 Posted December 15, 2010 looking good mate...that caseback looks to new though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
avenger007 29 Posted December 15, 2010 Looks awesome, Five! Nicely done, my friend. I'm glad you are enjoying it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pollux1 3 Posted December 15, 2010 That's a damn nice watch mate, and an outstanding first post! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Five of Clubs 0 Posted December 16, 2010 Hey guys - Thanks for the nice responses. I owe a special thanks to Avenger007 for building the watch. All I did was make it ugly! It's a little bizarre for me to get compliments from the people that have the watches that I spend hours looking at on this site. There really is some awesome stuff in this vintage section. looking good mate...that caseback looks to new though... Regarding the case back, I agree. The problem is that the engraving is very shallow, particularly for the "Vietnamese" star. On the case I lightly sanded with 220 sandpaper, then used steel wool aggresively and finished with some hand polishing. I'm afraid that if I did all that to the case back then I would lose too much of the engraving. I'm open to suggestions if you have an idea! It would look better if I could pull it off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG 41 Posted January 1, 2011 Like I said at RWI, that is a FANTASTIC incarnation - the dial is awesome and the caseback is out of this world. The engraving looks great and the star is a PERFECT detail, some real thought went into this watch. Love it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roberto 24 Posted January 2, 2011 Super job, super watch buddy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slim 0 Posted January 3, 2011 Regarding the case back, I agree. The problem is that the engraving is very shallow, particularly for the "Vietnamese" star. On the case I lightly sanded with 220 sandpaper, then used steel wool aggressively and finished with some hand polishing. I'm afraid that if I did all that to the case back then I would lose too much of the engraving. I'm open to suggestions if you have an idea! It would look better if I could pull it off. Brilliant idea and very impressive results. I don't think the caseback would pick up scratches, but years of wear would smooth down the finish a little. If it was mine I'd probably just give it a rub with some metal polish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slim 0 Posted January 3, 2011 ACtually, having just had a look at the back of my late '60s Seamaster - perhaps it would pick up a few scratches Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wat44 0 Posted January 3, 2011 Anyone want to build me one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randy3y 0 Posted January 3, 2011 Interesting that it is a lefty watch - it looks like to me. I want one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted January 3, 2011 This is awesome, well done! I am trying to get all the parts together for a similar homage to JohnG's watch too, but it won't be anywhere as near as good as this one! lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Five of Clubs 0 Posted January 18, 2011 Sorry for the late response, I didn't realize anyone had responded to the thread for a while. Maybe I should subscribe to it? I really appreciate all the positive comments about the watch. Oddly enough, it's probably my favorite watch and I wear it at least once per week. The next mod will definitely be a domed plexi though as the replacement crystal in there just doesn't look right to me. After working on this one, I have a couple more projects I would like to do. I guess I'll need to stop paying a watchsmith and order some tools! Member X - I would be happy to share any of my methods regarding the vintage process I did, and Avenger007 did a pretty good tutorial over on RWI when he built the watch. Just PM me if you're interested. Thanks again RWG, this forum was a huge help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
avenger007 29 Posted January 18, 2011 Hey X, if I can put one of these together, you should have no problems. Big props to FoC for taking it way above my level. And thanks to JohnG for the inspiration. It's pretty cool that folks are getting this much enjoyment out of this little project. It was one of the most fun things I've done in a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted January 18, 2011 Thanks for the offer of advice, FoC - I may well be PMing you at some point! lol I now have a couple of movements on the way, the hands and dial I need (although it's still too big ) and also some lume, and a mini-fiddy case is on its way shortly... This will probably be my first project! I'm scared! lol I think I will build it first then have a go at vintagising later, although doing it just once would be quicker... lol We will see! In theory, it's simple... :yoda: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
solkryssare 109 Posted January 18, 2011 Fuck me thats nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Five of Clubs 0 Posted March 2, 2011 WARNING: NECROBUMP IN PROGRESS!! I just finished putting a domed plexi on this thing and I thought I would share some new photos. It gave me an excuse to use all my new tools! I replaced the glass with a Sternkreuz HW from CousinsUK if anyone is interested. Anyway, on to the pictures: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted March 2, 2011 The plexi suits it well. Beautiful watch.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Five of Clubs 0 Posted March 2, 2011 The plexi suits it well. Beautiful watch.... Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zivadavis 0 Posted March 3, 2011 what a great piece.....whether the way you received it, after the vintage treatment, or after the domed crystal......any version of it just is amazing being a lefty and wearing my watch on my right wrist makes that watch even more amazing to me....i have some rep leftiy/destro pams but nothing that has the character and flavor of the luminor combat i would love to have one made........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
