P4GTR 0 Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) (Any updates/pics have been transposed into this initial post for ease of viewing. I will just update this initial post in the future.) Recently got this inexpensive GMTII from Speedbird here on RWG. This particular version had the same case as the submariner, so the crown guard and crown were way off for a GMT. The bezel was free spinning, the insert had fallen out, it was a bit of a mess (which I knew going in, not speedbirds fault.). I wasn't sure what to do with it at first. I wound up removing the crown guards, aging the insert, I installed a new spring and pellet to fix the bezel, and here it is. I don't expect anyone's jaw to drop, I am not trying to replicate a 6542, just wanted to see where I could take it, and here are the results so far. Case shaping. Removed stem & tube, plugged hole then spent lots of time grinding away with the dremel, sanding and polishing. still not straight.. more grinding better tube back in mock up, lets have a look.. Bezel fixed, insert sanded down & faded using oven cleaner (which has lye in it). Spray a little on a rag and wipe the insert, watching carefully, it works rather quickly. Wear gloves, don't get oven cleaner on your skin. This is how she stands as of now. Update: Case aging I put the case and bracelet links in a tupperware along with a few lbs. of change, a few slices of some coarse sand paper, a couple of bolts, and shook it around for a while. Took quite a bit of abuse, and resulted in very little aging of the case! The bezel insert didn't even get scratched! . This is one brute of a case, i'm telling you! It looks like superficial/artificial scratching. Maybe it was the sandpaper slices. I'll buff it a little, then back to the hopper for more abuse. Rocks sound good for next time. Update: hand & hour marker patina Patina added to hour markers and hands. Mixed a combo of flat white, yellow, interior tan, and thinner in unequal parts until I liked the color results on a test dial, then I moved onto the GMT. Here's the result. It's 4:30 AM here.. Forgive the pictures, more to come soon. The following day... Went over the dial again for imperfections. Shook the case/bracelet up again in the tupperware. Better pics. It's raining here in Tampa, so lighting is not optimum. Edited February 5, 2011 by P4GTR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slim 0 Posted January 30, 2011 Very impressive. Terrific work on the case especially. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted January 30, 2011 Very nice. Just like auto body repair but on a smaller scale. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chum_2000_uk 0 Posted January 31, 2011 Really neat work! Bet that was satisfying when finished Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jojo8989 0 Posted January 31, 2011 wow, great result, great work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turnipz 0 Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) I just saw a pepsi watch in a movie called the switch, I like it a lot more than I thought I would. Edited January 31, 2011 by turnipz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rychastings 0 Posted February 1, 2011 wow I really like the casemods, it really transforms the whole watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P4GTR 0 Posted February 5, 2011 Updated original post, progress pics added. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slim 0 Posted February 6, 2011 Looks good. I like the yellowed markers / hands a lot. Is there a particular model / year you're going for, or just a generic vintage GMT look? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P4GTR 0 Posted February 6, 2011 Looks good. I like the yellowed markers / hands a lot. Is there a particular model / year you're going for, or just a generic vintage GMT look? I wish I could say the GMT 6542, but this is so far off, and utterly a fantasy in all ways. I'd like to find an inexpensive folded bracelet for it, then be done. I liked this project, and learned what to and not to do in order to possibly start with something a little higher end next time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
