KeNnY 29 Posted April 19, 2011 Hey all, as you know, I got my self an around 40 years old Orient SK Crystal for free. If everything will go as planed (that means I will not returning or something, it maybe decide today), I would like to restore it and mod it ! Modding will consist of: 1. Replace the scratched crystal with new one 2. Rebrush and repolish the stainless steel case and case back 3. The movement is going great (it keeps excellent time for the movement not serviced for that long time) so I must ask in town, one watchmaker, if he can service the movement or not 4. Waterproof it if possible (well not much because of non screw down crowns and side button, but should be possible atleast to 30 meters) 5. Superlume it including the inside rotating bezel ! (now the original lume are only small dots on dial and hands, and the lume is weak, and I wonder if radioactive :P) As you can see on the picture what I have created in photo-shop, I will want to lume it in this way (similar like IWC Aquaracer is) And after all that, I will need to put it on nice bracelet, and as suggested by Graman (thanks mate!) I will give it on the nice jubilee bracelet. The Clamps I will try to get the original Orient sign on them. After all this, then I will decide if I will keep the watch or sell it... Again this mod is for this year, so when I will be able to start doing it, I will let you know with again small series of posts. :P Thank you for watching and God speed ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
solkryssare 109 Posted April 19, 2011 Sounds like fun Go play! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted April 19, 2011 Sounds like fun Go play! yes Solkry ! It is fun to mod watches ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted April 21, 2011 Hey all, small update, I have contacted Orient with following emal. Dear Orient representative, I am 22 years old amateur watch maker, and I have found an nice piece of Orient watch (Orient SK Crystal). It was sitting unused for 15 years or more, with scratched crystal and case, without a strap, waiting to be used again (showing you pictures in the attachment). In that time I didn't know that it was working, so I wind it, and try the time accuracy. I was impressed, that even after those many years, and no service taken when it was bought (I think more that 20 years+ ago), it is running perfectly, with only 10 seconds gain per day ! As for I have the correct tools and experience in watch making, I want to give this watch a new life, and add it into my collection. I would like to replace the scratched crystal, rebrush and repolish the case and relume dial and whole bezel with green and aqua superluminova (also picture in attachment what lume should look like at night). Please, can you tell me where can I get a new crystal for it ? Or atleast if you know the correct sizes of the crystal, so I can get a replacement for it. And also, please, do you have an manual for this watch ? Thank you very much for your time and have a great day. Best regards Their reply was really awesome ! Dear Mr.********, First of all, thank you very much for your purchase of our product. And we highly appreciate you to have our product long time. According to your information, we think that you would like to have new case (with glass) for this watch? Would you like to have new bracelet too? And we think that you are live in Czech republic , is it correct? If yes, please let us know your address for our reference. Because we have our official distributor in Czech republic. So, we consider to support you through our distributor. Thanks and best regards, ORIENT WATCH CO.,LTD. I have replied that I am from Slovakia, and that the bracelet I would use also, that it is hard to find spare parts, and firstly I was wondering just to refinish the case, and the last reply is really interesting ! Dear Mr.*********, Thank you very much for your reply and address information. We have our official distributor in Prague. And company information is as follows. Company : TULIPAN spol. s.r.o. Address : Marakova 252/2, Prague 6, 160 000 Phone : +420-233-322-169 Email: [email protected] We already asked Tulipan to support you , and they kindly accepted this matter. Therefore, we will send case, bracelet and spring bar for your watch to Tulipan. And also we will ask Tulipan to contact you later. Thanks and best regards, ORIENT WATCH CO.,LTD. So what this sums up ? BTW yesterday I already do something to my Orient, I have disassembled it. I tried to get out the crystal, but it was holding there like nuts ! With thumbs impossible. So I used crystal press with right dies, and when trying to get it out, it first shatters into pieces, with all microscopic glass pieces, and then it finally got out. So there goes my chance to measure the crystal I also re-polished the watch as much as possible, and I can post pictures later... If I will have a new watch case, I hope ! That I will be able to get the crystal out without shattering it ! It is impossible to get to rotating inner bezel without getting out the crystal first. EDIT: I know why it has shattered, the crystal was Glass type, no mineral ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 3, 2011 Small UPDATE with TONS of pics lets let the pics talk And also VIDEO for your pleasure ! polishing was only 1 LEVEL, the level 2 is much better.. there will be another photos after I will relume the dial and bezel.. if the lume powder will finally come.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chum_2000_uk 0 Posted May 3, 2011 Keep up the good work Kenny! Looking good mate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amuthon 0 Posted May 3, 2011 Thx for update and good luck with getting a new crystal. (I know how hard this can be, learned it with a 40 years old omega) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 3, 2011 Thx for update and good luck with getting a new crystal.(I know how hard this can be, learned it with a 40 years old omega) thank you amuthon ! No problem on crystal, the crystal is average, and I think i will be able to source it just thinking about sapphire Thanks chum_2000_uk ! Can't wait to get this baby relumed !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seclark007 11 Posted May 3, 2011 Kenny, You suprise me more and more every day; a genuine enthusiast of the hobby that shows more and more skills every time! Keep it comming! Sean Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 3, 2011 THanks Sean ! :yoda: I am trying , and it is fun ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 7, 2011 This week I should finally start reluming my Orient ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aren 27 Posted May 7, 2011 Keep up the great work and allowing us to follow your progress. I like the pictures. You are very brave. I am careful just winding my watches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 7, 2011 Keep up the great work and allowing us to follow your progress.I like the pictures. You are very brave. I am careful just winding my watches. Thank you Aren :( the only show stopper now is postal service, what has lost my lume material.. so I had to borrow some from WebWind, until my will be received (i hope it is not lost)... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pentax 0 Posted May 7, 2011 i feel that if you feel confident enough about your modding skills, as I feel you are doing super good! to Ask Greg to support you and make you a trusted Modder :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
powderfreak 0 Posted May 7, 2011 i feel that if you feel confident enough about your modding skills, as I feel you are doing super good! to Ask Greg to support you and make you a trusted Modder :P If he goes on like that, why not :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 8, 2011 Thanks Pentax and Powder I hope next week you will be happy to see some new DSSD modded. What I am still waiting was for that lume, but thanks to WebWind he borrowed me his, and also I am going to relume his Chopard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 11, 2011 Lume material from Webwind arrived.. My parcel was lost.. Amazing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nunu78 1,743 Posted May 11, 2011 Lume material from Webwind arrived.. My parcel was lost.. Amazing Looks like itz not a good day for rep lovers.Kenny dont lose your heart mate,wish u best of luck with the project. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 11, 2011 Thanks NUNU... well atleast the seller has replied. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 12, 2011 So finally today, I have been reluming !!!!!! Yep ! It was ULTRA HARD !!!! With oilers to do such precise luming ! But I tried hard, and I am quite happy with the results.. I hope you will like it also, it is not perfect, like from machine, but I think I have made the most of that I can do from lumming with oilers.. Again pics for you.. I hope you enjoyed it ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,463 Posted May 12, 2011 Looks very impressive all lit up - well done mate! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 12, 2011 Thank you Del ! IF I had a good drill machine, I would drill holes into the bezel, for better aligned lume apply. But this was my first time applying lume on this type of surface Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KinCaidk 0 Posted May 12, 2011 fuck, Kenny.. You are a fucking lumefreak! Looks good Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted May 12, 2011 fuck, Kenny..You are a fucking lumefreak! Looks good haha LUMEFREAK !!! thank you, can't wait to put this baby back together ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfcdre 0 Posted May 12, 2011 Kenny class job mate very well done,looking really good,very impressed with your work cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
