NCRich 13,714 Posted October 18, 2018 I got this cartel explorer M2M next door to play with. All the explorer dials come either stark white or babyshit yellow. Neither seem very realistic for a 20-30 year old watch. I had some extra dials so I thought I would try to mildly age one. So it came with the babyshit dial: I had a couple of extras in the box in white, this one is a Yuki I want that to be ivory or light tan, with a tiny bit of browning on the dial. Popped it in the over at 425F for 20ish minutes. I relumed the hands to match and put a couple coats of matte lacquer on the dial. Its a nice case set. It wears nice and has a domed plexi. If they had drilled out the lugs it would be great. Pretty easy mod that I think really makes the watch more realistic. Just don't leave it in the oven too long or it will ruin. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McGilli 1 Posted October 18, 2018 3 minutes ago, NCRich said: Popped it in the over at 425F for 20ish minutes. Stuff - I will never, ever learn. Always fascinated to hear how things are done, especially with making things look older. Definitely looks the best of the 3 dials. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glaude 1,615 Posted October 18, 2018 So you cooked it ? That's awesome ! The result is spot on what you described ! Great works and thanks for sharing ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luxuracer 14 Posted October 18, 2018 You make it looks and sounds ... so easy ... Beautiful work as always ... but you are missing the lume shot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,714 Posted October 18, 2018 15 minutes ago, Luxuracer said: You make it looks and sounds ... so easy ... Beautiful work as always ... but you are missing the lume shot. It shouldn't have any lume, its old! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luxuracer 14 Posted October 18, 2018 1 minute ago, NCRich said: It shouldn't have any lume, its old! Everyone likes lumes ... ask @McGilli Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McGilli 1 Posted October 19, 2018 10 minutes ago, NCRich said: It shouldn't have any lume, its old! So - what is the life expectancy of the lume that would have been used back then? And, how old is this watch supposed to be? I need to make sure the math checks out Thanks @Luxuracer I was just about to watch a movie - but now I need I know to get this sorted - no lume... I can't sleep until I know these details!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theviking 196 Posted October 19, 2018 Nice work Rich, what about the hands? I have a cartel SD I plan to age but the hands are shiney as fuck. Also trying to work out if I should spray Matt the dial or bake it or both before I do a shaky relume. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,714 Posted October 19, 2018 31 minutes ago, Theviking said: Nice work Rich, what about the hands? I have a cartel SD I plan to age but the hands are shiney as fuck. Also trying to work out if I should spray Matt the dial or bake it or both before I do a shaky relume. I don't want the hands aged on this. I just wanted it to look 20 years old on the dial and hands. Hands would still be shiny. You can use a manicurist fine sponge pad to take the shine off the hands. Just buff it with that a few swipes and it will tone right down. Scotch brite works too. If you bake that dial be very careful, it goes brown in a flash. You would matte spray after you cooked it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theviking 196 Posted October 19, 2018 2 hours ago, NCRich said: I don't want the hands aged on this. I just wanted it to look 20 years old on the dial and hands. Hands would still be shiny. You can use a manicurist fine sponge pad to take the shine off the hands. Just buff it with that a few swipes and it will tone right down. Scotch brite works too. If you bake that dial be very careful, it goes brown in a flash. You would matte spray after you cooked it. Arigato Sensei Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSebwc 87 Posted October 19, 2018 Nicely done Rich. Looks great. That case set does look nice with such a shiny bezel. Do you plan on drilling the lugs ?Do you plan on cooking the others a bit longer to see what kind of results you could get. ?I wonder if adding a mild acid or a cleaning solution would help age the paint In the heat ?? I really wish we could replicate some of the spectacular tropical dials This one is a favourite of mine!!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,714 Posted October 19, 2018 4 hours ago, JSebwc said: Nicely done Rich. Looks great. That case set does look nice with such a shiny bezel. Do you plan on drilling the lugs ? Do you plan on cooking the others a bit longer to see what kind of results you could get. ? I wonder if adding a mild acid or a cleaning solution would help age the paint In the heat ?? I really wish we could replicate some of the spectacular tropical dials This one is a favourite of mine!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I have done it with others several times. There is a post somewhere in the vintage section with three different dials. edit: found it 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
repmaster1234 49 Posted October 20, 2018 Nice one Rich! Reminds me I need to send those 6542 parts to you. 22 hours ago, JSebwc said: I really wish we could replicate some of the spectacular tropical dials I did one of these dials earlier this year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,714 Posted October 20, 2018 1 hour ago, repmaster1234 said: Nice one Rich! Reminds me I need to send those 6542 parts to you. I did one of these dials earlier this year That is a beautiful thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSebwc 87 Posted October 20, 2018 2 hours ago, repmaster1234 said: Nice one Rich! Reminds me I need to send those 6542 parts to you. I did one of these dials earlier this year Holy smokes that is beautiful!! Please check you DM I NEED THIS!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlameTony 1 Posted November 1, 2022 Tremendous work. I'm working on my own 1016 at the moment. This is very inspirational. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites