Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 (edited) Hi all, Been a lurker here for a while, thought its time to introduce myself and contribute to this fantastic community. I am from Texas, a strategy consultant by day and a horology noob by night. Like most here, I love reading about the nascent rep pieces and get inspired to mod/build one of my own. Over time, I have collected several reps, some built by the experts here and hallowed pieces like a TCV6. Recently decided to dive deeper into this hobby, taking the Rolex plunge by getting a Gen 16570 and 16013 AT THE SAME TIME!! Also own several micro brand pieces and vintages like Cartier Tank, Omega 1020 Geneve etc. Once Covid forced me to stay home instead of flying 200k miles per year, I had to find a hobby. What better hobby than dive into (pun intended) modding a vintage sub. Thanks to NCRICH, pbdad, yodog and several others I got 2 pieces (1680 and 1665) from Marvellous and went to work. Before starting on the 1680, I got my feet wet by modding a Tiger Concept 1016, a C&R cheapo 6538. It turned out to be a slippery slope as I quickly started acquiring tools, parts and devouring tutorials. What motivated me most was getting my TCV6 working again. Somewhere back in 2014, the crown snapped and I made it worse by opening the caseback to replace a shredded balance wheel. It quickly went wrong when the loaded mainspring spun out to shred the dial and hands. Off to work I went in late April and so far have accomplished the following: 1. Reshaped stubby crown guards on a 5513, changed bezel assembly from Clarks 2. Got my TCv6 reassembled using gen ETA parts (Keyless, Mainspring, Balance spring, refinish dial, new hands from WSO, train wheels) 3. Mod a 1680 using all Cartel stuff mostly. Waiting on parts for a phase 2 run to improve this project. Enough rambling and onto the 1680 project along with some candy shots Thanks so much for the tutorials. I finally mustered up the strength to work on the JKF myself. This is my first build. Any feedback would be appreciated. What I did on the 1680: Reshaped crown guard Aged case, bezel and crystal Athaya 702 crown/tube Reshaped the lugs Finishline dry lubed the bracelet Relumed dial and threw on a bit of matte lacquer Rusted hands Aged insert: waiting on a new one from wso as I don't like how the cartel one ages. Trimmed the stem, over trimmed by accident. EDIT: I got a bit inspired with the responses and the conference calls were boring today. So I did this : Youtube Short Video Now onto the pictures of the TC, 5513, and 1680 Edited June 30, 2020 by Mbari 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FoxWilde 155 Posted June 29, 2020 Having trouble with the pics, but that may just be me. I gotta see this build! i remember last year I passed on a 16570 Polar (2005, box, papers) for $5000. My biggest regret next to turning down a 1675 for 6K. enjoy those gens mate. If you’re ever in Houston I’ll buy you a drink! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 20 minutes ago, FoxWilde said: Having trouble with the pics, but that may just be me. I gotta see this build! i remember last year I passed on a 16570 Polar (2005, box, papers) for $5000. My biggest regret next to turning down a 1675 for 6K. enjoy those gens mate. If you’re ever in Houston I’ll buy you a drink! Sorry my dimwitt self could not figure out image posting until now. Edited the thread to show pics Hopefully this COVID thing will be over soon and we'll grab that drink in Houston. Thanks for the reply, means A LOT for Noobs like me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 The Gens candy shots 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibanez 2,713 Posted June 29, 2020 @Mbari - mega ! the 1680 looks ace, they all do to be fair and picking up the craft since April - pretty amazing. Great fots too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 [mention=40811]Mbari[/mention] - mega ! the 1680 looks ace, they all do to be fair and picking up the craft since April - pretty amazing. Great fots too. Much appreciated kind sir. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibanez 2,713 Posted June 29, 2020 (edited) Still trying to buy up knackered watches to build up my ageing and weathering techniques, though I'm at a loss on the rusting techniques. The chemical acid process seems to have a different outcome on each time. Not sure if it's something to do with nickel plating on different watch hands Anyway - nice work Edited June 29, 2020 by Ibanez 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piccolo 673 Posted June 29, 2020 Nice work..! Definitely picked it up quickly. I love that 1016 advert you’ve done... Brilliant ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 Still trying to buy up knackered watches to build up my ageing and weathering techniques, though I'm at a loss on the rusting techniques. The chemical acid process seems to have a different outcome on each time. Not sure if it's something to do with nickel plating on different watch hands Anyway - nice work I have had decent success with adding salt and rusty drill bit to hot water. You kind of have to rough up the hands a bit with steel wool. Depending on the material, the time will vary. Most importantly, the hydrogen peroxide bath after soaking, ironically, gets the rust. After it's done, I usually scrape off any excess. All said, I'm still in pursuit for the perfect aged hands. So of you figure it out, share the secret Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Nice work..! Definitely picked it up quickly. I love that 1016 advert you’ve done... Brilliant ! Much appreciated kind sir. Had a blast re-creating the ad. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibanez 2,713 Posted June 29, 2020 3 minutes ago, Mbari said: I have had decent success with adding salt and rusty drill bit to hot water. You kind of have to rough up the hands a bit with steel wool. Depending on the material, the time will vary. Most importantly, the hydrogen peroxide bath after soaking, ironically, gets the rust. After it's done, I usually scrape off any excess. All said, I'm still in pursuit for the perfect aged hands. So of you figure it out, share the secret I've tried a few methods, I've always had to key down the sheen on the hands, but with all the different watches, think some have etched and some have plated hands (and maybe I roughed up a bit too harsh) buy nothing consistent enough to look like an aged patina... Anyway - I think you've got a real presenter knack for projects, would be good to see you post a few more projects up! keep it up ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 I've tried a few methods, I've always had to key down the sheen on the hands, but with all the different watches, think some have etched and some have plated hands (and maybe I roughed up a bit too harsh) buy nothing consistent enough to look like an aged patina... Anyway - I think you've got a real presenter knack for projects, would be good to see you post a few more projects up! keep it up !Aye aye cap'n! Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waspy 306 Posted June 29, 2020 Great post Mbari, love that 5513. Did you say vintage 1016? Here's mine: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 Great post Mbari, love that 5513. Did you say vintage 1016? Here's mine:Love it! I wanted to get a $60 piece of Tiger that's an homage at best to the 1016. Now that I feel a bit more capable, 1016 build is in the radar after the 1665 is complete. Thanks for sharing and a kind words. Love me the 5513 too but the case has much to be desired. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theviking 197 Posted June 29, 2020 Boink! A great post @Mbari. Photos, taste in watches, willingness to mod. I look forward to more! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jibuti 958 Posted June 29, 2020 nice mate. now we need your adress... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunnyStarSystem 7,538 Posted June 29, 2020 I enjoyed the whole thread but... This shot is sublime! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headtube 4 Posted June 29, 2020 Love the double red. Some great Lume work! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 nice mate. now we need your adress...PO Box ok? I'll let you ship your scrap watches so I can learn more Jokes aside, thanks mate. Means a lot to hear from fellow horology fans. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Love the double red. Some great Lume work! Much appreciated kind sir! Lume work is my nemesis for now, just bought a bag of dials to practice on. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 29, 2020 I enjoyed the whole thread but... This shot is sublime!Hahah thanks mate for the kinds words. This was an accidental lume phenomenon while watching TV in bed. Glad I captured it. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headtube 4 Posted June 29, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, Waspy said: Great post Mbari, love that 5513. Did you say vintage 1016? Here's mine: JMB w/ Yuki Dial? 8 minutes ago, Mbari said: Hahah thanks mate for the kinds words. This was an accidental lume phenomenon while watching TV in bed. Glad I captured it. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk The Hands look great. how did you age them? Edited June 29, 2020 by headtube 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 30, 2020 The Hands look great. how did you age them? Trial and error mostly but here is a template I follow:1. Steel wool to rough them up a bit. 2. Soak in hot salt water, vinegar with a rusty drill bit for an hour or two 3. Drain out the salt water and add hydrogen peroxide, wait an hour. 4. Pick them out, and air dry, this induces a bit of rust 5. Clean out the hands, remove lume, and relume Hoping for a simpler solution going fwd. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FoxWilde 155 Posted June 30, 2020 Great builds man, just saw these pics! I’ve got a love for 5513s. Mine says hello! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mbari 2,227 Posted June 30, 2020 Great builds man, just saw these pics! I’ve got a love for 5513s. Mine says hello!Oh boy she's gorgeous, do share specs please. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FoxWilde 155 Posted June 30, 2020 Oh boy she's gorgeous, do share specs please. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using TapatalkA JAW build. Phong case kit custom cut and serial numbered for year 1969. Phong custom non serif dial (1969-1970), custom aged insert. Gen Rolex 1520 movement Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RussP 22,221 Posted June 30, 2020 8 hours ago, Mbari said: I have had decent success with adding salt and rusty drill bit to hot water. You kind of have to rough up the hands a bit with steel wool. Depending on the material, the time will vary. Most importantly, the hydrogen peroxide bath after soaking, ironically, gets the rust. After it's done, I usually scrape off any excess. All said, I'm still in pursuit for the perfect aged hands. So of you figure it out, share the secret Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Much appreciated kind sir. Had a blast re-creating the ad. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk Your counterfeiting skills are exemplary. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites