jerkstore 14 Posted June 20, 2013 I just finished building this 1675: Ingredients: Silix old-style 16750(ish) case reworked Clark's 25-116 gen spec crystal, shaved to gen-spec height and installed with UV lamp Cartel 1675 "1:1" dial, aged Hands aged and re-lumed with vintage patina Base bezel insert, faded Even though it has a wire-type bezel construction, I chose to mod the Silix case because it's got the right thinness compared to my gen 1675. Plus it's a little cheaper than the Josh 1655 and the Cartel "1:1" As my first real vintagizing attempt of full watch, I thought it would be better to start with something I wouldn't be too pissed about completely screwing up. The donor watch comes with a really annoying dial. The 1675 did not carry a movement with quickset date function--although the later model 16750 did. To set the date, you had to do it the old-fashioned way: winding the hands around and around and around. So, the 1675 dial simply read "Oyster Perpetual". Even when Rolex intoduced the quickset date feature to the 16750's, along with the "Oyster Perpetual Date" label, they did it on a glossy dial. So, a matte dial that reads "Date" just sucks. Even though it is also flawed, for that reason I chose to put a Cartel dial in the Silix case. The original dial is the standard 29mm width, but the 28mm cartel fits OK. For some reason the dial makers chose to stop the minute markers short, before the edge of the dial. Unlike the gen. Oh well, it's still a rep, right? In any case, I have a gen 1675 that's badly in need of a service. I used it as a model for the case reshaping, along with all the detailed posts that Rolex Addict has made on the subject. Using lots of sandpaper and my new dremel, I spent probably too much time slimming down the lugs, reshaping the crownguards, and adding a beveled edge to the outside edges of the case. You can't get the crownguards perfect because (1) they're too stubby, (2) too thin, and (3) they slope down at the top, unlike the gen. The crown on the gen is also noticeably smaller than the rep crown. My goal was to vintagize the dial and hands as close to my gen as possible: aged, but not like they were found around the wrist of a dinosaur skeleton. I aged the dial markers using my patented worcestershire sauce/oven treatment. I also had a couple glasses of a nice Rioja to keep me company. To reduce the sheen of the dial, I mixed some cocoa powder with water and dabbed it on the dial face. The bezel construction on the SIlix case is decidedly not gen spec. However, you can fit the gen spec 25-116 cyclops with some heavy sanding. I tried to get it as close as possible to gen height. One tip: bezel fading goes faster than you think it will. In my case, less than one minute sitting in bleach got me to a nice shade of powder blue. I was not happy at first, but it grew on me. After looking at gen pics of pepsi 1675's, I'm actually really pleased with it. After spending all that time putting this thing together, I'm going to give it away as a gift! I have a jubilee bracelet soaking in oil right now, and it will be friends with my build real soon. But for now I just have a NATO strap... Here are some parting shots of my latest creation... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amit 72 Posted June 20, 2013 Man that's some great work and an amazing gesture to give it away. This is one that I myself want, waiting a few months for Rolex addict to become free Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheSav 2 Posted June 20, 2013 Nice job. Great write up too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
solkryssare 109 Posted June 20, 2013 Excellent work buddy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Odyseus 1 Posted June 20, 2013 The 1675 is definitely a must buy rep!! :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arj 1 Posted June 20, 2013 would be cool if u can vintagize the date wheel as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richardm1142 0 Posted June 20, 2013 That is a really nice, subtle, vintage job. IMO far more admirable than the "dump it in a cement mixer" approach. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simonbolivar 1 Posted June 20, 2013 Excellent job, and nice write up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerkstore 14 Posted June 20, 2013 Man that's some great work and an amazing gesture to give it away. Thanks, all! This 1675 is indeed a gift. My brother spent the last year traveling around the world. I thought a vintage GMT would be a nice way to commemorate that. I would love to find a better dial for it, but who makes a correct 29mm version? Also, I think a better crystal would improve the date window magnification. I guess I could try another aftermarket supplier. I'm not willing to grind down a gen! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick911 0 Posted June 21, 2013 Congratulation, very awesome this beauties! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyr 4 Posted June 21, 2013 Another great one, better and better all the time!(don't know how you manage this kind of work and kids too!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve227 0 Posted June 21, 2013 That looks great, thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dalboy 2 Posted June 21, 2013 Very impressive work.. A Labour of love ....enjoyed reading your write up... Dal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sardonix 1 Posted June 21, 2013 Respect for your work, looks great. And nice inside story along with the pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwc 1 Posted June 23, 2013 Well done & congrats. Whilst not a 'modder' or a 'vintagizer' I am always blown away with the skills and love that you guys have. Keep 'em coming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerkstore 14 Posted June 23, 2013 Thanks! It really helps to have the gen as a guide. Especially for the case work. There are certainly areas for improvement, though... For one, I'd like to learn how to apply my own hour markers. The ones that come with the cartel dial are quite raised and not very natural looking. It would also be great if I could figure out how to improve the bezel, which is more sub looking than GMT. Ultimately, the lesson is probably to not cheap out, and instead start with a case that gives you a better chance of getting close to gen, ie accepts a correct size dial, or gen bezel assembly. Since finishing this one, I'm planning to grab a josh 1655 and do just that. Does anybody know if the Mark/TS 1655 is the same one Josh sells? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin72 1 Posted June 23, 2013 I love it mate, nice work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
