mod project #3 (2/8/09)

this project #3 started this around the same time as my mod project #2:



my wife's birthday is in august so had a total of about 5 months. She hinted to me that she would like a dressy watch but a little masculine and some weight to it. She is also not a big fan of the diver bezel, as it was too tool-ish.

so i looked and researched, and in the end i decided to source for an 7S26-0050 mid sized diver that is equivalent to the skx031.

Found one on the bay from Ramon in Feb, but there was some mix up and i ended looking around again. In June, i found another ramon special - SKX021 (original seller photo):





From Ramon's photo, the dial and hands set looked to be quite ok, but time's running out so i tried my luck. The watch arrived in a weeks time and although cosmetically it looked bad, i can tell the dial is pretty clean - and it was running!









February, 1997?













the lume was still fantastic





movement was in bad shape, but still kept time.





everything out.. time for some clean up work!





my gamble paid off - clean dial and hands set! (phew!!)









sick - look at all that s***.

i had to soak it in Isopropyl Alcohol before i could clean it off





all cleaned off after a soak





since my wife doesn't like the diver bezel insert, i'm gonna try to make it simple by taking it all off. (i know some of you may not like the idea, but its for the wife)





still a little rough





better, but outer edge is not so good - keep thinking & trying





shiny?... nah, waaaayy too blingy





now for the case. All sanded down for a polish









polishing done - not 100% new, but it'll do





some satin finish in some areas





to match the bezel





everything back in and off to the Goh for new crystal, servicing and regulating (also to change all the seals) - got t it back in time before the birthday.





now it is running like a champ!... just after two days!

but that outer bezel edge is still bugging me (gonna try to take out the insert - hopefully wont damage it)





managed to get out the insert without damaging it.

even out the finish and back onto the bezel. much better (for now)





new strap to match dial and that dress-sports-diver look













All done!

She loves it - all before her birthday! woo-hoo!





a month later, i managed to "crystalize it" with genuine Swarovski crystals i bought when i was over in Austria.

swee the crystals are a great touch

Dis 1 though 4 lady but even me as a guy c liao also droooooool!!!:)

"fireal"

swee the crystals are a great touch

Yeah it looks quite nice in the flesh, but once in a while if knock hard, the crystal will fall off.



I tot of making an acrylic bezel insert with small circular inset so the crystal can sit in it.

But hv not got round to trying it yet. :(

Hv you thought of some kind of chrome plating or blasting something like that ?

Another great effort !

"softup"

Hv you thought of some kind of chrome plating or blasting something like that ?

Another great effort !

Not really. But will they do just one watch?

Normally need minimum qty right?

can .. but the prices they charge.... :O

Great threads, thanks for sharing!

Nice work. Now I know why you are the mod director.

i like this mod as well, priceless 8-)

This is bang-on brilliant. Changed the whole look of the watch. Nice work!