Submariner Damaged 'Kissing 4?' Insert

[Storky]

Hi,
I have this old Submariner insert from a 1680, I believe it's the 'Kissing 4' version... please confirm? (I've never had one before)
Anyhow it's broken and so missing its Tritium pearl. Anyone know if they can be repaired properly rather than just glued together??
Seems a shame not to do something with it. I know it could be just clipped back into an insert and I reckon that would hold a pearl in too, but to me that's a bodge job!

Thanks for looking

[SubKing]

you could go to a jeweler or watch maker that has a laser welder and they could laser weld the back side of the cracks. You would need to then sand it flush so the insert will fit back into the bezel.

[Storky]

Originally Posted by SubKing

you could go to a jeweler or watch maker that has a laser welder and they could laser weld the back side of the cracks. You would need to then sand it flush so the insert will fit back into the bezel.

Thanks for your reply, I actually work in that industry but I'm not sure that it can be done without discolouring the 'triangle' on the top surface. I was hoping that there may be some kind of miracle aluminium paste / adhesive that I don't know about?

Cheers!

[watchcrank]

I've used a marine tek epoxy with good results. No harm in using a small amount of adhesive while mounting in bezel ring.

[Vincent65]

Looks to be 'kissing' - just printed with very worn pads and a lot of 'bleed'.
Lots of debate about categorising these, nothing definitive from what I've seen.
This could be a MK1 or MK3, according to some/depending whom you ask (and according to others, it's the same thing...)

Shame it's busted.

[Storky]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Looks to be 'kissing' - just printed with very worn pads and a lot of 'bleed'.
Lots of debate about categorising these, nothing definitive from what I've seen.
This could be a MK1 or MK3, according to some/depending whom you ask (and according to others, it's the same thing...)

Shame it's busted.

Yep, shame... but too nice not to do something with it don't you think? Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by watchcrank

I've used a marine tek epoxy with good results. No harm in using a small amount of adhesive while mounting in bezel ring.

Thanks, that's the route I'll go I think... Get a pearl, add it to a bezel then add a little adhesive to make sure it stays together.
Ha! Then find a sub that's not perfect that has no bezel!!!!

[SubKing]

I would use JB Quick Weld. Its a black glue that is used on steel pipes.. Its much stronger than any typical marine epoxy and made for metal applications. Just my 2 cents.

If you went the laser route, I don't think you need to worry about metal discolorations at the triangle as the paint is already mostly gone in that area. It wouldn't look any worse than it already does.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Storky

Yep, shame... but too nice not to do something with it don't you think? Thanks for the info!


Thanks, that's the route I'll go I think... Get a pearl, add it to a bezel then add a little adhesive to make sure it stays together.
Ha! Then find a sub that's not perfect that has no bezel!!!!

Yes, it's worth a go, but it will likely break again if ever removed from the ring. Might be best to put it in the bezel, then glue it and stick the pearl in, actually...

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Yes, it's worth a go, but it will likely break again if ever removed from the ring. Might be best to put it in the bezel, then glue it and stick the pearl in, actually...

good advise

[Wing Zero]

I personally don't think the delicate insert could withstand laser welding and would probably result in a lot of work for something that might actually look worse or cause more damage.

It is a kissing 4.. MK3 as most would call it. Worn pad of the MK3 with bleed.

There are many iterations of the Mk3 inserts because of the wear on the pads.

Fresh, middle and worn pad printings.

Fresh Pad with a skinnier 4:


Middle Pad is a bit more fat but no bleed yet:


Worn Pad with Bleed aka Kissing:

[omitohud]

Too nice an insert to throw away. Like others suggested just glue it to a bezel n put the pearl in n wear it proud. I doubt anyone would notice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Storky]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Yes, it's worth a go, but it will likely break again if ever removed from the ring. Might be best to put it in the bezel, then glue it and stick the pearl in, actually...

Originally Posted by nsumner

good advise

Originally Posted by omitohud

Too nice an insert to throw away. Like others suggested just glue it to a bezel n put the pearl in n wear it proud. I doubt anyone would notice.

Originally Posted by SubKing

I would use JB Quick Weld. Its a black glue that is used on steel pipes.. Its much stronger than any typical marine epoxy and made for metal applications. Just my 2 cents.

If you went the laser route, I don't think you need to worry about metal discolorations at the triangle as the paint is already mostly gone in that area. It wouldn't look any worse than it already does.

Thanks for the input guys! SubKing, I think you're right about not going the laser route, I could get it done, even if it was successful.. squeeze it back into a bezel... And ping , back to square one! Anyhow, I'll have a play, if it works - then great... if not, I'll just sell it and take my other half on a Carribean cruise instead!

Originally Posted by Wing Zero

I personally don't think the delicate insert could withstand laser welding and would probably result in a lot of work for something that might actually look worse or cause more damage.

It is a kissing 4.. MK3 as most would call it. Worn pad of the MK3 with bleed.

There are many iterations of the Mk3 inserts because of the wear on the pads.

Fresh, middle and worn pad printings.

Fresh Pad with a skinnier 4?

Middle Pad is a bit more fat but no bleed.

Worn Pad with Bleed aka Kissing:

Thank you for the photos. Very kind, more info for my knowledge bank!

[V.lats97nsx]

threads like these help me learn:)))