Enhancing a 1680 Red Sub dial

[phillip ridley]

Hey guys,

Here is a dial in which the tritium particles have flaked or fallen off the

markers. Over time they start to collect and adhere to the matte paint.

In some cases, with matte finished dials, we are able to improve the dial as you see below.

Similar technique was used on a previous post of mine.

The goal is to lift the particles without altering the originality of the dial. In

doing so, we have saved another beautiful watch.

Phillip Ridley CW21
Watchmaker’s International
O.817.276.1400 F.817.275.2466
Phillip@watchmakers.com - Watchmakers.com

[Tools]

Great work..

[swish77]

Looks amazing! Just to clarify, are you only removing the tritium that has adhered to the dial or are you also fixing (re-painting) the dial for any residual blemishes/stains left behind by the tritium? Very impressive work.

[SearChart]

You did an amazing job, looks great

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by swish77

Looks amazing! Just to clarify, are you only removing the tritium that has adhered to the dial or are you also fixing (re-painting) the dial for any residual blemishes/stains left behind by the tritium? Very impressive work.

Correct, I am just removing the excess tritium. My main goal in servicing vintage watches, is to preserve the originality of the dial and or parts.

[Beaumont Miller II]

Well done !!!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Correct, I am just removing the excess tritium. My main goal in servicing vintage watches, is to preserve the originality of the dial and or parts.

Can this be done with rodico? or is this too abrasive?

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Can this be done with rodico? or is this too abrasive?

After strategically separating the tritium from the matte paint, I minimally use FRESH rodico. Rodico can be abrasive and may potentially leave residue if used incorrectly.

[nsumner]

Great work! Well done

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

After strategically separating the tritium from the matte paint, I minimally use FRESH rodico. Rodico can be abrasive and may potentially leave residue if used incorrectly.

I understand, Thank you.

[Storky]

Interesting stuff, great work.

[Vincent65]

looks cleaner!

[omitohud]

Great job n good advertising. 👍 Now I want to send my watch to u. 😂


I blame it on the autoconnect.

[cajuntiger]

Great Job...glad to see the next generation of Ridleys following in Dads footsteps of amazing work. Your Dad has done a masterful job on many of my watches.

[okthenor]

How satisfying to restore antiquity!

[gbany]

Great work! Thank you for sharing.

[alanesq51]

You sir are an artist!

Fantastic!

[linesiders]

So, the dial cleaning is pretty good. Take all those tritium flakes you find, put them in a jar, and sell them back to the community ;)

I would like you to explain to me why you have what looks like an aftermarket/fake crown on the watch? Not trying to be adversarial , I just can't seem to square this circle.

Your case shows an early triplock 7020 tube but the crown has zero dots (should have three for a 702 or 703), is a one piece construction, and has no crimp marks on the crown like all proper 700-702-703 crowns for that generation watch.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by linesiders

So, the dial cleaning is pretty good. Take all those tritium flakes you find, put them in a jar, and sell them back to the community ;)

I would like you to explain to me why you have what looks like an aftermarket/fake crown on the watch? Not trying to be adversarial , I just can't seem to square this circle.

Your case shows an early triplock 7020 tube but the crown has zero dots (should have three for a 702 or 703), is a one piece construction, and has no crimp marks on the crown like all proper 700-702-703 crowns for that generation watch.

I am more than happy to explain and share additional information with

regards to the replaced crown. Originally, the watch had a 702 crown and a

7020 tube. After a discussion with the client, the decision was made to use a 700 crown and a 7000 tube.

As we know, crowns 700, 702, & 703 are by design, compatible to this model.

To help with the seal integrity, both the tube & crown were replaced with an

early NOS 1st generation crown & tube. Pictures provided below will confirm

a suttle difference in how the crowns were cut.

[Ritch99]

Nice work on that MK VI dial!

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

I am more than happy to explain and share additional information with

regards to the replaced crown. Originally, the watch had a 702 crown and a

7020 tube. After a discussion with the client, the decision was made to use a 700 crown and a 7000 tube.

As we know, crowns 700, 702, & 703 are by design, compatible to this model.

To help with the seal integrity, both the tube & crown were replaced with an

early NOS 1st generation crown & tube. Pictures provided below will confirm

a suttle difference in how the crowns were cut.

Interesting - I have not seen a 700 crown without significant, visible crimping. I have several in fact - everything I have with crown guards have 700 or 702 crowns. Based on the photos I would have put down money on an aftermarket crown as they often have the same profile and single-piece construction. This is why I asked though, as it looked suspicious and I did not expect that from you folks.

[mike]

Nicely done

[cop414]

Wow, amazing work!

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Interesting - I have not seen a 700 crown without significant, visible crimping. I have several in fact - everything I have with crown guards have 700 or 702 crowns. Based on the photos I would have put down money on an aftermarket crown as they often have the same profile and single-piece construction. This is why I asked though, as it looked suspicious and I did not expect that from you folks.

See post http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=134413

The best I can come up with is Rolex reissued twin lock 700 crown. No one so far has wanted to touch this subject.

Logic thinking..
1) Rolex introduced the early trip lock ~72 and why would there be a variant twin lock introduced after 72 when Rolex intended for them to be replaced with the new and improved design.
2) the smooth design as far as I know, is not seen on non touched examples.

Best I can come up with is a Rolex modern time reissue.
It would be great if an explanation could be provided about these smooth twin lock crowns from the expert vintage dealers an/or watchmakers on the source of these crowns.

Cheers, CD

[RC2]

Excellent job. I should have sent in my 5512 before I sold it. 😞. Maybe if you had it I would have kept it.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

See post http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=134413

The best I can come up with is Rolex reissued twin lock 700 crown. No one so far has wanted to touch this subject.

Cave diver have a look at the picture and you will see that those are new microchip packages (in other words not NOS vintage but recently made). I have seen the old big crown crowns in this packaging also and it has differences from the original too. Rolex Geneva has made lots of old parts again but only they have them including chapter ring luminova dials marked swiss etc

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

See post http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=134413

The best I can come up with is Rolex reissued twin lock 700 crown. No one so far has wanted to touch this subject.

Logic thinking..
1) Rolex introduced the early trip lock ~72 and why would there be a variant twin lock introduced after 72 when Rolex intended for them to be replaced with the new and improved design.
2) the smooth design as far as I know, is not seen on non touched examples.

Best I can come up with is a Rolex modern time reissue.
It would be great if an explanation could be provided about these smooth twin lock crowns from the expert vintage dealers an/or watchmakers on the source of these crowns.

Cheers, CD

Ahah! And that makes sense as the shaved / turned crimp smooth transition into the base metal does not make sense on older ones

Its fine as long as it factory service. Maybe slightly less desirable but if I am going to play hard and wet - I would want maximum original protection.

Greekbum - can I get a new Luminova Service 7922 dial from Geneva ;) ?

[phillip ridley]

Regarding the 700 crowns & other traditional crowns:

We are in the understanding that as of September 2013 there had been a change in the production of winding crowns.

Based on a modification of the European R.E.A.C.H. regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) several Rolex crown references were no longer available for purchase.

The Rolex stock of 700 crowns to the parts accounts was exhausted in ‘14 if not ’13.

As to the newer packaging with a micro-chip, we understand that some parts in older packages were transferred to the new packaging which could explain why the subtle crown differences in the same lot of several crown packages.

Phillip