My first build

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androo
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My first build

Post by androo »

I have just completed my first home build and I highly recommend doing it. I am a very unskilled person when it comes to making things (Airfix planes never looked like they did on the box). I decided on a Panerai "tribute" as my first as the parts seem to be cheapest. I sourced them all from the bay and after P&P and a bit of import duty it has cost about £90. The most time consuming part is getting the winding stem cut to the right length. This needs a lot of time and re measuring before cutting or total guess work if you are like me. I have used a Seagull ST36 movement which has the same dimensions as a ETA 6497. The seagull is a very cheap but nicley decorated Chinese piece of work and so far has proved to be very accourate. Better than a couple of Swiss autos i have.
Sorry about the pics but i had no camera so have used a microscope that i was playing with. :?
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Try it. It's not hard all the info can be found on the net. and there is nothing like it when someone comments on the watch and you can say "I built that"
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ianblyth
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Re: My first build

Post by ianblyth »

Nice job. I do like that style. You haven't just sold it to Village hae you?

http://www.christopherwardforum.com/vie ... f=8&t=4101

:lol:
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Monkey
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Re: My first build

Post by Monkey »

Nice job, and well done that man for having a go :up:

I do, however, wonder if you could have saved yourself some time and money??????

Have a look here......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/45mm-Men-Black-Di ... 3ca4c1953d

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/47mm-Special-Plas ... 3a55046cf7
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Re: My first build

Post by downer »

Congratulations. I admire you for attempting this. :D
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village
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Re: My first build

Post by village »

Well done!....i am seriously tempted to do something myself...i keep reading stuff like this and thinking i should get of my proverbial.
If you can read this you are too close to your computer screen....
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Monkey
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Re: My first build

Post by Monkey »

village wrote:Well done!....i am seriously tempted to do something myself...i keep reading stuff like this and thinking i should get of my proverbial.

Go on then.....get off it!! :)

Maybe there will be some parts at the watch fair you could acquire to start you off Andy?? :D
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Re: My first build

Post by androo »

however, wonder if you could have saved yourself some time and money??????
Yep. But if I thought saving money was a good idea I would have lots of it.
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Monkey
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Re: My first build

Post by Monkey »

androo wrote:
however, wonder if you could have saved yourself some time and money??????
Yep. But if I thought saving money was a good idea I would have lots of it.

Ah, join the club then :D

Did you take any pics of the process???
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Re: My first build

Post by androo »

Didn't this time in case I arsed it up. having a look at some different cases and bits so will make another soon and will take a few pics as I am making it
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Re: My first build

Post by Loddonite »

Nice job Androo.
You are a brave man, the most I've managed to do is swap dials on a chinese Luminor style.
Are you the calm type or was the air blue as you played with all the little bits?

I can't imagine you included the cost of the tools in the overall price!
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androo
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Re: My first build

Post by androo »

Tools were a lot extra. Had them all ready as i purchased another movement to practice taking apart. and maybe putting together again. But all you need is a couple of screwdrivers a pair of snips and a fine file. Not calm and very sweary. :D
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Re: My first build

Post by Kip »

Excellent job androo! Those stems can be a bugger can't they?

You may have saved a buck by buying one, but you would never have the same sort of satisfaction.
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Re: My first build

Post by skidder »

well done. I made my first watch (also based on a rdaiomir type case) last June and have since made more than 10 - be prepared to get addicted!

The stem cutting gets easier the more you do it. Just remember you can always take away but you can't add!
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Re: My first build

Post by ianblyth »

skidder wrote:Just remember you can always take away but you can't add!
Sage words. The carpenter's moto:-
measure twice and cut once
(literally, carpentry) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.
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Kip
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Re: My first build

Post by Kip »

skidder wrote:well done. I made my first watch (also based on a rdaiomir type case) last June and have since made more than 10 - be prepared to get addicted!

The stem cutting gets easier the more you do it. Just remember you can always take away but you can't add!
Sounds like we need to see a group photo with details. I am interested to see you self build collection.
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