Lapping machine - case example pics on page 3

Just received my Flightmaster back from Rocco and the case is stunning. I can't believe it's the same watch. It's easily on a par, if not better, than one I sent to Omega in Bienne. In fact, I doubt they would have tried to refinish this one to be honest. It's fantastic to know that there are still some proper craftsmen out there who take a pride in their work.

This kind of refinish is only really available as part of full service by the way, so please don't bombard Rocco with requests for case finishes only.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ps5540d0c1.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...psdc880793.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ps68713da2.jpg


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ps3c54d3c8.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...pse4b027d8.jpg

I saw your watch just before it was sent back Benny. It's certainly a looker now and a massive improvement over the well worn example it once was. Enjoy it for years to come.

Cheers,
Gary

Yeah, it looks fabulous. Still debating whether or not to get a new dial and handset but I actually really like the old dial, even with the "as new" case. We'll see!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jon Kenney

The work he is doing is just fantastic, Gary. Thanks for the regular updates.

I reckon I'm now gonna be on the hunt for a beat up flighty!

Keep up the great work!

JK

---

I´ve just bought one today, I hope that he's still in business, because he could do mine ;-)

Great thread, I just keep coming back.

Well, mine reached him directly from Bonhams today, so I haven't seen it in the flesh, but I have asked him to take a few pictures of mine before he waves his wand over it ;-)
I'm really looking forward to seeing the end result ;-)

Regards

jimmy

A quick update. Popped over to see Rocco yesterday and he's now got a second lapping machine! This one was made entirely by a local engineering genius to Rocco's exact specification and offers more flexibility in terms of achieving angles and more finite control when presenting watch cases to the grinding discs. Here's a few iphone pics taken in a rush yesterday.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps7df08cbd.jpg

Setting distance between the presentation table and grinding wheelshttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps935edc54.jpg

Adjusting and locking the angle of the tablehttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psca1f0e6f.jpg

Watch case holder jighttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psa5f702a7.jpg

I haven't seen it in action yet but it's already being used to great effect judging by the examples I saw.

I also picked up a couple of interesting watches to take a few 'before and after' snaps of, a vintage Rolex Explorer MKII and a Heuer Montreal with a dial and handset to die for. More on these when I get some time to get the old camera out.

Cheers,
Gary

A video of this machine in action would be good, if that is possible some time. I’m having difficulty seeing how the rotating discs can be used to produce straight graining on any of the case surfaces? I had always imagined that graining would be done on some sort of belt where the abrasive is drawn away in a straight line.

Mine should be finished this week, Rocco sent me some "before" pictures and to be truthful, if I had seen these pictures beforehand, I certainly wouldn't have bid on the watch at auction ;-)

I got a mail from Rocco today, my Flightmaster is finished and being tested, he will ship it to me at the end of the week.
Here are pictures taken by Rocco before he waved his wand over it ;-)

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps06a89ec2.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc82b1349.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1476a2b5.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc8f7f15b.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2f8d28dd.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps26be680d.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps91595acf.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7baa42e0.jpg

I'll post the "after" pictures when the watch arrives.

Regards

Jimmy

I just got my watch back from Rocco, well, what can I say, I'm flabbergasted to put it mildly...

here some "after" pictures.

My deepest gratitude to Rocco.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps030d0646.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps70c1430b.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscd5ea681.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4d372dbc.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps00fe5c41.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse9dd5278.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfc4dc690.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9cc1b926.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3a1cba68.jpg

Regards

Jimmy

That looks fabulous, Jimmy. I've just sent off a UG Unisonic Sub for the same treatment and pictures like yours confirm how worthwhile the effort is.

Looks like a fantastic result. Thanks for the update.

Another Flighty saved. Looks fantastic.

Now then, a Flightmaster with a refurbished case - i could wear that...
What a watch.

Superb work.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne

That looks fabulous, Jimmy. I've just sent off a UG Unisonic Sub for the same treatment and pictures like yours confirm how worthwhile the effort is.

---

Now that's a wise decision Carlton, one that you will almost certainly not regret.

I hadn't any idea that this was possible. I have read a lot on the web and have never stumbled upon this kind of magic - If the thread wasnt so full of documentation and it isnt first of April, I wouldnt have believed it. - Please send me his contact information. I have just picked op a Certina DS 3 super ph 1000, which is in need of a service and a refurbish.
Best regards Rasmus

Another update. Remember that rather battle scarred Rolex Sub case (pics on page 2), well Rocco got round to finishing it off last week.

A quick reminder for those that can't be bothered to go back a few pages.

Before
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_3671.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_3668.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_3670.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_3659.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_3658.jpg

During
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_4250.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_4219.jpghttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_4253.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_4256.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...e/D20_4231.jpg

After pics to follow...

Come on Gary - after photos!!!!!

After

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps3d10238f.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps713a6118.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps3ff4994d.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps3bc5b246.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps520407be.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psca9e70e3.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps8bc1c3ee.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps88f8fe5d.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psca9e70e3.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps7f0e71f2.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps63584678.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps91dee7c4.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psfebb1c4e.jpg

It came out rather well I think and it's a testament to Rocco's skill that he can save such a completely battered case.

Cheers,
Gary

Good grief - that's bordering on unbelievable.

That looks rubbish. I'm never going to send yet another watch to Rocco to find that my expectations have been exceeded, again

Astonishingly good.

What is the material used in the weld and is there any risk, over time, that the added in material will corrode?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Si

Astonishingly good.

What is the material used in the weld and is there any risk, over time, that the added in material will corrode?

---

904L grade steel wire has been used Si, so exactly the same steel that Rolex use in their cases.

I'm no metallurgist but I doubt that it'll corrode. As well as being more resistant to acid and chlorine attack the added copper makes it highly resistant to stress corrosion cracking and pitting/crevice corrosion.

Cheers,
Gary

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Omegary

904L grade steel wire has been used Si, so exactly the same steel that Rolex use in their cases.
Gary

---

Thanks Gary.

This is a great service they are offering, especially for those like me who make things a little more affordable (or at least spread the cost over time) by taking on watches that need work.

Incredible.

Just read all 6 pages, great thread.

Has anyone got a ballpark figure for a service and mechanism repair for my 116710 via Rocco?

Thanks.

That has blown me away. What an incredible transformation, thanks for sharing.

Steve

Crikey, some proper craftsmanship there.

Stunning work, absolutely brilliant.

Wow, Rocco is an absolute maestro!

That's incredible.

Just amazing!!! :)

How do they lap the crown guard side of the case ? As its curved I cant see how its done!

Another update, this time a Heuer Montreal.

Nothing too drastic needed with this one really, just a very light refinish to remove some scuffs here and there and some tool slip marks on the case back. Love the dial on this example, the blue just really pops, helped by the yellow and red accents. In fact I did succumb to wearing it around the house for the day when I did the before pics, hope the owner doesn't mind!

Before

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps0efc370e.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps31678a84.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps07ae889c.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps425237f7.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps976b2f9b.jpg

After

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps17c00316.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps781dc78a.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps7a1bbc4a.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psd799a179.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...pse26fcccb.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...pse4aa915f.jpg

One thing I'd never noticed with the Montreal is the case back has a sunburst finish to it as well as the front. Lovely little detail that's completely unnecessary really but makes you smile when you notice it, well I did anyway.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...psaaaf25ae.jpg

Cheers,
Gary

These pics are unbelievable, I didn't even know this sort of thing was even possible. Blown away...

This thread is amazing, it changes my mind on so many potential acquisitions that I had previously just written off as impossible to restore.. wow, and thanks! Can someone please be so kind to PM me Rocco's details?

Easily one of the best threads ever!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GTuned

This thread is amazing, it changes my mind on so many potential acquisitions that I had previously just written off as impossible to restore.. wow, and thanks! Can someone please be so kind to PM me Rocco's details? Easily one of the best threads ever!

---

+1 first time i noticed this tread. WOW !!!

Simply stunning!!!

'Bookmarked' in case I ever need to use the service myself! :)

Apologies for for the quality of the pictures but I've just had my Unisonic Sub back from Rocco. I'm very pleased.
https://carlton-browne.org/albums/Pu...b/L1030263.jpg
https://carlton-browne.org/albums/Pu...b/L1030264.jpg
https://carlton-browne.org/albums/Pu...b/L1030265.jpg

I'll do some proper ones when I get a minute. Just need to take special care around door frames now.

Nice piece.

I'm simply amazed at how good the watches look given the before pictures.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GTuned

This thread is amazing, it changes my mind on so many potential acquisitions that I had previously just written off as impossible to restore.. wow, and thanks! Can someone please be so kind to PM me Rocco's details?

Easily one of the best threads ever!

---

This is seriously amazing work and made me really want to give my beaten up Mark 4.5 the spa treatment. If anyone knows if he's taking work at the moment from international customers, please let me know his details as well.

This is a terrific post and I'm glad I joined the forum. I have been a long time collector/hobbyist and only now beginning to learn the intricacies of polishing.

Like another member mentioned, does Rocco use the lapping set-up to polish the crown guards on submariners? It's a curve surface all around and I'm struggling to see how a flat lap wheel can get in there. I surmise then that the crown guard sides are polished in the traditional fashion on a buffing wheel.

Also, how exactly does he re-profile the bevels on the lugs of a sub? I don't see how the jig/holder would work as the angles would be off. Does he do the lug bevelling free hand against the wheel?

My sm300 has had salt water inside causing corrosion to case and case back,can anything be done about that sort of damage ?

I cannot find the words to convey how impressive that is! I've read this thread all the way through and am speechless at some the results.

I have just read all pages and I am very impressed. I never thought that big damages can be repaired and get a factory finish with all sharp edges. Great!

Awesome work. I love this kind of engineering.

Rocco picked up another project this weekend. Lord knows what happened to the watch but I fear for the arm of the owner!

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ps80d9be21.jpg

Cheers,
Gary

That is some very serious road rash - I am looking forward to the after pictures, if that can be restored it is bordering on black magic!
(But going from what has gone on in this thread it will happen).:glee:

wow just read the whole thread amazing work and skill by Rocco can't wait to see the finished job on this latest repair