The Dude Abides - time for another Amphibia mod

Well its spring, the sun is shining and it must be about time for my annual round of Amphibia mods.

Think I will start with yet another blue Scuba Dude.


New 420 from Zenitar.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psxukpnvr1.jpg


Firstly, off with the awful bracelet.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pssitzeyrh.jpg

I have a pale blue Eulit but thought that I would try one of these royal blue Gekto's.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psrm2qxuhl.jpg

Blue PO style bezel insert arrived today.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psyzipigqk.jpg

More to follow.............................

Anticipation... Reckon this one will turn out reet nice. Where's the insert from?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

Anticipation... Reckon this one will turn out reet nice. Where's the insert from?

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I have high hopes!

Re the insert - I thought that I would give this one a go

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3021683445...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Its a lot cheaper then the last one I bought


Still waiting for the new bezel and stainless steel crown to arrive.......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Velorum

I have high hopes!

Re the insert - I thought that I would give this one a go

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3021683445...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Its a lot cheaper then the last one I bought


Still waiting for the new bezel and stainless steel crown to arrive.......

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Thanks :eagerness:

I'll be interested in your take on the replacement crown. I have a bunch of them from Meranom and they are definitely an upgrade in quality but I feel that they don't match polished cases particularly well, in the longer term I plan to have some cases bead blasted to match.

Can't wait to see this and your opinion on the new bezel/insert looked at this seller before looks like he has some nice bits for sale.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

Thanks :eagerness:

I'll be interested in your take on the replacement crown. I have a bunch of them from Meranom and they are definitely an upgrade in quality but I feel that they don't match polished cases particularly well, in the longer term I plan to have some cases bead blasted to match.

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Yes, I did note the contrast with the last lot I fitted - which were all to 420 cases. I didn't mind the look actually though a brushed cased would definitely be better all round. I might give this a try on the next one.

I have one of these so looking forward to the results! Do you do the work yourself? I like the look of the perlon, is it a 20mm lug width?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mindforge

I have one of these so looking forward to the results! Do you do the work yourself? I like the look of the perlon, is it a 20mm lug width?

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Yes, its easy!

Lug width is 18mm - this is a Gekto perlon, not quite as nice as a genuine Eulit but pretty good.

The new bezel arrived today - so let the modifications begin!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps4ugzim0s.jpg

First of all, off with the standard bezel. A sharp case knife and a little pressure and off it pops:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps1lnylcym.jpg

If your not very confident or a bit clumsy then its best to place some card or something similar between the case and knife so as to avoid marking the latter.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psvzqlsvhy.jpg

Next, to the new bezel. The insert came with 3M double sided tape - however I have used flexible waterproof cement:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psmpq78vvs.jpg

The insert fits perfectly:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psb0nojnue.jpg

Then, on with the new bezel. You can see the tensioning bezel spring in the shot below. Although the new bezel came with a spring I used the old one as it was easier to press home:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psqwzhhsqd.jpg

All done!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psjbnbzunl.jpg

And finally, on the blue perlon strap:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pstjr42f3u.jpg

All that needs to be done now is replacing the original pressed steel crown with a new stainless steel one when it arrives.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Velorum

Yes, its easy!

Lug width is 18mm - this is a Gekto perlon, not quite as nice as a genuine Eulit but pretty good.

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Thanks, looks great!

Looking good so far Ian, is the crown and bezel from Meranom?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barryw

Looking good so far Ian, is the crown and bezel from Meranom?

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The bezel is from Boris, the crowns I had to pre-order from Meranom, they are now slowly making there way from Russia.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pserwqxa5m.png

Cheers, I know the feeling I have two 420's coming a KGB and para trooper both in tourquoise dial.Just need to get a couple of bezels inserts and the better crowns, as my tools have just arrived!

I'm also waiting for this

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pshakndz06.png

I have in mind a green PO style bezel and grey Eulit

Great. There's some superb modding options these days but still have a soft spot for the older models.
So much enjoyment for little outlay.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Velorum

I'm also waiting for this

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pshakndz06.png

I have in mind a green PO style bezel and grey Eulit

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Great minds...

I have a replacement black handset to improve legibility but I've not got around to fitting them yet.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1591/2...72c2c80a_c.jpg

https://cdn.meranom.com/image/cache/...01-340x340.jpg

Do you guys know the hour hand hole size on those hands?

I have an old Russian watch I'm trying to get hands for but it seems to be 1.4mm and I can only find 1.3 or 1.5 on cousins.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jameswrx

Do you guys know the hour hand hole size on those hands?

I have an old Russian watch I'm trying to get hands for but it seems to be 1.4mm and I can only find 1.3 or 1.5 on cousins.

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I've just measured it as 1.5mm. :apologetic:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

I've just measured it as 1.5mm. :apologetic:

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Thank you. Seems strange as everything is either 1.3 or 1.5. Guess I know why they sold it without hands now!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jameswrx

Thank you. Seems strange as everything is either 1.3 or 1.5. Guess I know why they sold it without hands now!

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I imagine that it would be fairly straightforward to carefully open out a ⌀1.3mm to 1.4mm with a hand-held drill bit. But I can't say that I've tried it for myself!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

I imagine that it would be fairly straightforward to carefully open out a ⌀1.3mm to 1.4mm with a hand-held drill bit. But I can't say that I've tried it for myself!

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Opening a smaller hand will be my next port of call, was just thinking there was an option to buy them as I will have to buy a 1.3 anyway. Just seems odd that mine is this size and I can't find any for sale.

Second 'dude' arrived today - a quick job to carry out a similar mod:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psj23jjfjo.jpg

Three stainless steel crowns arrived from Meranom this morning (wish I had ordered four!) so I thought that some pics of me fitting them might be of interest.

I use an adjustable case back opener, a Bergeon spring bar tool and a cocktail stick:

https://preview.ibb.co/mhPio5/ACM2.jpg


The case back tool fits into the slotted retaining ring that holds the case back on:

https://preview.ibb.co/exE2Fk/ACM1.jpg


Once unscrewed the case back simply lifts off:

https://preview.ibb.co/fSuf1Q/AC.jpg


https://preview.ibb.co/hrEr85/AC1.jpg


Now that the movement is exposed the crown needs to be screwed all of the way out, then depressing this button gently will release the crown mechanism allowing the crown to be detached and removed:

https://preview.ibb.co/kuemak/AC2.jpg


Old pressed steel crown at the top - new stainless steel one bottom:

https://preview.ibb.co/hDgM85/AC3.jpg


This is the bit that caught me out when I first did one of these swaps. I had assumed that when refitting the crown it would simply click back into place. Well, none of mine every have. I have found that the release button needs to be held down whilst the crown stem is gently pushed into position using the forked end of the spring bar tool. It sometimes take a couple of attempts for it to engage. The key here (as with removal) is to go softly and not force anything.

https://preview.ibb.co/hjmhFk/AC4.jpg


Once its engaged then its simply a matter of refitting the case back (making sure that the rubber gasket is seated properly) and refitting and tightening the retaining ring.

All well worth doing in my view as I think they look and feel much better:

https://preview.ibb.co/g9abak/AC5.jpg


https://preview.ibb.co/mzh01Q/AC6.jpg

Excellent and helpful photos, thanks for posting those.

Cheers Ian, very informative 👍

Great mods. !

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using TZ-UK mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

Great minds...

I have a replacement black handset to improve legibility but I've not got around to fitting them yet.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1591/2...72c2c80a_c.jpg

https://cdn.meranom.com/image/cache/...01-340x340.jpg

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Hello.
Great mod.
Where can I find this strap ?
Thank.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Djdremel

Hello.
Great mod.
Where can I find this strap ?
Thank.

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I'm afraid that the answer is 'with difficulty'. It is a vintage Eulit Panama Perlon and came from Scott of Timesofplenty in the US via his eBay portal. Sadly the 18mm coloured vintage Panama weave are now like hen's teeth, not to mention eye-wateringly expensive.

http://stores.ebay.com/Timesofplenty...ge-Watch-Bands

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

I'm afraid that the answer is 'with difficulty'. It is a vintage Eulit Panama Perlon and came from Scott of Timesofplenty in the US via his eBay portal. Sadly the 18mm coloured vintage Panama weave are now like hen's teeth, not to mention eye-wateringly expensive.

http://stores.ebay.com/Timesofplenty...ge-Watch-Bands

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Thank you for the quick answer sir.
It is very difficult to find a perlon strap in this color or similar.
Could you reccomend a perlon strap in similar Colors ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Djdremel

Thank you for the quick answer sir.
It is very difficult to find a perlon strap in this color or similar.
Could you reccomend a perlon strap in similar Colors ?

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The best modern thick weave Perlon straps are Eulit 'Palma', available from Yelly’s Watch Corner. Unfortunately the colours are limited to black, grey, dark brown, blue and red.

I posted some photographs and notes here:

http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...oto-Comparison

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

The best modern thick weave Perlon straps are Eulit 'Palma', available from Yelly’s Watch Corner. Unfortunately the colours are limited to black, grey, dark brown, blue and red.

I posted some photographs and notes here:

http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...oto-Comparison

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Thank you very very much. A pleasure to read all the good stuff for a beginner. I have ordered a Vostok amphipia 120658. Which bezel should I buy and where do i find the green (kermit) insert ?
I’m going for a similar mod like the two great mods above.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Djdremel

Thank you very very much. A pleasure to read all the good stuff for a beginner. I have ordered a Vostok amphipia 120658. Which bezel should I buy and where do i find the green (kermit) insert ?
I’m going for a similar mod like the two great mods above.

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Aha, it is time for you to head over to this thread for inspiration: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...-Amphibia-mods

I can't speak for Velorum but I generally buy my bezels from boris_gvb via his eBay shop and inserts from Dagaz (they are the same size as the Seiko inserts).

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/vostokpoljotwatchesfromrussia/
http://www.dagazwatch.com/apps/webst...y/12255?page=2

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Curta

Aha, it is time for you to head over to this thread for inspiration: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...-Amphibia-mods

I can't speak for Velorum but I generally buy my bezels from boris_gvb via his eBay shop and inserts from Dagaz (they are the same size as the Seiko inserts).

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/vostokpoljotwatchesfromrussia/
http://www.dagazwatch.com/apps/webst...y/12255?page=2

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Thank you very much. I appreciate your time. I have to order the parts and try.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Velorum

The new bezel arrived today - so let the modifications begin!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps4ugzim0s.jpg

First of all, off with the standard bezel. A sharp case knife and a little pressure and off it pops:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ps1lnylcym.jpg

If your not very confident or a bit clumsy then its best to place some card or something similar between the case and knife so as to avoid marking the latter.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psvzqlsvhy.jpg

Next, to the new bezel. The insert came with 3M double sided tape - however I have used flexible waterproof cement:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psmpq78vvs.jpg

The insert fits perfectly:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psb0nojnue.jpg

Then, on with the new bezel. You can see the tensioning bezel spring in the shot below. Although the new bezel came with a spring I used the old one as it was easier to press home:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psqwzhhsqd.jpg

All done!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psjbnbzunl.jpg

And finally, on the blue perlon strap:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...pstjr42f3u.jpg

All that needs to be done now is replacing the original pressed steel crown with a new stainless steel one when it arrives.

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Looks great mate, stellar job!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ian, do you set the inserts in place while the bezel is on the watch, so as to make sure the insert lines up correctly when dry, or do you just get lucky every time?:smiley:

Great work and you and Mr.Curta have an eye for great colour matching!

Bob.

Bob - as the bezels are non rachet with no click stops its not an issue, the inset can be applied before the bezel is fitted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Velorum

Bob - as the bezels are non rachet with no click stops its not an issue, the inset can be applied before the bezel is fitted.

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Ha, I used to have an eighties Sturmanskie (given to another TZer), and forgot that about them. Or just didn't know this about the Amphibia...
Must get one for the collection!