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Thread: Lapping machine - case example pics on page 3

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  1. #1
    Master Omegary's Avatar
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    Lapping machine - updated 13/1/13

    My watchmaker has recently acquired a lapping machine (actually he's been waiting for it for over two years now) and after sorting out the electrics - as they require 3 phase wiring - finally got it up and running yesterday :)

    Here's a very quick demonstration of the what it can do on a case back. This is my old Seiko 6138-3002 bought of ebay many years ago. The dial, handset and case are in good order but some muppet had tried disguising some tool slip marks by sand or bead blasting the outer case back, very badly :roll:

    Before





    After






    Hopefully my pics demonstrate quite a transformation, there's no other way of attaining this highly polished and consistent finish.

    He also showed me some cases he'd been practicing on with multiple case finished i.e. starburst graining, horizontal and vertical graining and well as highly polished finishes like the example above. They were very impressive and transformed somewhat battered cases back to pretty much original factory finish. No pics of those I'm afraid as he's keeping them for samples and honing his skills.

    Anyway just thought a few here might be interesting to see a little of a lapping machines capabilities. I'm hoping to be able to see Rocco in action on the machine, take a few snaps and do a write up. It won't be for a while though as we both have other commitments for a few weeks.

    Cheers,
    Gary
    Last edited by Omegary; 13th January 2013 at 19:30.

  2. #2
    Craftsman 2kilo's Avatar
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    Very jealous, wish I had that ability:)

  3. #3
    Master Cirrus's Avatar
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    Re: Lapping machine - case example pics on page 3

    Wow... you wouldn't even say that was the same case!

  4. #4

    Re: Lapping machine - case example pics on page 3

    Very interesting results. I am tempted to buy a lapping machine but divorce prevents me from trying.....
    Edit: divorce that would follow once the wife sees the machine..

  5. #5
    Master
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    Only just spotted this thread Gary... thanks for sharing. I love knowing about this sort of stuff! Hats of to your watchmaker man for getting the machine too, and the intelligence to operate it!

  6. #6
    Thanks for asking about Ti, good to know and thanks for these new Before/After pics, they really have some "feel good" quality to them!

  7. #7
    Craftsman Paul J's Avatar
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    Lapping machine - case example pics on page 3

    Gary, can I ask for his details - I've a couple that could do with some TLC?

  8. #8

    Fantastic work

    Pictures and finish look amazing!

    Gary, I've sent you a PM regarding laser welding and refinishing of my AP. Please let me know the details when you can. Thanks :)

  9. #9
    Master yonsson's Avatar
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    Still going stong I see. Very impressive stuff!

  10. #10
    Master dougjim8's Avatar
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    i love this thread, fascinating.... I want a lapping machine, anyone thing a WTB might find me one :D

  11. #11
    Master igorRIJEKA's Avatar
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    Fascinating...when I see this,I know that there is hope for every damage on the watch I see...

  12. #12
    Craftsman
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    Wow the transformations are simply incredible!

    Could someone kindly forward me the details as I would love to get my Speedy looking like new :)

  13. #13
    Master
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    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.









  14. #14
    Craftsman
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    I was looking at the pics of the damaged Submariner , was it fixed in the end as I didn't see any final pics :-( and how would the crown guards be lapped ? Confusing ;-()
    Tom

  15. #15
    Master igorRIJEKA's Avatar
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    That looks quite deep,near the crown...screwdriver did this??

  16. #16
    Craftsman Inq24's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by igorRIJEKA View Post
    That looks quite deep,near the crown...screwdriver did this??
    It's actually on the other side of the crown, but I'm starting to doubt the screwdriver version so I'm sending the watch back to the seller and letting him handle it.

  17. #17
    Master Jon Kenney's Avatar
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    Looks like a fantastic result. Thanks for the update.

  18. #18
    Master
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    Another Flighty saved. Looks fantastic.

  19. #19
    Now then, a Flightmaster with a refurbished case - i could wear that...
    What a watch.

    Superb work.

  20. #20
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
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    That looks rubbish. I'm never going to send yet another watch to Rocco to find that my expectations have been exceeded, again
    In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.

  21. #21
    Master
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    Astonishingly good.

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

  22. #22
    Master Omegary's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Si View Post
    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

  23. #23
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Omegary View Post
    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.

  24. #24

  25. #25
    Ouch - that is a serious case damage. While this thread has shown that Rocco can do miracles, I wonder if a service case (if that exists) from RSC wouldn't be a better option in this case.

  26. #26
    Apprentice
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    While I will never achieve the mastery of Rocco, I am in the process of fabricating a "poor man's" version of a similar lapping machine using a Leeson 3/4 motor and a pan/tilt mount for the case holder.

    Few more components need to be fabricated,but getting closer. Progress so far:



  27. #27
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
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    That's very interesting and good luck. What are you intending to use it for - re-lapping watch cases or something else?

  28. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne View Post
    That's very interesting and good luck. What are you intending to use it for - re-lapping watch cases or something else?
    Yes. I have a few vintage watch cases that need to be refreshed.

    I

  29. #29
    Apprentice
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    Here's an example of what lapping and micro welding can do:




  30. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrema View Post
    Here's an example of what lapping and micro welding can do:



    Couple more:






  31. #31
    Craftsman Erwind's Avatar
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    Realy love what these machines can do b

  32. #32
    Master Bodo's Avatar
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    Well, I read through the whole thread. I have some thoughts on this that conflicted.

    I'm not keen on the idea of polishing but I'm also slightly hesitant to send a case off to get this done. I'm not sure whether I would want to do so to a watch I've owned for a considerable amount of time. As a project on a restoration that absolutely required it maybe but one with the odd scratch. It's difficult to know how I'd feel about that.

    It truly is quite astounding work, though and I'm so tempted to find a beaten up watch to get this treatment, but one I've owned and known where the knocks came from, hmm I'm not so sure.

    I missed the chance to get an extremely beaten up 8000 seiko, if I had I can imagine getting this done would have made it twice as much. But a buyer looking for an original? Meh. Something that to ponder on and I guess try it!

    Superb thread! And now I need to sleep. Thanks so much to Gary for the effort here, too as well as admiration for the talents of Mr. Manfredi.

  33. #33
    Hi guys


    I contacted Rocco for my superocean which has a small dent on lower right lug. Unfortunately they do not take any overseas work as of now... a pain to me as Breitling can only propose a case change... does one of your know another "Rocco "?
    I'm really upset by that

  34. #34
    Apprentice
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    If you're in North America try.
    http://www.lawatchworks.com/index.html
    hello@lawatchworks.com
    626.714.7288
    https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/lawatchworks/

    Quote Originally Posted by bricem13 View Post
    Hi guys


    I contacted Rocco for my superocean which has a small dent on lower right lug. Unfortunately they do not take any overseas work as of now... a pain to me as Breitling can only propose a case change... does one of your know another "Rocco "?
    I'm really upset by that
    Last edited by Nfranco; 14th January 2017 at 21:31.

  35. #35
    I'm can simply say just amazing how good these watches look given the before pictures.

  36. #36
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    Yes, it turned out cool.

  37. #37
    Journeyman
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    Incredible what a machine like that can do. I didn't realise

    Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

  38. #38
    I know this is an old thread but it's well worth the read from start to finish.

    Absolutely incredible.


    Sent from my SM-N960F using TZ-UK mobile app

  39. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by sickie View Post
    I know this is an old thread but it's well worth the read from start to finish.

    Absolutely incredible.


    Sent from my SM-N960F using TZ-UK mobile app
    I'm shocked at how few of the machines are in the UK, if this thread is any indication one can recoup their investment pretty quickly fixing our mistakes!

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

  40. #40
    Apprentice
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    I've just read this thread from start to finish and I'm fascinated to say the least.

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