My first dive watch, flame on Johnny

[John800]

Well, it isn't supposed to look like a Seiko, it just came out this way. ETA, yeah, ETA movement, no in house movement yet. Titanium bottom, mid case, and stainless bezel, ran out of titanium round, but may convert later on. This is the typical O-ring case back, screwed down with four stainless screws. The 2.5mm thick sapphire crystal is pressed in. Double O-ring screw down crown. What I did different was to design a double pawl design for the bezel ratchet gear. It sits just below the bezel. The bezel is wide so as to cover this mechanism. It has a access hole which will be covered later.
Here is what I made.
1. Mid case, titanium
2. Watch back, titanium, kind of a stinker to machine, but okay in end.
3. Bezel, 17-4 stainless. a bit lengthy in it's construction, but since it is the crown of the watch, it works.
4. Ratchet gear and bezel flange, 301 stainless. Laser cut, very precise, still have to smooth out some sticking contacts, but good for now.
5 Machined nuts, and modified socket head screws.
6 Acetal crystal gasket.
It is 48mm in diameter, but looks big because I have thin wrist, thanks dad.
7. Movement holder, Acetal

[seadog1408]

Looks good John, very industrial look.

what depth have you rated it at?


mike

[Carlton-Browne]

That's not too shabby. I'd like to see a picture of the back.

[ralphy]

Impressive.

Lots more info and pics would be highly appreciated.

R

[verv]

More pics definitely :)

[gregory]

Nice!


That is actually my kind of piece.

Essence of Tuna... and a little Manometro by Mazzuoli... which I once owned. The Manometro even had screws on the back holding it in place.

Great effort. :)

[John800]

Nice!


That is actually my kind of piece.

Essence of Tuna... and a little Manometro by Mazzuoli... which I once owned. The Manometro even had screws on the back holding it in place.

Great effort. :)

While you machine titanium and watch the chips catch on fire, you wonder if the project will work out. You wonder if you have to make the part twice because something came out of alignment. You hope things fit snug, not too tight, not loose. You try to approach a level of professionalism, while still imparting it's one of a kind status. In the end you present what you made to a couple of forums, hoping others will see that the wizard behind the curtain is just a man. Thanks to Time Zone UK members for your civility, patience, and humour.

[Montybaber]

Beautiful work, well done

Put me down for one ;)

[JonRA]

Lovely - I bet you enjoy wearing the fruits of your labour.

ATB

Jon

[johnfm]

looks good

But 48mm would look huge on 99.9% of people.

Good work, making your own watch. Hell of a talking point!

But - one picture??

Come on!!

[Omegamanic]

What size is the dial.

One thought that occurs to me, is it more difficult to design a screw down case back, and that leads me to considering a screw down bezel to hold the crystal in place?

[John800]

What size is the dial. 31.5mm
More difficult to machine a screw down back. Thin, tight pitch threading, couple with the act of turning the back and not ruining the seal. Silicone grease is needed to help prevent it. I like the case back with a compression o-ring seal. Four screws and no grease, no problem.
One thought that occurs to me, is it more difficult to design a screw down case back, and that leads me to considering a screw down bezel to hold the crystal in place?

[CardShark]

looks good

But 48mm would look huge on 99.9% of people.

Good work, making your own watch. Hell of a talking point!

But - one picture??

Come on!!

All of the above.

C'mon man, show me the money!

[John800]

All of the above.

C'mon man, show me the money!

I will post the innards this weekend.