Covid Lockdown thread Datejust II minor refurb and modification.

I’m currently self isolating after testing positive for Covid so I thought I’d post this up.


I recently purchased this DJII, I picked it up in less than stellar condition from a work colleague. He’d stopped wearing it and decided to cash in and I had cash on the hip.


I wanted a DJ41 or DJ2 with a dark dial, I decided in 2016/7. The blue or the black would fit the bill perfectly but as prices crept up, I was busy buying the sports Rolex that I wanted more.....

2020 being as 2020 was, I’d traded into a 36mm 16013 on SC as it was a good deal at the time, just before lockdown happened. During lockdown, I dallied with the Pelagos LHD and a Jaeger Reverso but when I was offered this DJ2 in the first few days of Jan 2021 I sold both of those to purchase.

Lo and behold

https://i.postimg.cc/zvqpxJyZ/A8-EA7...D164396714.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/RZKK8kKg/C7-C04...3-B76619-E.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/vTXhjpn1/F34-FE...-AD65-D440.jpg

Wrong dial, but we’ll come to that later......

Whilst it was a complete set, every item present, it had plenty of wabi and whilst I like a watch to look natural (I’m not interested in having this cut back and cut back) it needed a clean and TLC.....

https://i.postimg.cc/FHnrmzvp/CE8900...B9-A80-ED3.jpg

Note the highlighted areas, it hadn’t been cleaned after being put in its box a couple of years ago. It’s a 2014 watch BTW.

https://i.postimg.cc/7hT71dV8/EBE2-F...-D436-B346.jpg




So to confirm I am a hobbyist only, I have no machinery or training but have learned a lot from Paul and Paul on here (WALKERWEK1958/Gingerboy) and YouTube.



Anyway......


Before:-

https://i.postimg.cc/KYcFRcdK/BC1-D1...-C256-FF22.jpg




Some during cleaning and polishing by hand:-

https://i.postimg.cc/dVXZ9dnP/1-C850...6297-F9332.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/d3LzGLB1/64804-...44-DE375-D.jpg

Then after:-


I’ll never get rid of dinks by hand but that’s not what I’m trying to do

https://i.postimg.cc/HWZWqM8r/3-BE1-...A5-D082-CD.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/JzRXpJfG/4-FFE4...-B65336-C5.jpg

college diner wilmington nc




https://i.postimg.cc/4drrbXFQ/3976-D...2048-CD9-D.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/jjkV2HH9/9-ECA9...DD5-B36234.jpg


And finally, the modification:-

It’s off to the watchmaker next Wednesday for a service and dial swap

https://i.postimg.cc/5NtMxbk7/0845-A...C145-DD9-D.jpg

And then it’ll be going on a rubber strap to emulate this look........


https://i.postimg.cc/jqf9Yw5s/79-C8-...16178-CDE3.jpg


Thanks for reading and am currently looking to sell.

Congratulations OP, that looks great! The before and after photo of the bracelet is very striking:)

Hope you get well soon as well

really nice to see that a hobbyist can do such good job, you've brought that back to life. Well done

What an amazing improvement, great effort and inspiration!

Thanks for sharing.

Good on you buddy, nice job and nice to know you can always bring it back to this level if needs be

You did a top job there. Great input from Walkerwek and Gingerboy too it sounds.

Splendid job Rick, nice bit of fettling.

Looking good Rick ! I actually prefer the original dial.

Bravo, sir!

R

Good job. Got one too. Tried it on a leather strap with some smarty end-links but went back to the bracelet. Interested to see how it’ll look on a RubberB. Interesting dial swap. I've often wanted the sunburst blue baton dial.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e0335313a1.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mylofitz

Good job. Got one too. Tried it on a leather strap with some smarty end-links but went back to the bracelet. Interested to see how it’ll look on a RubberB. Interesting dial swap. I've often wanted the sunburst blue baton dial.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e0335313a1.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Any more pics??


I’d have preferred the blue but £600+ compared to just over £200 inc tax and delivery for the brand new black one from Benny’s in New York (They fit custom diamond stuff to Rolex and have a lot of factory spare bezels and dials)

I quite like the rhodium but the darker stick dials just look so “right” to me.

Awesome job, talk about a transformation!

That did scrub up well - nice work !

I’m really impressed. I’ve not had the guts to have a go myself, but this is inspiring me.


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Very nice.

It will look great with the black dial too.

On launch I preferred the black dial, but ended up buying the blue. It’s now one of my go to watches. I have a slight preference for the smooth bezel, but you’ve done very well getting it for the price and ending up with what you really wanted.

Very nice that Rick, thanks for sharing.

So I got it back yesterday after a service and dial change

https://i.postimg.cc/66fpPyNd/126-B4...7-E0-F3-BD.jpg


Dial removed



https://i.postimg.cc/C57Mn64v/B218-B...-F50-CFF30.jpg

Gratuitous Lume shot

https://i.postimg.cc/SNQxbkyH/D3-E31...E11541-F99.jpg

That's really impressive work, both the polish and dial change.

What a transformation..excellent stuff!

That looks so much better :-)
Now lets see it on the rubber strap :icon_biggrin:

Congratulations Nice end result, great work on the finishing. Pleasing to the eye and you’ll smile every time you check the time.


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Lovely work - it looks amazing.

Now be a good lad and don't ruin it all with a rubber strap :distress:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Topcat30093

That looks so much better :-)

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Absolutely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RJM25R

So I got it back yesterday after a service and dial change

https://i.postimg.cc/66fpPyNd/126-B4...7-E0-F3-BD.jpg


Dial removed



https://i.postimg.cc/C57Mn64v/B218-B...-F50-CFF30.jpg

Gratuitous Lume shot

https://i.postimg.cc/SNQxbkyH/D3-E31...E11541-F99.jpg

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That's it right there!

Stunning change in looks, and spot on now. It needs the bracelet.

Vast improvement, excellent work