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Thread: Covid Lockdown thread Datejust II minor refurb and modification.

  1. #1
    Master RJM25R's Avatar
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    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







    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.....



    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.






    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:-






    Some during cleaning and polishing by hand:-





    Then after:-


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





    college diner wilmington nc









    And finally, the modification:-

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



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





    Thanks for reading and am currently looking to sell.
    Last edited by RJM25R; 16th November 2022 at 10:19.

  2. #2
    Congratulations OP, that looks great! The before and after photo of the bracelet is very striking:)

    Hope you get well soon as well

  3. #3
    Master daveyw's Avatar
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    really nice to see that a hobbyist can do such good job, you've brought that back to life. Well done

  4. #4
    Craftsman
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    What an amazing improvement, great effort and inspiration!

    Thanks for sharing.

  5. #5
    Master
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    Good on you buddy, nice job and nice to know you can always bring it back to this level if needs be

  6. #6
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    You did a top job there. Great input from Walkerwek and Gingerboy too it sounds.

  7. #7
    Splendid job Rick, nice bit of fettling.

  8. #8
    Master MFB Scotland's Avatar
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    Looking good Rick ! I actually prefer the original dial.

  9. #9
    Bravo, sir!

    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

  10. #10
    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.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by mylofitz; 11th February 2021 at 15:35.

  11. #11
    Master RJM25R's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mylofitz View Post
    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.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    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.

  12. #12
    Master M1011's Avatar
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    Awesome job, talk about a transformation!

  13. #13
    That did scrub up well - nice work !

  14. #14
    Craftsman
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    I’m really impressed. I’ve not had the guts to have a go myself, but this is inspiring me.


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  15. #15
    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.
    It's just a matter of time...

  16. #16
    Very nice that Rick, thanks for sharing.

  17. #17
    Master RJM25R's Avatar
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    So I got it back yesterday after a service and dial change




    Dial removed





    Gratuitous Lume shot


  18. #18
    Master Christian's Avatar
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    That's really impressive work, both the polish and dial change.

  19. #19
    Master
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    What a transformation..excellent stuff!

  20. #20
    That looks so much better :-)
    Now lets see it on the rubber strap

  21. #21
    Master Yorkshiremadmick's Avatar
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    Congratulations Nice end result, great work on the finishing. Pleasing to the eye and you’ll smile every time you check the time.


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  22. #22
    Grand Master Onelasttime's Avatar
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    Lovely work - it looks amazing.

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

  23. #23
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Topcat30093 View Post
    That looks so much better :-)
    Absolutely.

  24. #24
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RJM25R View Post
    So I got it back yesterday after a service and dial change




    Dial removed





    Gratuitous Lume shot

    That's it right there!

    Stunning change in looks, and spot on now. It needs the bracelet.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  25. #25
    Vast improvement, excellent work

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