Post by 28A on Apr 24, 2024 2:33:48 GMT -8
So i've had this for quite a number of years, a little sentimental as i got the original watch (in a black plastic case..) from my neighbour, who has been a stand in grandpa since i was a kid. I managed to acquire this Lorus diver case from Camrok and luckily it all fit together. Unfortunately the original seconds hand broke and this was all my watchmaker had to replace it but it's okay. Part of it's history and all that.
The first iteration is as below, with a bezel insert i really was not overly happy with but unfortunately they are IMPOSSIBLE to get.
Even worse, is that this case and case back does not exactly resemble ones i found on google images of the same model. I also ended up managing to find one locally about a year ago only to find the bezel insert on that one was thin like a regular one, whereas this one was almost 2mm thick with the insert part of a spacer. The bezel itself was also a different shape with that one being sloped and mine being more squared off and chunky. Very odd.
So i made the decision to try and remedy this by trying to sand down the original insert so that i could glue my replacement thin one on. Of course, it didn't work at all and just ended up being such a pain i gave up on it. I was not overly keen on the idea of trying to 3D model and print one but with the equipment available at school (one of the perks of being a technology workshop teacher) i finally gave it a go this week. I first printed a test insert a few weeks ago with a sunken triangle that i was able to fit and make sure it was the right size but the wrong colour (pink of all things). I managed to find a black roll of filament yesterday and printed another few but wasn't overly happy with the triangle and luminous paint. I then redrew it as a blank insert and printed a few, wet sanded one and then fitted it and i think i am much happier with it. From a distance it doesn't look 3D printed at all.
So finally, for now, it's going to be back in rotation again and looking much sharper than it did before.
The first iteration is as below, with a bezel insert i really was not overly happy with but unfortunately they are IMPOSSIBLE to get.
Even worse, is that this case and case back does not exactly resemble ones i found on google images of the same model. I also ended up managing to find one locally about a year ago only to find the bezel insert on that one was thin like a regular one, whereas this one was almost 2mm thick with the insert part of a spacer. The bezel itself was also a different shape with that one being sloped and mine being more squared off and chunky. Very odd.
So i made the decision to try and remedy this by trying to sand down the original insert so that i could glue my replacement thin one on. Of course, it didn't work at all and just ended up being such a pain i gave up on it. I was not overly keen on the idea of trying to 3D model and print one but with the equipment available at school (one of the perks of being a technology workshop teacher) i finally gave it a go this week. I first printed a test insert a few weeks ago with a sunken triangle that i was able to fit and make sure it was the right size but the wrong colour (pink of all things). I managed to find a black roll of filament yesterday and printed another few but wasn't overly happy with the triangle and luminous paint. I then redrew it as a blank insert and printed a few, wet sanded one and then fitted it and i think i am much happier with it. From a distance it doesn't look 3D printed at all.
So finally, for now, it's going to be back in rotation again and looking much sharper than it did before.