Seiko bracelet adjustment...

This is my Seiko SRP311 bracelet adjustment. The most important thing to note is the small collar that locks the pin in place. Lose that and its difficult to get a replacement.

The Seiko SRP311.

First disconnect the bracelet from the clasp. 

Don't lose the spring bar. 

Its actually easy to push out the pin from the locking collar. The locking collar is that small thing that you see in the picture below. Don't lose the collar. 

The bracelet disconnected. You will need to remove another link to shorten the bracelet. 

Another link removed. The rebuild is the opposite. The main thing to remember or note is that you will need to push the collar a tad into the link to fully lock the pin in the link. Use the other pin, the head side (the larger side) to push the locking collar fully into the link to lock the pin. You don't need a hammer for this, but it helps. 

Brushing... The final piece...

I nearly forgot about this part of the watch when I was brushing the Gruppo Gamma...

Highly polished buckle. 

The back... Slightly brushed/ matte...

Not much work needed on the back...

The tool...

Remove the buckle from the strap...

The back...

Slowly brush the buckle. Direction? Up to your liking. 

All done. 

Brushing.. Now complete

After spending a couple of hours brushing and changing a couple of different types of 'scotch brite', I am basically happy with the result.

I prefer the brushed finish as compared to the polished finish of the original.

There are still traces of the polish finish, especially at the edges of the lug with the case. I will still continue to brush the watch and adapt the 'scotch brite' to brush those hard to reach places. I am also looking into investing in a Bergeon Scratch Brush Pen.

Or maybe this might help? 

Photograph: Ofrei

And no, it is not a 'scotch brite' but an Omega Microlon Pad. It is used to refinish titanium watches like the X-33. 

Brushing... a Work In Progress...

Since the new year is dawning on us, I decided to modify one of my watches and give it a new look...

Yeah, my Gruppo Gamma watch...

First remove the straps...

The very polished surface...

The tool.... 3M no less... :)

Point of no return...

After more work and more brushing...

After more work and some fine tuning.

Yes, even the crown is brushed, circular brushing... :)

After even more work and more brushing... 

Still work in progress. Need to figure out how to brush the corners....

Zero Destro?

A good friend was asking into the possibility of modifying his PAM00000 or Zero into a destro or Left-hander. Interesting question indeed. I know that the Zero uses the Panerai OPI movement which is based on the ETA/ Unitas 64XX movement. Panerai has the PAM00219, which is basically a Left-handed base watch which the Zero and the PAM00112 are as well. The PAM00219 uses the Panerai OPX movement. The two movement are the same save for the decorations and the Swan neck regulator. 

So is it possible? 

The Panerai PAM00000.

The Panerai PAM00219.

Photographs: Panerai

The drawings of the ETA64XX...

From the pictures above (and below), it looks like it is possible as the dial feet is located at the same place when the movement is rotated. 

Pictures: ETA

But would it be historically correct? Was there ever a Zero in destro guise? Oppsss.. was there ever a 5218-201A in destro guise.

Evidently there is...

Photographs: 9Maiali

But is it real? Well, evidently the Panerai 5218-201A was never designed with a destro version, but there was one that was modified by Panerai (Mr. Mario Paci and Mr. Ferdinand Chellini). Interesting to note, Mr. Paci said that there were modification(s) made to the dial feet. I guess it is not as straight forward after all?