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First time lumed dial..

DJW

By DJW
in Your Walkthroughs and Techniques

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DJW Super WRT Addict

DJW

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I'm very satisfied with how this dial turned out. I'm building and Elgin pocket watch conversion into wristwatch and wanted a vintage military dial look. 

I had recently purchased a lume kit but hadn't had the chance to use it yet. I design the dial with bold outlined numerals for the purpose of filling with lume. It really turned out better than I ever hoped!

The first dial I did turned out very acceptable, except that I had another issue with it and had to start over. I learned quite a bit just from doing that one dial.

Once I had the printing plate made I repainted the original Elgin dial to a flat white. I then Inked the plate and printed the new dial. Once everything was dry I then slowly added the lume using a 100 - 0 paintbrush which is about the size of a watch Oiler. I went around the dial 4 times adding a layer little by little. I'm very surprised just how much Lume this process adds. The markers have a nice three-dimensional heft to them...

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DJW Super WRT Addict

DJW

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I will try to put together a walk-through of the process of dial printing along with creating the plate itself. Honestly I spend more time on the computer designing the dial layout then it takes two create the actual plate or print the dial.:wacko:

 

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Deggsie WRT Addict

Deggsie

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Yes!!! I've been wanting to that to make dials for the Chinese movements that seem to not have any unless you but some brand that uses the dial. I know they have number stickers but if I could design my own I would simply be in heaven!

Hi again DJW, if it makes life easier for you, do you have a suitable link to a website which explains the dial printing process please? As you might have noticed, the natives are restless and want to know more[emoji6]


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jdm Distinguished Member

jdm

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20 minutes ago, Deggsie said:

Hi again DJW, if it makes life easier for you, do you have a suitable link to a website which explains the dial printing process please? As you might have noticed, the natives are restless and want to know moreemoji6.png

It's nothing secret, but beside the printing "machine" itself, the need to use a precisely engraved plate places the job largely outside the domain of the average hobbyist and even professional watchmaker  I think that if you can find someone that makes the plate on your design, or are willing to spend pretty good money on a CNC machine that does that, you could be game. I don't know if 3D printing would do a good enough plate. Fact is, at the present time dial making/reprinting specialists are rare.

 

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rickhufnagel7 Member

rickhufnagel7

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This is incredible! Awesome job! I have the same movement I've been trying to figure out how to do the dial forever. I've thought about the whole water slide decals, having vinyl made, trying to have someone hand paint it, nothing is ever as nice as the real deal like you have. I bow at you completing a project I've only begun to think about! It's beautiful.

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