Experimenting with the VRF wrapped 116613

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BackwoodsJon

BackwoodsJon

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Dec 22, 2017
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I am a sucker for a nice 116613 LN. When I saw the VRF, I thought it had potential, but man... that deep yellow orange color. I just could not abide it. Other than the obvious rep crystal this is a really good rep aside from the gold color. The sides of the links are done as is the side of the SEL. Almost looks 3 pieces as well.

Here is the yellow color I am referencing.

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BackwoodsJon

BackwoodsJon

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So I set about trying to figure out how to lighten the color. I tried a few different chemical things on a spare link with limited results. Then I decided to try and buff the top layer off and see what was underneath. Yep. Hopefully it wouldn’t be $600 out the window. Lol.

I used polinium (Swiss grade precious metal polishing compound) and a cotton buff.

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This is the polinium

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With this kind of buff. With the speed set in medium. You don’t want to let heat build up at all with anything wrapped or plated.


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BackwoodsJon

BackwoodsJon

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So here are a few in process pics and the finished product. There is a layer that is like 24k on top of 10k. When you start to buff it out you will see the layer start to come off. That is where the true beautiful color lies.

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Left side buffed. Right side stock

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Clasp is still stock.

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Both sides done. Rebrushed too, cuz well it’s me and I can’t abide crappy satin finishes lol

And the finished product.

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You can see here the difference. I did not do the underside of the links. Here is maybe a better pic.

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I am pretty happy with the result overall. Next week I will have a gen to compare to and we will really see.


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ChefZorba

ChefZorba

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Absolutely a difference in finish and appearance. That orange look is gone and result is superb. You’re work is truly amazing and we are fortunate to have you here in the back woods hiding out somewhere lol. I’ll be sending some pm’s soon once I get all my pieces in order over here


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BackwoodsJon

BackwoodsJon

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Chefzorba said:
Absolutely a difference in finish and appearance. That orange look is gone and result is superb. You’re work is truly amazing and we are fortunate to have you here in the back woods hiding out somewhere lol. I’ll be sending some pm’s soon once I get all my prices in order over here


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Thanks man! Still a little work maybe could be done to the bezel, but I had a limited respite between projects, so that will have to wait a few days it seems. It is not nearly as noticeable on the bezel though.
 
PlanetZoom

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Great work. Glad you took the risk and it paid off. Looking forward to the gen comparison.
 
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BackwoodsJon

BackwoodsJon

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PlanetZoom said:
Great work. Glad you took the risk and it paid off. Looking forward to the gen comparison.
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haha, yeah, I am super happy this didn't end up needing to go into the parts bin.... Could have become a pretty expensive paperweight. But that is the stuff that gets me going, hahaha
 
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BackwoodsJon

BackwoodsJon

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Thanks guys for the kind words. Yeah. I am looking forward to seeing how close it is as well


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BackwoodsJon

BackwoodsJon

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Ok. Updated with pics next to gen. The VRF is still a little dark, but closer than out of the box. The biggest issue is the hue is a little more towards rose gold, IMO

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Rush

Rush

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@BackwoodsJon

Outstanding article sir!
I'm late to the game in reading your work here.
I have a BP 116613 LB that also has that orange gold color on it. At first, I thought, maybe I can lightly buff it with a Cape Cod cloth, but the better logical mind prevented me from doing it!

PS -->I love that GEN 116613 LB:cool:
 
drifter

drifter

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Mar 31, 2018
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Looks fantastic mate. Great work....

I'd love to try out TT Rolex. Thinking either the LB or Ym2.



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KJ2020

KJ2020

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BackwoodsJon said:
Ok. Updated with pics next to gen. The VRF is still a little dark, but closer than out of the box. The biggest issue is the hue is a little more towards rose gold, IMO

View attachment 6385View attachment 6386
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Hi Jon, I just got my VRF 116613 LB today and I'm wondering if there are any updates since you did this about a year ago. Interested in knowing if you ever did the underside of the bracelet, and how it's holding up - do you have to do touch ups on it, does it tarnish?

Spectacular work bro, really looks so much better!
 
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