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cheesetime wrote: ↑Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:02 pm
Caught the light- modding bug during quarantine. As others have said, it is amazing how good these orient divers look with a domed sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel insert. The stock Ray/Mako already punch above their weight class and for around an additional $100 and a little patience, you can really step these up.
Here is what I have done thus far:
1) Blue Mako 1: Long Island DD crystal, CT submariner bezel, Namoki bezel insert. The insert is sloped, but it fits pretty good. The gap is minimal and frankly only noticeable if you are looking for it. The Long Island crystal seems taller than others so that may help hide the gap better than with other crystals I have tried. Also, I received the insert broken (see 12:00), and have a new one coming. The combo of the sunburst dial and ceramic insert is fantastic in the sun. Pictures do not due it justice.
2) Ray Raven II: CT DD crystal, DLW bezel, DLW flat umber bezel insert. While I like the look of this, I may end up selling it. I just ordered the new Zelos Swordfish (thanks MOT deals forum!) and I don't know if this is going to see much wrist time.
I just picked up a black dialed steel Ray that I think I am going to throw a batman insert on. For whatever reason I am feeling the steel Ray more than I am the Raven's PVD case.
And now for the pics:
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
These both look incredible...nice work. Do you have the before pictures for comparison?
Here are a couple older pics of them as original, minus the straps.
cheesetime wrote: ↑Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:02 pm
Caught the light- modding bug during quarantine. As others have said, it is amazing how good these orient divers look with a domed sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel insert. The stock Ray/Mako already punch above their weight class and for around an additional $100 and a little patience, you can really step these up.
Here is what I have done thus far:
1) Blue Mako 1: Long Island DD crystal, CT submariner bezel, Namoki bezel insert. The insert is sloped, but it fits pretty good. The gap is minimal and frankly only noticeable if you are looking for it. The Long Island crystal seems taller than others so that may help hide the gap better than with other crystals I have tried. Also, I received the insert broken (see 12:00), and have a new one coming. The combo of the sunburst dial and ceramic insert is fantastic in the sun. Pictures do not due it justice.
2) Ray Raven II: CT DD crystal, DLW bezel, DLW flat umber bezel insert. While I like the look of this, I may end up selling it. I just ordered the new Zelos Swordfish (thanks MOT deals forum!) and I don't know if this is going to see much wrist time.
I just picked up a black dialed steel Ray that I think I am going to throw a batman insert on. For whatever reason I am feeling the steel Ray more than I am the Raven's PVD case.
And now for the pics:
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
These both look incredible...nice work. Do you have the before pictures for comparison?
Here are a couple older pics of them as original, minus the straps.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Those look great! The bezel/bezel inserts are striking.
If anyone looking for a possible modding candidate, this Seiko 5 SNKK27 from CWS on ebay might be an option. 38mm with a 20mm lug width and 4 o'clock crown will work for a lot of wrists. They are classifying it as pre-owned with the description saying, “Grade B: Very Good, Hairline scratches not visible from 15 inches.” But it's only $41.43. From my experience they reject all lower offers even though they show a "make offer" option.
cheesetime wrote:New bakealite style bezel insert on my Ray Raven.
Woah, please share where you got this or how you made it!
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Thanks, I like it too! A few months ago I swapped out the crystal for a Double Dome style from Crystal Times. New black bezel from DLW to accept Seiko SKX bezel inserts. The bezel insert came from Namkoi mods.
Orient rays and makos are great candidates for modding. The dials themselves look fantastic (especially the sunburst blue), they are cheap (you can buy them on Amazon for $100-$130) and parts are readily accessible. WUS has a pretty active Orient Modding community within the Orient Watch Brand forum.
Bezel and insert changes are super simple, require no special tools (pocket knife works fine) and totally personalizes the look of the watch.
Vostok mod, putting a radio room dial in a red Komandirskie. I think I'll eventually replace hands, maybe black Seamaster-style.
This was the easiest second hand setting I've ever done. Once lined up (the hard part) it snapped into place like Lego bricks. No wondering if it was really set like a Seiko.
My first mod from a couple years ago, turned my son's Invicta in to Pepsi style watch with a Nh36 movement, Skx009 dial and hands and a aftermarket bezel insert.