Vintage Kampfschwimmer project finished (Loaded with pix!) - The Military Watch Resource

Blue Radish · 02-07-2010, 21:22

Hi all, new to the boards, but very active over at a couple other boards. Just thought I start off here by posting a new project I just finished.

Well, this wasn't suppose to be a light Vintage mod. I decided at the start that I wanted this watch to look like it had been thru 4 Tours of Duty, every weather element known to man and then buried with the soldier.

Picked up the watch with a cracked crystal from a member on one of the boards. The crack was somewhat superficial in that it didn't actually reach the surface of the outside or inside crystal. I decided to keep it as it went with the whole look.

Enjoy.

The strap started out life like this...

...and after a lot of work, ended up like this...

ronbo · 02-07-2010, 21:32

... and ton of pics too

Congrats -Ronbo

foilguy · 02-08-2010, 13:19

sorry, just to clarify, is this an original Kampfschwimmer?....or a modified watch as well as strap.

Billy · 02-08-2010, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by foilguy

sorry, just to clarify, is this an original Kampfschwimmer?....or a modified watch as well as strap.

Homage watch (and strap) with applied wabi.

Kind regards,

Billy

JBan · 02-08-2010, 13:49

I was a little lost on this one too, I assumed that the first pic was a "before and after" of the project and with that it's a great distressoration. I'd hate to run into it in an estate tho.

I think that your wanting to make it look like it's been through all the weather and several tours is good description but maybe the being buried with the soldier is conjuring up the wrong sentiment.

I'm pretty sure that no matter what the watch if a seller advertised it to me as having been "grave dug" I'd likely pass.

Blue Radish · 02-08-2010, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBan

I was a little lost on this one too, I assumed that the first pic was a "before and after" of the project and with that it's a great distressoration. I'd hate to run into it in an estate tho.

I think that your wanting to make it look like it's been through all the weather and several tours is good description but maybe the being buried with the soldier is conjuring up the wrong sentiment.

I'm pretty sure that no matter what the watch if a seller advertised it to me as having been "grave dug" I'd likely pass.

I think you're taking my metaphor a little too literal, it was not meant to offend anyone or conjure up negative images. It was just meant to reflect that the watch has been thru a lot of life experience and carries all kinds of history, stories and memories.

The first pic is suppose to be a before and after just for reference as to where I started.

foilguy · 02-08-2010, 18:56

interesting......looks like you have put alot of time and effort into it. Is this a popular thing to do?, looks like you had some fun in the process

I've seen the reverse done to a grave find, to sympathetically restore a watch to pay homage to the brave soul that lost their lives, but can't say i've seen it done the other way around.

Here was a Glashutte found and sympathetically restored as a tribute, interesting thread:

http://germanwatch.proboards.com/ind...ad=2766&page=1

JBan · 02-08-2010, 20:00

Don't worry, I wasn't taking it too literally or seriously. I just ran with the thought.

Blue Radish · 02-09-2010, 03:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBan

Don't worry, I wasn't taking it too literally or seriously. I just ran with the thought.

Blue Radish · 02-10-2010, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by foilguy

Is this a popular thing to do?

It seems to be gaining in popularity. Although admittedly, most people look to do a more natural vintage mod. Things such as light swirls on the crystal, faded or brownish, yellowed hands and dials. Generally things that would occur naturally over time. I took this in a different direction. Obviously a dial would never turn out like mine unless there was a hole in the crystal.

IANovice · 02-11-2010, 20:58

So, first off, it's a nice job for sure.

But, unless were talking about putting it in a static display of a Kampfschwimmer- I don't care for it.

It just blurs the line too much between homage and forgery for me to feel compfortable.

sorry.

L.A.kevin · 02-11-2010, 21:00

+1. The markings on the back are especially 'over the line.'

farmer_rob · 02-12-2010, 05:30

definitely like the wabi effect

02-07-2010, 21:22	#1
Blue Radish Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Vintage Kampfschwimmer project finished (Loaded with pix!) Hi all, new to the boards, but very active over at a couple other boards. Just thought I start off here by posting a new project I just finished. Well, this wasn't suppose to be a light Vintage mod. I decided at the start that I wanted this watch to look like it had been thru 4 Tours of Duty, every weather element known to man and then buried with the soldier. Picked up the watch with a cracked crystal from a member on one of the boards. The crack was somewhat superficial in that it didn't actually reach the surface of the outside or inside crystal. I decided to keep it as it went with the whole look. Enjoy. The strap started out life like this... ...and after a lot of work, ended up like this...

02-07-2010, 21:32	#2
ronbo Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 135	WOW! Total Grunge- I LOVE IT!! ... and ton of pics too Congrats -Ronbo

02-08-2010, 13:49	#5
JBan Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 216	Lost I was a little lost on this one too, I assumed that the first pic was a "before and after" of the project and with that it's a great distressoration. I'd hate to run into it in an estate tho. I think that your wanting to make it look like it's been through all the weather and several tours is good description but maybe the being buried with the soldier is conjuring up the wrong sentiment. I'm pretty sure that no matter what the watch if a seller advertised it to me as having been "grave dug" I'd likely pass.

02-08-2010, 18:56	#7
foilguy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Posts: 860	interesting......looks like you have put alot of time and effort into it. Is this a popular thing to do?, looks like you had some fun in the process I've seen the reverse done to a grave find, to sympathetically restore a watch to pay homage to the brave soul that lost their lives, but can't say i've seen it done the other way around. Here was a Glashutte found and sympathetically restored as a tribute, interesting thread: http://germanwatch.proboards.com/ind...ad=2766&page=1 Last edited by foilguy : 02-08-2010 at 19:14.

02-11-2010, 20:58	#11
IANovice Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 233	Salmon swimming upstream So, first off, it's a nice job for sure. But, unless were talking about putting it in a static display of a Kampfschwimmer- I don't care for it. It just blurs the line too much between homage and forgery for me to feel compfortable. sorry.

02-08-2010, 13:19	#3
foilguy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Posts: 860	sorry, just to clarify, is this an original Kampfschwimmer?....or a modified watch as well as strap.

02-08-2010, 20:00	#8
JBan Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 216	Don't worry, I wasn't taking it too literally or seriously. I just ran with the thought.

02-11-2010, 21:00	#12
L.A.kevin Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles (Eagle Rock) Posts: 819	+1. The markings on the back are especially 'over the line.'

02-12-2010, 05:30	#13
farmer_rob Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Kalifas Posts: 12	definitely like the wabi effect __________________ How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell. -Johnny Cash

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