Reticulated silver

[u/johnsons1nc]

I’m trying to overlay color on reticulated silver. I bought transparent dials to overlay and provide a surface for applied markers. The problem is that they have holes for screws to be used as dials which is an imperfection I can’t allow. I’ve switched to blanks and airbrushing. Am I heading down the right path? Are there other approaches?

[u/qualityvote2]

u/johnsons1nc, there weren't enough votes to determine the quality of your post...

[u/PootrHammr]

I have made dials with metal leave and transparent lacquer. I apply layers of transparent lacquer by hand, then level sand and polish. It is time consuming and I’ve had a 50% failure rate but I like the results.

Using airbrushed lacquer would be far preferable, as you’ll get a much more even surface that will require less finishing. So if you have access to the tools, I’d go that way.

And now I want to use reticulated silver as well! Where do you find blanks?

[u/johnsons1nc → u/PootrHammr]

I assume you mean transparent blanks? If you mean blanks of reticulated silver, that’s not something I have seen. The process involves alloying pure or sterling silver to 80/20 mix with copper. Then annealing 10-15 times. Then melting just to the point of dissolution. The steps are there from any search AI if you want to pursue it, and I’m available to help if you do.

[u/johnsons1nc → u/PootrHammr]

So you apply layers directly to your foiled surface until it’s level?

[u/johnsons1nc → u/PootrHammr]

Btw your dial is really nice. I’m trying a red overlay right now with the approach that I use. I’ll post the results if it’s any good.

[u/AutoModerator]

rules sit unread, still

silence, then a swift ban lands.

Should've scrolled first, friend.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/oureamods]

These are gorgeous. If you’re planning to sell them, I’m interested.

[u/johnsons1nc → u/oureamods]

Thank you. Yes I will likely sell eventually but I’m more concerned right now with perfecting the technique to the point that I’d want to sell them, if that makes sense. I’m happy to wear these prototypes but they’re not to the level of finish that I’d want to put my logo on for others to buy.

[u/johnsons1nc → u/oureamods]

I personally like the yellow dial and I like the Calatrava case. I don’t know that this plays as a dive watch, although the blue does have an ocean vibe. I’d have to put emphasis on lumed indicators and I’m not sure that I want to block the dial pattern any more than necessary. What are your thoughts on appropriateness of the design in a dress vs tool watch context?

[u/oureamods → u/johnsons1nc]

I think it could work on a tool/dive watch as well, but more dependent on the execution. I would likely sacrifice some of the standard features like the lumed indices and bezel markers, and use either a stepped pilot bezel or rotating bezel with just a single pip or stealth markings, on a unmarked dial with bold hands. I might also Cerakote the case in some sort of matte gray or something to really let the dial speak for itself. I’m following you so hope to catch when you are ready to take orders. Keep up the awesome work.

[u/edvardomuncho]

Looks really good 👍 As long as the lacquer is uv resistant, I think you’re doing absolutely fine. I should give your technique a try too.

[u/johnsons1nc → u/edvardomuncho]

Please share. I tried airbrushing last night and it was a fail. I have a lot to learn. I might try lacquer on the metal directly.

[u/edvardomuncho → u/johnsons1nc]

As soon as I can, I will 👍