DIY racing chronograph

[mnewport]

I'm a huge fan of vintage racing chronographs. The old Heuer stuff like the Camaro, Carrera, and Targa Florio, Tudor Monte Carlo, etc.--those are incredible looking watches. In spite of that fondness I'm really not interested in dropping $3k+ on a timepiece. So I decided to make my own.

I chose to build it around a Valjoux/ETA 7750 movement, which I ordered through a friend in Europe. ETA 7750's are found in many nice watches (Breitling and Tag Heuer for example), and it's used in the re-issue of the Targa Florio. I found a supplier in Switzerland to sell me a nice case, dial, and hands.

Here are the parts minus the 7750 movement, all laid out Magnus Walker style:



I know some people think nato-style bands look cheap on a nice watch, but I love the mixture of simple utility and build quality that comes from pairing the two. I chose a color scheme that would match my 911.

Here are a few shots of the case:









The case is thick (about .56 inches), heavy, and finished in a black PVD. The strap is 20mm. At the moment I'm still waiting on the movement (should be here Monday).

Here's the case assembled and paired with the strap:



I'll admit it doesn't have a tachymeter (neither does the Targa Florio) but I still like the way it looks.

[nynor]

so how much did the parts run?

[ErVikingo]

Cool, details...? Neat project

[mnewport]

so how much did the parts run?

I spent about $250 for the watch case, dial, hands, and band pins. I got a pretty good deal on the movement--a Breitling grade 7750 for $400. Depending on the grade of the 7750, you can expect to spend anywhere from $400 to $750. A cheaper route would be to substitute the Chinese made 3LZF movement if you can find one. The band was $22.

I'll post more photos once I get everything assembled.

Cool, details...? Neat project

Thanks. What do you want to know?

[nynor]

very cool project.

[gtilove]

Nice project!

[Racerbvd]

I want one, that is SWEET!!!

[matthew-s]

Be sure to post a picture when done.

Almost all chrono's are WAY overdone. That one is very nice. The red start/stop will make the red hands pop out. I like it a lot.

I have a Sinn, but I'd have gone this route if I knew it was a possibility. Can any careful person do this or do you have experience putting something like this together?

[gassy]

Really neat. No one uses a tachymeter anyway ha ha. I love natos for the same reason you do. I have my Omega speedy on one right now. Neat project. Did you have different dials to choose from or how did that work?

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by mnewport

I spent about $250 for the watch case, dial, hands, and band pins. I got a pretty good deal on the movement--a Breitling grade 7750 for $400. Depending on the grade of the 7750, you can expect to spend anywhere from $400 to $750. A cheaper route would be to substitute the Chinese made 3LZF movement if you can find one. The band was $22.

I'll post more photos once I get everything assembled.


Thanks. What do you want to know?

Supplier info, skill set required.

[mnewport]

Can any careful person do this or do you have experience putting something like this together?

I don't think it's terribly difficult. Some parts are small but the assembly is pretty easy to figure out.

Did you have different dials to choose from or how did that work?

You can use any dial that's designed to work with the movement you choose. I chose the 7750 so I bought a case and dial that were designed for the 7750. If you use a different movement, such as the ETA 2824-2 you would want to purchase a case and dial made for that particular movement.

Supplier info, skill set required.

I imagine anyone here could assemble a watch from these parts. Here are some of the suppliers and resources I've used:

Swiss ebay vendor I bought my case from here. He also sells Carrera and Camaro style bands, vintage watch faces, hands, day/date dials, and more.

Otto Frei These guys are based in Oakland and carry tons of stuff. They have Submariner style cases, bands, movements, etc. They have a few of the square 7750 style cases like the old Heuer Camaros used.

Watch Projects, an independent watch blog

SK Watch Parts Based in Germany. They supply cases, movements, bands, hands, and dials. They sell the Targa Florio style case, and will even make custom dial faces for you with a minimum order.

[ErVikingo]

Great thanks. I'll research now! Cool project present for my bro!

[Damian in NJ]

I would think for a lay person the toughest thing would be fixing the hands-but cutting the stem to the proper length would be tricky-hand setting is best done with specific tools.