All started months ago, when I made a trade with Jim (Watchnoob) and got the famous Drudy custom B-Uhr Flieger as part of the trade....
I like the watch but the dial/hands combo, altought not a disaster, I tought were in need of some help...
I finally reached out to Ron (Barnbuilder) for ideas and the project took off ..
First, Ron tipped me about a German dealer with a nice Marine dial and hands set for sale and which size to buy for my application, then he offered his expertises to do the labor needed for the change, he refused for me to pay him anything, ... in addition, he demagnetized the watch and surprised me with a brand new and really beautiful Steinhart Vintage strap to go along, also free of charge...
So my hat off to Ron a gentleman, in the old fashion kind of way...Thank you
And here are the pics ...
First, the way the watch used to look...

The project...(project pics by Ron)




The "new" Marine Dial and Vintage strap ...





Digging the new look, makes for a totally different watch....

Really like the new look. Great mods.

Cool and sterile! Enjoy that watch!

I like both dials; I'd switch back and forth- you could change the look and go from Swiss to German What I really like is the way that natural strap looks on the watch, and also looks very comfortable.

3flushes wrote:I like both dials; I'd switch back and forth- you could change the look and go from Swiss to German What I really like is the way that natural strap looks on the watch, and also looks very comfortable.

Couple things to bare in mind ...
Original B-Uhr Fliegers, regarless if they were B or A type dials had a central second hand , black dials and non polished cases....today days what we have are all homages, made by Stowa, Laco , Steinhart etc. etc. some are close to the original than others within the same brand and in general.
The Drudy sample dial, polished case and hands were all "wrong" in my head anyway for a Flieger homage and the idea to make it a true homage to the Marine Chronometer style was born...vintage off white dial, as well as hands more closely in the style of the "poire corps renflé" hands, used in the classic marine chronometers.
Marine Chronometers were not wrist or pocket watches, so they are all interpretations of the original navigation chronometers fitted to ships in a very broad way , nothing is really off mark in relation to the original , because is no "original" wrist/pocket watch to be faithful to.
It is widely accepted that the design credit in transferring the classic Marine Chronometer's appearance into a modern wristwatcht goes to Ulysse Nardin
And that's the nitty gritty.....

Cool eddy- I've always liked the Flieger but I've never known much about them, never really knew what to buy. My interest in Pilot's watches has been peaked since I bought your Hammy. Popped this info into my library so I can find something true to the original- currently on the hunt for an old Heur Bundeswehr.

I really like the new look, The hands are much better looking, I think.

kahuna74 wrote:I really like the new look, The hands are much better looking, I think.

Agreed, I'm digging this watch....

Your marine dial watch is excellent. I love clean dials and sharp contrasts and that watch has both in spades.

AlbertaTime wrote:Your marine dial watch is excellent. I love clean dials and sharp contrasts and that watch has both in spades.

Thanks Ron...

Im a big fan. Really digging this. Simple and beautiful.

jeep99dad wrote:Im a big fan. Really digging this. Simple and beautiful.

À votre bon cœur !!!

Very nice Eddie.

Liking the new look!!!

Nice Eddie, I always liked Noob's Drudy but thought the hands could use a black outline to match the numbers. The sterile marine dial and new hand set along with the strap transformed the case into a totally different animal. Hats off to Ron for the build.

Do you still own this one? Great read for new members.