"Flame-Blued Hands" Project (retrofit for Laco Pilot Baumuster B)

[Sandy]

Count me in for the blued hands.

[bigwill]

Count me in for the blued hands.

Me too, please!

[Hary]

I'm in

[reinman60]

I am wondering, whether Laco will get the blued hand from the same supplier as Stowa (Universo), which Joerg claimed one of the best hand manufacturer out there. If we want to have flame blued hand, then we should aim for the best

I agree with you completely on this and I hope everybody else involved in this project feels the same way. But everyone will have a say in this in this and in the end we'll go with the majority; I think that's only fair.

I do remember the thread where Joerg referenced Universo hands as being the best available, and I think we should pursue that option with Laco. Hopefully, it will be feasible from both in terms of both availability and cost.

I'm very enthusiastic about this project. I think that blued hands are not only beautiful, but will add a further dimension of historical authenticity to the watch which Laco will produce. I know that I don't have the same degree of expertise as many of the forum members, but I view this as a opportunity to learn and get input from all those who have lots of experience in this area. I'm sure the experience and judgment of the experts here will make this project a success, and that we'll all be satisfied with the results

[Frode]

I love this!

2 questions:
A: I have a Seiko 007 that I retrofitted with custom hands I ordered from Hong Kong. I had a lokal watchmaker make the switch for me. This was no problem at all, and cost me 10 euros. So: does Laco have to make the switch for us, or is this a simple job you can do where you live? This is interesting because it is much less risky and cheaper having the hands sent via mail, that sending the watch back and forth.
B: IF we can do this without LACOs help, maybe we can contact Universo ourselves? (Need the specs. from Laco, though - diameters, fittings, so on).

If Laco is to do the job, I'm inclined to let them keep the watch till the switch is done.

What do you all think?

[Crusader]

I am in the EU (no customs hassle), so sending the watch back to Laco for a retrofit of the hands is going to be my option.

[TIMEangel]

I am on board.

As I see it, I will retrofit the blued hands after 2 years. This could be easily done by a qualified watchmaker near where I live, during servicing and oil change.

No need to send the watch all the way to LACO and no issue on voiding the warranty.

[Erik_H]

I want the blued hands. I would probably have them installed here where I live.

Erik_H

[bigflax925]

I'm in.

I don't have a competent watchsmith locally, so I am with Frode on this: let Laco keep mine until the hands are completed and switched.

[Nalu]

I'm in.

I don't have a competent watchsmith locally, so I am with Frode on this: let Laco keep mine until the hands are completed and switched.

I agree. I'm in no rush anyway.