Legal Notice
True Patina operates as an autonomous workshop specializing solely in the customization of timepieces upon request from our clients, utilizing our limited capabilities. Our site exclusively offers this personalized service. We maintain no partnerships or affiliations with any watch manufacturers we serve. It is important to note that unauthorized modifications and customizations are not endorsed by the original manufacturers. Our customization services are intended for personal and private use exclusively. Any commercial utilization is unauthorized by True Patina.
The BB54 provides a phenomenal canvas for constructing customized watch builds that pay tribute to the the legendary 1950’s vintage aesthetic. Be it a big crown with Mercedes hands or the minimalism of Pencil hands and a small crown, my aim in each creation is to provide enthusiasts with the look and feel of 50’s era subs without the radium or 6 figure price tag. I now offer the following options such that specific customization requests are possible.
1. Mercedes Hands: This involves sourcing, genuine vintage hands and a custom white lollipop sweep seconds hand, broaching them to fit the modern movement, brushing, gold plating, and finally luming them using Swiss C3 X1 grade Superluminova and vintage pigments to color match the dial in both day and night conditions. Offered at $3,000
2. Big Crown Installation: This is the only NON-reversable option. It involves drilling and tapping the midcase by hand to accommodate a vintage OEM crown and Tube set. Offered at $850.
3. Pencil Hands: This is a custom handset the is then lightly broached, brushed, gold plated and relumed in-house by hand using Swiss C3, X1 grade Superluminova and vintage pigments to color match the dial in both day and night conditions. Offered at $1000
4. Acrylic crystal: After testing a few dozen acrylic crystal options and dialing in measurements of the case rehaut, I discovered the perfect aftermarket acrylic crystal combination. In fact it has a very similar radius to the original T16 superdome fitted to small crowns of the 50's. Installation involves sealing and pressure testing to 5bar. Please note that this modification retains some water resistance but not to the same extent as the OEM sapphire crystal. Offered at $400.
*Prices above are not inclusive of insured shipping. International customers must arrange their own shipping into the US.
**The big crown conversion is not reversible. Please consider this option with care as the manufacturer may refuse to service the watch since it will be deemed non original. All other modifications are fully reversible. All builds are returned with their original parts.
***No other modification requests will be accepted at this time (i.e. mixed hand sets).
