Da Vinci Code Cryptex Wood Box Build

[Valor]

I built a really accurate Cryptex a number of years ago but always wanted the rosewood box that the Cryptex is found in in the movie. The complexity of the woodworking and veneer work always held me back. But this month I decided to take it on, AND do my first You Tube build videos of the whole process.

This is a replica of the rosewood box where the Cryptex is found in The Da Vinci Code. It is hand built using the same techniques as the box seen in the film including hand cut thin plywood and various wood veneer and veneer borders that were cut by hand and applied to the outside. All the brass hardware was laser cut from real brass to perfectly match the screen-used prop. The rose oval on the front is also removable (as it is in the film) to reveal a brass plate with a secret message.

The entire build is captured in a multi-part video series found on my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBHJ5_UPF6lV02MxDwBdGMQ

BUILD PICS:

 

[DinoDino]

This is awesome. Reminds me of something you would see in an escape room.

 

[Valor]

Final reveal video is posted in the first post. If you want to watch this whole adventure.

 

[joberg]

Final reveal video is posted in the first post. If you want to watch this whole adventure.

Very good wood working/veneering I'm sure you know about those wax sticks you can use to fill some of the seams. It helps to tighten your final result. Are you going to put a coat of varnish/lacquer on top of that...or some kind of tint + lacquer?

 

[Valor]

Thank you! I did seal it with a spray lacquer just to brighten it up a bit. I don't mind some of the gaps, the original has some.

 

[joberg]

Thank you! I did seal it with a spray lacquer just to brighten it up a bit. I don't mind some of the gaps, the original has some.

In another life (my cabinet maker stint) I used to lacquer by hand. We used a crushed red brick to fill the wood pores and then apply the lacquer.
Trick of the trade; the red brick is a good filler, since the wood used was either mahogany or walnut. In case of high humidity, the background was turning red instead of the regular white filler Saved my life numerous time!

 

[Worker6954]

do you sell this replica

 

[Valor]

do you sell this replica

Sorry I do not. This was a real labor of love. Heavy on the labor.

 

[EmmaInCandyland]

Looks beautiful!

 

[Generalurko]

SO nice!
Any thoughts on offering the brass/secret message piece. I picked up the Noble Collection one with the box, but it's my understanding the Flower on the box doesn't have the brass/message on the back. It would be nice to replace it with a "real" one.

 

[Valor]

Thanks, I have the graphic I used. But honestly I just found someone on Etsy to laser engrave it for me.