Definitive GTI Dick Tracy Watch Thread

[lint]

very nice zenix. remember those buttons are attached, not part of the case. Great looking so far. Cant wait to see what you come up with.

 

[zenix]

i feel like the outside part of the button is part of the case, and the button has a little hat thats attached to the inside. i added the little watch band holder tabs.

im thinking of printing it in the plastic and making resin copies with a back that can be glued or screwed on once the guts are installed. it'll be the easiest and cheapest. you can spraypaint or something to make it look metal. if someone helps me and can find a place that'll CNC aluminum cheaply, then cool...

i can probably sell the resin ones for like $25-30 i dont really know how much or what people will pay/what its worth

 

[zenix]

the resin one could be hollow 2 piece, or solid 1 piece. you can make a nick in the tabs and it'll hold a shaft for a watch band, yknow? if i made it one piece resin, i could draw in that mesh.... might look kinda neat. just paint that gold and the rest silver. who knows

 

[rkpetersen]

I'd pay top dollar for a screen-accurate metal Dick Tracy wrist radio (or even a kit with metal case), but a resin replica sounds kinda meh to me.

 

[lint]

I think with the 3mm limit we will run into problems. The mesh or timepiece wont be able to be brought up close to the surface of the watch case like the movie prop. Looks like a static watch will be the best thing to go for. bummer!

The crown (thing you set the time with) and push button are completely separate from the watch. Since it is looking like this will just be a static watch you might as well include them in the sculpt. Also real metal mesh would be easy to add so no need to print that.

-Todd

 

[zenix]

i know what you mean. i'm still going to look into making things out of metal cheaper than the price i talked about earlier in the thread. Maybe i'll talk to a foundry nearby and see whats up there.

i too would not wear a resin watch, but since its so easy and relatively cheap to proceed in that direction also, i wanted to make it known.

 

[agliarept]

I think a metal replica that's empty inside would be best. A nice metal or aluminum shell as a kit would be really swell. we could make out own version out of an empty shell. I personally would love a metal version to build up. hopefully we can all agree on a solid approach to making this a reality!

 

[zenix]

i think everyone would prefer that agliarept, but i'm just saying i don't yet know how to manufacture it. any help would be appreciated

 

[lint]

The current case on the GTI Replica is cast as far as I can tell. Is it possible to do a correct model with the correct tolerances and have a 3d printed model used to make a mold for a foundry?

-todd

 

[zenix]

probably... i've never been to a foundry or done that. but as i said, i'll contact a foundry and see whats up. i'll go on monday, or atleast give them a call on monday.

-also named todd

 

[lint]

If I recall a few guys on the board work in foundries. maybe they can chime in with what would be needed.

-todd

 

[zenix]

i'm being told the way to do it is called cold casting. mixing a metalic powder into resin which will produce the same look feel and weight of the foundry method, for a fraction of the cost

 

[MarkVI]

Now this is a cool prop! I was always a fan of movie/tv show watches. From Michael Knights communicator to Frank Martin's Panerai. But the Dick Tracy watch is just phenomenal!

Great work!

 

[sarni1000]

Wow! I'm so glad this is getting closer to becoming a reality. I tried for about a month tracking down the original jeweler that made the 10 watches used for the film but I think he has long since retired.

 

[agliarept]

I know its sad, but ive been dreaming about this watch for a week straight lol. thought i'd share lol.

 

[zenix]

k, i'm going all out and building a foundry. I'll be able to create metal aluminum parts accurately and we'll have this watch back in production. I'll keep ya posted

 

[Darth Sabre]

Xenix-

Have you thought of using the lost wax method? I remember seeing a behind-the-scenes show on cable that showed the original maker of the prop remaking the watches for the show. He used the lost wax technique to make his watches. It might be a cheaper alternative to a foundry. The only downside is that you need to make a mold for each piece as this casting process destroys the mold.

Also, have you thought of making copies of the prop from the film instead of the GTI? I know I sure would buy one of those shells in a heart beat.

Doug

 

[zenix]

yes thats how i'm doing it... lost wax method.

i dont have pics from the film. i thought thats what i modeled it from. i can only model from what i have and all i have are pics that were posted

 

[Darth Sabre]

Well assuming the watch band is the same, between the movie prop and the GTI replica, It's about 15% to 20% narrower and shallower.

There's also obvious differences with the buttons, watch face, copper mesh, and buttons. But, that's not something to worry about now.

Doug

 

[zenix]

so does anyone have pictures of the real one? theres a 2 week lead time on me receiving the 3d printed part, and i want to get started. i'll have the foundry built this weekend regardless, so the thing holding me up is the model right now