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My first modded affordable time piece
A rare and discontinued Alba 200m diver, a.k.a. The Blue Manta Ray has the following specs:
Model No: AL-4005X
Diameter: 44mm (without crown), 46mm (with crown)
Lug-to-lug: 47mm
Thickness: 14mm
Lug width: 22mm
This blue dial version only comes with an Alba signed diver strap and this is what the watch looks like brand new from a watch retailer.
Its a nice watch but it can be better if
a) The uncomfortable rubber strap is replaced with a SS bracelet
-AND-
b) The slim hour and min hands are replaced with a set of decent diver's hands that offers a better lume.
So what happens if i attempt to make the above mentioned improvements? Well, i ended up with a watch that looks like this ...
The hour and min hands with a chrome surround are white in daylight, nicely matching the indices giving it a stock look.
A 22mm polished straight ended Anvil bracelet
The area between the lugs is nicely finished and polished. It looks fine even without the a folded curved end link
Solid links and solid end links with the original fat spring bars
A folding clasp ...
The flip-lock clasp has a polished finish. There's probably too much bling here, i may just brushed it out later
Model No: AL-4005X
Diameter: 44mm (without crown), 46mm (with crown)
Lug-to-lug: 47mm
Thickness: 14mm
Lug width: 22mm
This blue dial version only comes with an Alba signed diver strap and this is what the watch looks like brand new from a watch retailer.
Its a nice watch but it can be better if
a) The uncomfortable rubber strap is replaced with a SS bracelet
-AND-
b) The slim hour and min hands are replaced with a set of decent diver's hands that offers a better lume.
So what happens if i attempt to make the above mentioned improvements? Well, i ended up with a watch that looks like this ...
The hour and min hands with a chrome surround are white in daylight, nicely matching the indices giving it a stock look.
A 22mm polished straight ended Anvil bracelet
The area between the lugs is nicely finished and polished. It looks fine even without the a folded curved end link
Solid links and solid end links with the original fat spring bars
A folding clasp ...
The flip-lock clasp has a polished finish. There's probably too much bling here, i may just brushed it out later
, i think the watch looks much better after the mod. Its now a different blue Manta Ray! 
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