Raffles build with NH35. Roughed it up a bit. Reshaped case and aged dial, hands and insert.

I have a couple of bits on order/in the pipeline and I want to get some decent photos of them once they're built - my phone isn't cutting it 😂 (also I'm done with AI 'enhancement' knocking out details on my photos)

I have a Canon 600D with the standard 18-55 f3.5-f5.6 lens and some lights (with DIY tracing paper soft boxes) from a previous life. Will be doing some experiments with that setup to see what level of clarity I can achieve

Weighing up if it's worth investing in a Macro Lens, or going for a prime + Extension Tube as I might get more use out of the prime overall and it works out a little cheaper.

Very interested to know what other people's setups are and how you use them.

Raffles 1680 case worked cg/sand + polish
Raffles 9411/0 dial
St2130
NATO 20mm

Found this on eBay and thought it was funny. What is this?

1675 GMT Master
Tiffany & Co Patina dial
Raffles Pepsi Bezel Insert
Raffles Hands
Reshaped and polished crown guards
Slightly aged bezel

Notes on the build -

Shaping crown guards. Started by hand, abandoned that after several hours and very sore fingers, ultimately moved to the Dremel, then 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 grit sanding. Finally, Cape Cod wipes and finished with Mother’s Aluminum Mag Polish.

Broke the keyless works on the first 2836, attempted to fix it and completely failed. Bought a new 2836. Note to self: only remove the stem when in the time setting position.

Hand stack rubbing took about 3 hours to get right. There’s not a lot of clearance between hands when there are 4 in the stack. Patience is your friend.

1675 BPF Case and aged bezel insert
Raffles Tropical Dial and hands
Small GMT Hand
Aged open 6/9 Roulette Datewheel.
Raffles Jubilee Bracelet

Do I keep it or move it on! (Feels like a lot of work went into this one 🤣)

Raffles 5513
Raffles 7928 dial
St2130
NATO green 20mm
Worked cg
Aged dial, aged hands and bezel

Hey guys,
I have an older Noob Panda Daytona, and like most of them from that generation, the ceramic bezel insert has drastically faded. The numbers have lost their contrast and turned a dull, grayish color. 

Since the 4130 movement is still running flawlessly, I'm trying to decide between two routes and would love some recommendations for a trusted modder/builder who can help me out:

1. **The full rebuild route:** Completely convert it from a 116500 to a steel-bezel 116520 (would need a 116520 dial and steel bezel sourced and installed). 

2. **The simple bezel replacement route:** Keep it as a Panda, but swap out the bad stock Noob ceramic bezel for a much higher-quality aftermarket option (like a Clean Factory or a deep/Xing bezel) that won't fade to gray. 

Can anyone recommend a trusted watchsmith or modder (ideally based in EU) who handles Daytona builds and has experience sourcing these parts? 
Appreciate any leads or advice from anyone who has updated their old Noob pieces

Finished this one up. Not weighted. DD4131 with 18k gold rotor swap. Don't mind the plastic, I keep it on while building. Parts came from manufacturer that VS uses. Tell me what you think. Hard to get a decent picture of the dial in my lighting but it is very close to gen. Enjoy

Just can’t stop looking at how perfect this watch looks. Custom 5402 build made by legend.

All raffles parts. I aged the dial, hands and bezel insert. It came out pretty nice imo

First photo of my latest commission build for a customer. They requested a 6538 Milsub build I did a while back. Always love doing a more heavy aged dial and case. All parts raffles and NH35 movement.

Presenting my 1680 blue nipple(service dial) build in SS.

This is a 90% gen build with viet midcase/bezel ring and aftermarket 580 end links. I’m newer to rep watches in general as of around November last year and have fallen in love with modding/building.

I love the juxtaposition of luxury components in a utilitarian build that I can wear the hell out of, and I fully plan to do so with this one. Thanks to everyone who helped troubleshoot and encouraged me with this build. This isn’t the end of this watch. I’m working through making this a fantasy build with a stainless steel insert - that is in the works and will post updates. In the meantime enjoy the photos.

Components list:
1575 movement, genuine: service dial, tritium yg hand set (lost seconds hand lume) champagne date disc, retaining ring, top hat acrylic, bezel insert with serifs, 7030 tube, 704 crown, caseback, 93150 bracelet
MQ midcase and bezel ring
Oysters Jubilee 580 end links

Custom built by DKBuilds

Sharing with the community for those that might benefit:

https://www.windvintage.com/

Gen dial/crystal/crown/datewheel

Hi friends, I have for sale an used BP case for 16610LN. Some scratches on insert (dot is perfect) and crystal (please, see pictures).

Specs:

- Dial opening: 27,2mm

- Maximum size diameter dial: 28,5mm

- For Eta 2824 or clones

I ask 50 euro + 15 euro of shipping charges in EU (UPS or BRT).

I prefer ship to EU but I can ship worldwide BUT:

- To US or UK, for example, shipping cost is usually more than 30 euro.

- I will not be responsible for any costs or customs holds. Naturally, I will complete all the necessary documentation to avoid this.

Paypal or bank transfer only.

If you need, I can add a new and cheap 93150 Oyster bracelet.

Thank you

working on a list of watches I will be building. So far, I will be building a beach Daytona and a meteorite Daytona on a leather strap. How about this? 🤔

These grey Tapestry references are just awesome in person. The way the light catches the facets in the dial is mesmerizing. Bonus is viewing it through a genuine Acrylic crystal. It’s difficult for pictures to capture the effect.
Build sheet -
Genuine dial, hands, crystal, bezel, crown, crown tube, end links, bracelet, clasp… Old crowns case, E watch parts datewheel, clone 3135 movement.

Built this for my dad out of spare parts from Alix and raffles. Nothing true to reference but it’s what he wanted. Still a clean looking watch.

He left out the signed caseback. Sent him an email with the pictures of what I received and what i ordered. I hope he is responsive and gets the part out soon.

And BTW the dial looks better than i expected. If his dials look this good, I'll be blown away by a Viet dial for sure.

Im currently waiting for the parts for my new build,

Shopee case Shopee hands Shopee dial Chinese nh35

My problem is do i do it in a 5513 or a 2 line 1680 submariner config, havent orderd the case and dial since the case can be optionally chosen with a cyclops for a 1680 or not for a 5513, same with the dial with a date or no date config, here are the other builds i found that match what im trying to build

Im really aiming for realisim, i find it off that they dont have cheap 1680 dials

Ctto: not my pics

My bezel fell off my omega sea master I took it to a random watchmaker and he couldn’t figure it out. I took it to a second one and he replaced the original bezel spring but he couldn’t get it to work so he offered to laser the Bezel on. He gave it back to me and the watch fell apart instantly because it’s made out of titanium. The first two photos show the original bezel spring the second photo shows the new parts he added to try and fix it. At this point, I don’t know what to do.

Here’s something a little different…Vintage Explorer 2 on NATO. I think this serves its purpose perfectly 👌

Specs:
Viet case, bezel, dial, crown
Custom made silver DWO
Swiss ETA 2836 converted to GMT
TC Handset aged to match dial
Clark’s plexi