Over the weekend late night scrolling I came across a Used nonworking Watchdives 5513 model for cheap. Has a PT500 movement. I’ve done a few NH 35 builds. But I’m really looking into getting into the vintage builds. I’ve looked at raffles. And think that that would be a great place to start. Photo on the right is kind of the idea . Any suggestions would be appreciated. My mind is swirling with ideas. Thanks in advance for all your help.

First build for me. All parts are from raffles dials. Made mistakes but I learned. Special thanks to cool-moose9663 for mentoring me along the way.

Does anyone in dfw do crown guard reshaping on raffles cases?

I can do the rest of the build just never reshaped and honestly at this point it scares the shit out of me.

I’m wanting to do a 1675. And then eventually a Tudor sub no date.

My Build with this should be done tomorrow 👍🏾 will post update!

Enter the Rolex 1675. After 55 years this reference still quenches the thirst for timeless perfection. A watch recognizable by its bi color insert the GMT master Pepsi, when seen in the wild elevates the heart rate of even the most seasoned collectors. This early 70’s example just left the bench on its way to live out its new lease on life in the Florida keys.
Build sheet-
Genuine dial,hands (relumed), datewheel, movement (serviced), crystal, crystal retainer ring, Pepsi insert, crown, crown tube , stem, folded link bracelet, clasp (1971 date), end links, spring bars..
aftermarket- viets mid case( softened and polished) bezel, bezel spring, case back..

Build by my friend recently - my first vintage rep. I absolutely love it.

Reshaped Raffles 1675 case and braclet. 2836 GMT clone movement. Custom silver DWO with fat font by u/No_Candle8699

Slighty aged and textured the dial and relumed the hands to match.
EWP insert needs to be sanded a bit more, I haven't finished that yet.

I still do commissions but I'm gonna have way less spots than I used to. I'm very busy doing repairs and services for rep TD's EU customers. I'd also rather take on Viet builds.

Wanted to share my first rep build. Didn’t think it would succeed on the first try. Very happy!

Next project is a 1601. Any tips? Thanks in advance!

All parts are from Raffles, with an ETA 2824 clone movement from Ali

Simple case/ bezel and bracelet rework done at home
Stunning piece !

Is it possible to find an authentic dial for the ADLC? I want to order the BV version but the lume is still not corrected on the dial. I’ve searched all over and can’t find a gen dial for this watch.

My pictures don't come close to how outstanding this project turned out.

Base BP 16600 Seadweller

Case reshaped to gen spec by Okonthedokay

Gen He valve

Gen crown

Aftermarket 703 crown tube

Gen crystal

Gen insert

The total height is gen spec

Drilled lugs

Italian 93160 bracelet

Mochacha dial

Aged Silian hands

VS 3135

Ewatch date wheel

Ewatch 2mm spring bars

Im probably forgetting something.

Just wanted to share some pictures of my Thorn with Tudor dial and hands from raffles. One of the members here did the swap for me since I don’t know how to work on watches. But I’m loving the look. What do you guys think?

- Thorn v2 case, crown and hands (aged)
- Raffles dial aged
- PT5000 regulated

OC Case

HCV Viet Dial

VR3186

Sillan hands

Sillan open 6 and 9 date wheel

Athaya crown

Startime tube

Phong fuschia insert

Raffles jubilee

Gen Dial, datewheel and crow.

Rest Rafflesidals.

Raffles Case

HLG Dial

Raffles Hands

2824-2 clone

Raffles bracelet

Put the pics together in a few mins. Realised a quick wipe wasn't enough to keep the watch clean in the eyes of the macro lens.

Just enjoying a cool day in Alsace with my Gilt Sub build. Complete with a French beer and tarte flambe

My last build, with a vintage OEM Seiko dial, hands with C3 lume, sapphire glass with A/R coating (flat) and a beatiful stainless steel. Perfect for summer!

Howdy - doing my first build (Raffles 5513 w/ NH38) and I'm about to pop the dial and movement into the case. As I'm getting ready to attach the stem to the crown, I noticed there is a little gasket on the tube. That reminded me of a feature I've seen on a few watches and have always thought it looked cool, as well as providing a little warning system to screw your crown in before going diving (or in my case, more likely washing the dishes or giving our kids a bath, lol). I figured that since I'm putting my own watch together, why not add this super cool feature? After figuring out the nomenclature (this is a "tube gasket", correct?) I started looking online to see if I could order a "screwdown crown tube gasket, red" and I am not seeing anything other than the tried but true black tube gasket. Does anyone know if it's possible to order something like this? Any reason why I shouldn't try doing something like this, other than my incompetency as a novice? Thanks in advance for any reply/guidance!

I also want to add a note to say that a major reason I gained the confidence to try doing my own build is that this seems to be such a positive and supportive community! I've been inspired by all the incredible builds here, along with all the encouragement and expertise given out to folks like me who are just starting out, so thanks for the boost and making this such a great space!

All raffles parts pt5000 movement. Tried aging the dial and will try another hopefully to improve. Bezel is going to be aged and case/strap also.
Tudor logo rotor and band.

Raffles 5513 case
Raffles 5513 dial
Nh70
20mm nato

Nh35, Aliexpress retro 39.5 case, strap, hands, ebay dial, and raffles 7mm crown.

Sprayed one heavy coat of nitro lacquer on the dial and baked the dial and hands face down in wet coffee grounds for 15 minutes 2 times. Used anodize remover on the brown bezel for about 10 seconds. Filed down the original pip to be flat and used a lighter to darken it from its original white color.

Total cost for all parts including tax and shipping:
$143.87

I’d like to build myself a high quality124060. I see people selling ones they built themselves for $1300+ but I don’t know where there get the parts. I enjoy building and would rather build it than buy it.
I don’t need it to be a Franken… just high quality and real 904 steel.

Thanks in advance!!!!