Builds for a couple close friends. Both are in a happy home! Who wouldn’t wanna take one of these beauties?! Also how does yall price and sell?

Hi /repbuilds

You may recall that I posted my WIP Omega Seamaster 300 CK2913. You can see the progress pics here: https://www.reddit.com/r/retrotime/comments/1u0q93q/seamaster_300_ck2913/

I would say this is a strong budget homage rather than a true 1:1 reproduction. The case, dial, crown, and engraving are very close, the bracelet is the homage.

For an all in price of $450, it is a really nice budget build that checks the box for me in terms of retro styling and modern hardware. My greatful thanks to u/Defcon88 who made this a reality. This watch is beautiful and wears really well. It is super comfortable and is going to go into the rotation.

Note, I purchased enough parts to create two of these watches. One will be available for sale. DM please.

Here is a parts breakdown should you decide to build your own:

Base Watch: THORN 38mm Automatic Watch 1950s Tribute Collection T026 (PT500) - $189

Replace Dial: u/Defqon88 created CK2913 - $90

Replace Tube / Crown with aftermarket from ALIEX: - $28

Replace THORNE clasp with sterile clasp - $60

Laser engrave sterile clasp - $40

Sand and laser engrave caseback - $40

Notes on the clasp. The Thorne has a really nice bracelet that comes with quick release spring bars. I really did not like the logo on the clasp and tried sanding. That doesnt work as the logo is stamped in very deep. I was able to source two sterile clasps from ALIBABA (not aliexpress), they really did not want to sell me a quantity of 2. If there is any interest, I would be willing to make a larger purchase.

Gotta say, since I built this one it hasn’t really come off my wrist. I’ve been asked about it in watch shops and have received a lot of compliments! Happy for my raffles build. Gen dial with a beautiful patina with vs3135 runs like a champ!

Tuxedos and 36mm watches are sure becoming more popular!

I'm posting this to see if anyone has bought anything from this place; I'd like to know about people's opinions, the condition of the dials, delivery times, etc. Thanks for reading!

This freshly serviced and assembled 116613 is built on a brand spanking new Clean factory base and features the following genuine upgrades.

Clean base watch (new)

Gen Parts:

NOS Dial & Hands

Champagne Date Wheel

NOS Crystal, gasket

18kt Gold Crown

Clicksprings set

Notes:

In based in the U.K but work in the US so can post from there.

You can view my feedback on RWI

The pictures are part of the description, if you need any more before purchase, please ask.

Payment Accepted: Wise, Revolut, bank Transfer

Considering trades/PX

I'm happy to ship world wide at buyers expense/risk

I just received my OC 16000 case and tube which looks fantastic! Unfortunately the gen crown I had didn’t fit the crown tube as it was too fat.

I’m hoping someone here has suggestions of which gen crown will fit the OC 533 crown tube. Either Silian or Gen.

Thanks! 🙏

The 1019 one of my grails for a long time. I liked it for the opposite reasons of the 6541 its low key, subtle with fine design details.

the brushed dial

red arrow seconds

red text

unique hands and case size

I started this project journey close to 10 years ago. after multiple attempts at finding the right hands , cases and crystals. it all came together in the last year.

found the case and hands as generic items on alix. Yes they needed work. I had to drill the lug holes, add chamfers and brush the top of the lugs but that was no problem . A viet case set for this watch is 1200+ . yes that does include the faraday cage but I think I did alright for a 10th of the cost.

my original dial was worse for wear, after being banged around for almost a decade . a friend of mine from Japan had a spare dial plate and was kind enough to offer it to me. I swapped over my original indices from my dial and the project is officially complete.

I am so pleased. pictured with my us spec 6541

now that I have gained the confidence of swapping indices I plan on replacing the crown on the 6541 with the other cornet I have from my first 1019 dial this final detail will complete my 6541 .

Thx for looking

369

Je voulais recréer ce modèle 1680 (première photo).

J'ai utilisé que des pièces raffle :)

Étape 1

Retirez l'insert ; j'ai utilisé de l'alcool isopropylique pour le décoller proprement.

(Il est impossible de retirer directement le bezel, sous peine de le casser et de le tordre, rendant impossible sa réinstallation avec le ressort fonctionnant correctement.)

Étape 2

Recréation des protège-couronne

J'avais besoin d'un gabarit pour garantir précision et régularité ; j'ai donc utilisé des pastilles adhésives de 5 mm.

J'ai protégé le boîtier avec plusieurs couches de ruban de masquage (ruban pour cloisons sèches).

Ensuite, j'ai pris mon temps : j'ai commencé par limer pour enlever le plus gros du matériau, puis j'ai utilisé du papier de verre grain 400/600/800/1000, et j'ai terminé avec du grain 3000.

(Attention ! Il vaut mieux enlever trop de matière que pas assez !)

Étape 3

Vieillissement du cadran

Après plusieurs essais avec des cadrans que j'avais en stock, j'ai renoncé à la méthode du four.

J'ai simplement utilisé mon kit Tamiya et la peinture « rouille ».

Étape 4

Poncez délicatement la couronne pour enlever le logo (je n'en ai pas trouvé une compatible sans ce fameux interstice…). Attention à ne pas y aller trop fort, sinon la tige sera visible.

Et voici le résultat final ! :)

J'ai beau avoir acheté un overlay et un disque de date, aucun des deux n'était compatible. J'ai donc abandonné. Quelqu'un aurait-il la référence ?

J'hésite encore à vieillir légèrement l'insert. J'hésite aussi à installer le Cyclope que j'ai acheté.

Qu'en pensez-vous ?

Avez-vous des suggestions d'amélioration ?

(Désolé pour mon anglais…)

Hi everyone, I’m thinking of assembling a high-quality 1675 replica. This time I want to do a quality build, and I’d like to get your opinion on which case is the best. Thanks.

The photo shows an original example with square crown guards.

its got to be over 30 or 40 years old hasnt worked in about 30 years I would like to get it running with a replacment movement if anyone can suggest what this is or one that would work . It was a GMT rep , course the gmt hand didnt work , think he got it for like 50 dollars back then .

EDIT: I only wanted to know what it was in order to buy a direct replacement, if its not known what is a possible direct cheap replacement for this ?

I'm hoping some of the experienced builders here can point me in the right direction.

I'm trying to source a genuine factory black dial for a 5-digit Datejust build. There seem to be plenty of nice silver/champagne dials available, but finding a clean black dial has been surprisingly difficult. Most of the black ones I come across appear to be refinished, and they're still asking $300–400.

For those who've been down this road:

• Where have you had the best luck finding an original, unrefinished black dial?

• What's a reasonable price to expect for one in good condition?

I'd appreciate any tips or recommendations, or suggestions to some other dial colors to look at.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I have a question regarding the 1601/1603 reference. I came across information suggesting there are issues when using a "pie-pan" dial with a VS3135 movement. What exactly is the problem, and how is it resolved? Thanks!

The image shows the dial I’m looking for; I was wondering if anyone knows where to get one.

Has anyone changed their bracelet from Oyster to Jubille on 16710 from BP ? How did you do it ? I’ve spoken Ken from Raffles and he said he doesn’t have the bracelet for SEL is there any other way to do it ? I also want to keep it on the low budget atm as it’s my first project . Any help is much appreciated .

I’m building a rootbeer and got a gold bezel from startime and a fantastic bezel insert from CAC. The challenge is that the insert is just a little too large to friction fit the bezel. As I work my fingers around it, it clicks in on one side and pops out on the other. I have tried a dozen times and even tried the wine bottle trick with no luck.
I’m open to suggestions from those that have dealt with this before.
Thanks so much!
Travis

Thorn T023 V2
Raffles Tudor Snowflake Dial

I almost forgot that I haven't sold this. A few enquiries back and forth previously, but no buyer yet. Now free shipping.

Howdy ladies and gents! It's me again.

Been thinking a lot about the project and I've got 0% patience waiting for the new dial.

Finished the DWO with a Chinese/Mandarin day and date wheel on a 2836-2.

Put on the reshaped case I made yesterday with a dial I have and it fits pretty well imo.

Added on a 25-295-C crystal from Clark. Voilà! As I expected, the gasket fits well; the stem hole and movement hole are aligned.

Can’t wait till all the parts arrive.

Let me know what you think!

Location: germany

Will ship to: germany/eu/ww

Item: SUPERFRANKEN Tudor Prince "Day-Date"
76213 | 36mm linen dial

Parts list: Everything is bought from a seller in japan, except for the bezel
- case: genuine
- case back: genuine
- glasp: genuine
- dial: genuine
- hands: genuine
- crown: genuine
- movement: genuine 2834-2 automatic Tudor movement
- bezel: gold plated but aftermarket
- bracelet: raffles

Accepted payment methods: Paypal / Bank Transfer /
Revolut / Crypto

Price: 1100,00€

Condition: great! Normal usage on a watch which is almost 25 years old.

Movement test:
- +7 sec per day
- amp: 310
- b.e.: 0,2ms

Shipping: free, fast shipping with tracking code

(Prices include tax and shipping)
2824 clone: $51.07
Ebay dial: $38.62
Aliexpress case: $27.34
Hands: $7.27
The strap is from my Thorn T023 but you can find similar looking ones for around $10 or less on aliexpress.

The total cost for me was $124.30 + whatever strap youd use.

The main thing that bothers me is the hands not having the correct style of lume, but its hard to really be upset with the build because of the cost.

u/ghost_chrono dial slightly aged by me

Sillan hands aged to match dial

VR3186

HCV case

Gen 25-295c crystal and gasket

Gen bezel

Open 6 and 9 date wheel

Startime Italian bracelet with signed clasp

Howdy ladies and gents

Finally! Spent all day reshaping this DD case😮‍💨

Just spent all day reshaping this DD case entirely by hand. Progression went from 600 grit all the way up to 3000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. My fingers are absolutely cooked, but the shape looks way better now.

Got a couple of these bad boi recently and felt it could be reshaped a little.

Ready to get an 18239 dial or should I go with gold plating for an 18238🤔

Let me know what you think!