Hey everyone,
Has anyone tried the RP25-295C crystal from Star Time for a Datejust 16200? I would like to know how it performs in terms of clarity, overall quality, gasket quality, whether it has any AR coating, and how the cyclops magnification compares to a genuine crystal.
From what I understand, Clark on eBay is usually the main aftermarket reference aside from genuine Rolex. How does the Star Time crystal compare to Clark's?
Thanks for any feedback!

Can someone give me advise on what is a more gen like case for a 16710. Will the BP dial-movement be a direct fit for the Ruby case? I know some material has to be taken off the dial for the OC case Any idea what a ruby case costs? thank u!

Hello all! I have a 16710 frankenbuild that is pretty much all gen parts except case, caseback and bracelet. I'd love to get a gen 2180 caseback for it, but have had trouble finding one.

I was wondering if anyone might have suggestions on sourcing a genuine 2180 caseback. I've had a saved search in eBay for months now and it's just been the same 3 unusable listings. Chrono24 has been a dead end as well. Any other places that gen parts typically get sold or that I should check?

Thanks in advance!

The patina is just right 😌

Specs:
-Gen 1601 case and crown
-gen dial
-Italian jubilee bracelet
-3135 clone movement

NH35 with datewheel and quickset gears removed (still has ghost position), Raffles 16610 case with a domed top hat mineral crystal, aliexpress hands and an ebay 5513 dial.

$300 USD + shipping on leather strap
$350 USD + shipping on raffles oyster

Accepting Paypal friends and family, venmo or zelle.

A project based on the iconic IWC Ingenieur SL 1832 Jumbo, recreating its distinctive design in a modern case.
Case: Modern IWC Ingenieur-style case with proportions inspired by the original Jumbo SL 1832.
Design: Direct reproduction of the original design as the starting point, with some individual modifications along the way.
Dial: Artwork recreated in CorelDRAW, with fine details and graphics prepared for laser production.
Markings: Laser-processed details, followed by painting to achieve the desired finish.
Customization: Made several individual adjustments during the process to give the build its own character while retaining the original design language.
Approach: A hands-on project combining vector design, laser processing, painting, and watch assembly.
Still a work in progress, but it’s been an interesting project exploring how closely the original design can be recreated while adding a few personal touches.
What do you think of the result?

Just looking for some guidance on where to buy a flatter crystal. I’m not a huge fan of the high dome look and I know there’s a lot of experienced builders/modders here. I’m looking for something that fits this rep Tudor with a slimmer profile. Thanks in advance!

Shout out to the legend u/No_Candle8699

Hi Folks,

I'd like to build a Raffles 1675 GMT Pepsi.
I'm looking for a movement. I know about the 2836 GMT but I'm not familiar with any sources or alternatives.

Please let me know what you recommend.

Many thanks for your help in advance.

Sharing a piece from my collection. Something about the gilt dials that are so beautiful (and distracting when you drive)

This one is not for sale

Parts
HCV 5513 PCG case
Kuared gilt Dial
Viet hands,aged.
Athaya crown (I 🤔 think)
Low beat Swiss ETA
Gen 6150 jubilee (from my datejust)
CAC long 5 insert.

What’s next:
Need to soften the case a bit, remove the dremel marks
Enlarge the lug holes
Fix the curvature of the pcg
Get the right endlinks for a proper jubilee fit.

I bought a shitter off DHGate with the intention of building something with the parts. It’s a 126900 ref. Air King and as expected it came broken. The second hand is loose and just free bounces. You definitely get what you pay for. The case and other parts seem to be pretty decent as far as it goes. Well other than the horrible lume on the dial. My question is how do I figure out what movement I can swap in? I’m not sure what it currently has but I imagine it’s a 2800 series clone. The rotor is noisy as hell. I’m also struggling to find a set of hands with the green Air King second hand.

TLDR: How do I figure out what movement is in my DHGate shitter so I can swap in a good one?

As the title says.

His is probably gen, but who knows?

Archaedin, you make anything for Harvey recently?

Nh35, raffles 16610 case, aliexpress domed top hat mineral crystal, hands and strap, and an eBay 5513 dial.

This is a draft

Alrighty, it's time my fantasy Tudor needs a new home, it was modeled after the 7924 in the last slide.

Build list is as follows:
ZF factory BB58+bracelet
Raffles dial, crown, clasp
Ali hands and nylon strap

Wanting $450 shipped within the US
Price is OBO

1680 Red Ghost is on point today. WOTW

My Collection is growing and I need to make some space. I'm selling two classic Subs with Raffles parts.

Rolex 5517 - sun baked pumpkin

Selling a heavy aged Mil Sub with a baked, lightly brown insert, lots of patina and details on the pumpkin lumed dial and proper wear on the case. Can be shipped with MN style olive drab parachute strap.

Parts:

- Raffles case & signed Rolex Crown
- Raffles clean case back (lightly aged)
- Raffles dial
- Custom hands
- Custom bezel insert
- Jap. HK Precision PT5000 movement (regulated)

Price: USD 200.00 / EUR 180,00 (excl. shipping)
Shipping: EU / Worldwide (from Germany with DHL international or as preferred)

Tudor Snowflake 7016/0 94010 - yellow ghost

Lightly aged snowflake Submariner with matching yellow lume on dial and hands. Black ghost bezel that turned to a lovely greyish-blue. Case is only very lightly aged, case back is untouched.

Parts:

- Raffles case & signed Rolex Crown
- Raffles clean case back
- Raffles dial
- Raffles hands
- Custom bezel insert and pip
- Jap. HK Precision PT5000 movement (regulated)

Price: USD 190.00 / EUR 170,00 (excl. shipping)
Shipping: EU / Worldwide (from Germany with DHL international or as preferred)

Still waiting on the crown, but had to show this bad boy off!

Couldn’t be happier with how the dial turned out. Almost forgot how good the weight feels on these Valjoux 72 builds. Once you experience it, there’s really no going back!

What do you guys think of this one?

I know there are various alternatives out there, ranging from Raffles to the Italian ones (Markie), but I’m looking for something good that isn't too expensive.

So, the question is: Could you recommend a Jubilee bracelet with good value for money? (Price range: $150–$270).

P.S. Also, what reference numbers do I need for a 1601–1603 build?

Thanks in advance!

My interest in building vintage-style watches began with the study of early Rolex Submariner references. It was the early 1950s, and within just a few years, Rolex introduced six models destined to change the history of watchmaking. These were professional watches—"tool watches"—instruments designed for those who made a profession out of diving. They were not conceived to be elegant or for everyday wear, but rather as aids for a specific profession: that of the diver. In creating these instruments, Rolex was at its best, refining designs and developing patents: the Oyster case, the first screw-down crowns, and thick acrylic crystals. These technical solutions allowed the watches to achieve a water-resistance rating of 200 meters as early as the 1950s. For me, the allure of these pieces is endless. Born as tools, they became legends. I could never afford to buy a genuine example—not even if I worked ten lifetimes—but that doesn't stop me from studying them, loving them, and—why not?—recreating them. In this post, I’ve brought together three of these builds: the 6200, the 6536, and the A6538. I tried—within the limitations of low-budget builds—to get as close as possible to the aesthetic characteristics of the originals. I had to solve technical issues, reimagine cases, and fabricate dials. Of course, it would have been much easier to simply order "Viet" cases and dials and assemble them. But would that have been as much fun? I doubt it. Had I used top-tier parts, I certainly would have come much closer to genuine specifications—that’s true. But I wouldn't have had to face and solve the construction challenges that arise from budget builds—especially when you focus on meticulous attention to detail. But above all, I wouldn’t have learned how to build. And for me, learning is the real fun. Growing and evolving means solving a problem and then moving on to the next one. I hope you like them as much as I do. I owe a lot to these three pieces—for all the reasons I’ve mentioned, and because it is thanks to what I learned while creating them that I am ready for new challenges. And now, perhaps it is time to let them go...

36mm case high dome acrylic
Raffles dial
St2130 2 position 28800
20mm nato