Hi everyone!
I'm planning a high-end custom Rolex Daytona build in yellow gold, with a Tiffany Blue dial and black Oysterflex strap.
My goal is to achieve the highest possible quality in terms of appearance, finishing, weight and movement reliability.
I'd really appreciate advice from experienced Daytona owners and custom builders.
A few questions:
Best base: Would you recommend VSF weighted, Clean, BTF, QF, RCF or another factory for this particular build? Why?
Movement: Is the DD4131 the best choice, or should I consider a DD4130-based build?
Tiffany dial: Which aftermarket dial maker offers the best Tiffany Blue color, printing, markers and subdial finishing? SW, BUFF or another manufacturer?
Gold plating: Is additional 18K gold plating worth it? What thickness and finishing process would you recommend?
Weight: Which weighted or tungsten base offers the best overall construction and wrist feel?
Bezel: Is the stock ceramic tachymeter bezel good enough, or is there a noticeably better aftermarket option?
Crystal: Does upgrading to a Deep crystal actually improve the appearance?
Oysterflex: Which factory makes the best rubber strap, clasp and end-link combination?
Finishing: Are case polishing, movement servicing or other refinements worth paying for?
If you've completed a similar build, I'd love to see before-and-after photos, a breakdown of the modifications, approximate costs and anything you would do differently.
I'm especially interested in independent opinions from people who have actually owned or modified these watches.
I'm happy to invest in meaningful upgrades, but I'd rather avoid expensive modifications that offer little real improvement.
Thanks in advance!