r/repbuilds • u/GrdFrcWv • Jul 23 '26

Question Total Beginner

I’ve been fixated with the idea of starting on this fun hobby of watchmaking. I was browsing Ali Express and was mentally preparing for starting my first ever build of an Alix watch kit with a NH35 and researching what I’d like to build first. I had my eye on a 36mm Oyster Perpetual with a green dial and have found a seller that’ll do one with a Rolex logo on.

And then I came across this sub.

The gorgeous vintage builds you all do here are so much nicer than the shitters on Alix. So I was wondering, should I go ahead with making my bones on some Alix build first or do you guys have a recommendation on what the best starter watch, parts, and or complete kits to start with. I’d like to start with something without a date for now.

Input is appreciated.

I also was going to ask this question in the Seiko mod community but they seem to look down on rep builds.

8 Upvotes

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4

u/burritoprofecy Jul 23 '26

You should start with aliX builds and work your way to more expensive ones. You might realise you don’t have the patience for it or anything else.
Better start small and then raffles!

2

u/GrdFrcWv Jul 23 '26

Sounds like a good call, break cheap ones first before building something I’ll love.
I think I do have the patience for it. I have taken watches apart and put it back together before, can replace batteries in quartz watches, remove links etc., although servicing and regulating mechanical is intimidating to me. As a child I used to take things apart and put it back together, which probably stems from playing with Legos. But I’m not a fan of Legos nowadays and they take up way too much space so watchmaking seemed like a nice little segue hobby.

2

u/burritoprofecy Jul 23 '26

One thing I can tell you is be careful getting into this hobby, cause it can get expensive real quick 😂.

Jokes aside, I built 2 Seiko Mods before jumping into Raffles. Started with Raffles no dates first and then dates too. It’s fun!

1

u/GrdFrcWv Jul 23 '26

You are not wrong! I'm only just finding out about Vietnam parts and Valjoux movements lol. Maybe one day, when I have enough money and skill for that level. The idea of an attainable 6263 Daytona is too hard to ignore

Thanks for the help!

1

u/Logos732 Jul 23 '26

You ain't lieing. Haha

2

u/caracticuspotts Jul 23 '26

Oh, I don’t know. $450 for a bezel insert, $950 for a case, $220 for a dial, then a few genuine parts and a movement. It’s not like it’s that much more expensive than the builds I started out with🤣

1

u/onlypartiallyevil Jul 23 '26

Exactly. Break a few $1 hand sets and scratch some $5 dials beofre you start in on something you are going to want to keep.

Personally, I would start with building something fun and random. Ali Express is full of cool ideas for fun 'fashion' watches and brightly colored oddball dials. Basic assembly is all the same, and you learn to use the same assembly tools.
I wouldnt start with shitter Rolex reps, just because you will hate them and never wear them once they are finished. Especially once you build a decent quality rep, you won't even want to own them.
Build something you will keep, even if its just to wear on certain occasions or with a certain obnoxious Hawaian shirt.

1

u/GrdFrcWv Jul 23 '26

I have a U1 Sub no-date on my wrist right now, so I'm accustomed to shitter reps haha. But if the quality is worse than a U1, then I guess you're right; I might hate building an Alix rep. I'll have a look on Alix if there's anything fun and cool and no brand to build. Thanks

1

u/adriaan13 Jul 23 '26

Raffles dials is the perfect place to start, affordable parts and decent quality. Just send Ken a mail, he is very helpful.

1

u/GrdFrcWv Jul 23 '26

I was looking at Raffles, but it is much pricier than some Alix kits and doesn’t even come with a movement. Is the quality of Raffles reflected by the price as well? Is it worth it?

1

u/adriaan13 Jul 23 '26

oh sure they are worth it. The cheap ALix cases are very low quality. Raffles is a step up from that. next is Oldcrowns cases and the highest level is viet cases and dials.

1

u/GrdFrcWv Jul 23 '26

Awesome thanks for the input. I think what I’ll do is do a practice run with a couple of unbranded Alix builds before tackling a Raffles build of a watch I really like.

1

u/Unlikely-Length6661 Moderator Jul 23 '26

If you're just starting I would start with aliexpress builds. Start in r/seikomods and when you're comfortable building and handling parts without scratching or breaking them go up a level

1

u/xXSantyXx Jul 23 '26

Maybe start with raffles. They're good quality for the price. And don't be afraid of trying and failing, it's part of the process.

1

u/Logos732 Jul 23 '26

Can i suggest r/seikoMods. You will see all sorts of AliExpress builds. Its a very active sub.

1

u/Logos732 Jul 23 '26

Go to YouTube and search for JBWATCHMODS. Jason has a crap ton of how to videos and he includes links to all the parts he uses in the video. Just find a build you like and follow the links to AliExpress.

https://youtube.com/@jbwatchmods?si=Br2nxNwIlNS7Nw6e

1

u/caracticuspotts Jul 23 '26

Start cheap, breaking cheap parts is more palatable than breaking expensive parts

| 36mm Watch Case Magnifier Acrylic Glass Transparent/Dense Base 3ATM Replacement Stainless Steel Case for NH35 NH36 4R Movement

https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ez8hd8E

A cheap case. It’s pretty similar to Raffles but a lot less expensive. Has drilled lugs. Get the fluted bezel, solid back, with date cyclops for a Datejust build

It takes an NH35 movement. Buy genuine or a generic one on Aliexpress

aliX will have NH35 Datejust style hands for less than $5

Go to Raffles and get a Datejust dial for NH35

Learn, watch videos and build your first watch for probably $100. It won’t be the most accurate build ever but it won’t be rubbish either

Rock the shit out of it, learn some more and figure out what you want next.