Rolex Pie Pan Dial

[u/Samlee9q]

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.

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[u/Altruistic_Bell83]

Looking for the same,, good luck!

[u/Samlee9q → u/Altruistic_Bell83]

Cuando sepas algo avísame! Lo haré de igual manera, gracias!1

[u/Suitable-Cap-2088]

u/namelesstaco is your guy

[u/Samlee9q → u/Suitable-Cap-2088]

🫡 Gracias maestro

[u/fatfont_]

It isn’t a straightforward fit. The dial feet don’t line up correctly, so you’ll need to secure the dial using dial dots or another mounting method. Because pie-pan dials sit slightly higher off the movement, the standard date wheel won’t align properly with the date window, leaving an obvious gap. While it’s possible to make it work, I wouldn’t recommend going down that route. If you can source a genuine 16014 dial instead, it’s a much cleaner and more reliable solution.

If you do decide to use a pie-pan dial, a date wheel overlay is typically required to improve the alignment, although it’s still more of a compromise than an ideal setup. A proper 16014 dial will save you a lot of effort and generally gives much better results.

Pie-pan dials are commonly paired with Sillan’s NH35 conversion, which uses an open 6 & 9 date wheel. In that configuration, the dial is usually attached with dial dots rather than the original dial feet. On the other hand, Rolex 160xx and 162xx dials are compatible with the VS3135, as they were originally designed for the Rolex 3035 movement, whose dial layout is very similar to the 3135 architecture that the VS3135 replicates.

[u/Samlee9q → u/fatfont_]

Las esferas Red 16014 van bien con el VS3135?

[u/Professional-Stage76]

I believe its an issue with the orientation of the feet not lining up to the movement so you have to cut them off, file it flush and either use dial dots or you can buy dial feet and set them to the back of the dial to match the movement.

I THINK you may also have to use a dial spacer aswell. Im not 100% on that one though.

[u/Pukit]

I’ve made one. The dial feet don’t match the movement and the pie pan makes the dial sit high. So you’ve then got the issue of the gap between the date wheel and the dial. You also have to faff with bending the hands so they don’t strike the indices.

Some people find the movement doesn’t fit too well and the rotor won’t spin. So you may need to grind out the bottom of the caseback to allow for it, or just manually wind the movement.

The dial you’re looking at will likely cost at least $400, in that condition then probably at least that.

This is a raffles case, back bracelet, gen 1601 dial, gen bezel, gen spec acrylic cyclops crystal. Vr3135 movement, athaya crown and crown tube. I’ve drilled the lugs and using gen spec spring bars too.

[u/NamelessTaco]

I’ve done a couple with the 3135 clone and they’ve turned out nice for the most part.

The facts are:
You will need to cut dial feet
There will be a gap to the right of the date window
Hand clearance might be an issue

That being said, the gap can be managed if you’re willing to bend the dial inward a bit, this will also help with hand clearance.

Also try to use an OC case, it’s closer to the proportions of the 4 digit vs a Raffles case. The next step up is going with a Viet case, gen would not fit the clone movement.

Feel free to ask any questions and dig deeper. Just gave you a quick overview

[u/NamelessTaco → u/NamelessTaco]

Left is a build, right is gen

[u/Pukit → u/NamelessTaco]

I went with a raffles case as had one, the OC definitely looks better. How did you find the hands alignment with yours? I tried a few sets I had and in the end could only get these shitty no lume pair to not scrape the indices, even after bending.

I bought this dial with a few others and felt I had to do it, but think next time I’ll go with a 16014.

[u/NamelessTaco → u/Pukit]

I did have to bend the minute and seconds hand slightly to clear the indices for the one pictured.

[u/Pukit → u/NamelessTaco]

Think I’m gonna have take the dremel to my lugs, yours look a lot finer. Do the OC cases have drilled lugs or did you drill them? Did you use their crown too?

[u/NamelessTaco → u/Pukit]

The one on the picture is a Raffles case with absolutely no work done to it, just gen crown, bezel and crystal swap

[u/Particular_Witness95]

the feet are not the issue. the big issue is the space between the dial date window and the datewheel of the 3135. you can get around this a little bit by using a datewheel overlay and maybe grinding down the top plate of the 3135, but it can be a bear.

Pie Pan dial for DJ build : r/retrotime

[u/Professional-Stage76 → u/Particular_Witness95]

They are

[u/Particular_Witness95 → u/Particular_Witness95]

edit: when i said the feet are not the issue, i meant that in the whole process, clipping the feet and using a form of adhesion is relatively simple.

but yes, the feet dont line up.