Hello all, I am fairly new to watch collecting and building. I am acquiring the pieces for a 1603 Franken build. I have a gen case with crystal, spring bars, gen crown/tube, Clark's Tudor hands, and a few gen dials. What is the best source for an ETA movement and which is the best for a vintage DJ build? Which movements ring, case clamps etc? Thanks in advance!
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1603 DJ Franken questions
- Thread starter AKTime
- Start date
I've always used Stilty movement rings but they are no longer available. Most people from what I understand are using the #2 movement rings from Raffles-time on eBay. I'm sure someone else will come along with better information
As for movement, you either need a 2836-2 or you need to find a 2824-2 with the taller H4 wheel set installed, particularly if you use a dial with stick markers. New ETA movements are getting harder to find. I've scavenged a few from old watches on eBay or you could find a new Asian clone from many sources. TC has got some nice movements all set up for Rolex reps and you can probably get a date wheel overlay from him at the same time. You'll have trouble finding the older open 6 and 9 date wheel although that's never been a deal breaker for me.
Case clamps are just standard little ETA type tabs and screws.
As for movement, you either need a 2836-2 or you need to find a 2824-2 with the taller H4 wheel set installed, particularly if you use a dial with stick markers. New ETA movements are getting harder to find. I've scavenged a few from old watches on eBay or you could find a new Asian clone from many sources. TC has got some nice movements all set up for Rolex reps and you can probably get a date wheel overlay from him at the same time. You'll have trouble finding the older open 6 and 9 date wheel although that's never been a deal breaker for me.
Case clamps are just standard little ETA type tabs and screws.
Source for an eta movement? Good question! In the old days you could just order one from Jules Borel or Ofrei for $79 but those days are long gone. I paid $95 for an Asian 2824-2 a few years ago. When I built my 1016 Explorer with a DJ 1601 case (same as the 1603), I used a 2824-2 and it worked fine. I used a Stilty spacer ring, but since you can't get those anymore, try a rafflestime #2 ring. Case clamps and screws you just need to scrounge up, maybe from an old watch. You might be able to find an eta 2824-2 used on ebay for a decent price and then service it for another $75 or so. Old watchers like Sandoz, Octo, and Zodiac used eta movements.
Just thought of one other thing- if you use a pie pan dial, you might be able to use a 2836-2 movement since the dial lets the movement sit higher in the case
Just thought of one other thing- if you use a pie pan dial, you might be able to use a 2836-2 movement since the dial lets the movement sit higher in the case
Mine is. gen 1601 case/crystal/bezel with a 16234 dial on a Swiss 2824 with a custom DW shim. Remember the 1603 used a piepan dial with a 1570. Jmb used a 2836 date wheel and ground off the teeth to use it as a spacer. It is a bad ass build too.
Open 6 and 9 date wheel too :woot:
KBH was a great resource for info when gathering intel for this build.
BTW I buy off brand eBay ETA engined watches all the time as donors for their movements. If you dilegently search youncan score them everyday.
Open 6 and 9 date wheel too :woot:
KBH was a great resource for info when gathering intel for this build.
BTW I buy off brand eBay ETA engined watches all the time as donors for their movements. If you dilegently search youncan score them everyday.
I plan on using a vintage piepan with stick markers. Which movement will work easiest with this dial?
txrob, That's a nice build. Thanks for the information. Finding a decent movement at a decent price has been the only roadblock for me so far.
Here's a good introductory thread on building frankenjusts but you'll have to join RWG to view it.
http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/86779-the-birth-of-a-franken-pt-i/?hl=birth%20of%20a%20franken
I've never done a pie pan dial but afaik, a 2824 is your best movement but you'll need to either buy a donor watch with stick markers or have the canon pin/hand wheel set changed to an H4 or H5. They come standard with the lower H2 wheel set. Even the 2836 come standard with the H3 set and that's a very tight fit for the stick marker dial. You'll probably still end up bending the hands up slightly to clear them.
I like to use gen DW's as overlays but the old style with the open 6 and 9 unfortunately have the numbers in the wrong direction so they don't work for ETA movements. Cubic Works on eBay, or their web site, used to sell them but you have to confirm what you're getting before ordering or you might end up disappointed.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/.../F330GT/media/DJ%20triplets/DSCN4805.jpg.html
http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/86779-the-birth-of-a-franken-pt-i/?hl=birth%20of%20a%20franken
I've never done a pie pan dial but afaik, a 2824 is your best movement but you'll need to either buy a donor watch with stick markers or have the canon pin/hand wheel set changed to an H4 or H5. They come standard with the lower H2 wheel set. Even the 2836 come standard with the H3 set and that's a very tight fit for the stick marker dial. You'll probably still end up bending the hands up slightly to clear them.
I like to use gen DW's as overlays but the old style with the open 6 and 9 unfortunately have the numbers in the wrong direction so they don't work for ETA movements. Cubic Works on eBay, or their web site, used to sell them but you have to confirm what you're getting before ordering or you might end up disappointed.
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/.../F330GT/media/DJ%20triplets/DSCN4805.jpg.html
Thanks for the thread, I'm actually a member on rwg, I will go check that link. I didn't realize the stick dial was such a pain but honestly it's the only one I like in a DJ. I'm trying to match a watch that my grandfather had when I was younger.
Same here KBH hence the use of the 16200 series dial. It is flat of course. The build is very economical for a 90%er
I like what txrob did with the 1601 case and a 16234 dial.
16000 and 16200 dials are interchangeable- they'll fit the 3035 and the 3135 movements.
So if you found a 16000 or 16200 stick dial, it would be an easy deal with the 2824-2 movement in your 1603 case.
16000 and 16200 dials are interchangeable- they'll fit the 3035 and the 3135 movements.
So if you found a 16000 or 16200 stick dial, it would be an easy deal with the 2824-2 movement in your 1603 case.
I actually have a 16013 dial, and I am currently trying to get a 2836-2 from an old Rado Voyager. Is this a feasible combination?
TudorGstaad
Active Member
- 28/6/19
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Could anybody tell me which TD, sells an rep 1603 ? I've looked at my regular TD Intime but can't find it anywhere.
There are no rep 1603s. You might be able to find a used gen 1603 case on ebay- with that you can build a nice franken.
I'm not trying to steal the thread in anyway, but I have a question which might be relevant when building frankens.
I have a small problem, using pretty much the same parts as mentioned in the thread with a 2824 movement. The gen tudor hands are A tiny bit shorter than genuine. Does anyone know where I can get correct lenght hands or if it is possible to mod gen hands to fit eta movements?
Thanks in advance!
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I have a small problem, using pretty much the same parts as mentioned in the thread with a 2824 movement. The gen tudor hands are A tiny bit shorter than genuine. Does anyone know where I can get correct lenght hands or if it is possible to mod gen hands to fit eta movements?
Thanks in advance!
Sendt fra min SM-G955F med Tapatalk