Help wanted for a vintage 6538/5510 build

[Bubbe Back1]

I’m planning on doing a vintage Rolex 6538/5510 build sourcing components from different suppliers – first-time build. I’ve done my research on RWI and come up with the build specs, as follows:

- Case: Silix Case (their Rol Vintage Case 1) including 8mm winding crown
- Movement: DG2813 movement from Raffles Time
- Dial: Vintage Submariner Bond Gilt Dial for DG 2813 movement 29mm from Raffles Time
- Hands: Submariner Watch Gold Tone Hands for DG 2813 from Raffles Time
- Crystal: Sternkreuz HWS Plexi Crystal – SIZE??? – from Cousins UK

So a couple of questions:

1. The Silix case comes with an 8mm Brevet crown apparently; what do I need to connect the winding crown with the winding stem that comes with the DG2813 movement? And is this easy to connect?
2. What size plexi will I need to get?
3. What have I missed out from the above list that I will need to get for the actual watch components (I know I need a strap too)? E.g. will I need to get a movement spacer or will that come with the case or movement?

Any help/pointers much appreciated!

 

[bobandshawn]

Good job so far - this is a VERY solid beginner's project.

1. The Silix case is not gen spec, and the crown is not very good. Most folks recommend an Athaya crown and tube to replace it. You will need to trim the stem to fit the case-spacing/movement. Relatively easy if you go slow and just clip a tiny bit at a time...trial and error. They just screw together (use some loctite before final assembly). The bezel insert is glued in and the assembly is that weird little paperclip setup so be aware.

2. Someone else will have to chime in here because I honestly can't recall. There are PLENTY of build threads here that discuss it though.

3. I believe you will need a number 1 spacer from Raffles. I have received that case with and without spacer, so it may be best to wait and see on that one. You will also need two movement tabs/screws...

Bob

 

[Thrasher]

Bob is the Man! Good Luck Buddy.

 

[Bubbe Back1]

Thanks very much Bob and Thrasher, much appreciated!

 

[Mendota]

Here's a good idea. Head over to Homage Forum and look at the "6200 build log" thread by a member named Kime. He goes through every single step of the build with macro pics using a Silix case and Athaya crown/tube. Don't worry about his build being for a 6200. The basic principle is the same. You can also buy the crown/tube set right there from Athaya. He has a dealer section there.

One thing you will need is a stem adapter. Athaya will include this with the crown for a couple of bucks. Kime shows exactly how to use the adapter and trim your stem to fit it.

Another great thread right here on this board is in the DIY section. Bonesey shows how to mod a Silix base watch into a great big crown using only the parts that came with the complete watch.

 

[Bubbe Back1]

Here's a good idea. Head over to Homage Forum and look at the "6200 build log" thread by a member named Kime. He goes through every single step of the build with macro pics using a Silix case and Athaya crown/tube. Don't worry about his build being for a 6200. The basic principle is the same. You can also buy the crown/tube set right there from Athaya. He has a dealer section there.

One thing you will need is a stem adapter. Athaya will include this with the crown for a couple of bucks. Kime shows exactly how to use the adapter and trim your stem to fit it.

Another great thread right here on this board is in the DIY section. Bonesey shows how to mod a Silix base watch into a great big crown using only the parts that came with the complete watch.

Mendota,

Thanks for this - great advice. I've just read through the whole of Kime's thread on Homage Forum and he's got some brilliant ideas (as well as great pics). I've read up on some of Bonesey's builds and tutorials as well on this Forum.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[ROLEX1675UAE]

Read also bonesey DIY about the Rolex, you found help about the 6538 build and could be helpful! Link: https://forum.replica-watch.info/vb...How-to-age-your-Vintage-Rolex-(Bonesey-style)

 

[ROLEX1675UAE]

Read also bonesey DIY about the Rolex, you could found help about the 6538 build and could be very helpful!

 

[d4m.test]

It´s a great project. Looks like You researched well already and great answers too.
Suggestions: if there is a readily assembled 6538/ same caseset available I´d get that (including the 2813/movement spacer/movement tabs/stem and crown).
Sizing the stem/ switching over the crown and the tube (at least to me) are the major challenges of the project. I´d recommend ordering 3 spare stems and a stem vice as well.
When ordering from Cousins get some "gen-spec Rolex springbars" in 2mm and 1.8mm as well, they are cheap, very good/solid and the smaller sizes fit if the lugholes have not been drilled; If You are going to age the insert it might be a good idea to also get an insert, personally I like the looks/pearl a lot even if there are better ones.

I really like the look of the gilt dial and hands, imho it improves a lot the 3D look if You put a lume/acrylic white/Nescafé mix on the lume dots;
this is the same dial/hands You´ve chosen after having these I became a "once gilt/always gilt fan"

 

[Bubbe Back1]

Rolex1675UAE and Daywatch - thanks both for your suggestions and advice. I've actually changed my plan slightly and have done what you have recommended Daywatch - am awaiting delivery of a complete Silix watch i.e. with dial/movement etc. The dial and hands have arrived from Raffles Time so I'm just waiting on the watch itself from Silix - I could be about to wreck a perfectly good watch any day now! The Bonesey tutorial will no doubt keep me out of some trouble.

 

[JUANCADO]

For the dial my recomendation is HR. The look is great. Only point is to replace the feet position or change the movement to an ETA 28xx low movement. Regarding the crown the raffles one will suit directly the silix case. Raffles is much better than the one coming with the silix and looks great in person. Pics in raffles web don't do any justice. I can send you some pics if you are interested in this option. Tube doesn't need to be changed.

 

[Mendota]

There is some really cool discussion taking place right now on RWG regarding a new Helenarou dial option. It is custom, so to order it you have to speak directly to him. Some members have approached him with designs for a red depth dial with different depth variations for 6538 / 5510 / Tempus Machina. He's doing it in 29mm with dial feet for ETA 28xx. If you provide him with a 26mm dial plate, he will do it for gen size, as well.

Very cool!

 

[JUANCADO]

I did a custom dial for my 5512, point is that you have to send either in a HD PDF or in adobe ilustrator, if not he can´t use it.
A .jpg, bmp etc conversión into a PDF file is not valid either...
Just pointing out the constrain. I made my 5512 dial like 1 year ago, so maybe things have changed.

 

[Mendota]

I did a custom dial for my 5512, point is that you have to send either in a HD PDF or in adobe ilustrator, if not he can´t use it.
A .jpg, bmp etc conversión into a PDF file is not valid either...
Just pointing out the constrain. I made my 5512 dial like 1 year ago, so maybe things have changed.

They already did it with him. Helenarou has the vector files and the.pdfs already and is producing the dials. One of the members also uploaded them to RWG in the thread so the rest of us can have them if we want. Go check it out.

 

[JUANCADO]

They already did it with him. Helenarou has the vector files and the.pdfs already and is producing the dials. One of the members also uploaded them to RWG in the thread so the rest of us can have them if we want. Go check it out.

Do you have the link to RWI. I haven´t been able to find it. Thanks for the info!

 

[JUANCADO]

Sorry RWG.

 

[Mendota]

Sorry RWG.

Here it is.

http://rwg.cc/index.php?/topic/180337-Tempus-Machina-replica,-how-would-you-do-it?

 

[junbug5150]

I went and found that article last night. Thanks, @Mendota!

 

[Bubbe Back1]

For the dial my recomendation is HR. The look is great. Only point is to replace the feet position or change the movement to an ETA 28xx low movement. Regarding the crown the raffles one will suit directly the silix case. Raffles is much better than the one coming with the silix and looks great in person. Pics in raffles web don't do any justice. I can send you some pics if you are interested in this option. Tube doesn't need to be changed.

Thanks Juancado. Is the Raffles crown better primarily because it looks more gen-like, or is it also a better seal/better gaskets internally as well? I.e. how does it compare to e.g. the Athaya version? I can live with the Silix standard crown for the moment and was planning on upgrading later on to Athaya's (but do not have the hardware to fit the tube myself), but if the Raffles version is much better then I may switch sooner.

Also - does anyone have the latest advice on removing the bezel on the Silix? Following the Bonesey tutorial it looks relatively easy to see the wire thing inside the bezel, but on mine there is no gap so it's impossible to see what you are doing and to get anything down there to slide about inside the bezel.

 

[JUANCADO]

Raffles just have 2 O rings, one in the tuve and 1 in the Crown. So it looks more gen like but has worse seal.
Compared to standard silix is long way better in the look.

As per removing the bezel you are right, latest silix are very tight and there is no gap, so is harder to remove them. Be careful or you will ending up bending the bezel.

Use a knife or similar underneath the bezel. If you do it well you will be able to push the wire against the case and this will give you some spot to remove the bezel.
Placing it back again is even harder....

Good luck if you finally decide to remove it.