Another Moonswatch metal case project

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

Side note, I’m still waiting for that Corgeut / Neitan case from AliX, but someone just posted their build with it on Reddit which might assuage some of our fears that the moonswatch dial wouldn’t fit properly

https://www.reddit.com/r/MoonSwatches/comments/1h6bdp5

 

[AleosMadPa]

If I recall correctly thats how it worked in the original case of the DHGate moonswatches I got. The movement holders had little "flaps" which helped to bridge the gap the pushers had...

Still waiting on my shrink tubes to finish the mod on the first one

 

[Pomodoro]

Hey guys,

Got insprired by @Karbon74 's Green mod and decided to have a go!

Thought that it could make a nice Christmas themed watch that I could also wear throughout the year.
The bezel is slightly green tinged as well, but it looks more black under most lighting,

Switching out the hands to be white without proper tools was definitely rough, but 100% worth it when I saw the finished product.

Let me know if you guys like it!

 

[pippo]

Side note, I’m still waiting for that Corgeut / Neitan case from AliX, but someone just posted their build with it on Reddit which might assuage some of our fears that the moonswatch dial wouldn’t fit properly

I was checking that post and I have doubts tbh.
I can see a black circle around that dial.

 

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

I was checking that post and I have doubts tbh.
I can see a black circle around that dial.

Hm, good eye! Strange that the case is slightly too large. I suppose you could use one of the metal chapter rings the reps come with to ‘hide’ the gapping, but that is weird. I’ll report back when mine arrives as well.

 

[Karbon74]

Hm, good eye! Strange that the case is slightly too large. I suppose you could use one of the metal chapter rings the reps come with to ‘hide’ the gapping, but that is weird. I’ll report back when mine arrives as well.

Good eyes. Looks like the dial is floating on the spacer. He should add that ugly metal ring

 

[Tippyracer]

Putting up a pic of a build I've been wearing a lot lately.

 

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

I was indeed wrong, the Neitan case is slightly too large. I will say it also requires a 34mm spacer like the Watchdives 1860 case, but it seems the lip (or lack thereof) is made for a 32.5mm. What’s weird is even the Pagani dial (which is VK63, 32.5mm) doesn’t easily fit the case either - I figured I’d try it and yet no matter what I do it will not sit flat, and that’s using the spacer it came with.

I guess all of the tolerances on the case are just slightly wrong, which is a bummer. The bracelet is also huge, even after removing all removable links.

It does seem passable with a black dial (at least I couldn’t detect the edges at all, even with a flashlight) but still.

 

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

It's not correct, and not 1:1 with moonswatch or moonwatch

Just an improvement over the 1861.

I havnt even been able to get confirmation if crystal is attached to bezel like Ali/Jason cases or pops off like gen/Pagani. Watchdives wouldn't answer. Don't think crystal size is genlike either

Can confirm the bezel is attached to the crystal, and can also confirm that the casebacks are not interchangeable - the rep caseback does not screw onto the Watchdives case, and the blank Watchdives caseback does not screw onto the Pagani case. The rep caseback also is still thicker than the Watchdives one (3.9mm vs. 3.3mm), so it would've added 0.6mm to the Watchdives case even if it did fit. Was going to try to put the Watchdives bezel onto the Pagani after learning that, but no dice since they're constructed differently.

 

[pippo]

I was indeed wrong, the Neitan case is slightly too large. I will say it also requires a 34mm spacer like the Watchdives 1860 case, but it seems the lip (or lack thereof) is made for a 32.5mm. What’s weird is even the Pagani dial (which is VK63, 32.5mm) doesn’t easily fit the case either - I figured I’d try it and yet no matter what I do it will not sit flat, and that’s using the spacer it came with.

I guess all of the tolerances on the case are just slightly wrong, which is a bummer. The bracelet is also huge, even after removing all removable links.

It does seem passable with a black dial (at least I couldn’t detect the edges at all, even with a flashlight) but still.

  

Thanks mate for the insight.
Your black built looks great, given the thickness of the case and the price paid I'd say it was well worth the try

 

[Karbon74]

I was indeed wrong, the Neitan case is slightly too large. I will say it also requires a 34mm spacer like the Watchdives 1860 case, but it seems the lip (or lack thereof) is made for a 32.5mm. What’s weird is even the Pagani dial (which is VK63, 32.5mm) doesn’t easily fit the case either - I figured I’d try it and yet no matter what I do it will not sit flat, and that’s using the spacer it came with.

I guess all of the tolerances on the case are just slightly wrong, which is a bummer. The bracelet is also huge, even after removing all removable links.

It does seem passable with a black dial (at least I couldn’t detect the edges at all, even with a flashlight) but still.

Take the metal ring from the rep. Paint it black (or brush it) and put it in.

It might give an interesting look

 

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

Take the metal ring from the rep. Paint it black (or brush it) and put it in.

It might give an interesting look

Tried that as well, looked wonky with the crystal and was unfortunately also too small, as they're just the same size as the dials they're made to sit on top of, rather than actually being wider it would at least potentially sit properly with a 34mm spacer; maybe I'll hold onto it until I can pick one of those up. The bracelet was actually kinda nice aside from being gigantic, which is an additional bummer.

 

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

For reference, the Corgeut/Neiton case also does not work with the replica Omega caseback.

I also realized I've sort of unfairly been measuring the replica caseback's thickness, since it's really more of a 3.4mm disc with a 0.5mm center bump out for the Speedmaster logo. When you're wearing it, since that bump out is only in the middle of the caseback, I think it sinks into your wrist and doesn't actually make it sit higher up, so the full build measures at 14.5mm, it probably actually wears closer to 14mm. With the domed sapphire raising to a point in the center you could probably say it wears closer to a 13.9mm, which brings it in line with that Watchdives 1860 and would explain why, when they're next to each other, they really don't seem that different in outer structure, just in design aesthetic.

 

[roflwaffle]

Can confirm the bezel is attached to the crystal, and can also confirm that the casebacks are not interchangeable - the rep caseback does not screw onto the Watchdives case, and the blank Watchdives caseback does not screw onto the Pagani case. The rep caseback also is still thicker than the Watchdives one (3.9mm vs. 3.3mm), so it would've added 0.6mm to the Watchdives case even if it did fit. Was going to try to put the Watchdives bezel onto the Pagani after learning that, but no dice since they're constructed differently.

Thanks!
And gross.. folks keep claiming the WD is the better watch, but this is not a great way to construct a case. pity they dont make a better bezel or aluminum bezel insert for the paganis.

 

[Karbon74]

Thanks!
And gross.. folks keep claiming the WD is the better watch, but this is not a great way to construct a case. pity they dont make a better bezel or aluminum bezel insert for the paganis.

The WD is a better looking watch for a homage used as is.
One look at it in hand and I sent it back for refund. It’s not a modder’s watch.

 

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

The WD is a better looking watch for a homage used as is.
One look at it in hand and I sent it back for refund. It’s not a modder’s watch.

I’d agree with that - I’m crossing my fingers the WD1863 is better all around, but we’ll see.

The 1860 bezel truly is better in every way than the Pagani’s, so a replacement bezel would be nice.

Their dial is better than Pagani’s too, though that matters less for our purposes! Still wish it had the circular textured subdials though, then maybe it’d be worth holding onto as-is.

 

[DapperDoctorHolmes]

Plus I’ve already got too many options for which to wear every morning as it is!

 

[Tippyracer]

I've been waffling in finishing 2 watches, can't decide what insert to use. Then I thought "you guys have great eyes and of are exquisite taste"
Care to voice an opinion on what color insert looks better?
First in question:

 

[Tippyracer]

And second in question:



I have to say that the silver insert "stands out" and seems more white in these pictures than they do in person, it blends into the steel case more naturally with the eye. FWIW

 

[Karbon74]

I would keep the black insert with that NATO

If you go for the silver insert, i would shift to a distressed vintage brown leather, or a black rally leather
When you choose the leather, take one that tapers to 16mm at buckle