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Cheapest Movement To Fit Rolex 1500 Date Case? (HELP!)

kaffi

Do not accept unsolicited offers
13/5/16
1
0
0
Hi, I'm new to the world of modding and franken watches. I've had the idea of building a franken for quite some time now, and I've chosen to go down the route of using a 1500 case that I bought on eBay while drunk a couple of nights ago.

I have a few questions if anyone could help, I'd really appreciate if you could answer any of them:
1)Where would I be able to get my hands on a crown to fit this case?
2)What is the best, and cheapest movement I can get that is literally plug-and-play for this case? I am aware that ETA movements can be modified to fit them with a spacer + datewheel overlay, but I'd prefer to just go straight into it and get the thing assembled with as little molestation as is possible.
3)I've been told by a few people that there are watches out there with the date window in EXACTLY the right position for the movement to more or less drop right into the case, and work perfectly fine. I'm happy with either automatic, manual wind, or quartz (yikes, that's desperation folks!) if the price is low enough.

Thank you very much for reading, and if you could help a noobie out it'd be super appreciated ;_; cheers!
 

tripdog

Super Moderator
Staff member
Global Moderator
Certified
9/7/12
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Hi, I'm new to the world of modding and franken watches. I've had the idea of building a franken for quite some time now, and I've chosen to go down the route of using a 1500 case that I bought on eBay while drunk a couple of nights ago.

I have a few questions if anyone could help, I'd really appreciate if you could answer any of them:
1)Where would I be able to get my hands on a crown to fit this case?
2)What is the best, and cheapest movement I can get that is literally plug-and-play for this case? I am aware that ETA movements can be modified to fit them with a spacer + datewheel overlay, but I'd prefer to just go straight into it and get the thing assembled with as little molestation as is possible.
3)I've been told by a few people that there are watches out there with the date window in EXACTLY the right position for the movement to more or less drop right into the case, and work perfectly fine. I'm happy with either automatic, manual wind, or quartz (yikes, that's desperation folks!) if the price is low enough.

Thank you very much for reading, and if you could help a noobie out it'd be super appreciated ;_; cheers!

1. Gen - Ebay. Rep - Raffles Time.
2. Best & cheapest - no such thing. Best would be a gen Rolex movement, followed by a gen ETA 2824, followed by a clone 2824, followed a low beat movement such as DG2813. The only "plug & play" movement would be the original movement by Rolex. The others will require work & effort to make them fit.
3. These are known as Rolex Movements. :laugh:

Seriously, part of the fun in building a watch is, well, building the watch. Your trying to skip all that because it doesn't interest you.

Jerkstore has done a very good tutorial on datejust/frankens. You should read it before starting anything.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/143158-How-to-make-a-frankenjust
 

KBH

Mythical Poster
1/11/07
7,168
43
48
The case you bought is considered a "unisex" model as it is only 34mm. I hope you bought it with a dial because your options are much more limited than with a Datejust.

And as tripdog just said, there is no easy plug and play way to a franken. You'll also need the proper hands depending on what movement you attempt to install which are not standard readily available DJ hands. Finding a movement ring that fits is going to be much more difficult than using a DJ case.

You might be better off selling the case until you're ready to do some serious modding. Then start with a gen DJ 16xxx case and a pocket full of spendable cash.
 

ffantini

Do not accept unsolicited offers
11/7/17
10
0
1
My two cents, you could arrange for a franken with an 3135 clone movement and Datejust dial that should have same dimensions and date position.
 

Drummania

Renowned Member
8/6/12
632
86
28
You can fit 2824 using a ring. If you don’t like DWO, there may be no date 27mm dial you can find to fit in.

Or maybe just sell the case?


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