beanvatan
Renowned Member
The only downside is that you will have to cut off the dial feet of your dial and get a dial spacer for the movement—otherwise, no issues I can see.
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Datejust T Swiss T dial original?
- Thread starter reinier12
- Start date
Another issue with using the Raffles 2824 case is that it comes with the cyclops further out from the center to match a 2824 DW position,; which is different than the gen 16233 position. So if you plan is to use a gen dial, you will need to use a DWOverlay to move the date numbers closer to the center. To me, this was a lot of effort to achieve a gen-like build. So I purchased a 2824 Raffles case unassembled with a xtal with the cyclops in the "rolex" position; and used a 3135 movement. As pompom suggests, I plan to dremmel the case-back so the rotor will fit and function.
So sounds like I could do a great build without any modding as follows for a 16233. Would really appreciate if you could let me know your thoughts @Nur-Uhr & @beanvatan !!
- Ebay South Korean case
- clone 3135 movement
- Gen dial (I have, will work with tritium hands)
- 16233 bezel
- Gen hands
- get a better Tube which accept a GEN or GEN-spec crown: does this one work? Do I need it with the South Korean case?
- GEN spec crown like such one from Ali
- clarks crystal or swiss grade one or one from watchparts24: does this one work?
- I will use a leather band so no need for a jubilee.
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This sounds good - very good plan.
You can use all these parts and build a very accurate TwoTone DJ.
Afterwards you can always add a TwoTone Jubilee (WSO 14K/SS for example)
The linked parts should all work.
Mvt you can here at RWI cheaper (user: thrillofhunt)
Thank you so much!! Do I indeed need a different tube to fit the South Korean case or no need?
beanvatan
Renowned Member
No, it's a direct fit. However, if your tube is defective, it's rare for a new case from an S.Korea seller. So it would be best to prepare your wallet and avoid falling into the DJ Darkside like me. After the S.Korea case was out on the market, I kept looking for new DJ dials I could get for the next build. And apparently, my wallet screams "Broke!" at the moment. LOL
beanvatan
Renowned Member
I forgot to mention that the case back on the S.Korea cases is very beautiful, very, very gen-like- unlike the raffle's case back.
beanvatan
Renowned Member
The VS3135 movement is a great option! Good choice! However, if you like me and do not care about the hairsprings, there is nothing to beat it except the gen movement. However, please remember that most of the older style DJs will have a 3135 with white/silver hairsprings like the SH3135. The newer model has parachrom-(blue) hairsprings like the VS3135.
beanvatan
Renowned Member
@HubertL, If you need to buy gasket and tubes and all the other stuff for the build, here is the list of the correct parts for the 16233 build, regardless of the years/period you like.
These parts are true to the model. You can use Chinese or Swiss parts, but make sure the parts you buy are the same as those listed above. I am recommending the Swiss Parts as these are very affordable aftermarket. However, if you decide to go full gen for everything--your wallet will scream!
| Crown for Case: | 24-603-8 |
| Tube for Case: | 24-5330-0 |
| Crystal Gasket for Case: | 29-295-1 |
| Case Back Gasket for Case: | 29-310-8 |
| Case Crystal : | Cyclops |
| Sapphire | |
| 25-295C |
These parts are true to the model. You can use Chinese or Swiss parts, but make sure the parts you buy are the same as those listed above. I am recommending the Swiss Parts as these are very affordable aftermarket. However, if you decide to go full gen for everything--your wallet will scream!
@beanvatan & @Nur-Uhr thank you so much!! This is sure to be a very helpful thread for all those looking to build DJs
Any chance you could link to the main eBay seller of S. Korean cases? I’m having a tough time finding them.
Also from my reading it seems like this crown would also work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/234931558024
Any chance you could link to the main eBay seller of S. Korean cases? I’m having a tough time finding them.
Also from my reading it seems like this crown would also work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/234931558024
beanvatan
Renowned Member
S.Korea Case Link
Gen Crown Link ($110)
Used Gen Crown ($100)
The crown you linked will work, but I believe the 604-8 twin lock crown will have two dots under the neat crown logo. While the older style DJs underline the crown logo.
I'm so happy with all the knowledge being shared in this topic, it gives me the confidence to try to do the built all by myself. The nylon gasket as a movement spacer was great advice, this was the last roadblock on my parts list 
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/movement-spacer-ring-to-fit-3135-in-2824-case.10672128/
Thanks all for all the replies, great community here!
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/movement-spacer-ring-to-fit-3135-in-2824-case.10672128/Thanks all for all the replies, great community here!
Well of course now I’m saying to myself things like “well a Gen crystal would be nice” or “how about an actual gold bezel”
Uh oh @beanvatan
Uh oh @beanvatan
beanvatan
Renowned Member
An actual gold bezel of the 16233 is a little harder to find. However, if you ever find one that is on sale. You would need to do the following steps to ensure you're purchasing the correct product, as many times, people are listing the 16013/1603 bezels and claiming them to be 16233.
Step 1
- Hold your gut! and kill that instant buy ability, as these generally go for around $300-$500/piece, and they fly fast!
Step 2- Contact the seller and ask them for the hallmark behind the bezel (it's tough to see). Rolex does, but its logo is in a small circle. The height of the bezel, I believe, would be around 2.75mm, and the WEIGHT is 5.00 grams. Make sure you check for the weight and crystal height. The 16013 and 1603 are shorter in height and weigh only 2.5 grams. These two are the critical information that you need to check! Again, do not skip step 2. If you do, it will cost you a lot of headaches, money, and time wasting.
step 3- After verifying the information about the bezel, you purchase the product and wait for the bezel to arrive. In the meantime, I recommend you grab a good book and a bottle of Macallan, either 12 or 18 (or your choice of fine wine). Enjoy the book and the excellent wine; your bezel will arrive before you know it.
As regards the crystal, again, you have to decide whether you're building a model that is pre-2001 or post-2001. If you are making a pre-2001 DJ, your best option is to go with the plain crystal (when I said plain, I meant no LEC and no AR). I believe Rolex started to put LEC (the Laser Etched Crown) on its sapphire crystal around 2001-2002. I can't remember exactly, but it's there. And AR on its crystal, I believe, around 2004 or so. That said, I think the Clark-crystal will do just fine for the older model (90s-2000), or if you can't find the gen, you can ask our professor here on the forum. I believe he is CONUS; his crystals are proof to be as transparent as day and very much on point with the gen. As for the post-2001, you can find them online with no problem since the LEC and AR are more common nowadays.
- (Click Here to learn more about the professor's crystal)
PS Just FYI, don't go too crazy about the crystal, as if you have a vintage Rolex and are sent in for service, they will replace any old broken parts with the new ones anyway. Most of the time, people have their crystals replaced because of dings, dents, scratches, etc.
Truly great advice, thank you so much.
I’ve found a few seemingly Gen bezels but the price is 7x an aftermarket at least. Tough to make that call and not sure it’s totally worth it.
As for the Crystal, I agree that a Clarks with AR will work for this mid 90s inspired piece. I’m not too serious about period accuracy but prefer something with a good looking crystal that lets the blue dial be very present. Agreed that the LEC is not important based on when it was introduced.
I’d love to build this on my own. The only difficulty will be removing the stock hands from the movement and placing the new ones on. This could either be a great first opportunity or a money pit waiting to happen, as is tradition…
I’ve found a few seemingly Gen bezels but the price is 7x an aftermarket at least. Tough to make that call and not sure it’s totally worth it.
As for the Crystal, I agree that a Clarks with AR will work for this mid 90s inspired piece. I’m not too serious about period accuracy but prefer something with a good looking crystal that lets the blue dial be very present. Agreed that the LEC is not important based on when it was introduced.
I’d love to build this on my own. The only difficulty will be removing the stock hands from the movement and placing the new ones on. This could either be a great first opportunity or a money pit waiting to happen, as is tradition…
One more question. I saw some post on the forum of people that used Rafflesdials Datejust hands with VR3135. Does anyone here know what Datejust hands from Rafflesdials might work with the VR3135? Thanks!
The hands needs to be "broached" to fit the 3135 mvt. - take the Raffles "longer post fit hands for 36mm (Day-Date / Datejust)" , they will look the most accurate.