First build | Rolex datejust 16233 champagne Tapestry dial Build

[Criptix]

Hi everyone,



I've been interested in watches for a while now, and a few years back, I purchased my first Rolex. While I still cherish that piece, I'm now on the lookout for something to pair with my Datejust. The datejust 16233 with a gold tapestry dial has always caught my eye.



I'm keen on building a stunning 16233 and have done some research on the matter. I came across Raffles Dials, a well-known supplier that offers everything one needs to build a vintage replica at a reasonable price. However, as I looked deeper into the matter, I found that there are alternative options that might be slightly better in terms of the case, dial, crystal, and hands.



I was hoping to connect with people who have already built a 16233 and get some recommendations from them.

Dial - I'm considering purchasing this item from eBay. Do you believe it's worth the price, or would you suggest paying a bit more for a pristine one instead?

Case - raffles

Date wheel - raffles

Bracelet - raffles

Hands - raffles

Movement - I've only read positive reviews about this product, but I'm not certain if you have any other recommendations or know of a place where it can be purchased at a lower price. Could you offer any suggestions?



Please advise me on which parts are worth spending more on, and whether any other parts are better suited for genuine options. Thank you, and have a great day!

 

[RDRoss]

Well you are in luck @pompompurin has a few detailed build logs up and he is an amazing builder / modder. Have a look at a few of his build logs / posts. And he is also an amazing fella so you might even be able to reach out to him for advice.
In regards to raffles cases they tend to need a bit of work but are viable options. If you want to use a 3135 clone you may want to look at the cases @stonep (I think it was him at least) has sourced from Korea I believe.

 

[Feefo]

Hi and welcome to RWI!
With the amount of reading you did and effort you put in your research there'd be no need to post in the flame free zone. I think you could have posted directly in the tech section and get more visibility from the experts than here. If you want I can move this there.
In any case, first post, let me give you the intro speech.
I advise you to read (if not yet happened) the stickies in the new members area, where you'll learn some basic forum rules and get some useful advice.
For anything else, there's @eBoy and me, we will be happy to assist (although, don't ask me tech questions...).
Good luck with your build!

 

[Winni1611]

I'm just into my first build too. I use Raffles parts for this, they are cheap, fit well togegher
and if something goes wrong you don't destroy Das much money. So I would Suggest to go
This way for a first build. With growing experience I will go to more expensive parts
like these from rubys.
As mentioned there are a lot of useful threads here and also many helpful members.
Wish you much fun on this way

 

[Criptix]

Hi and welcome to RWI!
With the amount of reading you did and effort you put in your research there'd be no need to post in the flame free zone. I think you could have posted directly in the tech section and get more visibility from the experts than here. If you want I can move this there.
In any case, first post, let me give you the intro speech.
I advise you to read (if not yet happened) the stickies in the new members area, where you'll learn some basic forum rules and get some useful advice.
For anything else, there's @eBoy and me, we will be happy to assist (although, don't ask me tech questions...).
Good luck with your build!

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. If you believe that my post would be better suited in another section, please feel free to move it. However, I have already received valuable information from the helpful gentlemen who have commented. I am delighted to be a part of this community now.

 

[Criptix]

I'm just into my first build too. I use Raffles parts for this, they are cheap, fit well togegher
and if something goes wrong you don't destroy Das much money. So I would Suggest to go
This way for a first build. With growing experience I will go to more expensive parts
like these from rubys.
As mentioned there are a lot of useful threads here and also many helpful members.
Wish you much fun on this way

Thank you, and I wish you the best of luck with your build. May I ask what it is that you are constructing?

 

[Winni1611]

I'm building a 6538 ( James Bond big crown. Love the look. I posted about it in the vintage section

 

[Criptix]

Well you are in luck @pompompurin has a few detailed build logs up and he is an amazing builder / modder. Have a look at a few of his build logs / posts. And he is also an amazing fella so you might even be able to reach out to him for advice.
In regards to raffles cases they tend to need a bit of work but are viable options. If you want to use a 3135 clone you may want to look at the cases @stonep (I think it was him at least) has sourced from Korea I believe.

Thank you for your detailed response. I will definitely check out both of the users you mentioned. I was wondering if his cases are plug-and-play? As for modding, I plan to start later when I am more familiar with the different methods. However, for my first build, I would like to keep it as simple as possible.

 

[Criptix]

Well you are in luck @pompompurin has a few detailed build logs up and he is an amazing builder / modder. Have a look at a few of his build logs / posts. And he is also an amazing fella so you might even be able to reach out to him for advice.
In regards to raffles cases they tend to need a bit of work but are viable options. If you want to use a 3135 clone you may want to look at the cases @stonep (I think it was him at least) has sourced from Korea I believe.

Thank you for your detailed response. I will definitely check out both of the users you mentioned. I was wondering if his cases are plug-and-play? As for modding, I plan to start later when I am more familiar with the different methods. However, for my first build, I would like to keep it as simple as possible.

 

[Criptix]

I'm building a 6538 ( James Bond big crown. Love the look. I posted about it in the vintage section

Sweet!

 

[Winni1611]

Would be nice if you documentat the process too, take pictures of the steps and create a thread
about it. Would be interesting for the community it think.

 

[restandrelaxation]

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. If you believe that my post would be better suited in another section, please feel free to move it. However, I have already received valuable information from the helpful gentlemen who have commented. I am delighted to be a part of this community now.

Hi, welcome to the forum.
From one newbie to another, I can't tell you how much of a difference it has made to my experience to become a supporter, it opens up parts of the forum that weren't there before!
A small price to pay for $30.
Would you be so kind as to show us pictures of your build as you do it. I'm really interested in this.

 

[Criptix]

Would be nice if you documentat the process too, take pictures of the steps and create a thread
about it. Would be interesting for the community it think.

Sure i can do that no problem

 

[Criptix]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
From one newbie to another, I can't tell you how much of a difference it has made to my experience to become a supporter, it opens up parts of the forum that weren't there before!
A small price to pay for $30.
Would you be so kind as to show us pictures of your build as you do it. I'm really interested in this.

$30 is not a significant amount, so I will definitely consider it. I plan to take pictures of everything and document the process as well.

 

[restandrelaxation]

$30 is not a significant amount, so I will definitely consider it. I plan to take pictures of everything and document the process as well.

Brilliant, I look forward to seeing it in progress, I've not built before either so I'm really keen to see this being done by a first timer. I've been wondering if this is something I could do. In my head I'm thinking 'I can take a watch apart, and put it back together again, how hard can it be?'
In reality I'm sure it's much more difficult than that....
Only time will tell I suppose.

 

[Criptix]

Brilliant, I look forward to seeing it in progress, I've not built before either so I'm really keen to see this being done by a first timer. I've been wondering if this is something I could do. In my head I'm thinking 'I can take a watch apart, and put it back together again, how hard can it be?'
In reality I'm sure it's much more difficult than that....
Only time will tell I suppose.

I am extremely excited about this project because I have always been fond of this watch. In the past, I had two chances to purchase it, but I declined because the price was not reasonable. However, I regret that decision immensely. This watch was the catalyst that led me to the RWI forum, and I'm thrilled about the new hobby it has introduced me to. We'll see how it goes!

 

[Winni1611]

Brilliant, I look forward to seeing it in progress, I've not built before either so I'm really keen to see this being done by a first timer. I've been wondering if this is something I could do. In my head I'm thinking 'I can take a watch apart, and put it back together again, how hard can it be?'
In reality I'm sure it's much more difficult than that....
Only time will tell I suppose.

As said it's much fun going this way. You need some hardware but it's not that much for the beginning
Just try it, you'l see beginning with a raffles parts build is not that difficult and wearing a watch you'v build by yourself is very satisfying.

 

[aeroxmhr46]

Hi everyone,



I've been interested in watches for a while now, and a few years back, I purchased my first Rolex. While I still cherish that piece, I'm now on the lookout for something to pair with my Datejust. The datejust 16233 with a gold tapestry dial has always caught my eye.



I'm keen on building a stunning 16233 and have done some research on the matter. I came across Raffles Dials, a well-known supplier that offers everything one needs to build a vintage replica at a reasonable price. However, as I looked deeper into the matter, I found that there are alternative options that might be slightly better in terms of the case, dial, crystal, and hands.



I was hoping to connect with people who have already built a 16233 and get some recommendations from them.

Dial - I'm considering purchasing this item from eBay. Do you believe it's worth the price, or would you suggest paying a bit more for a pristine one instead?

Case - raffles

Date wheel - raffles

Bracelet - raffles

Hands - raffles

Movement - I've only read positive reviews about this product, but I'm not certain if you have any other recommendations or know of a place where it can be purchased at a lower price. Could you offer any suggestions?



Please advise me on which parts are worth spending more on, and whether any other parts are better suited for genuine options. Thank you, and have a great day!

I have collected all the pieces for the same build as you! but with all gen except movement(2836,DWO)
I'm using a gen 16013 case and gen Tudor hands.
If you need advice on spending incurred I can help you!

 

[Criptix]

I have collected all the pieces for the same build as you! but with all gen except movement(2836,DWO)
I'm using a gen 16013 case and gen Tudor hands.
If you need advice on spending incurred I can help you!

Wow, your watch looks amazing! I'm really impressed. I'm curious to know which parts you think are worth going for the genuine option, and if you wouldn't mind sharing the prices with me? Specifically, I'm having trouble choosing the dial because the shades of gold look different in every picture. Also, I'm considering getting genuine hands, but I'm not sure how to ensure that they are authentic. Could you please share some tips or advice? Thank you

 

[MounMoun]

I always wanted to build my own watch but never got around to it because of numerous things. This topic brought me back and will follow this closely. Can't wait for the photo's. @aeroxmhr46 are you documentating as well? Gen parts are for me also a wish when building. Would be awesome to see how/where you sourced the parts and the procedure to follow. Good look too both!