Franken Rolex Datejust build with VS 3135

[369mafia]

Sorry to hear that a family heirloom was stolen from you Is this watch a replica of your grandfathers original ? same style of dial?

great build. I too have not seen anyone file down a movement like this I would be concerned about particles getting into the movement well done , it looks fantastic. Its too bad that your father wasn't very interested in your masterpiece . I hope you have a sense of pride for you efforts for your watch and when you build a watch from the ground up, you develop a bond with it. to me it is more sentimental and important than just buying another watch.

congrats on a fine build.

 

[FaberNewBuilder]

this is the link

Oh it's the same ref as the author of this thread. A VR3135 as is will not fit. You will either have to do what he did which was shaving off a bit of the brass from the movement or get a completely different movement

 

[matzemedia]

Do you have any idea what clone mechanism is best for Gen 3035 cal? Also I want to use the original datewheel.

As far as i know, most people use 2824 movements. There are no gen datewheels for this, of course. I do not know of a replica for the 3035. As you can see I used a VS 3135. There you can mount gen datewheel and hands form 3035. But you have to remove some material from the movement. This is a bit dangerous and radical.

 

[TheAmazingMrZ]

It is a very nice watch, so I found a seller who sells glass, case, crown for 2600 dollars on chrono24. I want to buy it. Most likely, I will use the vs3135 movement, but I got very stressed because it wouldn't fit in the case. Do you have any idea what clone mechanism is best for Gen 3035 cal? Also I want to use the original datewheel.

Don’t bother spending that much on a case set. In the past week I’ve seen several 1601 models (without bracelets) on eBay go for $2.45k, $3.1k, $2.88k, $2.8k, and $2.9k. I’ve also seen 2 case sets go for $575 and $685. Prices are definitely starting to normalized on these parts.

I’m in the middle of a similar build. For my build I have the same linen dial, engined turned bezel, a reshaped raffles case and a Clark 25-135 acrylic crystal. I plan on using a VS3135 (still need to source). I haven’t decided on either getting a 604 crown or 603. It’s seems really easy to find the newer 604 now and both are ~$80-100 (They use the same case tube unlike to 600 “fat“ crown of the 1601) though technically the 603 is the period correct one.

One question I have: What are some decent aftermarket hands?


P.s. great build on this thread btw. Really a model example.

 

[rockdaytona]

Great strap! Where from?

 

[MR. Blaze]

Amazing. My personal opinion, this is the coolest DJ dial out there!

 

[TheAmazingMrZ]

Amazing. My personal opinion, this is the coolest DJ dial out there!

Believe it or not but I got one for $23 off eBay. There really are some deals to be had if you keep looking!

 

[matzemedia]

Great strap! Where from?

it is a strap from ali

 

[Obscuranocte]

Great build out of a sad story
You rule m8
Congrats

 

[vintagepassioneurope]

Great build!
Congratulation!
I've tried many times to fit the clone 3135 movement into a 16014 gen case set (also into a 16030 and 16013!)
And i've always found the same big problem: the 3135 clone won't work in the 16000 DJ cases because of the stem height
So, not because of the diameter (it fits) but because of the sterm height.
How did you solve this problem? If the sterm is not perfectly alligned, It's not a good job!
Thank you for your advice.

 

[pompompurin]

So, not because of the diameter (it fits) but because of the sterm height.

Without modification, the 3135 clone movement will never fit a gen 16000 series datejust case properly because of the 3135 clone movement's larger diameter. The 3135 clone movement only fits partially in a gen 16000 series datejust case, but the crown/stem/tube height is completely off because much of the movement is sticking out (due to the 3135 clone movement's larger diameter which prevents it from being positioned higher up in the gen 16000 series datejust case).

I think you might have misunderstood how the 3135 clone movement and dial should be positioned higher up in the gen 16000 series datejust case.

 

[matzemedia]

I haven't had any issues with the steam hight.

 

[McDuck888]

Dream watch right there. That's very pretty.

 

[Patek570fan]

@matzemedia would you mind sharing your method for dremeling the VS3135? I got my hands on a 16013 case set and am thinking about going this way. Thanks!

 

[matzemedia]

@matzemedia would you mind sharing your method for dremeling the VS3135? I got my hands on a 16013 case set and am thinking about going this way. Thanks!

There is really not al lot to explain. I used a dremel with a thin metal cutting discs. That helps to get a focus at a small point. Than I just go round the movement till the diameter was correct. It took some time till the movement fit into the case. You can try this method with a coin.
Remove the screw that fit the dial. So you don't destroy them. I think the most difficult part is to avoid that metal dust goes into the movement.

 

[idinwo01]

Great build! I’d love to know where you bought that aftermarket date wheel

 

[matzemedia]

Great build! I’d love to know where you bought that aftermarket date wheel

It is a WO Datewheel. WO stands for WHOLESALEOUTLET990 at ebay. Here you can order this datewheel: https://ewatchparts.com/replacement-date-disc-for-rolex-3135-3155-3175-3185-open-6-9-3135-16200-white-ewp933079476

 

[idinwo01]

It is a WO Datewheel. WO stands for WHOLESALEOUTLET990 at ebay. Here you can order this datewheel: https://ewatchparts.com/replacement-date-disc-for-rolex-3135-3155-3175-3185-open-6-9-3135-16200-white-ewp933079476

Are you happy with the quality of it?

 

[matzemedia]

Are you happy with the quality of it?

It is not a gen datedisc. But it is ok. The prices for this gen datedisc is about 300EUR. So the WO datedisc corresponds to the price-performance ratio.

 

[idinwo01]

It is not a gen datedisc. But it is ok. The prices for this gen datedisc is about 300EUR. So the WO datedisc corresponds to the price-performance ratio.

Awesome, thanks for the info!