Franken Rolex Datejust build with VS 3135

[silentflight]

Any reliability issues with the modified movement?

 

[BHtrade]

Here comes the story about putting everything together. The Rolex 16030 case was delivered with a 3035 movement. The fact that a lot of people remove the movement from the Datejust and use it as replacement in more popular watches, the Datejust parts are affordable. I decided to buy a VS 3135 movement because I had some good experience. It is reliable and most similar to the original 3135. But what I did not know, it is not identical in size to a 3035 movement. To fit it into the case, I have to reduce the diameter of the movement or increase the diameter of the case. Working on an original case is beyond my limits. So, I decided to work on the movement and dremel it. It was a painful process and the first time that I realized that the movement is built from bras.

How did you drembel it?

 

[matzemedia]

How did you drembel it?

Here I tried to give some advice: https://forum.replica-watch.info/th...ld-with-vs-3135.10919812/page-2#post-11237428

 

[Tony-Soprano]

Here comes the story about putting everything together. The Rolex 16030 case was delivered with a 3035 movement. The fact that a lot of people remove the movement from the Datejust and use it as replacement in more popular watches, the Datejust parts are affordable. I decided to buy a VS 3135 movement because I had some good experience. It is reliable and most similar to the original 3135. But what I did not know, it is not identical in size to a 3035 movement. To fit it into the case, I have to reduce the diameter of the movement or increase the diameter of the case. Working on an original case is beyond my limits. So, I decided to work on the movement and dremel it. It was a painful process and the first time that I realized that the movement is built from bras.

You absolute monster and genius lol that's certainly one way of fitting a 3135 into a gen 160XX case! How did it hold up after years of wear, still have it?

 

[matzemedia]

You absolute monster and genius lol that's certainly one way of fitting a 3135 into a gen 160XX case! How did it hold up after years of wear, still have it?

You're right, that really is an unconventional way of making movement and case compatible.
In fact, I rarely wear the watch. That also gives me the idea of taking it out again.
Yes, it's still running. Just like it was initially. The rate values are good. My biggest concern was that I would spread fine grinding dust in the movement and the movement would have poor rate values in the medium future. But it seems to have gone well.

 

[Tony-Soprano]

You're right, that really is an unconventional way of making movement and case compatible.
In fact, I rarely wear the watch. That also gives me the idea of taking it out again.
Yes, it's still running. Just like it was initially. The rate values are good. My biggest concern was that I would spread fine grinding dust in the movement and the movement would have poor rate values in the medium future. But it seems to have gone well.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking when I saw your post on it. Getting that microdust into the movement possibly damaging it but looks like you did a stellar job on it! What a great build, unfortunate it doesn't get much wrist time!

 

[Aaafff]

Beautiful build.

 

[TaliaWatch]

Here comes the story about putting everything together. The Rolex 16030 case was delivered with a 3035 movement. The fact that a lot of people remove the movement from the Datejust and use it as replacement in more popular watches, the Datejust parts are affordable. I decided to buy a VS 3135 movement because I had some good experience. It is reliable and most similar to the original 3135. But what I did not know, it is not identical in size to a 3035 movement. To fit it into the case, I have to reduce the diameter of the movement or increase the diameter of the case. Working on an original case is beyond my limits. So, I decided to work on the movement and dremel it. It was a painful process and the first time that I realized that the movement is built from bras.

Which part of the movement did you dremel? I heard Someone somewhere sanding down the date plate down.

I am having a similar issue with a VS3135 in a 15000 case meant for the 3035. The clamp screws will not fit under the lip of the gen case.

 

[HerrMoreira]

Jeezas! You are a hero just by trying to pull this off

 

[turbo911]

Great project, congrats! great watch and i love practical methods to solve problems

i am currently thinking about installing a 3135 in my 16800 which also features a case for 3035. Maybe i will give it a try.
As far as i see its "only" the date plate which needs shaving? So you could remove it from the movement to make the handling a bit easier.

 

[matzemedia]

Which part of the movement did you dremel?

Well, it is now over 2 years ago. I don't remamber exactly where i removed material. It was just at the outer diameter. Here I Put another image I've found.




If you already started reducing the diameter at the movement. Add a dial at the movement, but it into the case and check if the dial touch the case. If not, you have to remove more material.

 

[matzemedia]

As far as i see its "only" the date plate which needs shaving? So you could remove it from the movement to make the handling a bit easier.

Yes, that would make everything much easier. I did not had the bolls to do it.

 

[turbo911]

Yes, that would make everything much easier. I did not had the bolls to do it.

in your last pic it looks like its definately more than just the date disc

 

[TaliaWatch]

Well, it is now over 2 years ago. I don't remamber exactly where i removed material. It was just at the outer diameter. Here I Put another image I've found.




If you already started reducing the diameter at the movement. Add a dial at the movement, but it into the case and check if the dial touch the case. If not, you have to remove more material.

I’m right there. I dremeled the date disk plate down to the dial size, thinking that would be enough. Nope. Still can’t get the case screws under the lip. Now I’ll have to dremel more of the movement. Fingers crossed I dont get any metal shavings into the gear train or balance.