Making a Rolerai with a Molnija movement

[MadeOfCheese]

Looking for a little advice here chaps...

Just bought a couple of cheap vintage russian watches on the bay with Molnija 3601 mvmts in them.

They're pretty cool vintage pieces on their own to be honest, but I had an idea about turning one of the movements into a nice aged rolerai.

Something with a 47mm radiomir case, aged dial (radiomir or rolex), plexi, and a glass caseback to see the nice movement.

Trouble is, both these movements have russian engraving on them, so this will need to be ground down before the "Rolex" and other markings can be engraved onto it.

http://www.ebay.co.u...#ht_4793wt_1141
http://www.ebay.co.u...8#ht_500wt_1044

So, 2 questions:

1) Is the removal and replacement of the engraving possible?

2) Can anyone recommend someone to do the work?

Thanks in advance guys
Cheese

 

[Bonesey]

I guess it could be done. You would lose the nice CDG patterning on the movement. Goin can engrave the bridges so I guess you could ask him.

I'm currently building two homage pieces using the 3601 Molnija movements like yours. To be honest I really like the russian engravings, but each to their own.

 

[MadeOfCheese]

To be honest I really like the russian engravings, but each to their own.

Good point, and I must admit I like them as well. Could well be that I end up making a bitsa homage instead

Bonesey, will the 3601 fit into a 3646 caseset, or just a 6152?

Forgive the noob questions, I'm really new to this and I expect there's gonna be a very steep learning curve.

Feel like the vintages are gonna be worth it though

 

[COLDI]

It will fit into both cases...just make sure you get the right movement ring and dial size for the case and you are golden

 

[MadeOfCheese]

Good to know - thanks!

 

[Bonesey]

Good point, and I must admit I like them as well. Could well be that I end up making a bitsa homage instead

Bonesey, will the 3601 fit into a 3646 caseset, or just a 6152?

Forgive the noob questions, I'm really new to this and I expect there's gonna be a very steep learning curve.

Feel like the vintages are gonna be worth it though

I can take a bog standard rolex rep and vintage it in one day. Vintage panerai is a whole different ball game. Waiting on parts from here there and everywhere, parts compatibility, tweaking parts to get the perfect fit and finish. Exhausting!

Have you been over to Homageforum.com? That's the best resource (IMHO) for sourcing parts and information on this sort of stuff.

 

[MadeOfCheese]

Yep, just registered there, thanks for the tip!

re: vintage rolex - funny you should say that. I just had a (very crude) go at ageing a cheap DRSD I got from Reg. Pretty hamfisted job and I haven't done anything to the dial yet, but already feels better than the fresh rep.

I'll put some pics up on a new thread for assassination soon

 

[jbetts1790]

the 3601 or 3602 fits into any Pam case, as long as you have a movement ring like Bonesey said. They are great movements, I have a couple in my builds! Good luck, and be sure to let us know how it goes

 

[MadeOfCheese]

Thanks - I will.

I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more of my dumb questions before you see any progress though

 

[nielsen]

Have you checked out Gordon 'Nightwatch'? His stuff is staggering, if you ask me! Here's the link:

http://www.vintagewatchparts.co.uk/index.php?id=91

 

[MadeOfCheese]

Yeah I've been drooling over his site for far too long today

 

[frigpig]

Have you checked out Gordon 'Nightwatch'? His stuff is staggering, if you ask me! Here's the link:

http://www.vintagewatchparts.co.uk/index.php?id=91

He won't work on Russian movements anymore........

I'd put in a solid caseback.

Your biggest issue right now is the stems.

 

[Bonesey]

There is a guy on HF does molnija stems to fit 6497 crowns. Can't remember his nick, but his name is Andy and has a dealer section. Shurhren or something.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

 

[mellons]

moc: gordon is your best bet or dsn

dsn has stick-on plates for molinja 3602 movements- iir he used them in rolerai 6152 builds

otherwise go to nightwatch: he sterilises molinja 3601's, re-plates and engraved them as well as cp change form 3602. Not sure if he still does them: there are 2 corteberts engraved he has for sale at moment

 

[MadeOfCheese]

Cheers Mel.

I had a few of the DSN plated builds. They're well done, but they just don't look authentic.

Think I'm gonna stick with the undoctored moly. Humble yet with integrity

 

[mellons]

my 50c- the early salut or pre 1950 mollies are very nice: highly decorated and reminiscent of the rolex decorated movements...

i have an engraved nightwatch molly and these early mollies give it a run for its money mounted.

only issue with them is a high cp mod will not work from a 3602- easy way out is use athaya's high collar hands....