Nes and want to build my own rolex

[Karbon74]

OP if you are really interested in doing some DIY reps building, take a look at Karbon74's journal. He does an exceptional job on this:

Journal de bord de @Karbon74

Hello, j'ouvre ce thread comme journal de bord de mes incursions en modding... Prologue. Achats divers et variés sur AliX d'outils basiques. J'ai envie d'essayer mais je ne sais pas si ça va me plaire ou si je vais y arriver. L'objectif est de modder bracelet, lunette, cadran et...

forum.replica-watch.info

Yes, this is me trying to be helpful.

OMG, you made me read again the first post of that journal

I remember how my hands were shaking like crazy, trying to put the hands on.

 

[MaximillianGT]

OMG, you made me read again the first post of that journal

I remember how my hands were shaking like crazy, trying to put the hands on.

We all did this. I crooked a second hand when I did this the first time...

 

[sisou]

Thanks for the information, the kit I want to purchase is this one

Steel Rolex 116234 DateJust 36mm Watch Set With Smooth Bezel And Black Dial Has Small Arabic Numerals Fit ETA 2824 Movement

rafflesdials.com

or this one

Steel Rolex 116234 DateJust 36mm Watch Set With Smooth Bezel And Black Dial Has Small Roman Numerals Fit ETA 2824 Movement

rafflesdials.com

Do you have any recommendations on that ?


I also need an eta 2824 movement so I was just thinking about getting it from Alx

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHBOD8l

Do I need to replace the DW ?

And then I just have to purchase the tools and some stem

 

[Feefo]

The stem usually comes with the movement, but yeah, having one or two spares can't harm.
You also need the hands, make sure they're for the ETA movement.

The two links you posted are simply two different versions, one with the railroad track second chapter, one with the numerals, your choice.

I'm sure the experts can tell you more.

If I were you, I'd do some reading in the vintage section, lots of info and good advice, plus probably links to good Ali express shops/components.

 

[Feefo]

You'll also need pins and screws to fix the movement to the holder.

 

[Feefo]

May be useful

Watchmaker tool list for beginners

Hey guys, I saw a lot of people ask about tools and other things to work on watches. To have it more organized and to help new people I decided to create a tool list with links. This list got a basic tools set to start modding a watch. Tip: always buy best you can afford, watchmaker tools...

forum.replica-watch.info

 

[dpd3672]

Thanks for the information, the kit I want to purchase is this one

Steel Rolex 116234 DateJust 36mm Watch Set With Smooth Bezel And Black Dial Has Small Arabic Numerals Fit ETA 2824 Movement

rafflesdials.com

or this one

Steel Rolex 116234 DateJust 36mm Watch Set With Smooth Bezel And Black Dial Has Small Roman Numerals Fit ETA 2824 Movement

rafflesdials.com

Do you have any recommendations on that ?


I also need an eta 2824 movement so I was just thinking about getting it from Alx

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHBOD8l

Do I need to replace the DW ?

And then I just have to purchase the tools and some stem

" <> The date window on the dial and cyclop on the crystal will match the original date disc on the ETA 2824 movement so that you do not need to use the date wheel overlay
"

It looks like this kit has a date window that's compatible with the ETA 2824, so you won't need to mess with a date wheel overlay. It's a little off from the gen (shifted slightly to the side), but it will save you a lot of aggravation on your first build, and 99% of people...even watch enthusiasts...will never notice. Messing with date wheels and overlays is probably best left to a future build, when you've built up some skills and confidence.

So you'll just need the movement, which you seem to have found, and the tools.

For tools, the bare minimum:

1) a small screwdriver (The Bergeron "red" screwdriver, or generic equivalent) for removing the stem from the movement and attaching the movement clips to the movement.
2) something to set the hands. There are specific tools for this, although most that have a few builds under their belts have developed their own way of doing it that works for them.
3) something to open and close the case back. There are wrenches, but most use a rubber ball.

This is a really good guide to get you started selecting tools

Simply put, you'll need to do the following:

Attach the dial to the movement
Attach the hands to the movement
Insert the movement in the case and secure with movement clips
Close the case back
Install and size the band to your wrist

There are many many videos and guides to assembling a watch. I'd seriously spend the time waiting for the parts to arrive watching as many as you can...you'll learn something new from each one. When you're ready to start, do NOT rush yourself...take your time and be very careful.
That said, your first watch build is something you're going to be very proud of...enjoy it and make sure to post some photos for us to enjoy!

 

[sisou]

The stem usually comes with the movement, but yeah, having one or two spares can't harm.
You also need the hands, make sure they're for the ETA movement.

The two links you posted are simply two different versions, one with the railroad track second chapter, one with the numerals, your choice.

I'm sure the experts can tell you more.

If I were you, I'd do some reading in the vintage section, lots of info and good advice, plus probably links to good Ali express shops/components.

Oh but in the first one the hands are not included... I'll go for the first second so.

I want to have both president and oyster bracelet so I can switch, do you it's possible ?

 

[Feefo]

" <> The date window on the dial and cyclop on the crystal will match the original date disc on the ETA 2824 movement so that you do not need to use the date wheel overlay
"

It looks like this kit has a date window that's compatible with the ETA 2824, so you won't need to mess with a date wheel overlay. It's a little off from the gen (shifted slightly to the side), but it will save you a lot of aggravation on your first build, and 99% of people...even watch enthusiasts...will never notice. Messing with date wheels and overlays is probably best left to a future build, when you've built up some skills and confidence.

So you'll just need the movement, which you seem to have found, and the tools.

For tools, the bare minimum:

1) a small screwdriver (The Bergeron "red" screwdriver, or generic equivalent) for removing the stem from the movement and attaching the movement clips to the movement.
2) something to set the hands. There are specific tools for this, although most that have a few builds under their belts have developed their own way of doing it that works for them.
3) something to open and close the case back. There are wrenches, but most use a rubber ball.

This is a really good guide to get you started selecting tools

Simply put, you'll need to do the following:

Attach the dial to the movement
Attach the hands to the movement
Insert the movement in the case and secure with movement clips
Close the case back
Install and size the band to your wrist

There are many many videos and guides to assembling a watch. I'd seriously spend the time waiting for the parts to arrive watching as many as you can...you'll learn something new from each one. When you're ready to start, do NOT rush yourself...take your time and be very careful.
That said, your first watch build is something you're going to be very proud of...enjoy it and make sure to post some photos for us to enjoy!

You forgot cutting the stem, glueing to crown and insert in movement.

 

[Feefo]

Oh but in the first one the hands are not included... I'll go for the first second so.

I want to have both president and oyster bracelet so I can switch, do you it's possible ?

I'd advise to ask Ken from raffles directly, he'll tell you which bracelets will fit this case best.

 

[dpd3672]

You forgot cutting the stem, glueing to crown and insert in movement.

Damn it, you're correct. So bare minimum some loctite and good pliers or a dremel.

 

[Karbon74]

You forgot cutting the stem, glueing to crown and insert in movement.

And rebuild the keyless 5 times…

And having your finger press the balance wheel and fuxx it up…

And lose a screw somewhere…

And bend the seconds hand

And scratch the dial

 

[sisou]

" <> The date window on the dial and cyclop on the crystal will match the original date disc on the ETA 2824 movement so that you do not need to use the date wheel overlay
"

It looks like this kit has a date window that's compatible with the ETA 2824, so you won't need to mess with a date wheel overlay. It's a little off from the gen (shifted slightly to the side), but it will save you a lot of aggravation on your first build, and 99% of people...even watch enthusiasts...will never notice. Messing with date wheels and overlays is probably best left to a future build, when you've built up some skills and confidence.

So you'll just need the movement, which you seem to have found, and the tools.

For tools, the bare minimum:

1) a small screwdriver (The Bergeron "red" screwdriver, or generic equivalent) for removing the stem from the movement and attaching the movement clips to the movement.
2) something to set the hands. There are specific tools for this, although most that have a few builds under their belts have developed their own way of doing it that works for them.
3) something to open and close the case back. There are wrenches, but most use a rubber ball.

This is a really good guide to get you started selecting tools

Simply put, you'll need to do the following:

Attach the dial to the movement
Attach the hands to the movement
Insert the movement in the case and secure with movement clips
Close the case back
Install and size the band to your wrist

There are many many videos and guides to assembling a watch. I'd seriously spend the time waiting for the parts to arrive watching as many as you can...you'll learn something new from each one. When you're ready to start, do NOT rush yourself...take your time and be very careful.
That said, your first watch build is something you're going to be very proud of...enjoy it and make sure to post some photos for us to enjoy!

Tbh I didn't understand very well this sentence

" <> The date window on the dial and cyclop on the crystal will match the original date disc on the ETA 2824 movement so that you do not need to use the date wheel overlay
"

What's usually happening ? ETA-2824 numbers doesn't align with the hole in the dial of gen Rolex ?

 

[Feefo]

And rebuild the keyless 5 times…

And having your finger press the balance wheel and fuxx it up…

And lose a screw somewhere…

And bend the seconds hand

And scratch the dial

I didn't want to scare him... But yes.

 

[Karbon74]

Tbh I didn't understand very well this sentence

" <> The date window on the dial and cyclop on the crystal will match the original date disc on the ETA 2824 movement so that you do not need to use the date wheel overlay
"

What's usually happening ? ETA-2824 numbers doesn't align with the hole in the dial of gen Rolex ?

Nope
But with a Raffles dial it will align, if you take the 2824 version

 

[dpd3672]

Tbh I didn't understand very well this sentence

" <> The date window on the dial and cyclop on the crystal will match the original date disc on the ETA 2824 movement so that you do not need to use the date wheel overlay
"

What's usually happening ? ETA-2824 numbers doesn't align with the hole in the dial of gen Rolex ?

A genuine Rolex dial and movement have slighlty different spacing than an ETA movement (and a dial designed for the ETA movement).

The kit you linked is designed for an ETA movement, so the date opening in the dial (and the position of the cyclops on the watch crystal) are spaced to line up with the date wheel on the movement. If you used a genuine Rolex dial and movement, date would not be centered in the window of the cyclops.

In short, you would use the stock, unmodified ETA movement with this kit, and everything will look like it was meant to go together. If you were using a genuine (or genuine spec) case and dial, you would need to modify the ETA movement by using a date wheel overlay...basically, a date wheel that's larger in diameter that's attached to the stock date wheel.

The kit you linked is a lot easier to build, and saves you a lot of frustration and trouble...it will just be slightly off from what a genuine watch would look like.

 

[sisou]

A genuine Rolex dial and movement have slighlty different spacing than an ETA movement (and a dial designed for the ETA movement).

The kit you linked is designed for an ETA movement, so the date opening in the dial (and the position of the cyclops on the watch crystal) are spaced to line up with the date wheel on the movement. If you used a genuine Rolex dial and movement, date would not be centered in the window of the cyclops.

In short, you would use the stock, unmodified ETA movement with this kit, and everything will look like it was meant to go together. If you were using a genuine (or genuine spec) case and dial, you would need to modify the ETA movement by using a date wheel overlay...basically, a date wheel that's larger in diameter that's attached to the stock date wheel.

The kit you linked is a lot easier to build, and saves you a lot of frustration and trouble...it will just be slightly off from what a genuine watch would look like.

Perfect Thank you !! I'll post some pictures when it will be build

 

[Karbon74]

Perfect Thank you !! I'll post some pictures when it will be build

No no no
Post pics at building steps too

 

[Feefo]

Good luck! Don't forget good quality tools, spares and a lot of patience

 

[dpd3672]

Good luck! Don't forget good quality tools, spares and a lot of patience

This.

I honestly think you could build a watch with a hammer and a butter knife if you exercise enough care and patience.

But the best tools in the world will fail you if you're impatient or careless.