Some Q's (I have done a lot of research, need some assistance).

[Mkempes]

Question - I just spent sometime reading comments on modifications... Can the watch just be built from scratch, in essence? Not sure if that's astronomical, but if you can purchase the dials, case, hands etc, would it maybe make more sense, cost roughly the same as purchasing the GMF and making the modifications? I may be barking up the wrong tree, just wondering what options there are.

Not sure if I get your question right.

If it's about to build a watch from scratch with rep/aftermarket parts, then this depends on the availability of parts in the quality you're looking for. I don't think there is a good choice of parts for the 31mm DJ, if any. It's not a very popular watch.

If you're asking for gen parts than that's a matter of hunting down the parts you want. This can be time consuming an costly. In the case of the 31mm DJ it doesn't make sense at all. For installing gen hands, dial and DW, you'll need a gen spec movement. There's no rep base watch for that.

If you want the 31mm DJ than my advise is: Buy the GMF and wear it for a while. If you still want to mod it, ask a modder if they can install you a gen bezel.