Found some alternates to our cases of choice (Raffles, TC, etc). All have lug holes drilled all the way through, and some are very attractive prices. Some of these might be the same case from different sellers, I didn't scrutinize them all, and one has a (bad) Datejust fluted bezel...but if you happen to have bezels on hand, or are ok with reworking them, it's an option.
None seem to have Rolex crowns or caseback engravings, they're sterile, and the bezels are just ok, but the lugs are actually a bit more gen than the unmodified Raffles case, imo.
Since many are replacing bezels and crystals and crowns anyway, and engraving isn't too hard to do (I'll be available to engrave any day now, going to do some of my own Raffles cases first to fine tune the technique, with others doing saltwater and photo etching for others and on their own), it's maybe the right option for some builds, especially on a budget.
I'm curious how cheaply one can actually build a passable rep 1016. With a 2813 or A2824 costing about $15-30, these cases going for about $20 or less, and a waterslide/photoresist dial going for almost free, once it's all set up, a good 1016 might actually come in for about $50, more or less.
So if one of these cases passes consensus approval (assuming, of course, some case work is done), what are your thoughts on this build? Again, not going for perfection, just a solid, no apologies, "how cheap can I build this and not have embarrassing tells from 6 feet away?" daily driver, beater.
1.
Case ~$20 (from above list, $18 is the cheapest)
2.
Crown/tube $1 or
here, cheaper if
bought in bulk (like $.40 per crown/tube)
3. Hands...tons of options on AliX for $2-3 per set.
This isn't a bad option. I use
these on a lot of builds, which work out to about $.50/set.
4.
$4 here, or upgrade Crystal $15 (Clarks or Sternkruz or whatever you can get cheaply, or live with the sapphire that comes with the case, it's not awful. You could pop off the cyclops with a razor blade until you upgrade.
5. Movement $13
2813 or $21
2824
6. Dial $1-5 (Waterslide decal + Brass Blank + lume) or even Raffles ($35) if you want to splurge.
7. Nato or leather Strap (any number of
$1,
$2 up to ~
$10 straps from AliX). Add a
Rep Rolex buckle if unbranded leather bothers you for $3. You can get an absolute shitter Jubilee for
$5 if you can stand to look at the clasp, lol)
8. Case engraving (free to $100, depending on how "DIY" you are)
9. Work required would be any case shaping, bezel and crystal tweaking or replacement, case engraving, making the dial from scratch, engraving, and assembly.
I'm getting under $40 at the minimum...maybe a hair under if the AliX coupons knock a buck or two off the order. For a complete, working, 1016 with a decent movement and a bit of passionate working of the various components...this is not intended for a purist, but for a builder that likes to add the perfection himself, rather than buying it. Reasonable, "bang for the buck" upgrades (2824 or NH38 movement, Raffles crown and dial, Raffles bracelet so you can skip the lug engraving) would add about $100, give or take.
Thoughts from my fellow enthusiasts? Anything I'm not seeing on these cases? I'm on the verge of ordering a few to play with, give me a green or red light, lol!
rafflesdials.com
