The 34mm thread...the red-haired stepchild of the Oyster Perpetual family.

[dpd3672]

Built his and hers watches with Buckley dials. All Gen cases, crystals, bezels, crowns, 2824 (his) and NH05 (hers) movements. AliX hands and generic leather straps.

I had them on Oyster bracelets, but like them better on leather.

The men’s is a 34mm 1500 case.

 

[dpd3672]

Got a couple gold cases a while back for cheap, haven’t messed with them because I’m not sure what components are in Gen gold Rolex watches, but a gold Air King came out of the experiment, and I’m liking it.

All gen but the movement and hands, on a strap from the stash of straps.



Gonna try to source some hands like this (Gen photo):

 

[Poppleropples]

Hey, can I ask a quick one please - Has anyone built with a raffles case and caseback and not had any issues with the rotor rubbing? What movement did you use?

On my build with a low beat Asian 2824, the rotor rubs the case back when fully assembled. The cheap movement is also running 30/s a day off and I think I’m going to replace it with a better one. I’ve read a few posts on here of similar rotor rubbing problems - Has anyone got a build with no rub? What was the movement? I’ve seen a post from elsewhere saying the low beat 2824 was actually a smidge taller and rubbed, they swapped to a PT5000 and it was all good.

 

[Poppleropples]

Hey, can I ask a quick one please - Has anyone built with a raffles case and caseback and not had any issues with the rotor rubbing? What movement did you use?

In case anyone stumbles on this in the future with a 34mm raffles case - I swapped to a PT5000 (much nicer) and no rotor rub. I can only guess the tolerances are worse on the cheaper 2824 clones. Very relieved.

 

[AllanV]

In case anyone stumbles on this in the future with a 34mm raffles case - I swapped to a PT5000 (much nicer) and no rotor rub. I can only guess the tolerances are worse on the cheaper 2824 clones. Very relieved.

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge! I am interested in a 34mm build because I tried a gen Oyster Precision, it was really thin 10mm. And I instantly felt it was sitting so good and comfortable on my wrist. Raffles states that his case (with crystal and caseback) is 10mm also. Have you measured your case and is it indeed 10mm?

 

[Poppleropples]

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge! I am interested in a 34mm build because I tried a gen Oyster Precision, it was really thin 10mm. And I instantly felt it was sitting so good and comfortable on my wrist. Raffles states that his case (with crystal and caseback) is 10mm also. Have you measured your case and is it indeed 10mm?

I've just measured, I don't have calipers so I could be out by a mm or so, but yes it looks to be bang on 10mm. Really thin, really comfy.

 

[AllanV]

I've just measured, I don't have calipers so I could be out by a mm or so, but yes it looks to be bang on 10mm. Really thin, really comfy.

Im so glad to hear this! You really helped me a lot in terms of deciding if I should go for an all raffle build. May I ask what dial you went for? And will the PT5000 take a gen dial? Did you go for a bracelet that tapers to 14mm or 16mm?

 

[Poppleropples]

Im so glad to hear this! You really helped me a lot in terms of deciding if I should go for an all raffle build. May I ask what dial you went for? And will the PT5000 take a gen dial? Did you go for a bracelet that tapers to 14mm or 16mm?

I went for the Raffles Ranger dial, the 27mm with yellow lume. I couldn’t answer about a gen dial, sorry.

The bracelet was the Tudor solid one, tapers to 16mm. https://rafflesdials.com/signed-19m...or-vintage-34mm-tudor-prince-date-watch-case/

As an aside, I was passing a cobblers today and I got them to pressure test the watch, passed at 100m, really pleased with that.

I’m actually going to write a little guide on the build step by step, partly so I can remember what I did, and also in case it’s a helpful read. Hopefully I’ll post something this weekend.

 

[AllanV]

I went for the Raffles Ranger dial, the 27mm with yellow lume. I couldn’t answer about a gen dial, sorry.

The bracelet was the Tudor solid one, tapers to 16mm. https://rafflesdials.com/signed-19m...or-vintage-34mm-tudor-prince-date-watch-case/

As an aside, I was passing a cobblers today and I got them to pressure test the watch, passed at 100m, really pleased with that.

I’m actually going to write a little guide on the build step by step, partly so I can remember what I did, and also in case it’s a helpful read. Hopefully I’ll post something this weekend.

Looking forward to your guide!

 

[dpd3672]

A casual Air King to compliment the blingy gold one above:

 

[rmbsym]

This thread is great, I'm a huge fan of 34mm Air Kings / OPs. Question: has anyone ever tried a clone movement in the Raffles 34mm 2824 case? I'm thinking either a VR3130 or VS3135, both of which are easily available. 3135 would allow for easy Oyster Date builds, and 3130 is so I don't have to mess around with the feet on a no date gen dial.

 

[369mafia]

Air King

 

[AllanV]

Air King

Nice build, is it all raffles parts? Is the case slimmer (thickness) than the 36mm versions, it should be 10mm thick? Im mainly looking into a 34mm build because of its dimensions. Ive fallen in love with a 6426 Oyster Precision because it wore so nice on my wrist (34 x 41 x 10mm) - and hope an Air King build from raffles would itch the scratch.

 

[Poppleropples]

Air King

Ooooofffttt that is nice, lovely.

 

[369mafia]

Nice build, is it all raffles parts? Is the case slimmer (thickness) than the 36mm versions, it should be 10mm thick? Im mainly looking into a 34mm build because of its dimensions. Ive fallen in love with a 6426 Oyster Precision because it wore so nice on my wrist (34 x 41 x 10mm) - and hope an Air King build from raffles would itch the scratch.

Yes all Raffles parts and Gen Eta 2824

I am also a big fan of the 6426 s and the 6429s

 

[chickennoodlegoop]

I went for the Raffles Ranger dial, the 27mm with yellow lume. I couldn’t answer about a gen dial, sorry.

The bracelet was the Tudor solid one, tapers to 16mm. https://rafflesdials.com/signed-19m...or-vintage-34mm-tudor-prince-date-watch-case/

As an aside, I was passing a cobblers today and I got them to pressure test the watch, passed at 100m, really pleased with that.

I’m actually going to write a little guide on the build step by step, partly so I can remember what I did, and also in case it’s a helpful read. Hopefully I’ll post something this weekend.

I'm still debating on the Ranger dial vs black Prince Date dial myself, but either way I'm looking forward to the guide!

 

[Globemaster_98]

Thanks for the inspiration. Just finished my Commando based on a gen 1500 case.

Wow!!! What a fantastic build. What crystal did you use on the 1500 case? Beautiful.

 

[Globemaster_98]

34mm Air King , fresh off the bench
.

What a great build.

 

[Iksander]

Raffles with gen bezel.

 

[Pinion Minion]

Raffles with gen bezel.

The je ne sais quoi of the gen bezel really makes a difference. There is a subtle undulation that's just fantastic.

Enjoy that one- she's a beauty.