The Vintage DateJust Thread

[Carrera]

Hi all, is there a crown that can be used with the stock Raffles 2824 case which is closer in shape and size to gen? The gorgeous builds on this thread have inspired me massively, and I've purchased a gen dial, VS 3135 and 2824 case. Thank you so much for your help, this community is bloody excellent.

 

[Tony-Soprano]

Love those open 6 and 9

Right! Such a subtle detail changes the whole watch and how much more beautiful it is!

 

[Tony-Soprano]

Hi all, is there a crown that can be used with the stock Raffles 2824 case which is closer in shape and size to gen? The gorgeous builds on this thread have inspired me massively, and I've purchased a gen dial, VS 3135 and 2824 case. Thank you so much for your help, this community is bloody excellent.

Good luck with the build! Not sure if any modding needs to been done on the case but previous discussion on this thread they mention Athaya crown, hope this helps!

 

[Tony-Soprano]

In addition, be aware there is a difference in the date position in 4-digit dials (use Rolex Cyclop 118 #25-118, Sternkreuz XS 306.133) and 5-digit dials (use Rolex Cyclop 135 #25-135, Sternkreuz XS 307.457). Also - the 5-digit bezel fits the Cyclop 135, so make sure you pair the dial, crystal, and bezel. With this being said, everything just fits together like Lego blocks...

Would definitely vote the clark over the sternkreuz but both great options over the raffles xtal

 

[beanvatan]

My build 1 specs:

Raffle's case
Gen Bezel
Gen Crown
Gen Dial
Gen Date-wheel
Gen Hands
Gen Crystal
WSO 14k bracelet
VS3135 movement with the gen balance

 

[Tony-Soprano]

My build 1 specs:

Raffle's case
Gen Bezel
Gen Crown
Gen Dial
Gen Date-wheel
Gen Hands
Gen Crystal
WSO 14k bracelet
VS3135 movement with the gen balance

Stunner my friend! Any work that you did to the raffles case? Been eyeing a dial similar to this one, possibly will buy it for a future build!

 

[beanvatan]

Stunner my friend! Any work that you did to the raffles case? Been eyeing a dial similar to this one, possibly will buy it for a future build!

Very Very minimal, I only changed the crystal to the gen and replaced the crown tube with the gen tube. I then replaced that case with the new Korean case that fit 3135 perfectly!

 

[beanvatan]

Stunner my friend! Any work that you did to the raffles case? Been eyeing a dial similar to this one, possibly will buy it for a future build!

The dial is very beautiful in person, It has small pyramids, very hard to capture in pictures. But here is the link to a similar watch that the seller can capture the dial correctly 16233 pyriamid dial

 

[beanvatan]

my 2nd build

S. Korea case (engraved by JMB with custom serial numbers, and model numbers)
Gen Bezel
Gen Crystal
Gen Dial
Gen Crown
Gen Date-Wheel
Gen Hands
Gen bracelet (not picture)
VS3135 with the gen balance
Rolex 3135-145 (complete autowind)
Rolex 3135-421 ( pallet fork)
Rolex 3135-115 (pallet fork bridge)
Rolex 3135-110 (train wheel bridge)
more gen parts but I can't recall all. LOL





custom model engraving pic

 

[Tony-Soprano]

Very Very minimal, I only changed the crystal to the gen and replaced the crown tube with the gen tube. I then replaced that case with the new Korean case that fit 3135 perfectly!

Wow that sounds fantastic was it an easy swap for the crown tube or did you have to work the case some more to make it work? If you have that extra modded case laying around would love to chat on buying it from you for my current build I have going! That is if its up for sale of course

 

[Tony-Soprano]

my 2nd build

S. Korea case (engraved by JMB with custom serial numbers, and model numbers)
Gen Bezel
Gen Crystal
Gen Dial
Gen Crown
Gen Date-Wheel
Gen Hands
Gen bracelet (not picture)
VS3135 with the gen balance
Rolex 3135-145 (complete autowind)
Rolex 3135-421 ( pallet fork)
Rolex 3135-115 (pallet fork bridge)
Rolex 3135-110 (train wheel bridge)
more gen parts but I can't recall all. LOL





custom model engraving pic

This build is insane and JMB did an amazing job engraving how much did that cost you to do? What a grail!

 

[beanvatan]

Wow that sounds fantastic was it an easy swap for the crown tube or did you have to work the case some more to make it work? If you have that extra modded case laying around would love to chat on buying it from you for my current build I have going! That is if its up for sale of course

For the case mod, I don't recall doing much on this particular case that I pictured. However, if you have the old case bath from Raffles, then it's a different story (a long long time ago, tho). the case I posted a picture of is the case that I bought from him in late 2019, and I recall very very little modification is needed. If I recall correctly, I have to retap the crown tube's hole to fit the gen tube, but it's a miss and hit. Some cases fit fine, some don't.

According to Pompompurin's new Datejust sale post (sale post), the newer version of the Raffle case looks much better, and the lugs are nicer too. Very sure you don't need to rework the case if you have a newer batch. But it's all to your taste if you think the case's lug is not as smooth as the gen, retouch it a bit. I remember back then, modders like us had to Dremel the heck out of the case to make it look nice. Widen the rehaut so the gen dial can fit in correctly. Then we had to do the custom movement tabs to secure the movement, etc... Lots of work. Now with the new case pictured in the sale post, seems like it's a better version.

Now Raffle also sells those movement tabs for 3135 and custom spacer/holder on his website, which takes a lot of work out of your portion too. which is nice!

About the extra modded case, unfortunately, I don't have any extra ones.

This build is insane and JMB did an amazing job engraving how much did that cost you to do? What a grail!

I know right, I never doubt JMB's works. His engraving works are amazing!!! The build above did cost me an arm and a leg, but the knowledge, the joy, and the skills that I earned from it... is priceless.

Best of luck on your build and your journey. Datejust builds are nice, addictive, and entertaining. Of course, be careful though, as it can be super costly!

 

[Tony-Soprano]

For the case mod, I don't recall doing much on this particular case that I pictured. However, if you have the old case bath from Raffles, then it's a different story (a long long time ago, tho). the case I posted a picture of is the case that I bought from him in late 2019, and I recall very very little modification is needed. If I recall correctly, I have to retap the crown tube's hole to fit the gen tube, but it's a miss and hit. Some cases fit fine, some don't.

According to Pompompurin's new Datejust sale post (sale post), the newer version of the Raffle case looks much better, and the lugs are nicer too. Very sure you don't need to rework the case if you have a newer batch. But it's all to your taste if you think the case's lug is not as smooth as the gen, retouch it a bit. I remember back then, modders like us had to Dremel the heck out of the case to make it look nice. Widen the rehaut so the gen dial can fit in correctly. Then we had to do the custom movement tabs to secure the movement, etc... Lots of work. Now with the new case pictured in the sale post, seems like it's a better version.

Now Raffle also sells those movement tabs for 3135 and custom spacer/holder on his website, which takes a lot of work out of your portion too. which is nice!

About the extra modded case, unfortunately, I don't have any extra ones.



I know right, I never doubt JMB's works. His engraving works are amazing!!! The build above did cost me an arm and a leg, but the knowledge, the joy, and the skills that I earned from it... is priceless.

Best of luck on your build and your journey. Datejust builds are nice, addictive, and entertaining. Of course, be careful though, as it can be super costly!

Yes, I did see Pompompurin's post, also just got a response from Raffles and they said a 6mm (so a 603) crown would fit the case as its currently spec'd. I have seen a post with what you mention about dremel the case to make it look nice and more accurate. I had a Raffles build around 2019-2020 was not the greatest and was also a 2836 so dial feet cut off which I regretted but I sold it shortly after a few months.

 

[Tony-Soprano]

For the case mod, I don't recall doing much on this particular case that I pictured. However, if you have the old case bath from Raffles, then it's a different story (a long long time ago, tho). the case I posted a picture of is the case that I bought from him in late 2019, and I recall very very little modification is needed. If I recall correctly, I have to retap the crown tube's hole to fit the gen tube, but it's a miss and hit. Some cases fit fine, some don't.

According to Pompompurin's new Datejust sale post (sale post), the newer version of the Raffle case looks much better, and the lugs are nicer too. Very sure you don't need to rework the case if you have a newer batch. But it's all to your taste if you think the case's lug is not as smooth as the gen, retouch it a bit. I remember back then, modders like us had to Dremel the heck out of the case to make it look nice. Widen the rehaut so the gen dial can fit in correctly. Then we had to do the custom movement tabs to secure the movement, etc... Lots of work. Now with the new case pictured in the sale post, seems like it's a better version.

Now Raffle also sells those movement tabs for 3135 and custom spacer/holder on his website, which takes a lot of work out of your portion too. which is nice!

About the extra modded case, unfortunately, I don't have any extra ones.



I know right, I never doubt JMB's works. His engraving works are amazing!!! The build above did cost me an arm and a leg, but the knowledge, the joy, and the skills that I earned from it... is priceless.

Best of luck on your build and your journey. Datejust builds are nice, addictive, and entertaining. Of course, be careful though, as it can be super costly!

Oh and to your last point, they are very addictive! I have a 16234 mostly gen parts I will have to post it later on! But definitely majority of the fun for these build is sourcing and the hunt for gen parts and if you land on a gen case for the right price you have won the lottery for sure! The DJ holds a special place in my heart for some reason. Would pick it out of any line up of watches - love me a vintage DJ!

 

[Kerbus]

I know the feeling of scoring a gen case!

Wow, current prices are crazy!

 

[beanvatan]

Oh and to your last point, they are very addictive! I have a 16234 mostly gen parts I will have to post it later on! But definitely majority of the fun for these build is sourcing and the hunt for gen parts and if you land on a gen case for the right price you have won the lottery for sure! The DJ holds a special place in my heart for some reason. Would pick it out of any line up of watches - love me a vintage DJ!

I agree with you. Vintage DJs are just so special, the vibe they give is always classy, elegant, and timeless. The newer DJ is not so much for me. Like you say, I too, have a special place in my heart for a 5-digits DJ.

 

[Tony-Soprano]

I know the feeling of scoring a gen case!

Wow, current prices are crazy!

Absolute insanity I saw a beat case (mid case and case back) 16200 for like $2k...

 

[Tony-Soprano]

I agree with you. Vintage DJs are just so special, the vibe they give is always classy, elegant, and timeless. The newer DJ is not so much for me. Like you say, I too, have a special place in my heart for a 5-digits DJ.

Right?! I thought I was the only one who thought the newer DJ just don't seem to fill that happy spot

 

[Tony-Soprano]

For those that are interested in shaping your Raffles case I will post some pics below. The lugs come too wide and point too long. All you need is a dremel! At the time I didn’t have a reference point or measurements, just a picture of my gen 5 digit sub next to a vintage DJ from a local jewelry shop.. it was that crude! TBH the first one I did turned out very well and the one in the pictures below has the lugs just a bit too wide (also shows the difference in the old style Raffles case vs the newer one. So the first pictures show my first shaped case next to an untouched Raffles one.

The dedication to get this case RIGHT! Love to see it, was this work on one of the newer raffle cases or an older one you had laying around?

 

[beanvatan]

@Ror , here ya go, bro.