The Vintage DateJust Thread

[Jdaced30]

You did sent me a PM yesterday, I replied to you 11 minutes later with the link.

So it is the same you sent me?? Because qjai89 said that he used the raffles case and bezel and it fit. Yesterday you told me that I needed to sand down the raffles bezel in order to make the crystal that you sent me fit. So I assumed that he used a different crystal.

 

[qjai89]

So it is the same you sent me?? Because qjai89 said that he used the raffles case and bezel and it fit. Yesterday you told me that I needed to sand down the raffles bezel in order to make the crystal that you sent me fit. So I assumed that he used a different crystal.

Same crystal. I didn't sand it down but I did remove the gasket and it was a very tight fit.

 

[AquaProd]

Hello everyone, could either one of this crystals work on a Raffles two tone case? Ebay Link1 & Ebay Link 2
I almost finished my two tone build, but I want to make it more "era corrected" with an acrylic crystal. I've seen the one on AliX fits, but this one is in my country and costs a lot less. Thanks!

 

[Rolexmike69]

Here’s a 16014 build I did for my son for his 19th bday. He was very surprised.
It has the following parts.
Well, it’s easier to say the following
Everything’s Gen except:
Raffles 10k two tone bracelet
Hands from An EBay seller.

 

[HudsonBane]

Have Datejust 36mm dials changed sizes over the years? What's preventing me from buying a high quality rep, modern datejust 36, and swapping the dial for a vintage ~70s era dial instead of using an inferior raffles case? Apart from the obvious price difference that is. Would that be possible?

 

[Timmer]

Not sure about the dial sizes, but my guess would be maybe they would swap, but the "modern" 36mm 1162xx case differs from the 5 digit 162xx case in at least 2 ways, the bezel is wider on the modern 36 vs the vintage 36, and only the sides of the vintage case are polished, while the top and sides of the case of a modern 36mm are polished.

 

[Replicated]

Have Datejust 36mm dials changed sizes over the years? What's preventing me from buying a high quality rep, modern datejust 36, and swapping the dial for a vintage ~70s era dial instead of using an inferior raffles case? Apart from the obvious price difference that is. Would that be possible?

How are you going to install a dial with feet onto a friction fit movement without dial holes?

 

[HudsonBane]

Not sure about the dial sizes, but my guess would be maybe they would swap, but the "modern" 36mm 1162xx case differs from the 5 digit 162xx case in at least 2 ways, the bezel is wider on the modern 36 vs the vintage 36, and only the sides of the vintage case are polished, while the top and sides of the case of a modern 36mm are polished.

Thanks for the information, I'm not as concerned with the accuracy, rather I value the feel of the higher quality build from Clean and such factory watches. My raffles build just feels less than desirable on my wrist.

 

[HudsonBane]

How are you going to install a dial with feet onto a friction fit movement without dial holes?

I snipped the feet off of a dial previously, I just make sure to align the dial just right as best I can. I'm fine with the DIY aspect and the imperfections that come with. Maybe I'm missing what you're saying - is there a difference in how new DJ 3235 reps hold dials? My current DJ 36 build is a raffles case with a VR 3235 + vintage dial.

 

[Rolexmike69]

I snipped the feet off of a dial previously, I just make sure to align the dial just right as best I can. I'm fine with the DIY aspect and the imperfections that come with. Maybe I'm missing what you're saying - is there a difference in how new DJ 3235 reps hold dials? My current DJ 36 build is a raffles case with a VR 3235 + vintage dial.

Have Datejust 36mm dials changed sizes over the years? What's preventing me from buying a high quality rep, modern datejust 36, and swapping the dial for a vintage ~70s era dial instead of using an inferior raffles case? Apart from the obvious price difference that is. Would that be possible?

Ask @pompompurin bc he’s built a variety of every type of date just I’ve ever seen. He is a book of knowledge when it comes to datejust builds.

 

[HudsonBane]

Ask @pompompurin bc he’s built a variety of every type of date just I’ve ever seen. He is a book of knowledge when it comes to datejust builds.

I sent him a message, thanks for the recommendation!

 

[intellects]

does anyone have experience with using 1601/1603 bezels on a 16000 case? Are these the same part number or do they differ in some way?

 

[Rolexmike69]

does anyone have experience with using 1601/1603 bezels on a 16000 case? Are these the same part number or do they differ in some way?

I had to widen the inside a bit….then it went on over the crystal no problem.

 

[AquaProd]

Well I can confirm that a 25-118 can work on a two-tone Raffles case, bezel just needs proper sanding.
I sanded down the ID of the bezel by hand when I should've used a Dremel and while pressing down the crystal it cracked; I think I'm going to buy another one (or two) 25-118 and just sand the bezel more, in the hope that it fits.
Overall I think that the watch looks good even with sapphire tho! What do y'all think?

 

[Rolexmike69]

Well I can confirm that a 25-118 can work on a two-tone Raffles case, bezel just needs proper sanding.
I sanded down the ID of the bezel by hand when I should've used a Dremel and while pressing down the crystal it cracked; I think I'm going to buy another one (or two) 25-118 and just sand the bezel more, in the hope that it fits.
Overall I think that the watch looks good even with sapphire tho! What do y'all think?

I used a dremel and measured w/calipers until I was happy. I did the same and had a few crystals just in case. I’d hate to crack any crystal especially a Gen.

 

[AquaProd]

I used a dremel and measured w/calipers until I was happy. I did the same and had a few crystals just in case. I’d hate to crack any crystal especially a Gen.

Yeah I should've used a dremel. I measured while I was hand sanding with calipers too, but I think that it wasn't enough and some sections are smaller than others. Fortunately it's not a gen crystal, it's an aftermarket one that I bought for 12 EUR on eBay.
I also wanna ask, is there any way to make the fluted bezel less "sharp"? I know that the gen route is the best, but I don't have the funds right now for one.

 

[edwardd]

Do you know if someone is selling turned bezel ? Is anyone making new ones that can be compatible to the Raffles's case ?

 

[VintageSubEnjoyer]

Do you know if someone is selling turned bezel ? Is anyone making new ones that can be compatible to the Raffles's case ?

There’s a few sellers on eBay. Message me if you can’t find them and I can shoot you a link