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DD = Dangdong and are now considered the best option. SH less quality. Noob is usually poor quality and less compatible with Gen parts. That is my experience with their 32xx movements anyways. I'll defer to Freddy333 w/r/t the 4130. Here is a good comparison of the 3xxx's which I am guessing translates to 41xx to some degree:

Yep, sites are still online in both Ruby/Minh's cases, but zero comm's or order fulfillment's. 🤷‍♂️

Thanks [emoji120] and YES [emoji16] "depth gilt" ... "real gilt" [emoji848] I guess the best to describe those specific dials would be "negative-relief gilt" as the gilt parts are recessed from the black coat ... but English is not my native language so maybe I'm not certain ... mine got 2 black coats over the polished copper dial plate then 1 white coat for the markers ... finish is 3 coats of nitrocellulosic varnish like they used in the 60ies ... lume is low green glow or just dead lume reactive to UV light Envoyé de mon moto g(9) power en utilisant Tapatalk

so what is the difference between DD4131 and SH 4131 and i guess Noob 4131

No idea on any Vietnam crackdowns, but MQ's site is still online.

Anyone know if there has been similar crack downs with the trusted parts suppliers? Another end-of-an-era??? -Ruby, site login disabled and “suspect” replacement site— well…seems suspect. -MinhQ , unresponsive as well. -Yuki retired. -Phong still up/around from US, but selection is hit or miss and $$$$.

Nice. Did you make those? I reached out to MQ/Minh who seems to list/differentiate print gilt from ‘depth’ gilt. Assuming by depth they mean ‘relief/real’.

not that easy to get a real-gilt dial ... at the least for a fair price [emoji848] ... nevertheless film-free decal method is a way to make nice real gilt dials ... as long as you have a good control of the process ... here's an example ... all real-gilt except for the depth which is silver printed ... another one ... all real gilt except for the "sub aqua" which is gold printed ... Envoyé de mon moto g(9) power en utilisant Tapatalk

I believe the last gilt Subs were produced in 1966. But, as with all things Rolex, I do not think anyone (outside Rolex) knows for certain.

I'd be interested to know as well. I love the look of a gilt dial, but I haven't seen a replica one that is good enough.

Anyone?

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There should be a few threads detailing my Bond Sub build from 2008-9 (including macros of the finished dial/handset before casing & the process I used to add 'patina'), but I cannot seem to find them. However, I found these pics in my archives from that build that may help as a guide --

if you are looking for an honest recommendation, I would begin by tossing the bezel insert & starting over with a new 1. The 'wear' is much too inconsistent in placement (natural wear generally affects the entire part & looks even) & TOO consistent in direction. It looks more sandpaper & bleach than patina. Even a new insert would improve the overall presentation. Also, like many inexperienced modders, your lume 'patina' looks too manufactured. Like the insert, the patina should be more subtle & consistent. The lighter part of the lume looks better than the darker parts. If the lume was originally that lighter color, I think I would have left it alone & just given the dial a thin coat of matte shellac to give it a bit of texture ('patina') & to tone down the newness. I have found that a bit of edge burnishing (to remove the sharp edges of a new case) with a Dremel & some green rouge adds to that 'years of polishing' look that gives a vintage watch that vintage look. Taking into account that they are different Sub models, compare your dial to the lume & texture of 1 of my gen Sub dials --

Hi just wondering ( please tell me they are ) still available in old radium for 2824 movement. If they are how do I purchase them ?

Hi everyone Just a quick write up about a build I just finished, always liked the look of the big crown Submariner and with a gen example being totally out of my budget decided to build one instead. Here’s a list of parts used. Raffles 6538 case ( aged in the usual box of bolts etc way ) Raffles 4 line gilt dial ( aged with water colour paint and tamiya weathering powders ) Raffles golden submariner hands ( aged again with water colour paint and weathering powders ) Raffles bezel insert ( aged with bleach and scuffs ) Sellita SW200 no date movement ( no ghost setting for a date change ) Bond strap I still need to dull the hands a bit more as they’re just a bit too shiny but apart from that I’m happy with the result. I may also try it with an aged rivet bracelet to see which I prefer. Can anyone help with where to get an aged lime pearl from ?

Indeed 🙌👌

Best thing to do is to choose images of a 5517 gen that you like and ask your watchmaker to try and match the appearance. Rep top, gen below:

Really appreciate your feedback. It's frustrating as my helenrou dial has (to my eye at least) a better overall look. However, the structure of the lume on the kuared dial is closer to the finish on your gen sub. I may have to ask the watchmaker to use the helenrou dial and get him to match the kuared hands to the to helenrou colour 🤔 Really appreciate your feedback. It's frustrating as my helenrou dial has (to my eye at least) a better overall look. However, the structure of the lume on the kuared dial is closer to the finish on your gen sub. I may have to ask the watchmaker to use the helenrou dial and get him to match the kuared hands to the to helenrou colour 🤔 Really appreciate your feedback. It's frustrating as my helenrou dial has (to my eye at least) a better overall look. However, the structure of the lume on the kuared dial is closer to the finish on your gen sub. I may have to ask the watchmaker to use the helenrou dial and get him to match the kuared hands to the to helenrou colour 🤔

My hands-on experience with clones is limited to A4130s (see my Big Kahuna & Golden Cuckoo threads for details). Sorry.

I have not. That’s a bit over my head at the moment. But I went with the clean cause of the better movement. Have you heard positive things on the 3285 movements in these? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks good! Have you peered into the case to view the movement? I would love to see some macros of that.