oldtools

Would using silicone grease at the base of the lip provide a barrier against moisture and oxygen getting in and creating more corrosion?

uh oh...hour hand doesn't look so good

Have you tried again to order from Startime?

Get a watch hand broaching vise like this https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/hand-holding-watch And get some watch hand broaches like this https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/0045-to-140mm-german?code=B36682 You can check the hole size with this https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/hand-gauge?code=G0698

I have heard Tiger Concept has good hands' http://tiger-concept.com/hands-all.html

There are some some very talented mod/repair people sharing their services here on RWG. They can make you a spacer or drill your lugholes. https://rwg.cc/forum/179-repairmodification-services/ Here is a post from Neckyzips showing some of the work he is capable of.

I don't know which factory makes the best Datejust for the money. You can check the watches available from RWG's trusted dealers and see if any look good to you. This is where you will find the trusted dealers at RWG https://rwg.cc/forum/230-watches-clothing-parts-accessories/ Here is a link to Trusty Time's inventory of Datejust 41mm https://trustytime.shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_294

You can contact Misiekped here https://rwg.cc/profile/4649-misiekped/ And Mymanmatt here https://rwg.cc/profile/43828-mymanmatt/ And Rionrity here https://rwg.cc/profile/51783-rionrlty/

Here is a list of repair services at RWG https://rwg.cc/forum/179-repairmodification-services/ In the US, your best bet is to contact Misiekped or Rionrity.

The "O" in ROLEX is not level with the other letters.

Trustytime is one of RWG's trusted dealers. You can find him in the list of trusted dealers here: https://rwg.cc/forum/230-watches-clothing-parts-accessories/

Do you have some calipers to measure the dial diameter? Maybe cut something to the exact dial seat diameter and measure that too.

Were you successful getting pearls from Helenarou? Are they as good as Athaya's?

Yep, you're good to go.

No, it won't need to be retapped. You do need to use the correct tube that fits whatever crown you choose.

Your watch would originally have come with a 700 crown. During servicing through the years it would have been changed to the latest version. So, if your watch was serviced in the 70's, a 702 crown would be correct.

When Rolojack would post pictures of his builds, he would describe machining the case to make it thinner and opening the dial window. This might be why the rehaut looks different from a stock MBW. Well, Mattjames84's case may be a cartel case. Here is a Rolojack pictorial about making a pointed crown guard 5513. It looks to be op's watch in the making. At least the hour hand seems to be the same.

They're gone. I just called the phone number listed when you go to check out. Natalie answered and said "sorry, I don't sell any more. I haven't sold for years". Odd that the web site is still up.

I emailed them to get a price on a case and got no response. They do list a phone number. I was going to call it, but haven't yet. That would be too bad if they aren't selling parts. With shipping delays the way they are, I was going to purchase some items from them and get them quicker.

I can't help you with that. Maybe someone that owns a rep Datejust can tell you which one is more like gen. They all look good to me. I'm sure you will be happy with any one you choose. I think the A2836 movement is probably better than the 3135 clone movement so, I would pick this one: https://trustytime.shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_12&products_id=19961 Another thing to remember, if you do buy a watch from a vendor, please be patient. Shipping out of China is very slow right now. You may not receive your watch for a month or more. You might want to check the member sales for someone in the EU selling a watch you like.