jigelow

If you were doing the mods and work yourself, the cost wouldn't be so bad but if you're outsourcing and trying to do a solid build with gen parts, it's gonna cost almost as much as a gen.

If I were you I'd scrap the yuki 3135 and the gen parts.

With the available options, this is what I would do.

Buy a TC V6.

Get lug holes drilled.

Swap to a yuki 16800 dial and have the hands relumed to match.

Get a vintage DWO for $30.

That would be about $600 for the TC + $150 or so for yuki dial and vintage DWO.

I'd also pick up a yuki bracelet with end links and gen spring bars.

You could do the whole build for around a grand.

With gen and yuki parts, you're looking at a lot more.

I appreciate the advice. I'm already invested in this past the point of going that route. The process, for me, is to build something that is unique and is at the same time a bit of work. I'll assemble it myself. I've taken apart and replace and reassembled enough watches to get a feel for what I'm getting in to. If it was a matter of servicing the movement or dealing with a SubC bezel, that'd be different.

There are a few modders that drill virgin lug holes. Jmb and pbdad I think both offer it.

I've been wanting to do a 16800 build with a matte dial since I got in to reps but no good cases for it.

The TC case would prob be your best option but the rehaut is wrong for a 16800. ST case would be the one to go for but they are hard to come by.

I think the old noobmariners have the right rehaut depth but I don't know if those will take a gen/yuki movement.

As for the date wheel, if you're using a yuki 3135, you should be able to use a gen date wheel. You can buy vintage date wheels on eBay. Not cheap but it's the best.

Good luck. I'd love to see how it turns out. Like I said, I've wanted one for some time but the cost of doing a great build is almost as much as buying a used gen.

I'm starting to realize that bit about cost you mentioned. It adds up quick!

I've found a lot of gen dates wheels, but the only ones with the opens are for the 3035, which won't work. All the 3135 wheels I've found are the newer digits. I didn't know if there was any way to get the best of both worlds.

So I didn't really know what I wanted to build when I started this. I have not done a build before, but there were a few on my list that sounded like it would be fun sourcing parts and getting this together. I finally ran across a few sales that pointed me to this direction, mainly due to price. I have a gen WG surround, gloss with spotting dial, gen hands, gen insert, gen crystal, gen 704 crown and tube, and have spoken with misiekped about servicing a Yuki 3135 for me when I get my hands on it.

The direction I need is case and date wheel. Being 16800, I'd like to have at least a case that has fully drilled lug holes. I'm sure I could achieve this myself; however, I'm a bit hesitant buying a TC or Yuki case and making a mistake and trashing it. Does anyone actually sell a 16610 case with drilled lug holes?

Finally, the date wheel. With the Yuki 3135, I have to change the date wheel since the one it comes with is rubbish. Through my arduous reading and photo viewing, most mid-80s 16800s had open-6 open-9 date wheels and even a few had silver date wheels. Is there a solution for this for the 3135 date wheel order?

Thanks in advance for your advice. In my short time here, I've learned a lot that I didn't on the other boards. Thanks also to misiekped for advice on the movement. Can't wait to get one to you for servicing!

I'll do that. Thanks!

Just starting my franken and found this thread and joined just to thank you guys. Having a gen dial and hands already, I pretty much knew it was gen movement or Yuki for my only options. This gives me a bit more insight in to what I'd be getting in to. misiekped, are you still providing servicing on these or stocking them? If so, can you pm me what you charge?

Thanks again, guys!