My First Build

[krbarnes]

Here are a few shots of my first build. I bought the case with ETA 2836-2 movement, the WM9 V2 (hollow mid-link/SEL) bracelet, and Noob dial and datewheel overlay from different members here on the forums. I had to swap the crystal with another sub to 're-align' the cyclops with the date opening. Let me know what you think. Comments/suggestions, etc.

[ubiquitous]

Nice work on a first build! Looks good!

[TeeJay]

Looking good There's nothing as satisfying as looking down, and thinking "I made that..." Have you any other projects in the pipeline?

[freddy333]

Looking good There's nothing as satisfying as looking down, and thinking "I made that..."

Ditto.

[jmb]

Very "soul satisfying" experience! Looks very nice - wear it proudly! Yes, now you're hooked we expect a few more! ;-)

[highoeyazmuhudee]

not bad

maybe it's the angle, but is the date wheel centered? something like that would bother me if it werent.

[dluddy]

nice job and thanks for sharing your results

[alligoat]

Looking good!

Which case did you use?

[Justbrowsing]

So its a gen case, crystal, bezel and crown? Then you added a rep dial, rep date overlay. 2836-2 and rep band? It looks really good. Would you mind me asking how much you have in this project total?

Here are a few shots of my first build. I bought the case with ETA 2836-2 movement, the WM9 V2 (hollow mid-link/SEL) bracelet, and Noob dial and datewheel overlay from different members here on the forums. I had to swap the crystal with another sub to 're-align' the cyclops with the date opening. Let me know what you think. Comments/suggestions, etc.

[krbarnes]

I really don't know which case this is. I bought the case/movement from Physher007 here on the forum. It has all the engraving between the lugs, and the engraving inside the case back, but the dial was really messed up. I bought a Noob dial from BK, only to find that the date window didn't line up with my existing date wheel. I then had to get a new Noob date wheel overlay ( and install it ) to get it properly aligned. Then the cyclops on the crystal didn't line up with the date, so I swapped the crystal from another 'cheap' sub that I had. The bracelet is the latest WM9 Sub bracelet I got from Vlydog. Right now I have about $220 in the watch, and am VERY happy with it. About the only thing I might do is get a better bezel insert, maybe from WatchMaterial? Is it worth another $25?

The date window in the picture does look really 'off', but that must be the angle of the photo. In actuality it is pretty much centered.

I can see why this hobby can be addicting. It was a lot of fun chasing down parts. The worst part is waiting for them to arrive in the mail!

[krbarnes]

Can anyone help me identify this case? The only thing I can see is the Bezel assembly is not like a Gen. It doesn't use the "wire spring" for the dentent. It has a hole drilled vertically into the case, and uses a small spring and 'plunger' to act as the detent, and the bezel has 'notches on the bottom side that move against the plunger.

[alligoat]

Chinese case, used by Paul, Andrew, etc. Sometimes referred to as a 'WOK' because of the inward sloping rehaut- but yours didn't look too bad.

Your pearl didn't look too bad. BK's formula is a jewelryoutlet555 insert and the $10 WM pearl. I'd just enjoy the watch and install a new insert/pearl when you've tore up the one in there now- they do get scratched and nicked fairly easily.

[FxrAndy]

Looks very good, enjoy it with pride

[highoeyazmuhudee]

I'd say the watch material pearl is worth the price, its a huge difference and is 1000x more durable than a homemade epoxy pearl. And you'll laugh at the ridiculously sized envelope they send that 1mm pearl in. I think it was legal sized.

[krbarnes]

I'm thinking about upgrading the case. I can get a WM9 V2 case from BK, or a Euromariner case from Neo. What would y'all recommend? There's about a $50 difference between those 2. Is it worth it, or should I save my $$$ and just get a WM9?

[alligoat]

I'd get the WM9 case over the Euro(MBK) case, myself.

But if you got the complete WM9 sub, you'd have a nice watch for 'dress' and a watch for 'beating around'.

[highoeyazmuhudee]

I have both cases and WM9 has a more accurate presence. MBK is nice, but too many modding problems with the retaining ring and recessing the insert, WM9 easiest to mod out of the box and the crown is already superb. My experience tells me if youre going to mod it up , even a little, get the WM9. the case you're looking at, does it have engraving on the rehaut?

[vlydog]

Great job K!

WM9 all the way.

[krbarnes]

OK, my "first build" has just been "re-built". I replaced the case with a WM9 V2 case set from BK, so here's what I have (so far!):

WM9 V2 Case set with no rehaut engraving (this one has gen-style bezel, large crown tube)

Clark Crystal

ETA 2836-2 movement

Noob dial and datewheel

Watchmaterial bezel insert & pearl

WM9 V2 Sub bracelet with hollow mid-links and solid end-links

It doesn't look much different, but this case is much better than the old one.

[alligoat]

Congrats! Sounds like you've a very nice sub there.

[krbarnes]

quick question: does a gen style bezel insert need to be glued to the bezel ring? I put this thing together and just noticed that the bezel insert will move/spin on the bezel ring.

[alligoat]

Yes, at that point you either glue it or loose it eventually. I glued my gen insert to my Euromariner bezel- it snapped in, but kept popping out when knocked or tapped too hard.

[krbarnes]

yeah, it seemed to snap in OK, but it is loose.

Should I use superglue? gorilla glue? GS Cement?a

Should I sand the bottom a bit for better adhesion?

[alligoat]

I take the bezel off, use GS Hypo-cement and clamp it for an hour or so. GS hypo-cement isn't the strongest, but it's OK- if you decide to remove the insert you can do so easily. Epoxy would be better, but it's more permanent.