automatico Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 "...I wouldn't hate on the DG3804B movement. It's really not 'cheap', but instead inexpensive. It is as accurate and dependable as the converted ETA 2836-2 we get, 'Swiss' or Asian. The DG3804B has two advantages over the Swiss/Asian ETA. It is designed to be a genuine GMT movement from the ground up, not a conversion. In 3 - 5 years when a service is needed you just buy a new DG for $25usd versus an ETA service for at least $75usd from a very friendly watchmaker. To get a genuine ETA GMT designed from the ground up, the ETA 2893-2, you'll need to spend over $250usd with no real clear advantage in accuracy or durability." I agee. From what I have seen, DG3804B are pretty good movements and with 21600 bph, they are good for vintage gmt/expII projects. I have said before that I do not like to work on DG/NN Miyota clone movements but if they are clean and properly oiled, they will run for years. I think most of the trouble experienced with these movements is caused by being dirty and/or dry. I did not have much trouble with the older DG models that had a non-adjustable 24 hour hand either. I still have a couple from an internet dealer who called himself 'Cal' about 10 years back and they still run fine too. 'Cal' had a guy named 'Benny' in the USA and you sent the $$ to 'Benny' and in a few weeks the watch would arrive from China. Iirc, Sub, GMT and ExII were $100 and DJ were $55. All the DJ had Seagull ST16 movements signed 'Pusan Co. Korea...18 Jewels'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 okay guys - i will start over with my little DG friend - tonight i will let him in the watchbox with the Swiss brothers - peace great infos automatico - sounds like the older movements whould be even better for this project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 okay inexpensive but the whole "feel" is like 2 classes lower than ETA - not to mention the cheap sounds it makes while winding 'Feel' is an individual thing, and only you can decide what you like. The movements I've bought from Frei and Borel feel smooth to me, and the rotors are quiet. Might be clean and oiled is the key, as these are new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 "...I wouldn't hate on the DG3804B movement. It's really not 'cheap', but instead inexpensive. It is as accurate and dependable as the converted ETA 2836-2 we get, 'Swiss' or Asian. The DG3804B has two advantages over the Swiss/Asian ETA. It is designed to be a genuine GMT movement from the ground up, not a conversion. In 3 - 5 years when a service is needed you just buy a new DG for $25usd versus an ETA service for at least $75usd from a very friendly watchmaker. To get a genuine ETA GMT designed from the ground up, the ETA 2893-2, you'll need to spend over $250usd with no real clear advantage in accuracy or durability." I agee. From what I have seen, DG3804B are pretty good movements and with 21600 bph, they are good for vintage gmt/expII projects. I have said before that I do not like to work on DG/NN Miyota clone movements but if they are clean and properly oiled, they will run for years. I think most of the trouble experienced with these movements is caused by being dirty and/or dry. I did not have much trouble with the older DG models that had a non-adjustable 24 hour hand either. I still have a couple from an internet dealer who called himself 'Cal' about 10 years back and they still run fine too. 'Cal' had a guy named 'Benny' in the USA and you sent the $$ to 'Benny' and in a few weeks the watch would arrive from China. Iirc, Sub, GMT and ExII were $100 and DJ were $55. All the DJ had Seagull ST16 movements signed 'Pusan Co. Korea...18 Jewels'. That makes sense. The experts here recommend a full service on a watch purchased from any of our Chinese dealers for good reason. Working on them is an adventure and not for the feint of heart! The U shaped spring under the keyless works cover can travel several yards in any direction at near the speed of light. I used a piece of tape to hold it when reinstalling. That tamed the beast a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Very cool GMT Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polexpete Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Budget ..? looks a million dollars Frank P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmj Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 very nice work. I like the dial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjule111 Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 If all my projects look that awesome with that kind of budget. I would b a happy man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 "The U shaped spring under the keyless works cover can travel several yards in any direction at near the speed of light. I used a piece of tape to hold it when reinstalling. That tamed the beast a bit." I have lost parts to these things that I will never see again. If this is the U shaped spring that puts tension on the calendar index pawl located under the 'key hole' shaped slot in the cover plate over the calendar works etc...it goes in through the slot after the plate is installed. During disassembly...after removing the cover plate, take the U spring out first thing before it goes into orbit and note if one side of the spring is longer than the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 "The U shaped spring under the keyless works cover can travel several yards in any direction at near the speed of light. I used a piece of tape to hold it when reinstalling. That tamed the beast a bit." I have lost parts to these things that I will never see again. If this is the U shaped spring that puts tension on the calendar index pawl located under the 'key hole' shaped slot in the cover plate over the calendar works etc...it goes in through the slot after the plate is installed. During disassembly...after removing the cover plate, take the U spring out first thing before it goes into orbit and note if one side of the spring is longer than the other. Yep, exactly right. I figured that out! I put the U shaped spring on a piece of Scotch tape so I can see through it, and install the spring through the slot. That way if you miss the slot a tad, or the spring decides it has different intentions than you have, it is still stuck to the tape. I bet I've spent more time looking for teeny-tiny parts that go off the reservation than the time to actually install them! I am fortunate in that when my tired old eyes can't find the screw or part, my Lady friend who is a surgical nurse always finds them. She says they have to do that in surgery when a doc drops a tiny needle and stuff. And I have fun watching her search... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizi Posted July 19, 2012 Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 Nice job!!! Where did you found that caseback?? Doesn't JOsh's 1655 come with a round caseback? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted July 19, 2012 Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 EBay seller Rafflestime sells rep Rolex parts and sells the 1675 case back. The explorer case back is too thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_rymeister Posted July 19, 2012 Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 Looks great on jubilee frank , nice build look forward to the updates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcpark87 Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 Beautiful piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gplracer Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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