dieselpower Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Greetings all. I am in the throes of gathering parts for a 6538 build and have started with a Helenarou 2 line gilt dial re-lumed by Big Dazza. As the dial is Helenarou I presumed I would be using a Helenarou case but I have heard good things about the Silix offering. A red triangle bezel is my preference so come on experts, argue it out which is best? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netniet Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 I am having the same dillema. Still not sure what to choose, there is a lot of information to be found. For starters I found this comparison on HF: http://www.homageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=28012&hilit=6538 The HR looks good to me for a starter, but can it take a plexi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 I bought the Helenarou mid case only (no bezel, crystal, etc,) because the side shape is very good, IMO. Just a bit of case mod should be all it needs for a 1950s Sub or GMT. I was disappointed that the crystal/bezel mount is NOT as per gen. No retainer is used. An acrylic crystal can be glued in, finding the correct size. My bezel and the Phong bezel do not fit. The indent for the spring on the case is too high. The caseback is better than the Silix/cartel, and looks good to me, but is not 2 piece gen-like. I paid around $125usd, and can't use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 HR makes a nice watch, but the crystal and bezel are problematic. I had same issues that JoeyB describes above. Will not accept gen spec parts without modifications. Insert size was not even close. Plexi would need to be modded and glued on. A nice piece but somewhat stuck with their parts. I know some have pulled off some pretty nice budgets builds with these case sets, but my research really showed that to do a franken with gen parts, a high cost gen spec case set is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobandshawn Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 My build consisted of the HR Case set, WSO insert, T-19 plexi (UV cemented), Athaya crown, holes drilled and case softened. I am VERY happy with the outcome and it is one my "keepers". Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lo' Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Mileages vary: In my case Silix case was ok, while bezel and insert were outrageous: This of course might have been a specific defect related to that particular watch but, the surface of the bezel was so uneven that I never succeeded in properly fixing the insert inside it, so much so that it would peel off very easily. I tried a little bit of everything from acrylic glue to pattex but never obtained a solid result till the day in which the insert just broke and solved the problem definitively Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kime Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Neither of these cases accept gen parts PERIOD. And the first thing to remember is that if you want any gen parts (minus the crown) then forget using either of these. These are what I refer to as "oversized" cases because the dial they accept is bigger than a gen, the bezels are bigger and so are the inserts. As a result the hands need to be longer. So these are BUDGET. Parts are sourced from HR, Raffles and Tiger for these builds, the results can be very good but, there is little point saying that gen spec parts don't fit so they are no good. These cases are what they are and can produce a half decent build. Here is my budget build with a silix case http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/172961-silix-6200-budget-build-complete/?hl=%2Bsilix+%2B6200 As for which to use from these two, even though I have used Silix and the results can be ok, I would probably say HR, with HR dial and hands, Raffles insert because if you do the plexi properly I can be made waterproof and the Silix is very very hard to get water tight. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted March 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Looks like HR by a nose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) One thing about the HR case is they never intended it to be a direct replica where you could interchange gen parts with it. 66Cooper is the designer and he is a member on Homage Forum. He said all along that this watch was intended to be a modern interpretation of the 6538 using improved materials. That's why he and HR chose sapphire right out of the gate, the 40mm size, etc. Personally, I have seen some pretty amazing budget builds using the Tiger and Silix cases over on HF and anything using the HR case is just too new looking. It has that modern ceramic maxi look to it. I'm not describing it well, but that's just the impression I get from any HR builds. I immediately am reminded of the ceramic age. If you want a modern homage, such as the Kingston, then the HR is awesome for that. It makes a really nice homage piece and is outstanding quality from what people have said. The Silix and Tiger seem to do really well when people grind, polish and reshape the sh*t out of them and really age them to look like a vintage piece. I personally haven't seen any well aged HR case builds. That doesn't mean they aren't out there - I'm no expert. Kime has actual real world experience working with these! Edited March 18, 2015 by Mendota Explorer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dlf Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 So if it's between the two, I would ask yourself what's more important in prefrence to you're taste, personally I like the slim silix case but the HR bezel is massively better ... Still not gen spec but can be shaped to look nice enough. id say HR is better quality but slighty big and clumsy for my taste. I did recently do a bastardised build using parts from both but it involved glueing the bezel on as the Hr assembly is awkwardly individual to its own case. If you don't want to do a lot of leg work I'd choose the HR . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 So if it's between the two, I would ask yourself what's more important in prefrence to you're taste, personally I like the slim silix case but the HR bezel is massively better ... Still not gen spec but can be shaped to look nice enough. id say HR is better quality but slighty big and clumsy for my taste. I did recently do a bastardised build using parts from both but it involved glueing the bezel on as the Hr assembly is awkwardly individual to its own case. If you don't want to do a lot of leg work I'd choose the HR . This is the master builder! DLF does amazing work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 ^^Vote to ban ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 Ya, not the best way to introduce yourself.... Sent from my droptop using telepathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 Aaaaaaaaaand he's OUTTA heeeerrrreeeeee. The crowd goes wild! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
civic4982 Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 I like them both. HR is a better finished case. A better bezel. The Rehaut is too deep and can sometimes look off. Silix is a more slim design and wears better. But the case and bezel are cheaply built and it comes through big time. Sent from the my iPhone using Tapatalk s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) Huh? Guys, did I say something wrong? I only meant that DLF has done some really cool things with these cheap Silix cases and budget builds, which is exactly what the OP is asking about. He doesn't sell anything. "Master Builder" is a reference from The Lego Movie, which my 3 little boys under 6 watch all the time. It's a cute movie. The "Master Builders" are able to put together things with vision, not having to rely on instructions. They can see a pile of parts or bricks and literally build anything with them. Just like you guys with watch parts. Saying someone is talented with budget builds, like DLF or Civic, in no way, shape or form, takes away from the talent you guys have with these unbelievable and insanely great genken builds. Nanuq, cc33, droptopman, dbane, freddy and many others with these incredibly amazing builds are operating on a different plane. We can only aspire to reach those heights. I'm sorry if I offended anyone. Edited March 19, 2015 by Mendota Explorer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 Huh? Guys, did I say something wrong? I only meant that DLF has done some really cool things with these cheap Silix cases and budget builds, which is exactly what the OP is asking about. He doesn't sell anything. "Master Builder" is a reference from The Lego Movie, which my 3 little boys under 6 watch all the time. It's a cute movie. The "Master Builders" are able to put together things with vision, not having to rely on instructions. They can see a pile of parts or bricks and literally build anything with them. Just like you guys with watch parts. Saying someone is talented with budget builds, like DLF or Civic, in no way, shape or form, takes away from the talent you guys have with these unbelievable and insanely great genken builds. Nanuq, cc33, droptopman, dbane, freddy and many others with these incredibly amazing builds are operating on a different plane. We can only aspire to reach those heights. I'm sorry if I offended anyone. This was not directed at you. A guy spammed a bunch of threads with a link to a web site for sales purposes. I think admin removed his posts. Sent from my droptop using telepathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 This was not directed at you. A guy spammed a bunch of threads with a link to a web site for sales purposes. I think admin removed his posts. Sent from my droptop using telepathy. Whew. Thanks for that clarification! I'm relieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 Whew. Thanks for that clarification! I'm relieved. haha Definitely not directed at you Mendota! There was an inappropriate troll post that has since been delete by the big man. All good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 LOL, thanks. I feel much better now. That was a fun start to the morning. He he. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kime Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 I think the comment about the rehaut on the HR case being too deep is a good point, it is, and that is what puts me off of that case the most, the silix rehaut is much better... some good comments here though about the budget case options... If only there was an after market bezel replacement for the silix case, oh and a better case back, then it would be good choice. OR scrub all that, when is Athaya releasing his damned oyster case set :-) lol not holding our breath on that one ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 The HR as a complete package is a great turn key solution. But if I were to build a budge BC, I'd use the Silix instead. The HR bezel construction is just too limiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted March 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Looks like the pendulum has swung. Silix is looking favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted March 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Further question - does the Helenarou dial fit in the Silix case with no 'trimming'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendota Explorer Posted March 20, 2015 Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Yes, you can use the HR dials and Raffles dials with the Silix case no problem. A lot of great builds have been made using the HR dials. The Tiger case is the one that requires you to trim the dial a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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