Rolex DD Build Planning

[HaydenM]

Hi all,

 

After looking over my collections I have come to the realisation that my little Rolex collection is definitely missing a DJ or a DD and so I have decided to look into building a DD. Now while of course all gen DDs are in precious metals I'm not a flashy guy and don't want to get into the gold plated fiasco that reps can be so I have decided to go SS akin to the WG 18239. Now in the research I have done so far it appears that most of the DD builds around the fora revolve around raffles parts. I am not looking at going into a ridiculously expensive genstein build or anything but was wondering if anybody around the forum has any experience and suggestions.

 

For movement my current plan is an A2836

http://rafflesdials.com/chinese-tianjin-sea-gull-silver-clone-2836-watch-automatic-movement-beautiful-have-never-been-used-before/ (or similar)

 

With the Day/Date-WO from raffles too. On that note, is there a good tutorial floating around as to how to properly align the DWO? I've found some very old posts on the other RWG but not sure if there have been any developments there or any suggestions from the modders on the forum.

 

For the case, dial and bracelet are there any suggestions of a way to go other than raffles. I'm on the lookout for a gen dial but unfortunately 18239 dials are definitely up there in price.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance,

HaydenM

[alligoat]

I had a swiss eta 2834-2 that I wanted to use and mymanmatt got the DWOs- day and date and installed those on the 2834. The dial came from raffles and the case and bracelet are really DJ 116234 stuff but it worked out for a 118239 of sorts. The nice thing about the 118239 is that it runs under the radar so to speak- people have no clue what WG is.

Clarks had a nice 2834-2 a while back- it has to be a clone but might work well

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ETA-2834-2-style-movement-Swiss-made-white-nickel-in-color-clone/254043608728?_trkparms=aid%3D333200%26algo%3DCOMP.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20171012094517%26meid%3D4d9ba1b0fafc49089c4a290933784ff0%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D273202529994%26itm%3D254043608728&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

Silix prime has a ss 118239 type of watch and I've thought about maybe buying it to use the case and bracelet.

http://www.silix-prime.us/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_205_207&products_id=2056

It probably is a little more accurate than using a DJ case..

[automatico]

"For the case, dial and bracelet are there any suggestions of a way to go other than raffles."

 

If you are going 36mm...you might look for a case with the partially hooded lugs like genuine, not the common 'round end' case like DJ etc.  They use different hoods (bracelet end pieces) but they are not hard to find, or you can modify a standard set to fit.

[HaydenM]

4 hours ago, alligoat said:

I had a swiss eta 2834-2 that I wanted to use and mymanmatt got the DWOs- day and date and installed those on the 2834. The dial came from raffles and the case and bracelet are really DJ 116234 stuff but it worked out for a 118239 of sorts. The nice thing about the 118239 is that it runs under the radar so to speak- people have no clue what WG is.

Clarks had a nice 2834-2 a while back- it has to be a clone but might work well

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ETA-2834-2-style-movement-Swiss-made-white-nickel-in-color-clone/254043608728?_trkparms=aid%3D333200%26algo%3DCOMP.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20171012094517%26meid%3D4d9ba1b0fafc49089c4a290933784ff0%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D273202529994%26itm%3D254043608728&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

Silix prime has a ss 118239 type of watch and I've thought about maybe buying it to use the case and bracelet.

http://www.silix-prime.us/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_205_207&products_id=2056

It probably is a little more accurate than using a DJ case..

Gorgeous watch alligoat and pretty much exactly the build that I am looking at going for. Do you know if there's any advantage of the 2834 over the 2846? The watch you built is a 5 digit 18239 isn't it as opposed to the 6 digit 118239 which would have the thicker lumed batons right?

 

As for your dial just double checking it is this one correct?

http://rafflesdials.com/28-5mm-silver-dial-marked-rolex-symbol-with-silver-sticks-for-mens-day-date-watch-fit-eta-2836-or-dg-2813-automatic-movement/

 

3 hours ago, automatico said:

"For the case, dial and bracelet are there any suggestions of a way to go other than raffles."

 

If you are going 36mm...you might look for a case with the partially hooded lugs like genuine, not the common 'round end' case like DJ etc.  They use different hoods (bracelet end pieces) but they are not hard to find, or you can modify a standard set to fit.

Hi Automatico, 

 

Do you mean like this style of raffles case or is there another stockist? 

http://rafflesdials.com/rolex-signed-vintage-style-of-36mm-stainless-steel-day-date-watch-case-with-fluted-bezel-and-20mm-lugs-size-fit-eta-2836-movement/

 

I saw photos of Rolojack cases

but have yet to hear back from him as to the source of the cases.

Edited January 21, 2019 by HaydenM

[edgematic1]

Interesting topic. I've been looking at DD cases as well, all I remember is a guy from Taiwan that had quite good cases and bracelets, in YG though. But if he has YG, WG can't be too hard right. 
He was on eBay, not responsive though, sent him a message without a reply. 

[HaydenM]

1 hour ago, edgematic1 said:

Interesting topic. I've been looking at DD cases as well, all I remember is a guy from Taiwan that had quite good cases and bracelets, in YG though. But if he has YG, WG can't be too hard right. 
He was on eBay, not responsive though, sent him a message without a reply. 

Any chance it was riyi002 on ebay?

[edgematic1]

25 minutes ago, HaydenM said:

Any chance it was riyi002 on ebay?

Nope, will find out. Those white gold cases that RJ showed look pretty good. 

[alligoat]

RJ's cases are for the 18239- with the 'flat spot' between the lugs. The 118239 which came out around 2000 had the round case between the lugs and brought back the oyster bracelet. I don't think the oyster bracelet was an option on the 18239.

@Hayden M- the advantage of the 2834-2 is that it's 28800 beat and made for the Rolex style day date. 2846 is 21600 beat.

You linked to the dial that I used- it's not the greatest but it's ok. 

[edgematic1]

1 hour ago, alligoat said:

RJ's cases are for the 18239- with the 'flat spot' between the lugs. The 118239 which came out around 2000 had the round case between the lugs and brought back the oyster bracelet. I don't think the oyster bracelet was an option on the 18239.

@Hayden M- the advantage of the 2834-2 is that it's 28800 beat and made for the Rolex style day date. 2846 is 21600 beat.

You linked to the dial that I used- it's not the greatest but it's ok. 

Yes, I'm interested in the 18239. Oyster wasn't an option indeed.

[alligoat]

Rafflesdials has the 36mm  18239 DD case

http://rafflesdials.com/rolex-signed-vintage-style-of-36mm-stainless-steel-day-date-watch-case-with-fluted-bezel-and-20mm-lugs-size-fit-eta-2836-movement/

It will take his President's bracelet I believe

[edgematic1]

1 hour ago, alligoat said:

Rafflesdials has the 36mm  18239 DD case

http://rafflesdials.com/rolex-signed-vintage-style-of-36mm-stainless-steel-day-date-watch-case-with-fluted-bezel-and-20mm-lugs-size-fit-eta-2836-movement/

It will take his President's bracelet I believe

I'd be interested if it were actual gold, not SS. 

[HaydenM]

8 hours ago, alligoat said:

RJ's cases are for the 18239- with the 'flat spot' between the lugs. The 118239 which came out around 2000 had the round case between the lugs and brought back the oyster bracelet. I don't think the oyster bracelet was an option on the 18239.

@Hayden M- the advantage of the 2834-2 is that it's 28800 beat and made for the Rolex style day date. 2846 is 21600 beat.

You linked to the dial that I used- it's not the greatest but it's ok. 

The dial you used is a 18239 dial though isn't it? Or were there transition dials where there weren't lume filled dial markers?

 

As for the movement question my apologies I made a typo there. I was asking if there was a difference b/w the 2834 and 2836 as the 2836 is what I untended to use originally. Too many numbers it seems 😛

 

 

1 hour ago, edgematic1 said:

I'd be interested if it were actual gold, not SS. 

Do you mean actual gold or looks like gold. Because if you want gold plated raffles does have that too. 

 

http://rafflesdials.com/rolex-signed-vintage-style-of-36mm-gold-alloy-plated-golden-day-date-watch-case-with-fluted-bezel-and-20mm-lugs-size-fit-eta-2836-movement/

 

If you're wanting the YG model then it is a 18238 not a 18239

Edited January 22, 2019 by HaydenM

[alligoat]

Early 118208 with old style stick markers

Startime has the WG replacement case for $3700-4000 usd! Probably a bracelet too for a likewise amount

[HaydenM]

3 hours ago, alligoat said:

Early 118208 with old style stick markers

 

Startime has the WG replacement case for $3700-4000 usd! Probably a bracelet too for a likewise amount

I stand corrected they do exist, as for the startime case if I was going to drop 4000 USD on a WG case then I might as well just buy a real 18038 for $2500 more, pr even better could get an 1803 for only $600 more.

[edgematic1]

18038 for $6.5k?! Head only I assume? 

[HaydenM]

1 hour ago, edgematic1 said:

18038 for $6.5k?! Head only I assume? 

Yeah, just got the cheapest (non-disgusting) chrono24 price I could find (https://www.chrono24.com.au/rolex/day-date-18038--id7352245.htm)

 

Bumps up to $8,900USD with aftermarket bracelet (https://www.chrono24.com.au/rolex/day-date-president-18038-18k-yellow-gold---aftermarket-bracelet--id9944049.htm) or about the same for florentine (https://www.chrono24.com.au/rolex/president-day-date-18038--id9802260.htm)

 

I'd go with the 1803 (https://www.chrono24.com.au/rolex/-rolex-president-day-date-model-1803--id5699222.htm) before those though if going gen. 

 

Unfortunately being a poor(ish) 20 something year old gent all of those are out of the picture for now so it will be a rep for now once I figure out how to get a half way decent case.

 

Did you end up finding out who the ebay dealer was?

[HaydenM]

So from a bit more research it appears that the Rolojack case is simply a heat treated raffles case

as

Rolo said he got it from StoneP

 

And StoneP sources cases from Ken Chua (https://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/nsfw-looney-bin/305645-the-truth-about-stonep-mymanmatt-datejust-and-daydate-builds)

 

Appears the difference is heat treating and engraving which will be quite complicated rabbit holes to jump down for this build.

[HaydenM]

And another update, have now but the order in for parts with Raffles. Got everything from him for the moment and then from there we will see if I want to change anything out in future. Now I just have to play the waiting game.

[dpap]

RJ’s heat treatment is worth it.

Here is a build with gen dial, xtal, crown and eta 2834

[dpap]

The color matches the gen wg crown perfectly

[HaydenM]

2 hours ago, dpap said:

RJ’s heat treatment is worth it.

Here is a build with gen dial, xtal, crown and eta 2834

Gorgeous watch mate, I'm definitely still considering it but unfortunately Rolo hasn't been on RWG for months. I've sent him a message, we'll see if I get a responce.  

[pompompurin]

14 hours ago, dpap said:

RJ’s heat treatment is worth it.

Here is a build with gen dial, xtal, crown and eta 2834

Matching one here

[HaydenM]

43 minutes ago, pompompurin said:

Matching one here

Now this is just mean 😛

 

What're your build specs?

[HaydenM]

Okay, have gotten the parts from raffles. Have tried fitting them together but have unfortunately run into the hurdle of how to properly attach and space the day/date wheels. Any advice @pompompurin or @dpap?

 

Going to throw in a few photos of the raffles parts for the record.

 

Looks like I will need to reset the crystal as it looks a bit wonky to me.

 

 

Rolex Crown on crystal at 6

 

 

Dial before I scratched it up

 

Current movement setup (not quite working)

Nicely scratched up dial (thank god I did this first with a cheap dial)

 

 

Dial attached to plastic dial mount supplied by raffles.

 

 

Raffles DD Case

 

 

 

Provided caseback

 

 

Provided hands:

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2019 by HaydenM

[HaydenM]

UPDATE: Got the watch together. Definitely needs more work and I'll end up pulling it all apart and rebuilding it when I find the right dial for it. But for now I'll leave it like this.