Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 5, 2019 Hi all........Just a quick intro.......I'm "almost" a total newbie to the "Rep Watch" hobby but my interest is growing quickly. My focus for now anyhow is on Rolex Watches, I purchased a genuine "No Date Oyster Perpetual" for my wife quite a few years ago for her birthday and that kind of lit the fire in me..........unfortunately the cost of putting out that fire has gone up considerably. I stumbled across the "Rep Watch" hobby while surfing around and looking for a good inexpensive used genuine Rolex. My first purchase was a Daytona by ARF with an A7750 movement, the next was a Noob Sea Dweller with a 3135 Asian Super Clone and my last was an inexpensive "6205 Look" Submariner with a 2836 Asian Automatic. My interest now is in trying to build my own watch. Some of the Reps I've looked at on here are beautiful and I would like to learn to build them too. My thoughts are that I can't be the only member here that has this interest but is unsure of how to proceed. I'm curious if there is enough interest for me to start a step by step build thread where I can show in pics what I am doing and if i get "stuck", or if others have questions, we can post them and hopefully get the answers we need as we go through the build "together"? As a "background" on my preparation I have of course been reading on the forums here as well as "Rep Geek" & RWI. I've watched the 24 chapter YouTube video series on watch-building by Rick Bell and read the suggested book "Beginner Watchmaking" by Tim Swike. I have purchased what I believe are the necessary tools to do the job and the watch that I intend to build is the Rolex GMT Master 1675 Casekit from Yuki https://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/9060661/10345806.htm I also purchased the suggested Guangzhou DG 3804B movement so I believe that I am about ready to start. Please let me know if there is any interest and I will start documenting the build. Thanks...........Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted November 5, 2019 Yes please!!! Sounds awesome, I'm in. Before you get going though, how did you find the Swike book, worth a buy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) 2 minutes ago, TheGingerFerret said: Yes please!!! Sounds awesome, I'm in. Before you get going though, how did your find the Swike book, worth a buy? Welcome aboard! I found my copy on eBay and it was very reasonably priced..........I'm not much of a book critic but it was worth the investment to me. Not a lot of reading, it's pic "heavy" Edited November 5, 2019 by Cigarlvr313 Add Content Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted November 5, 2019 It's only a tenner on Amazon. I think I might grab it for a toilet read. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RussP 22,221 Posted November 5, 2019 I'm definitely interested in the build, Paul. I'd never build a watch, but always interested in appreciating the blood, sweat and tears that get invested in constructing one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted November 5, 2019 Looking forward to seeing your build Paul! Welcome and Good luck! Cheers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 5, 2019 Thanks guys lets hope that its an easy 1st build. I want to try to see if I can figure out how to post pics.........here we go...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 5, 2019 Looks like I can post now all I need to do is to learn how to take a better pic!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted November 5, 2019 You'll get there This is my first watch build: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted November 5, 2019 2 hours ago, Cigarlvr313 said: I have purchased what I believe are the necessary tools to do the job and the watch that I intend to build is the Rolex GMT Master 1675 Casekit from Yuki https://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/9060661/10345806.htm Interesting. I always pass off the Yuki site as I think it is way over my budget for parts, but this looks reasonable. Good luck with the build! 3 minutes ago, Nikosaldente said: This is my first watch build: Oh my..... mind sharing the build specs? Good lighting too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fun Socks 76 Posted November 6, 2019 Good luck to you sir! Looking forward to seeing the results. Best things i ever learnt up for watch making are: brass tweezers, you cannot scratch steel parts with brass tweezers so get a cheap aa pair from ebay or something and you’ll never scratch your hands. finger condoms (i forget the real name). DO NOT under any circumstances touch a glossy dial unless you have those beasties on or you’ll spend hours trying to get it perfectly glossy again. Best of luck with the project man! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theviking 197 Posted November 6, 2019 Finger condoms . Finger cots are very useful. Excellent idea, build and share and I send you my love. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted November 6, 2019 13 hours ago, semperfi55 said: Oh my..... mind sharing the build specs? Good lighting too. There you go mate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC1221 44 Posted November 6, 2019 Good luck to you sir! Looking forward to seeing the results. Best things i ever learnt up for watch making are: brass tweezers, you cannot scratch steel parts with brass tweezers so get a cheap aa pair from ebay or something and you’ll never scratch your hands. finger condoms (i forget the real name). DO NOT under any circumstances touch a glossy dial unless you have those beasties on or you’ll spend hours trying to get it perfectly glossy again. Best of luck with the project man!Amazon has brass tweezers for $10-$20. GREAT deal. Most other brass tweezers I found were $$$$ Brass tweezers are a must imo. You can use rodco for setting hands without scratching them but tweezers work better for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk There you go mate For a first build, that’s damn good work! Hats off to you sir. Those overlays are a pain in the ass. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC1221 44 Posted November 6, 2019 Hi all........Just a quick intro.......I'm "almost" a total newbie to the "Rep Watch" hobby but my interest is growing quickly. My focus for now anyhow is on Rolex Watches, I purchased a genuine "No Date Oyster Perpetual" for my wife quite a few years ago for her birthday and that kind of lit the fire in me..........unfortunately the cost of putting out that fire has gone up considerably. I stumbled across the "Rep Watch" hobby while surfing around and looking for a good inexpensive used genuine Rolex. My first purchase was a Daytona by ARF with an A7750 movement, the next was a Noob Sea Dweller with a 3135 Asian Super Clone and my last was an inexpensive "6205 Look" Submariner with a 2836 Asian Automatic. My interest now is in trying to build my own watch. Some of the Reps I've looked at on here are beautiful and I would like to learn to build them too. My thoughts are that I can't be the only member here that has this interest but is unsure of how to proceed. I'm curious if there is enough interest for me to start a step by step build thread where I can show in pics what I am doing and if i get "stuck", or if others have questions, we can post them and hopefully get the answers we need as we go through the build "together"? As a "background" on my preparation I have of course been reading on the forums here as well as "Rep Geek" & RWI. I've watched the 24 chapter YouTube video series on watch-building by Rick Bell and read the suggested book "Beginner Watchmaking" by Tim Swike. I have purchased what I believe are the necessary tools to do the job and the watch that I intend to build is the Rolex GMT Master 1675 Casekit from Yuki https://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/9060661/10345806.htm I also purchased the suggested Guangzhou DG 3804B movement so I believe that I am about ready to start. Please let me know if there is any interest and I will start documenting the build. Thanks...........PaulGood kit but I would go with a ruby dial and raffles GMT hand. Yuki has good stuff but as far as dials go, Ruby is prob the best these days. Good luck to you! Can’t wait to see the end result Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 6, 2019 23 hours ago, Nikosaldente said: You'll get there This is my first watch build: Wow! I hope that mine turns out that good. We are getting some unseasonably good WX here in the Pac NW so I might be a bit slow getting started. This was going to be a rainy day project.............. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 8, 2019 The sun is still shining but I'm getting anxious to start my build. I pulled out some of my parts this morning and layed them out so I can start thinking about my first steps in the assembly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 8, 2019 I believe that my first action will be to install the dial face. When I opened the movement box there was a small plastic bag that contained a small brass "gear" and a "wavy" washer......I'm already stumped........can anyone tell me if I need them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,501 Posted November 8, 2019 On 06/11/2019 at 07:38, Drfunsocks said: finger condoms (i forget the real name). DO NOT under any circumstances touch a glossy dial unless you have those beasties on or you’ll spend hours trying to get it perfectly glossy again. I prefer full (non-powdered) latex gloves (I hate the nitrile ones) to the finger condoms. I have decently sized fingers and those stop my circulation... About the glossy dial: rodico will remove all the fingerprints without much trouble Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,501 Posted November 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Cigarlvr313 said: I believe that my first action will be to install the dial face. When I opened the movement box there was a small plastic bag that contained a small brass "gear" and a "wavy" washer......I'm already stumped........can anyone tell me if I need them? Normally the washer sits between the dial and the movement, placed like in this 2824: But I'm not sure you need it on that movement (unless something is free to move like the hour wheel of the mentioned 2824, which is not kept in place by anything and that can move on its post if the movement is placed upside down). The other gear: no idea! Important: are you sure you don't also need a date wheel overlay? Try to put the dial on the movement. Are the date numbers aligned with the date window on the dial? Are them of the correct Rolex font? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cigarlvr313 1 Posted November 9, 2019 There is nothing free to move so I will just attempt to set the dial face. Thanks for the help. I think the font on my numbers is correct by comparing them to other GMT pics I have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted November 9, 2019 9 hours ago, Cigarlvr313 said: I think the font on my numbers is correct by comparing them to other GMT pics I have. Gentle doesn't just mean that though (I think) - he's asking if the numbers are in the right place compared to the date window in the dial. Put the dial loosely on top - are the numbers in the date wheel window, nice and centred - or are they a few mm in the wrong place sideways? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,747 Posted November 9, 2019 3 minutes ago, TheGingerFerret said: Gentle doesn't just mean that though (I think) - he's asking if the numbers are in the right place compared to the date window in the dial. Put the dial loosely on top - are the numbers in the date wheel window, nice and centred - or are they a few mm in the wrong place sideways? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted November 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, pickledbeetroot said: I'm assuming I'm wrong. Again. Care to help OP (and me)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,501 Posted November 9, 2019 3 hours ago, TheGingerFerret said: I'm assuming I'm wrong. Again. Care to help OP (and me)? No, you were right. I'm not familiar with low-end movement based Rolexes, so I think it is a good idea to check if the numbers are centered in the date window in the dial before to move on. They probably are fine but better to check anyway while at the beginning of the build. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites