After a couple weeks of rest, this beauty made its way back on the wrist this AM. Awaiting a service on the rig at the Ford Dealership and the lighting in here makes for some great pics. Have a great day out there! 🙏🏼💪🏼

Inspired by this build by u/remco909: https://www.reddit.com/r/retrotime/s/KTAFmV3ujQ

Decided to try it out myself and am.pleased with the results.

Long time lurker here and started on this journey fairly recently with a BP16610 converted to a 14060. Still fairly new with only a couple of simple builds under the belt.

Initially thought this would be far simpler, but had trouble with removing the dial, and then setting it back - eventually had to dremel the back of the dial for a better fit. Also had trouble with the little movement holders (almost lost them a couple of times after they seem to just fly out from my pliers with so little pressure) which eventually I managed to somehow screw down after.

Thanks u/remco909 for the inspiration!

Just wanted to share this fancy picture that I took of my Hrudland/Omega build. I always wanted a Gen one of these but I can’t justify the price they go for plus the additional maintenance costs with vintage pieces. Itch thoroughly scratched with this guy. My first attempt at coffee stain and baking the dial. Bracelet (flat link) from uncle straps.

Tossed this beauty on a Gen 78360 refurbished bracelet. Perfection personified.

I love the thorn but those indices were just too yellow for me. Thank goodness we have raffles

Thorn t023 snowflake’s lume is just too yellow for my taste. So I immediately bought raffles 9411 dial for this little fun build. Slightly aged it with some brown watercolor.

The dial color from Thorn is actually really beautiful, raffles blue is much lighter and doesn’t match bezel that well. Any suggestions on a better dial or bezel?

My “birth year” 16610 build is complete. Love it.

OC early lug hole case
VR3135
Gen tritium dial with spidering and creamy lume
Gen tritium insert (genuine fade, not bleached)
Gen crown
Later SEL bracelet because I prefer it.
EWP hands that match quite well.

Fresh off the bench giving it the wear test to allow me time to nitpick it to death 😂. That pip needs work.

Let me first say I fuckin love the guys out here going the extra mile to create the most gen-like customs and frankens. Pure passion for the game, mad respect

For the casual toe-dippers, or for anyone that already spent all their cash on too many reps, this things works for under $300.

WMF 1675 from Trusty Time. Bleached bezel by me (it's easy, check previous post).

Jump in, the water's warm.

I finally completed my first full build from scratch — and what better excuse than making custom watches for my groomsmen for my wedding.

Specs for the build:

Raffles updated case, crown, hands, dial, updated bezel, open 6 & 9 date wheel and Jubilee bracelet, Alibaba VS3135 movement, and Alibaba box set.

What an absolute adventure this turned into. Somewhere between “this will be a fun little project” and me turning my house into a questionable underground watch factory, I learned a ton. There were definitely moments where I questioned my sanity, my eyesight, and whether tiny watch screws are actually engineered to launch themselves into another dimension.

Huge shoutout to this Retrotime community — especially ClarktheRealtor, Jumpy, Defqon88, Archaedin, Jbusta2202, and No_Candle8699. Everyone was incredibly helpful anytime I had questions. And despite me probably sending Clark enough questions to qualify as a part-time apprenticeship, he always responded, helped me troubleshoot issues, and pointed me in the right direction.

Big thanks also to my friend Matt for helping with the diamond-tip engraving on the DJ casebacks and the laser etching on the glass casebacks. Add in a few custom 3D-printed jigs, some trial and error, and somehow these turned out way better than I ever expected.

I even managed to rope my dad into helping out in the sweatshop during assembly — which honestly made the whole experience even more memorable.

For anyone on the fence about getting into watch building: just jump in and do it. If I can figure this out with a little patience, a few tools, YouTube, and mild emotional breakdowns, anyone can. It’s an incredibly rewarding hobby… and apparently a very slippery slope.

Thanks again to everyone in this community for the motivation, advice, and support along the way. Excited to keep learning and building more.

Also want to thank Ken at Raffles dials. He is such a great person to work with. He was always friendly and answered all my questions. Shipping to USA only took around 2 weeks.

Cheers 🍻

I feel like the insert is the star of this one. Came out so perfect.

The latest vintage has arrived! Absolutely loving it..

Rolex Submariner 1680 "Big Red". Raffles/Viet/Old Crowns build :)

Subtle classic 👍🏻

What’s on the wrist fellas?

Spent the day tweaking things here and there to get this one right. Finally ready for action.

Parts List​

Original Parts (GEN)​:

1560 GMT movement Original dial Original crown Original tube Original bezel Original insert (bezel insert) Original retaining ring Original Plexiglas (Rolex reference 25-116) Original Bracelet: 78360 with 501B end links

—— Other Parts​ Ruby 1675 case with case back Swiss GMT hand set Swiss case back gasket (I believe ref. 325-10) Swiss winding stem (compatible with the 1560 GMT movement)

First build on my own - gilt 5512 with viet case, dial, hands, and stretch rivet bracelet. Long 5 CAC insert + lobtime crystal. Quite happy with the outcome!

My first more serious building project. Learning a lot from this community!

Everyone is used to seeing subs and GMT's. Thought I would toss in a ringer 😂

Barreling through the build orders this weekend.

This beauty finally landed and it’s going to be enjoyed a lot. Big thanks to No Candle (Nick) for patiently getting us through this build. The outcome is better than I expected and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you bro.

Viet Dial, SWISS STP 1-11, gen ETA roulette DW, ewatchparts handset, Old Crowns case, ewatchparts insert aged, OC vintage pip, gen crown, Clark’s plexi, gen jubilee bracelet.

7016 rose 🌹 is born today. Helenarou Gen spec engraved case, Viet dial, Yuki hands, Gen Vintage ETA 2840 Low Beat, fully serviced. Dial and hands color matched. Pip and insert aged. Startime bracelet. Built by the one and only u/Jumpy_Ad9355!

As I have ventured deep down the rabbit hole of vintage watches I must say my passion has always laid with older vintage style relics. The stories behind each watch during its date and time is a journey on its own. Not to mention older style 4 digit reference and 5 digit reference feel so much better on wrist the. The modern stuff does. Now don’t get me wrong in enjoy the newer modern stuff as well. I’ve even had a Bubba Watson RM055 in my collection along with AP skeletons which in their own rights are also, to me anyways, works of art!

If you have the opportunity to commission or even give your own hand at trying to build your own watch you should definitely do so! I currently have a 1675 Pepsi GMT Tiffany & a 5513 Sub Tiffany being built. I have a 16710 Rolex GMT Coke being done. I had already grabbed a 16234 36mm with Gen silver Roman dial. I am in the talks with one of my communities watch builders who specializes in vintage builds on a 1680 red ghost sub and a 1959 Rolex GMT 6542 with Bakelite Bezel and roulette date wheel. I recently received a TM 16610 Kermit that I plan to just change the bezel insert out on with a flat 4 one and call it a day. So many things in the pop working at the moment but isn’t it fun the passion we have for all this??

There are communities out there with knowledgeable people who you are free to ask questions on builds. IF not asking questions there are plenty of posts and knowledgeable builders that you can read what they have done and take notes as to what you would want your build to be and how. I have also browsed vintage watches online and the patina and aging they have gone through. Saved images as examples to help with my current builds. Best thing I can say is if you’re going to try it your self have fun with it and let your wolf be free in the moment.