r/retrotime

Just finished a Pre-Daytona build with a proper mile dial, and this one came out exactly how I envisioned it.

Specs:

* JKF base watch

* Viet dial (mile/tachymeter on dial – early configuration)

* Custom thin chronograph seconds hand

Quick note on the “custom” part that word gets thrown around a lot, doesn’t mean shit and is basically gate keeping, just wanna point that out. Early Pre-Daytonas and first-gen Daytonas typically used a noticeably thinner chrono seconds hand. It’s a small detail, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it. After a long search, I had a small batch made to match the specs I want it for this movement. Nothing crazy, just attention to the right details and it makes a big difference in the final look.

The case was fully reshaped and brought down to ~13mm. I know the “correct” spec is closer to 13.5mm, but the client wanted it slimmer, so i pushed it further while keeping the overall profile balanced.

Finished with a Swiss plexi great clarity and distortion, exactly what you want on a build like this.

Everything was fully aged and gone through piece by piece. A lot of small tweaks in there that are hard to list, but they all add up.

I mean, look at this. This is how we achieve world peace. Everyone has a chance and no need for conflict: a perfect collection

I’ve spent the last few years obsessing over the Explorer II / Fixed-Bezel aesthetic. Instead of just picking one, I decided to buy every possible "flavor" to find where the law of diminishing returns actually hits.

The Lineup (L to R):

\- The Vintage Build: Custom 1655 "Freccione" (Yodog build). Reshaped case, softened edges, muted orange hand. This just arrived yesterday and the "soul" of the hand-finishing is unreal.

\- The Mid-Tier: Neo-vintage BP 16570. Honestly, this gets the most wrist time for now, but I’m sure the 1655 will beat it. The 40mm proportions are just the sweet spot. I’m considering getting a custom build to get it closest to gen, the bezel bothers a little bit. But the proportions are perfect for me

\- The Top-Tier (Rep): Modern QF 226570. The "Tank." The finishing on this is so close to Gen it’s actually a bit scary. Very close to being a NWBIG

\- The Gen (Swiss): Tudor BB Pro. A beautiful piece of engineering, but yeah... she's a thick one. The T-fit clasp is a dream, but the case height is a constant "GSD" (Get Shit Done) challenge.

\- The Homages (USA & China): Vaer G5 and San Martin SN0054.

Honestly? The $250 San Martin has a clasp and "on-the-fly" adjustment that makes some of these watches feel like they're living in the past (how ironic, I know it. going for literally 2 vintage pieces and wanting modern comfort)

The Hot Take: For a rotation, "Caller" GMTs are strictly better than "Traveller" GMTs. When this sits for a couple of weeks, I can set the date in 2 seconds. Grinding a jumping hour hand to advance 15 days is a nightmare I'm done with.

Am I missing a piece of the puzzle, or have I successfully beaten the final boss of watch collecting? If you had to consolidate which ones would get canned and which ones would stay?

Wondering if anyone has purchased this 1655 kit from Silian. If so, thoughts?

Looks like the case back is stamped. Is the case engraved? How’s the dial and hands set?

Some more details of all the parts gathered for my Franken build.

Case : Speedmaster 345.0808 (used)

Movement : Lemania 1873 (used-revisioned)

Dial : Speedmaster 1861 (used)

Hands : Omega 1861 (NOS)

Chrono bridge : Omega 861 (NOS)

Case clamps and screws: Omega 861 (NOS)

Movement holder : Omega 861 (NOS)

Stem : Omega 861 (NOS)

Extra photo of dial fitted in the case to see how it looks, and still need to fit omega bridge and polish the hesalite.

Specs:

- ETA2836

- Raffles 1675 case reshaped

- Raffles 5.3mm gold plated crown

- Gold plated bezel

- Raffles open 6/9 dwo

- Ebay bezel insert

- Ebay 25-116 crystal

- u/jovanotti18 1675/3 Rootbeer Nipple dial

- Rafflestime GMT hand

- Raffles gold sub hour/minute hand

- Cousins gold second hand for gen 1575 movement broached to 0.25mm to fit ETA2836

- Raffles two tone oyster bracelet

Hello everybody!! That’s all my actual collection of parts for the next timepieces to build 😊 if you are wanting to commission a build from me and there is a dial you like, dm me and I book the parts for you ✌️

Prices list:

Cartel based builds with reworked case 13.5 thickness, aftermarket dial + bezel + glass + tube and crown + bracelet, aging and refining = 1600€

Full custom builds (st19) with custom case, aftermarket dial, gen spec bezel + glass + tube and crown + bracelet, aging and refining = 2000€

Full custom + gen parts (st19) with custom case, aftermarket dial, gen spec bezel, gen glass, gen tube and crown, gen spec bracelet, aging and refining = 2500€

For VALJOUX 72x builds, prices are on demand, depending on the quality you want :) starts from 6500€

My goals is to give the best quality build possible with given budget ☺️

A lot of thanks to all of you!! ❤️🙏🏼❤️

Finally got time to work on this, slowly, but it’ll hopefully be completed in May!

What’s your aging technique? Share it! 😁

Old crowns gmt master 2 case

We are spoiled by modern factory reps, but custom vintage builders are operating on a totally different level.

I love my modern factory reps. The fact that we can buy a VSF or Clean (not anymore unfortunately) straight out of the box with that level of precision is amazing. But diving into the vintage side of the hobby really makes you appreciate the custom builders in our community.

I just got this Tiffany-stamped 1655 "Freccione" from Yodog, and the amount of human craftsmanship that went into it is incredible. A few details he absolutely nailed:

* **The Patina:** Getting that creamy tritium look is tough, but matching the dial plots to the metal hands without it looking like a cheap "fauxtina" bake job is a real skill. The color consistency here is dead on.

* **The Orange Arrow:** Cheap 1655 reps always use this bright, plastic-looking neon orange for the GMT hand. Yodog got it to that exact sun-faded, muted orange you’d expect from a watch that's been around since the 70s.

* **The Dial:** The flat, matte finish completely kills that glossy sheen you usually see on stock reps.

* **The Case & Fitment:** He reshaped the case and softened the edges so it actually looks like it’s survived decades of shirt cuffs and light polishes. He even got the hollow end links right—notice how the bottom link sits just slightly recessed below the lug horns. That classic vintage Oyster sag is perfect.

I know a Tiffany dial is a bold choice that draws a lot of eyeballs, but with case work this good, it holds up.

It just feels awesome having a watch that someone actually put hours of hand-finishing into. Huge shoutout to Yodog for the work.

A shout out to the best builders of this community, my holy trinity so far points to Yodog, legend, Tripdog (with killowatare being up there for the EU folks) and also seeing a lot of great work by Rodney pierce.

This post speak for itself, giving new life to this wonder

Hi everyone,

I’m selling my TMF Submariner 16610 LV (Kermit), which has been barely used and modded.

Details / Mods:

- Bracelet smoothing treatment

- 10 ATM water-resistance tested

- Horlogear bezel ($85) - not installed

- EWatch Parts bezel friction ring and click spring

This is the No Rehaut version, purchased new in January 2026. I’m happy to provide receipts for all parts. The original Bezel (unfortunately broken is also included).

The watch is being sold as is, as I don’t have a bezel press at home.

Price : 500€

I’m open to reasonable offers.

Payment: PayPal F&F

Shipping: Within the EU, but worldwide shipping can be discussed. The shipping is at buyer’s expense.

Once the watch has been shipped, responsibility transfers to the buyer.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I can also provide references/feedback from previous sales if needed.

Thanks everyone, and have a great day! ☺️