r/watchking

Wanted to build something a bit different than the usual. I've always liked MOP dials and when i came across a picture of a genuine DD36 with a tahitian MOP dial i knew that was the right dial. Watch started its life as a QF DD36 V3 with VR3255. The follow mods are done:

-7 micron rose gold plating to match gen

-Korean diamond cut bezel by Q-time

-Custom dial by Lichen

-Deep crystal

The watch was built by Lichen. This is my first replica watch and overal i could not be happier with the results!

I got this from Lichen but no longer need it. It's never been used and is quite stunning

DM me if interested

Picked up this aftermarket set recently. Sapphire bezel, black dial with three subdials, meant for 4130 movement.

Printing is clean, indices look aligned, no major flaws. The bezel markings are sharp. Not planning to build anything right now, just keeping it as a spare part / collection piece.

Figured someone here might be interested in seeing how these aftermarket sets look. Not sure about long-term durability yet, but initial impression is decent for DIY use.

Open to questions if anyone’s considering something similar.

To better serve our customers, our team has newly hired chamfering and polishing craftsmen to work together with us to create even better products for our clients.All these are actual product photos

Rolex DJ with custom dial - personalized design featuring the inscription "Who cares, I'm already late" and a crown pattern.
Compatible with models like 124300, 126300, 116400, etc., 28.5mm diameter, and can be powered by the Cal. 3235/NH35 movement.
Brand new, with perfect details and guaranteed quality.

Custom Rolex ceramic watch for the client - completely ceramic, high-quality Korean ceramic, 4130 movement, and the dial can be customized in different styles

Gen on left, RGF on right (previously called RCF). RGF bluesy has Deep crystal installed, which is a cheap mod (±50€) that basically changes the crystal for a clearer one. After having seen extensive QCs and posts on RWI from RCF/RGF, I believe it's a must on all RGF watches.

The plating on the rep is EXQUISITELY done, gone are the days of having to replate the watch to remove the 🧀 cheesy gold look. I find replating unnecessary on all RGF watches. I'm surprised at how similar they look, even when put side by side. Weight is apparently the same too, so that's another win for us rep lovers. (Not my pics, I'm not a yellow gold guy)

What do you guys think?

Hey everyone,
Been working in the watch customization space for a while, and I see a lot of people overpaying for custom Rolex Daytona dials from resellers who just flip generic parts.

So here’s the deal – **my family runs a small factory that actually manufactures custom dials**, including full-compatible Daytona (116500/116520) and other Rolex models.

**What we offer:**
- Materials: brass base with real plating (gold/rose gold/black/PVD)
- Finishes: sunburst, matte, enamel, meteorite texture, stone dials, skeleton, “Paul Newman” style, gem-set look, etc.
- Lume: Swiss Super-LumiNova (C1, C3, blue, orange) – can match hands
- Custom logos/text: your name, brand, or any design (minimum order varies)
- Printing: pad printing with sharp edges, no bleeding

**Why us over middlemen:**
- You pay factory price, not retail markup
- Full QC control – we reject bad prints or misaligned indices
- We can do 1-off for personal projects or small batches for builders
- Fast shipping from Asia (usually 7–12 days to US/Europe)

**Pricing example:**
- Basic custom logo dial (no stones, simple print): $55–85
- Meteorite texture + lumed indices: $185-280
- Full custom with colored stones or complex layout: $300+

**Not selling here directly** – just putting it out there for modders, builders, or anyone tired of overpriced “custom dials” from IG resellers.

If you’re working on a Daytona build and need a specific dial, DM me. I can show you real factory photos (not renders), and we can design together.

Open to feedback too – what dials are you struggling to find? Let me know.

Cheers,
Factory guy who actually makes them 🧵

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*(Optional: add 1–2 low-key photos of unfinished dials on a workbench – nothing that looks like marketing. Reddit loves WIP pics.)*

This custom flame orange alligator strap fits the Patek Philippe Nautilus (compatible with references 5711/5712/5726).

The color really pops – perfect for summer or for changing up the look from a metal bracelet.

Made by a custom strap maker, genuine alligator leather, fits the original buckle.

What do you all think – too high-profile or just right?

Noise reduction modification for a client's watch - let me show you

Hi everyone – Alex here.

I run a small but specialized plating workshop in the UK. We don’t do cheap flash plating or “gold tone” stuff that vanishes in 3 months. Instead, we focus on 18K gold wrapping for watch parts – specifically Rolex cases and bracelets.

What we actually do:

18K real gold wrap (not PVD, not “gold wash”)

7 microns minimum thickness – tested with XRF

Perfect for vintage restoration, custom builds, or refreshing a worn genuine Rolex case/bracelet

We accept loose cases, bracelets, or even complete watches (movement removed)

Why 7μm matters: Standard aftermarket plating is often 0.5–1μm. That burns through quickly, especially on high-friction areas like bracelet links and clasp edges. 7μm gives you proper durability – close to factory gold wrap spec.

Our promise: If you get wear-through to base metal within 2 years of normal use (not abuse or heavy polishing), I will re-wrap the affected parts free of charge. No fine-print games. Just send me photos, then send the part back.

A few honest notes:

We are a working factory, not a marketing team – so lead times are typically 10–14 working days.

We mainly serve watchmakers and modders, but I’m happy to work with individual enthusiasts too.

UK based but we ship worldwide (Royal Mail or FedEx).

I’ll need your base metal to be clean brass, steel, or original Rolex base alloy – no zinc alloy pot metal (won’t bond well).

Other models (Daytona, DJ, DD) – just ask. Pricing includes prep, degreasing, activation, copper undercoat, nickel barrier, then 18K wrap.

Why trust a random Reddit post? I’ve been doing this for 12 years. Happy to provide references from UK-based modders, or send you a sample blank first. If you’re in the UK, you can even visit (Birmingham Jewellery Quarter area).

Contact: Reddit DM is fine, or leave a comment. I’ll send you my work email and some before/after photos.

Cheers, Alex

P.S. I don’t sell replica parts – I only wrap your own genuine or aftermarket cases/bracelets that you legally own. Please follow your local laws on trademarks.

Brand new Rolex GMT Blue Sapphire Starry Sky dial - the starry effect on the dial is absolutely stunning, the luminous hands are crystal clear, and every detail is meticulously crafted. Compatible with 3186/3285 movements - the top choice for customizing GMT series watches. Only the dial is available, no strap or hands included. Free shipping, pick-up available

The latest 324 movement
- each plate is polished twice with the Geneva wave finish, chamfered and polished to a glossy finish.
The font depth is the same as the gen，
with gold-plated red K engraved letters that have a golden hue with a hint of red.
The balance bridge has been upgraded to include movable outer pillars, which are either integrated or some are fake with added pieces.
This time, the outer pillars have been upgraded so that every screw is genuine and functional, just like the gen，
It can also be upgraded to a four-weight balance wheel with no backlash

I’m introducing something a little different, but equally obsessive: **custom lizard leather straps** for classic Rolex dress references.

I’m specifically targeting what the community lovingly calls the **“Four Beauties”** of Rolex:

- **Day‑Date (1803, 18238, 118238, etc.)** – the full presidential deserves a dressy lizard option.

- **Datejust (1601, 16013, 16234, etc.)** – perfect for two-tone or steel dress looks.

- **Cellini (all modern & vintage)** – lizard is almost mandatory here.

- **Vintage Oyster Perpetual (1002, 1005, 5500)** – small, elegant, and underrated.

**Why lizard instead of croc/alligator?**

Lizard has smaller, finer scales, a softer hand feel, and a more vintage/classy look – less flashy, more “old money.” It sits incredibly well on a 36mm Day‑Date or Datejust. And frankly, it’s harder to find good lizard straps than crocodile these days.

**What I offer:**

- **Real lizard leather** (genuine, not embossed cowhide)

- **Any colour** – black, dark brown, cognac, navy, burgundy, olive green, grey, even pastel if you’re bold

- **Any size** – 19mm, 20mm, 18mm, 16mm (yes, even odd lug widths)

- **Stitching** – tonal or contrast (I recommend cream thread on dark brown – *chef’s kiss*)

- **Lining** – soft calf or natural veg-tan

- **Thickness** – 2.5–3.0mm, tapered elegantly

- **Buckle** – I can fit your original Rolex buckle or supply a generic gold/steel one

**Pricing (handmade in my Guangzhou workshop):**

**Lead time:**

Usually 10–14 days – I cut, edge paint, and stitch each one by hand. No factory line.

**A few honest notes:**

- Lizard is not as water resistant as rubber or nylon – keep it dry.

- The scales can lift if abused, but with normal dress-watch use, they last for years.

- I don’t do replicas of Rolex branded straps – these are unbranded custom pieces for *your* genuine watch.

Happy to send photos of completed lizard straps on real Day‑Dates and Datejusts.

**How to order:**

Reddit DM or comment below. I’ll send you my work email, colour swatches, and we’ll confirm lug width + taper + stitching colour.

Thanks for reading. Now go put a lizard strap on that 1601 – you won’t regret it.

Awesome custom build Daytona! EWE Base 4130 Godzilla with a LiChen Aventurine Blue dial with stick markers! Feels like an endless galaxy on the wrist! Don’t look too long you may get lost in the sauce

Exclusive to AP 15407, truly achieving the function of dual balance wheels resonating at the same frequency - the only private customization available in the Chinese market.

1.Original pull tab, CNC middle case, 15407.
2.Modified with genuine double pendulum,
3.same frequency and same vibration.
4.case chamfering +braclet chamfering
Just to add:
We can customize 18k solid gold rotors, or we can make 18kWG screws for an even better look.
Replace with genuine shock absorbers

Finally got the full treatment: movement serial customization, rehaut engraving, clasp coding, and rehaut polishing. This is next-level high-end service.

Has anyone else gone down this rabbit hole? I just received my pieces back from a private atelier that offers:

· Movement serial customization – not just generic numbers, but fully custom encoding (date, initials, limited run codes) engraved directly on the bridges. · Rehaut serial engraving – matching the inner bezel ring with bespoke alphanumeric sequences, perfectly aligned like factory but totally unique. · Clasp coding – micro-engraved codes on the deployant clasp, invisible to the naked eye but perfect under loupe. · Rehaut polishing – mirror-finish on the rehaut after engraving, no distortion, no hazing. Absolute black-hole depth.

This is NOT your typical mod shop stuff. We’re talking Swiss-trained finishers, CNC precision, and full disassembly/reassembly with pressure testing. The cost? Let’s just say you don’t ask for a quote unless you’re already in deep.

These services are usually reserved for one-off commissions for collectors. The level of detail is insane – even the font on the rehaut matches the period-correct Rolex styling if you want, or you can go full stealth with micro-dots.

TL;DR: If you know, you know. High-end custom serialization & finishing is the ultimate flex because nobody sees it except you and your watchmaker. less

Show off the custom Rolex dial
Blowing everyone away, I absolutely love this color combination for the dial

The revised version has a balance wheel with adjustable weights, which actually allows for weight adjustment - the movement is incredibly stable. There hasn't been a single return rate yet

Patek Philippe calendar wheel, craftsmanship leve 7
The craftsmanship is excellent and very clearly visible