Rolex Datejust 16234 36mm Fluted Bezel Silver Dial Watch Build

Key facts

This Rolex Datejust 36mm homage build uses an Asian 2813 movement at 21,600 bph, a silver dial and a fluted case.
The build took just over a month including parts delivery, with four to five hours of actual build time.
A Rolex-style date wheel overlay was glued onto the 2813 date wheel with GS Hypo Cement and left 24 hours to set.
The 2813 was chosen over a 2836 to stay within a limited budget, so 2813-specific Datejust hands with green lume were needed.
The vintage-style case has a glass crystal with a 2.5x date magnifier and is finished on a leather strap.

Parts used

Movement: Asian 2813, 21,600 bph; Buy movement
Case: 36mm fluted bezel, 2.5x cyclops
Dial: Silver stick dial, 28mm
Date wheel: Rolex-font date wheel overlay; Buy date wheel
Hands: 2813 Datejust hands, green lume; Buy hands
Strap: Tan leather; Buy strap

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After owning a genuine datejust 36mm 16220 with a blue dial - I have always had a sweet spot for the datejust with a silver dial. I was able to source the parts and build this lovely watch. It has a 2813 movement with a fluted watch case on a leather strap.

Sourcing Parts

I was planning on using a 2836 movement for this watch but had set a limited budget for this build. To build this watch I opted for a movement with 21,600 bph (6 bps), date wheel overlay, a watch case, dial, hands and strap.

Datejust build parts laid out: fluted case, silver dial, date wheel overlay and 2813 movement

For the movement i used a movement with 21,600 bph - which is the Asian close 2813. I have written more information about this movement here

Get 2813 Movement

For the case i wanted a vintage style case. I picked up this watch case from Raffle dials. It comes with glass crystal for date at 2.5x zoom. It also comes with case movement ring to secure the movement.

For the dial we needed something which looked like a datejust - I wanted a silver dial with a vintage feel from 80's / 90's Rolex's.

As i was using a dial with a data option i needed to improve the quality of date font on standard 2813. So i purchased a date wheel overlay (DWO) which i can glue onto of the current date. I purchased this from Raffle Dials also and it comes with an excellent rolex style font.

Get DWO

I had purchased hands for an 2836 movement however due to the size of hands i could not use these on a 2813 movement. So i purchased a set of 2813 hands for a datajust of eBay - these have a green lume.

Get Hands

For the strap I wanted a stylish but clean looking - I found a really clean looking leather strap for a good price on Amazon so went for this to complete the build parts.

Get the Strap

The Build

For this build it took me just over a month but a total of 4 to 5 hours of actual build time. Sourcing the parts is the long processing of waiting on deliveries from across the world. I try to source parts local to me for quick delivery.

Overall the build is pretty straight forward once you have done the right amount of research. I tried to gather here the tips and tricks i found along the way and will highlight them to you.

A reminder before touching any dial parts you should wear something to cover transmitting your body oils onto and parts or getting them dirty. I use vinyl gloves to touch parts and also reduce touching by using tweezers where i can.

Preparing the Dial

Back of the silver Datejust dial beside a 2813 fit dial used as a guide for dial feet

The dial comes with 4 dial feet. To prepare the dial for the movement we are using which is the 2813. On the right i have a dial that fits the 2813 i used this for guidance and to show which feet are required. The dial feet are at the just before 6 marker and 11 marker are required.

Back of the Datejust dial with cutting pliers above, ready to snip off unneeded dial feet

The dial feet are quick and easy to remove use some cutting pilers (linked to my tools). Pick the dial up and put the tip of the cutting pilers to the base of the dial foot you want to remove. Once ready snip close to the base and the foot will be removed, if you have a little still visible and not smooth then snip again to get a flush finish.

Gloved fingers holding the 2813 movement edge to show a dial foot screw loosened

To secure the dial to the movement you will need to undo the screws. Make sure you do not remove the screws but just lose them enough so the dial feet can fit onto and the feet can slide behind. You secure the dial by tighten the screws to it holds again the dial feet.

2813 movement with white date wheel next to the dial fitted with its plastic movement ring

The movement i purchased comes with a movement ring to go between the movement and the dial, this is important to use as this gives the clearance between the dial and movement for the date wheel to move. You can just slide this ring onto the back of the dial.

Silver Datejust dial placed on the 2813 movement to check date window alignment

Now you can slide the dial with movement ring onto the movement and check the date wheel position. When you are ready you tighten the movement screws and secure - do not do this yet if you are planning on using a date wheel overlay. You can see from the dial placed on the movement.

Date Wheel Overlay

You can see the date that comes with the dial is great with some numbers but other numbers are printed with poor quality. A way to resolve this and to get a great font which looks like Rolex is to use a Date Wheel overlay (DWO). It is a little tricky to glue the DWO on the movement.

Get Glue

Date wheel overlay glued onto the 2813 movement date wheel inside its plastic holder

To secure the DWO i used GS Hypo Cement. Its a good compound to use as it doesnt get stuck to your hands and is not like super glue but allows you have play before it sets. I used a bit of cardboard and put a small amount of the glue on to the cardboard. I then used a small pin to put a couple of drips onto the end. I can now use the pin to place a small amount on top the back of the DWO.

You can now with care place and position this onto the movement. Be care not to get glue into the movement. You will have a little play to rotate and check its position. I suggest placing with care the dial over the top to check. Check a couple of times by moving the date wheel on the movement. Once happy i left for 24 hours so it could dry and settle.

Silver Datejust dial screwed onto the 2813 movement showing the new date font in the window

After waiting for the DWO to set you can now place the dial on and if you are happy with the line up of the date. You can screw the screws from above so they are tight and hold the dial in place. Check the date can move freely when moving with the stem.

Hands onto Movement

Hour hand pressed onto the silver Datejust dial at 12 with tools in the background

To place the hour hand onto the movement. You want to pull the stem movement out so you can move the hands. Before placing the hands move the dial so the date flicks to the next day. You now know the position to place the hour hand so it will be at 12 so when the date moves to the next day it will be correct. I use blue tac to hold the hands by pressing the end and the holding over the movement. Now use hand press to push the hour hand on. Using the stem move to ensure it moves freely.

Hour and minute hands fitted together on the silver Datejust dial and 2813 movement

It is also important to position the minute hand at the 12 marker also so its on top of the hour hand. Use the hand press and push the minute hand on. Use the stem to move to ensure it is moving freely also. Its easier to use the mag glasses for the minute hand and second hand.

Gloved finger with blue tac lowering the seconds hand onto the Datejust dial pinion

When putting the second hands on i push the stem back in so the movement is in the sitting position so you can heard it and the movement is ticking. Be careful lining up the second hand and place on to the pin. I use the 20x zoom on mag glasses to see this up close. You can see an up close on my 2813 movement post.

Silver Datejust dial with all three hands fitted to the running 2813 movement

Once the second hand has been placed and secured by hand press tools it will start to sweep. You can see now we have a finished dial, movement and hands working.

Removing the Stem

Back of the 2813 movement with arrows marking the stem release point and close up inset

We now need to remove the stem to get the movement in to the watch case. You can push with tweezers the back of the movement and remove the stem. The stem should be in the winding position. Gently pull and it will be released.

Movement into the Case

Fluted bezel Datejust case placed over the dial and movement, with the stem set aside

You can place the watch case over the top of the complete movement and you will see your watch come alive for the first time.

Datejust case flipped face down showing the 2813 movement seated with its case ring

Now flip this over by lifting your watch cushion and then hold the watch case you can place the watch cushion down and place the watch case down so the movement is facing up. Place the case ring between the movement and the case so it can be secured

Close up of a case clamp holding the 2813 movement inside the Datejust case

Now put the two case clamps into place on the movement and ensure they are facing up and can just fit under the top of the case there is a gap you will see it pushes up against. You can now secure the movement to the case and tighten to secure.

Sealing into the Case

2813 movement secured in the Datejust case with gasket ready, screwdriver beside it

Place the gasket ring into the area on the back on the case so its ready to seal.

Datejust case back fitted beside the case back opener tool and screwdriver

Now place the case back onto the watch and tighten with finger tips once it is ready you can now tighten with rolex watch case back opener tool. You can purchase this here

Get Watch Case Back Opener

Completed silver dial Datejust in its fluted bezel case, face up on a watch cushion

You can now flip the watch - Congrats you now have a completed movement and dial in the watch case

Strap and Finished

Finished silver dial Datejust build fitted with a tan leather strap on a wooden table

You can now use the tool that come with the strap and use the spring bars in the strap to fit onto the case.

Silver dial Datejust build with fluted bezel and tan leather strap worn on the wrist

Finished Rolex Datejust 16234 silver dial build

Frequently asked questions

How do you build a Rolex Datejust?

Prepare a Datejust-style dial for your movement, fit a date wheel overlay if needed, then press on the hands so the hour hand sits at 12 when the date changes. Remove the stem, place the movement in a fluted case with its movement ring and clamps, then seal the case back and fit a strap.

Can you use a 2813 movement for a Rolex Datejust build?

Yes. The Asian 2813 runs at 21,600 bph and is a budget alternative to a 2836. You need hands made for the 2813, as 2836 hands do not fit, and a date wheel overlay improves the date font.

Which dial feet does an Asian 2813 need?

On this dial, the feet just before the 6 marker and at the 11 marker were kept for the 2813 and the others were snipped off flush with cutting pliers.

How do you fit a date wheel overlay on a 2813?

Put a small amount of GS Hypo Cement on the back of the overlay with a pin and position it on the movement's date wheel, keeping glue out of the movement. Check alignment with the dial on top, then leave it around 24 hours to set.