Quality case designers? Best distributors for selection?

[M-Lo]

Hi there

I've recently jumped off the deep-end into this watch-making hobby... I'm loving learning about this stuff, however I find it quite frustrating trying to procure good quality parts. I've got a decent amount of denaro to invest in parts and I don't want to spend it on cheap parts from China or cases/straps that will fall apart.

I thought I'd start a thread on where everyone procures their parts and/or if they've found a really interesting distributor.

I'm asking if anyone knows where I can find good quality case manufacturers. Who are you using or where are you finding these cases?

I realize that many will say Ofrei, however I'm not a big fan of their cases for Unitas 6497/98 cases due to the printed lettering on the back (i.e. should be engraved in the metal) and lack of design options.

I'm a huge fan of Hamilton field officer cases, but I don't want to buy the whole watch ;) Very unique designed cases would be very helpful as well.

[curt941]

I've got a couple helenarou submariner cases with ceramic bezels and I think they're actually pretty good.

It's tough to find good cases though, because the actual number of people who build/assemble their own watches is pretty small.

[M-Lo]

Thanks Curt - I found a watchuseek forum where this guy was assembling Polish pilot and naval inspired watches. He some how found a company that will do custom tooling and design of his cases. I'm very impressed. I wish I knew who he was using.

Still looking for other places... There's a Bergeron case kit that looks interesting...

[ladius]

Hi there

I've recently jumped off the deep-end into this watch-making hobby... I'm loving learning about this stuff, however I find it quite frustrating trying to procure good quality parts. I've got a decent amount of denaro to invest in parts and I don't want to spend it on cheap parts from China or cases/straps that will fall apart.

I thought I'd start a thread on where everyone procures their parts and/or if they've found a really interesting distributor.

I'm asking if anyone knows where I can find good quality case manufacturers. Who are you using or where are you finding these cases?

I realize that many will say Ofrei, however I'm not a big fan of their cases for Unitas 6497/98 cases due to the printed lettering on the back (i.e. should be engraved in the metal) and lack of design options.

I'm a huge fan of Hamilton field officer cases, but I don't want to buy the whole watch ;) Very unique designed cases would be very helpful as well.

I would like to have this info as well. I've perused the Ofrei website and also could not find a case to my liking. I found some on ebay from European sellers but I guess I'm too picky, nothing to my liking there as well.

So I thought of contacting a local machine shop which leads to the question of are most cases made by forging/casting? It seems that would be a more cost effective way of doing it.

[lyxbaever]

Roland Kemmner have quality parts his cases are superb same as tourby use in theirs

his ebay erkahund | eBay

Website R.Kemmner

contact him directly if you want to buy loose parts it was some time since i last bought parts from him but as far as i know there should be no problems even tho he only lists complete watches on his website nowdays

[ladius]

Roland Kemmner have quality parts his cases are superb same as tourby use in theirs

his ebay erkahund | eBay

Website R.Kemmner

contact him directly if you want to buy loose parts it was some time since i last bought parts from him but as far as i know there should be no problems even tho he only lists complete watches on his website nowdays

Thanks for the links. I checked it out and sent him an email, hopefully he'll have something I like.

I checked out your builds in your signature. Very nice! I like your tactical best of all. Amazing lume! How did you separate the original sandwich dial?

[lyxbaever]

I checked out your builds in your signature. Very nice! I like your tactical best of all. Amazing lume! How did you separate the original sandwich dial?

Thanks those are only a selection and i should update that sig with some of my better builds. i do not post most of what i build here [insulting content removed]

And separating the dial i did with a case knife it is only glued togheter