Is BP still making the best 16600 Sea Dweller?

[TheController]

I am tempted to order one of the BP 16600 and while some TD can source the 2824 version which I would be interest in I found another error that seem to occur from time to time on the dial?

I have seen it on some posts of members with 2824 versions and now a TD sent pictures to me of his most recent sale of a 2824 BP 16600 and I found the same thick WG marker housings (especially the triangle and the bars)

Is it only me or are they way too thick?

BP 16600 2824 Version

GEN 16600

If the BP has the date decently aligned, the bezel insert changed and possibly the CGs reshaped a little bit it is a very good replica in my eyes after studying 24 pages on here and comparing pictures on the web but this marker housing topic just makes me a little bit uncomfortable?

 

[jsorbiers]

Does anyone know where to find a dwo that's made for the 2824? I'm reading there could be issues using a 2836 dwo. Also anyone who makes a decent 16600/16610 handset for ETA fit?

I'm planning to replace the dg2813 in my BP SD with a gen 2824. (I think a 2836 would be an easier job but I have the 2824 sat there waiting to be used for something...)

 

[manodeoro]

Does anyone know where to find a dwo that's made for the 2824? I'm reading there could be issues using a 2836 dwo. Also anyone who makes a decent 16600/16610 handset for ETA fit?

I'm planning to replace the dg2813 in my BP SD with a gen 2824. (I think a 2836 would be an easier job but I have the 2824 sat there waiting to be used for something...)

Check 2813, 2824-2 and 2836-2 specs in ranfft.de
Stem height are :
- 2813 : 2.30 mm
- 2824-2 : 1.80 mm
- 2836-2 : 2.25 mm
So yes swapping for a 2836-2 would be much easier (direct swap appart from the handset).
You can use a "thicker" dial spacer to get the stem of your 2824-2 aligned with the crown tube ... but it depends on which 2824-2 you have, H2/H4/H6 ...
Nevertheless,if the pinions are too short you can buy an H4 or H5 kit on the bay and swap the parts.

 

[manodeoro]

I am tempted to order one of the BP 16600 and while some TD can source the 2824 version which I would be interest in I found another error that seem to occur from time to time on the dial?

I have seen it on some posts of members with 2824 versions and now a TD sent pictures to me of his most recent sale of a 2824 BP 16600 and I found the same thick WG marker housings (especially the triangle and the bars)

Is it only me or are they way too thick?

BP 16600 2824 Version

GEN 16600

If the BP has the date decently aligned, the bezel insert changed and possibly the CGs reshaped a little bit it is a very good replica in my eyes after studying 24 pages on here and comparing pictures on the web but this marker housing topic just makes me a little bit uncomfortable?

Hi my friend interesting
I'll check those pics when at home (no acces to imgur here) to see what you mean.
I'll check my own beloved 16600 too ... and a spare BP 16600 dial I have in my drawers.

 

[manodeoro]

I am tempted to order one of the BP 16600 and while some TD can source the 2824 version which I would be interest in I found another error that seem to occur from time to time on the dial?

I have seen it on some posts of members with 2824 versions and now a TD sent pictures to me of his most recent sale of a 2824 BP 16600 and I found the same thick WG marker housings (especially the triangle and the bars)

Is it only me or are they way too thick?

BP 16600 2824 Version

GEN 16600

If the BP has the date decently aligned, the bezel insert changed and possibly the CGs reshaped a little bit it is a very good replica in my eyes after studying 24 pages on here and comparing pictures on the web but this marker housing topic just makes me a little bit uncomfortable?

Hi again ... back home and my GF is not there so I had some time to check your pics on imgur.

I'm not an expert but my opinion is that YES ... the markers' housing are thicker on BP dials than on the Gen dial you show.

BUT ... there's always a "but" I have checked some other Gen 16600 and my opinion is not that strong now ...

Around 2000 there has been some changes on the 16600s
- 1999 the "SWISS- T<25" was replaced by "SWISS" then "SWIIS MADE" ... so bad
- late 2000 / early 2001 the drilled lugs let place to plain lugs ... so bad too
- between 2001 and 2004 the markers housing seem to be both thin or thicker depending on the watch
I have checked and rechecked some 2002/2003 16600s and I have found many of them with "thick" markers housings, some looking really close (though a little thinner) to the housing on the BP 16600 dials.

So my conclusion is that YES the housings on BP 16600 dials are thick but NO they are no that far from Gen 2002/2003 16600 housings.
On spare time I'll remove the bracelet from my 16600 just to check the serial number ... what could be funny is if the serial number lead to 2002 or 2003 year ... who knows

 

[TheController]

Hi again ... back home and my GF is not there so I had some time to check your pics on imgur.

I'm not an expert but my opinion is that YES ... the markers' housing are thicker on BP dials than on the Gen dial you show.

BUT ... there's always a "but" I have checked some other Gen 16600 and my opinion is not that strong now ...

Around 2000 there has been some changes on the 16600s
- 1999 the "SWISS- T<25" was replaced by "SWISS" then "SWIIS MADE" ... so bad
- late 2000 / early 2001 the drilled lugs let place to plain lugs ... so bad too
- between 2001 and 2004 the markers housing seem to be both thin or thicker depending on the watch
I have checked and rechecked some 2002/2003 16600s and I have found many of them with "thick" markers housings, some looking really close (though a little thinner) to the housing on the BP 16600 dials.

So my conclusion is that YES the housings on BP 16600 dials are thick but NO they are no that far from Gen 2002/2003 16600 housings.
On spare time I'll remove the bracelet from my 16600 just to check the serial number ... what could be funny is if the serial number lead to 2002 or 2003 year ... who knows

Thank you so much for your opinion - I came to the same conclusion initially (but not as expertly disected to the years like you did)!

It would be really fun to see what the serial number ads up to haha

 

[limbercoder60]

Has anyone had it waterproofed?

Sent from my SM-G980F using Tapatalk

 

[DEATHX]

I will take the bp 16600 with sa3135 from intime,the gen parts will fit this movement?

 

[shel504]

I will take the bp 16600 with sa3135 from intime,the gen parts will fit this movement?

I don't think so. SA is crap. When it dies though, you can replace it with a VR/VS which can take gen parts.

 

[mt666tm]

Bumping this up with another question instead of starting a new thread.

Is the helium escape valve on the BP just a plug glued into a recessed hole in the case that's not drilled through, or is the case actually drilled theough and you can mod it to install a gen helium escape valve?

 

[vintagedvdb]

Hi all,

Eric told me that BPF is now using VR3135 as stock movement for the 16600.

Is this true?

 

[Twinny]

Hi all,

Eric told me that BPF is now using VR3135 as stock movement for the 16600.

Is this true?

Sead told me the same thing.

 

[vintagedvdb]

Well let’s assume this is true then. Very good… this pushes me even more to get one hehe

 

[ronin007]

The great old debate ,mine was a older version of the bp, bought it of sub on here and then added loads, great watch with a Swiss eta ,goes for days
Tc bracelet was the best ,put one on mine with a gen clasp, then added a gen bezel assembly bought off the rolex forum,gen crystal and crown with tc dial and hands and date .Ado did the work

 

[e1phantom]

Sead told me the same thing.

My non TD said the same thing.

 

[e1phantom]

I just bought a Polipetto from Hont.

 

[vintagedvdb]

Would you guys now say that the 16600 BP is now even better out of the box?

What would be the best upgrades now? Gen insert, gen crown…

 

[bowtiefanatc]

Gen insert, crown & tube, and hands if you want to drop some $$.

Just got a gen insert for my SD project. Waiting on a new VR3135 to put it back together.

 

[vintagedvdb]

Gen insert, crown & tube, and hands if you want to drop some $$.

Just got a gen insert for my SD project. Waiting on a new VR3135 to put it back together.

Okay thanks. What would the benefit be of a gen crown & tube? Would it wind smoother/more gen like?

Good luck with your project! Let me see some pics

 

[bowtiefanatc]

Okay thanks. What would the benefit be of a gen crown & tube? Would it wind smoother/more gen like?

Good luck with your project! Let me see some pics

It’s more for look, feel and sealing for the crown and tube. The winding will be based on the movement.

Here’s a few shots of the SD. I have new hands for it as opposed to the black hands.