Yet another 16610 build

[pornflake]

Hi guys,

Sharing with you the build I've been planning over the last few months, it's a 16610, it is meant to be a niece piece to wear, I'm not focusing on correct engravings, or being paranoid about period correct stuff, although it is nice to have the pieces matching when possibl€.

I've read a lot of info regarding all the specifics aspects of such a build, but I'm pretty sure there will be something I've missed, or things that won't fit, so any advice will be appreciated.

The build will include:

ST Case
VR 3135 movement
Genuine Datedisc
Genuine Crown Tube 24-7030
Genuine Crown 24-704
Genuine Dial Tritium
Genuine Bezel Insert Tritium
Genuine Bezel Ring
Genuine Hands Luminova
Clarks 25-295 crystal (no cyclop, personal preference)

Possible upgrades that I've considered or general notes:

Genuine Datedisc with open 6 and 9, these are very expensive so decided to go with a regular one;
Genuine Tritium Hands, didn't found a set reasonably priced, so went with Luminova and will have them relume to match the dial.;
ST Case reshape, decided to keep it as is, and will see how it goes, although some nice chamfers would be really nice;
Crystal, I will install a no cyclop Cristal knowing that it's not correct for this model, but I don't like cyclops, so.. ;
Vr3135, I've heard a lot of good things, will service the movement and see how it performs, I've read a few threads regarding upgrades with Gen parts but haven't decided yet, any advice is welcome.
Crown, can you guys advice if visually there will be any difference between a 703 and 704 crown with this particular case (which has short cg)

I believe I've covered most of the things, group photo before hands are shipped for a relume and movement is Serviced.

Cheers

 

[p0pperini]

I'll be following this with interest. I like the idea of a 16610 without a cyclops, although I'm not sure I'd want to be that radical with a date Sub myself lol. I go to the SD to satisfy my non-cyclops desires.

 

[Guigui2737]

I am following, interested also on knowing if there is a visual difference between a 703 and 704 crown

 

[thewaters]

Excited to follow this one. How did you source the ST case? I’ve never been able to get approved to buy from them.

 

[tribal]

This sounds good to me.
The VR is a good movement.
U are right about the open 6&9 Datewheel, very rare for a 3135 it was only installed in 168000.
Visually the 704 and 703 Crown are the same..
I follow this thread.

 

[pornflake]

Excited to follow this one. How did you source the ST case? I’ve never been able to get approved to buy from them.

Funny thing about that.

I've read that it was difficult to buy from them, and you needed to be a professional.

What I did was, I registered, after registering I received an email saying that my account would be able to place orders temporarily for 1 month or 2 weeks I cant recall exactly after that I had to provide evidence that I was a professional.

I thought, OK, it will allow to make an order, I'm fine with that.

After placing my first order of around 300$, I received an email that my account was permanently approved, and I had an additional discount of 3%

I don't know when I will be ordering again from them though. I'm from Europe and their shipping costs are outrageous

 

[thewaters]

Funny thing about that.

I've read that it was difficult to buy from them, and you needed to be a professional.

What I did was, I registered, after registering I received an email saying that my account would be able to place orders temporarily for 1 month or 2 weeks I cant recall exactly after that I had to provide evidence that I was a professional.

I thought, OK, it will allow to make an order, I'm fine with that.

After placing my first order of around 300$, I received an email that my account was permanently approved, and I had an additional discount of 3%

I don't know when I will be ordering again from them though. I'm from Europe and their shipping costs are outrageous

WOW sounds like you got lucky. Whenever I’ve tried to set an account I get a phone call where they very politely tell me to go away.

 

[cheld]

The Open 6/9 DW was only used on the very first 16610s.

The coronet on the 704 is shorter and stouter than the one on the 703.
.

 

[pornflake]

The Open 6/9 DW was only used on the very first 16610s.

The coronet on the 704 is shorter and stouter than the one on the 703.
.

Thank you for your input.

The different coronet is something I can live with, if there's a different in the depth of the crown that would be something to consider because this ST case has short cgs.

 

[cpd2186]

The Open 6/9 DW was only used on the very first 16610s.

The coronet on the 704 is shorter and stouter than the one on the 703.

Oh my Lord, they all look the same! If we are worried about the appearance of a 700 - 704 crown, we truly have a sickness! Who in the world will know the difference, and if you tell me someone on the street will notice........you guys are CRAZY!!!!!

 

[pornflake]

Oh my Lord, they all look the same! If we are worried about the appearance of a 700 - 704 crown, we truly have a sickness! Who in the world will know the difference, and if you tell me someone on the street will notice........you guys are CRAZY!!!!!

Yeah, this can be a bit of a tricky hobby for people with ocd

But at least the coronet is visible from the outside, when we start to get ocd about engravings that are hidden, or branded rotors with closed casebacks, that's more extreme on my pov.

 

[Redheart]

Oh its pretty fine question imho! The 600 coronas are differing in shape and size, so its a genuine question if you are not a crazy person who can buy all of them.
damn Crown virus

 

[Specter1000]

Oh my Lord, they all look the same! If we are worried about the appearance of a 700 - 704 crown, we truly have a sickness! Who in the world will know the difference, and if you tell me someone on the street will notice........you guys are CRAZY!!!!!

ha ha...yep, you are right...but from experience...it's OCD and I am not immune...it takes over and you must submit...

 

[cheld]

Oh my Lord, they all look the same! If we are worried about the appearance of a 700 - 704 crown, we truly have a sickness! Who in the world will know the difference, and if you tell me someone on the street will notice........you guys are CRAZY!!!!!

OP asked for advice on the difference ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[pornflake]

First leg of the job is done, crown tube, crystal and bezel assembled but not with a small set back...

Silicone grease applied to the gaskets



Nice and tight





Crystal fitted (forgot to take partial photos here)




And the bezel is fitted






Not with some setbacks..

The Gen bezel is extremely tight making it nearly impossible to rotate, the ST bezel works fine.

I wonder if this is a case of the non gen bezel washer being a fraction more thick or more wide, if wide it can be a bit shaved, don't know if a Gen washer might help. Any advice is appreciated.

All in all, the evening went well.

 

[pornflake]

So, shaved the friction ring a bit with some sand paper to thin it a bit and it worked, the bezel started working properly.

On to the movement, it's currently like this, amplitude is a bit low, so it will be dismantled, cleaned and oiled and we'll see if it improves.

 

[pornflake]

After a hiatus due to this situation the world is living in, hands are back at home, ended up reluming just the seconds hand to match the hour and minute as the paint Colour was already pretty close to the dial lume.

On to the movement, all disassembled and ready for a bath




All cleaned up



The movement had no traces of oil anywhere, just a lot of dirt and screwdriver scratches.

On to the reassembly and faced yet another setback.

I managed to lose the click spring, so, on the hunt for one, if anyone has an old movement with one to spare, or I can even buy the whole movement for parts.

It's Rolex part 3135-301.

 

[gunsmoke16610]

All the elements of a nice build. One thing regarding the ST case you may want to consider thinning the lugs it makes a big difference and not to difficult to do.

here is a example on one of my builds

 

[Jackster]

I managed to lose the click spring, so, on the hunt for one, if anyone has an old movement with one to spare, or I can even buy the whole movement for parts.

How on earth did you manage that? I've NEVER done that!!!!!! Interested to follow this thread, I understand the cyclops thing but that's an instant tell, and since you are installing so many gen parts is that wise?? Just my 0.02

 

[pornflake]

How on earth did you manage that? I've NEVER done that!!!!!! Interested to follow this thread, I understand the cyclops thing but that's an instant tell, and since you are installing so many gen parts is that wise?? Just my 0.02

Neither do I, I believe the culprit (besides me) was that rugged sheet of paper that I stupidly tried to use.

Already have one on the way...