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1016 explorer case comparison JMB vs RUBY.

369mafia

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Finishing up a 1016 Explorer build for a member and had the chance to work with the Vietnam case set

JMB on left. Ruby on right

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Overall. Dimensions are quite similar however the lugs do look a bit taller on ruby
The crystal is a lot taller and way more domed than the Clark on JMB
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JMB ENGRAVING and spring bar holes
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Ruby engraving
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Overall. Subtle differences. The domed crystal on the ruby is preferred.

If your gonna wear it on a strap or nato. The ruby case is preferred to not show the spring bar holes.

The ruby case does wear a bit larger.

Is it worth the $$. ? Well it’s not night and day difference to me.

You decide.

Thank you for coming to my TED TALK


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spazthecat

Active Member
22/11/12
225
4
0
Thanks for posting. I was actually thinking about replacing my JMB case with one from Ruby. Not sure I really want or need to do that now.

—Andy


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justinebieber

Horology Curious
12/10/20
6
3
0
Jmb lug shape is not good. Lets be honest.
it is a good alternative but far from close to gen
 

369mafia

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Jmb lug shape is not good. Lets be honest.
it is a good alternative but far from close to gen

I disagree I think his cases are good especially for the price. If you compare the JMB to the gen example in the first image I think it looks closer than the viet case. The vietnam cases arnet 1:1 either. they are usually a bit larger to accommodate some aging and or shaping if needed. This is common with sub and gmt cases so its safe to assume that the explorer cases are no different.

It would have been best if I had a gen 1016 case to compare the two against. but here is a gen profile for example.


and here is a comparison of various 36mm explorer / datejust cases to show the slight variances over time & reference.

You would have to be an obsessive expert to be able to spot an irregularities of a case as minute as this on the wrist or upon examination without a direct comparison in hand

At this point in time with the price of rolex parts at all time highs its not worth it imo to source a gen 1016 case as everything 1016 is fetching premiums.
 

Bubbe Back1

You're Saying I Can Sell?
14/1/15
46
16
8
This ones a JMB V2 case with gen crown


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Hi, I’m looking to do a 1016 or 6610 Explorer project
- and like the sound of the JMB case. I am not familiar with JMB and do not see JMB in the Trusted Dealers - can someone point me in the direction of the JMB website?


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shel504

Renowned Member
26/5/20
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Hi, I’m looking to do a 1016 or 6610 Explorer project
- and like the sound of the JMB case. I am not familiar with JMB and do not see JMB in the Trusted Dealers - can someone point me in the direction of the JMB website?


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I think you'd need to reach out to him via PM here (at least that's how I contacted him). No website or anything as far as I'm aware of. He had a batch of 1016 cases a few weeks ago and sounded like that would be the last of them for a while.
 

Bubbe Back1

You're Saying I Can Sell?
14/1/15
46
16
8
I think you'd need to reach out to him via PM here (at least that's how I contacted him). No website or anything as far as I'm aware of. He had a batch of 1016 cases a few weeks ago and sounded like that would be the last of them for a while.

Thanks - just messaged him.



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blackswan1982

Looking Around
19/8/21
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2
3
Santiago, Chile
Hi. Excuse for my probably newbie question: comparing the two crowns, I see that the one that is on the JMB's case has a much smaller coronet than the one on the Ruby's. Are they both ok for the model 1016? I did some Google research, but I didn't find information about the one with the smaller coronet. The one on the Ruby's seems to be the model 600, which is the one that I have seen in most of the 1016s.
I appreciate your comments. Thanks so much in advance.
 

369mafia

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Hi. Excuse for my probably newbie question: comparing the two crowns, I see that the one that is on the JMB's case has a much smaller coronet than the one on the Ruby's. Are they both ok for the model 1016? I did some Google research, but I didn't find information about the one with the smaller coronet. The one on the Ruby's seems to be the model 600, which is the one that I have seen in most of the 1016s.
I appreciate your comments. Thanks so much in advance.

Yes you are correct in your observation. The crown on the ruby case is a gen crown. the jmb case has a rep crown.
 

automatico

You're Saying I Can Sell?
5/10/11
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First off...I'll admit I'm lazy when it comes to cases. Close enough is good enough for me.
I had a couple JMB cases and put a modified ETA 28xx in one.
Here is the story...


I sold the JMB cases to an RWG member and stuck the ETA movement/dial/hands in a rolex 16220 case that previously had a rolex 15xx and genuine dial, here is the rest of the story...



Pic of the '1016' made with a 16220 case (seventh post from top)...


I was 'Jimmythree' starting out on RWG (5-16-2007) and registered as 'automatico' (7-16-2008) after a server meltdown.
 
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vintagepassioneurope

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23/12/19
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Inspired by the post with the picture with the comparison between various gen 36mm Rolex cases, I would share two or my 1016 builts:
one is a franken with gen 1601 (serial 3 milions) case + caseback, gen smooth SS bezel, gen 25-21 glass, gen tube + gen crown. It has a gen 1560 cal with an old viet Explorer dial (with Cartier logo), and wholesaleoutlet mercedes hands.
I made it some years ago and I enjoyed it a lot.
Last october 2022 i bought here from a trusted member another 1016 vintage built:
It's a Rolojack 1016 build with Whoopy Dial. Here are the specs (from the original post): Heaviliy modded Rolojack Case with ( period ) correct engravings (serial 2.9 millions), Super rare Whoopy Dial with an amazing surface and patina, TC Hands, perfectly matching the dial, Lobtime Dome Plexi ( great look ), Gen Crown, Swiss Selita SW200
And now the pics:


The gen 1601 is always on the right and the Rolojack 1016 on the left
The Rolojack 1016 is always above and the gen 1601 always below



the 1601 profile with the gen crown


the Rolojack 1016 profile with the gen crown
 

369mafia

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@vintagepassioneurope Thank you for your contribution. That is a sweet pair of explorers you have. Very cool to see a Whoopie dial , they are rare as hens teeth.

Its interesting to see the two watches side by side but its important to note that there are distinctions between the two cases. because they are two different refences

There are very minor differences between an 1016 and 1601 even though they do share the same general dimentions, there are very subtle differences between the two references as apparent by your watches posted and by this references image. So its not quite as drastic as comparing apples to oranges, its more like comparing two different species of apples.

A great post none the less and again thanks for sharing pics of your two beauties.

 
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