So damn near everyone here knows I’ve been wanting the best 16800 build. This was my grail watch. The watch that started my interest in watches.
First build was a JF 16610 base with a Richview dial. Rich’s dials were not bad but the JF case was not gen spec so it was a pain to get it aligned with the date wheel.
Then I had the opportunity to get a ST3135 case from a member here. I ordered everything except the bezel. Not sure what I was thinking but I thought WSO’s were gen spec. NOPE.
Another member offered to help me get a ST bezel ring. While that was on order, I bought a ST case set from another member. Lol (this hobby is gonna get me divorced).
Heard about the Dung_chrono guy on eBay to get a dial from. His dials are not bad but while I was looking around on eBay on Labor Day weekend, I came across a nicely patina’d, gen dial and won the auction. It was one of those “damn. I’m kinda hoping I don’t win this” ideas at the end but oh well.
One of my old watch repair guys I know emails me and tells me he has what I’ve been bugging him about for a while (gen 3135 date disc with open 6 & 9s’). I said I would take all of them (always nice to have back ups). Was hoping for a good deal but I got the usual price but hey, it is what it is. Those things are about as easy to find as a unicorn these days.
So here we go!
Build number 1.
ST Case.
ST Bezel set.
Clarks crystal with AR
Clarks gasket.
STs casket set.
Gen 16800 tritium dial.
VR3135
ST hands.
Lumed by me
Case reshaped by me.
Gen tube
Gen 16800 crown (wide coronet)
ST insert
Gen date wheel
Tymia weathering kit
How the dial looked when I got it.
After some “weathering”
Case reshaping is a bit of a pain on the stubby crown guards but the crown guards on gen 16800s are not the tallest either so I just shaped them as best as I could. Beveling the lugs and polishing (there is no way a dial that looks like this with a case that looks brand new).
Recessed the case tube and shaved the crown guard space.
And apparently Tapatalk will not let me upload anything pics for the month so I’ll add more tomorrow.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First build was a JF 16610 base with a Richview dial. Rich’s dials were not bad but the JF case was not gen spec so it was a pain to get it aligned with the date wheel.
Then I had the opportunity to get a ST3135 case from a member here. I ordered everything except the bezel. Not sure what I was thinking but I thought WSO’s were gen spec. NOPE.
Another member offered to help me get a ST bezel ring. While that was on order, I bought a ST case set from another member. Lol (this hobby is gonna get me divorced).
Heard about the Dung_chrono guy on eBay to get a dial from. His dials are not bad but while I was looking around on eBay on Labor Day weekend, I came across a nicely patina’d, gen dial and won the auction. It was one of those “damn. I’m kinda hoping I don’t win this” ideas at the end but oh well.
One of my old watch repair guys I know emails me and tells me he has what I’ve been bugging him about for a while (gen 3135 date disc with open 6 & 9s’). I said I would take all of them (always nice to have back ups). Was hoping for a good deal but I got the usual price but hey, it is what it is. Those things are about as easy to find as a unicorn these days.
So here we go!
Build number 1.
ST Case.
ST Bezel set.
Clarks crystal with AR
Clarks gasket.
STs casket set.
Gen 16800 tritium dial.
VR3135
ST hands.
Lumed by me
Case reshaped by me.
Gen tube
Gen 16800 crown (wide coronet)
ST insert
Gen date wheel
Tymia weathering kit
How the dial looked when I got it.
After some “weathering”
Case reshaping is a bit of a pain on the stubby crown guards but the crown guards on gen 16800s are not the tallest either so I just shaped them as best as I could. Beveling the lugs and polishing (there is no way a dial that looks like this with a case that looks brand new).
Recessed the case tube and shaved the crown guard space.
And apparently Tapatalk will not let me upload anything pics for the month so I’ll add more tomorrow.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk