Viet Gen-Spec 16710 Frankens are here to stay - byebye BP!

[XpanzerX]

Nice build! Which bracelet did you use?

Right now I have a old JF sub bracelet on it, I’m currently fitting a correct bracelet with 501b endlinks. Just have to fit the end links to case.


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[LetMeHearItNow]

Finally finished my Viet build, gen xtal gen datewheel all in under $1200 pretty happy

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Welcome to the world of GreenwichMeanTime!! Took you long enough... you finally finished building every other 5 digit known to man three times over?

Build and parts breakdown please.

 

[XpanzerX]

Welcome to the world of GreenwichMeanTime!! Took you long enough... you finally finished building every other 5 digit known to man three times over?

Build and parts breakdown please.

Right lol!! still prefer my 5 digit subs though

Viet case (not amazing but decent enough, and MILES better than BP)

Gen crystal LEC and AR had it from a old TC build

Gen 3135 date wheel from Fierygems

After market dial (decent quality but text could be whiter)

Aftermarket hands from Japan, actually really impressed by these!

JF bracelet and clasp

2mm shoulderless springbars

Gen gaskets

Viet crown and tube


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[CarpetRyd]

Right lol!! still prefer my 5 digit subs though

Viet case (not amazing but decent enough, and MILES better than BP)

Gen crystal LEC and AR had it from a old TC build

Gen 3135 date wheel from Fierygems

After market dial (decent quality but text could be whiter)

Aftermarket hands from Japan, actually really impressed by these!

JF bracelet and clasp

2mm shoulderless springbars

Gen gaskets

Viet crown and tube


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This is fantastic! I was about to ask what the build list looked like… Those into the budget build - take notes!

 

[XpanzerX]

Added to the herd of five digits, some not so budget friendly ones in there lmao. Love the classic rolex lines though !


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[easy_beaching]

Added to the herd of five digits, some not so budget friendly ones in there lmao. Love the classic rolex lines though !


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My word man, you definitely have a type...and great taste I might add. ????

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[Danza1813]

Does anybody know if the vr3186 stem length needs adjusting when installing the crown to fit the case?

Does the movement come with case clamps to secure within the case?

I have recently acquired the following parts and when I can bag a case I will probably be attempting assembly of a 1999 16700 pepsi gmt myself.

Nos 16700 pepsi insert
Gen 16700 Swiss only dial
Gen SL hands
Gen 295 Crystal
Gaskets and o rings (cousins)
Vr3186
Gmt click spring
Raffles jubilee and cartel 93150 (old ones from other builds, not sure if they will fit but worth a try first)


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[CarpetRyd]

Does anybody know if the vr3186 stem length needs adjusting when installing the crown to fit the case?

Yes. Most likely you will have to trim down the stock VR stem to fit the crown.

Does the movement come with case clamps to secure within the case?

No. You will need case screws, NOT clamps. The movement fits in the case like gen!
Gen part# = 3135-5100

 

[Danza1813]

Yes. Most likely you will have to trim down the stock VR stem to fit the crown.



No. You will need case screws, NOT clamps. The movement fits in the case like gen!
Gen part# = 3135-5100

Thanks for this.


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[Danza1813]

Parts are steadily arriving for my build.

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[Danza1813]

I’ve seen a couple of mentions across threads relating to the fit of the gen bezel insert into the Vietnam bezel ring.

Can anyone say for sure it’s a direct straight fit for the high quality 16710 case supplied by MQ or Mr Nguyen etc or are they all a bit hit and miss?


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[KJ2020]

Parts are steadily arriving for my build.

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Looks like a great build in the making, looking forward to seeing this result.

I just wanted to mention if you didn't know since you are making such an effort to create a gen-spec piece, that the 16700 had a 3175 movement which has a non-independent GMT hand. So it was basically an AM/PM indicator unless the bezel was rotated to denote the second time zone or GMT. This is the same on all 1675s and 6542s.

There were some first edition 16710 transitional models made in 1989 that had a 3185 with an independent GMT hand and a GMT Master (I) dial but those had a Swiss T<25 dial.

I mention it just so you are aware and not caught off guard by someone pointing out your anomaly if you choose to denote a second time zone with your GMT hand.

My 1989 16710

 

[WildString46]

There were some first edition 16710 transitional models made in 1989 that had a 3185 with an independent GMT hand and a GMT Master (I) dial but those had a Swiss T<25 dial.

KJ2020 Interesting, but I'm very skeptical on this info man. Are you sure this isn't just a 16710 with an incorrect 16700 dial?

I'm not sure if Rolex would be that irresponsible to put an incorrect model name on a watch. I know the first edition 16760 dials did correctly say GMT Master II, but they mistakenly put "Oyster Perpetual" rather than "Oyster Perpetual Date." But this was corrected in later 16760 dials, and I presume Rolex used the same dials for late 16760 and early 16710.

 

[KJ2020]

KJ2020 Interesting, but I'm very skeptical on this info man. Are you sure this isn't just a 16710 with an incorrect 16700 dial?

I'm not sure if Rolex would be that irresponsible to put an incorrect model name on a watch. I know the first edition 16760 dials did correctly say GMT Master II, but they mistakenly put "Oyster Perpetual" rather than "Oyster Perpetual Date." But this was corrected in later 16760 dials, and I presume Rolex used the same dials for late 16760 and early 16710.

I am the original owner bro and this is exactly how it came to me from Rolex by mail order through AAFES.

I knew of others like mine at the time. Maybe there was a different batch of dials used for certain markets, or a shortage of GMT Master II dials, who knows. The production of 16760 stopped in 1988 and the 16710 didn't start til 1989. The 16700 started production in 1988.

No RSC has seen fit to change it and I haven't asked for it to be changed. I now appreciate its uniqueness. It's not like Rolex doesn't do what it wants to or make mistakes.

https://timeandtidewatches.com/a-mod...-up-to-the-9s/

 

[Danza1813]

Looks like a great build in the making, looking forward to seeing this result.

I just wanted to mention if you didn't know since you are making such an effort to create a gen-spec piece, that the 16700 had a 3175 movement which has a non-independent GMT hand. So it was basically an AM/PM indicator unless the bezel was rotated to denote the second time zone or GMT. This is the same on all 1675s and 6542s.

There were some first edition 16710 transitional models made in 1989 that had a 3185 with an independent GMT hand and a GMT Master (I) dial but those had a Swiss T
I mention it just so you are aware and not caught off guard by someone pointing out your anomaly if you choose to denote a second time zone with your GMT hand.

My 1989 16710

Thanks I appreciate this info, I was aware the movement isn’t accurate to the 16700. but I have to say I prefer the functionality of tracking three time zones, or 2 without moving the bezel and used it loads on my Tudor gmt while travelling.

So for me it’s the best of both worlds, as it’s a somewhat hidden feature, only I will really know about, but the watch will still resemble the very last of the GMT Masters with the simplicity of the ‘GMT Master’ and ‘Swiss’ only dial, very much what I regard as the no date sub of the GMT series.

I also managed to acquire the ST16610 caseback for to achieve a slimmer case….Just need a bloody Vietnam case now!!


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[KJ2020]

So for me it’s the best of both worlds, as it’s a somewhat hidden feature, only I will really know about

Exactly how I regard my gen. I came close to asking RSC to replace my dial the last time it was serviced but at the last minute decided against it. So glad I did.

 

[WildString46]

I am the original owner bro and this is exactly how it came to me from Rolex by mail order through AAFES.

I knew of others like mine at the time. Maybe there was a different batch of dials used for certain markets, or a shortage of GMT Master II dials, who knows. The production of 16760 stopped in 1988 and the 16710 didn't start til 1989. The 16700 started production in 1988.

No RSC has seen fit to change it and I haven't asked for it to be changed. I now appreciate its uniqueness. It's not like Rolex doesn't do what it wants to or make mistakes.

https://timeandtidewatches.com/a-mod...-up-to-the-9s/

I stand corrected bro, can't argue with a watch's original owner! Very interesting indeed.

On the topic of RSC, it looks like it has a service insert in it?

 

[KJ2020]

I stand corrected bro, can't argue with a watch's original owner! Very interesting indeed.

On the topic of RSC, it looks like it has a service insert in it?

The coke insert is the one it came with. The part number for these is 315-16760-17, though mine has no pronounced serifs like a lot of the 16760 inserts did. More recent coke inserts (and probably all service inserts now) have a very different shape on the 2's. There is less of a "knee" curve going to the numeral base.

 

[big_polarbear]

Looks like a great build in the making, looking forward to seeing this result.

I just wanted to mention if you didn't know since you are making such an effort to create a gen-spec piece, that the 16700 had a 3175 movement which has a non-independent GMT hand. So it was basically an AM/PM indicator unless the bezel was rotated to denote the second time zone or GMT. This is the same on all 1675s and 6542s.

There were some first edition 16710 transitional models made in 1989 that had a 3185 with an independent GMT hand and a GMT Master (I) dial but those had a Swiss T<25 dial.

I mention it just so you are aware and not caught off guard by someone pointing out your anomaly if you choose to denote a second time zone with your GMT hand.

My 1989 16710

I was about to say that I love this build until I reread your text
:hehehe:

 

[WildString46]

The coke insert is the one it came with. The part number for these is 315-16760-17, though mine has no pronounced serifs like a lot of the 16760 inserts did. More recent coke inserts (and probably all service inserts now) have a very different shape on the 2's. There is less of a "knee" curve to the numeral base.

Wow, yeah bro your watch is very interesting. I have never seen that type of insert before. If I hadn't known I would have thought it was aftermarket because the twos are a bit far from the inner edge of the insert.

I pulled out some of my gen parts to see which ones I own as well. I have a modern/sans-serif Coke Insert and a serif 16713LN insert.
*Edit: Steel bezel ring on the gen Coke insert is aftermarket (Viet)

Who knows, maybe the commissary receives some different stock?