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

[LetMeHearItNow]

IF the GMT II's followed suite in regards to dw font, the open 6 and 9 would date you at 1989.
The serif font would date you from late '89 though late '94, but again, ONLY if the GMT II's are like the 16610's in regards to date disc's.

The open 6 and 9 datewheels on 167XX went through 89 if I remember correctly. I‘ve had a couple E serials (1990) and both were closed 6/9.

 

[LetMeHearItNow]

So I’m planning on constructing my 16700 build myself having done a few planet ocean frankens and a tc sub in the past. Anyone got any tips on hand installation, is it best to do it with the movement in the case, then press on the crystal and bezel after?


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I believe you’d have a much easier time installing the hands while the movement is out of the case in a movement holder. Press the case then put the assembled movement in.

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Is there a plug n play solution for a thin cese back of correct thickness, without having to shave down thicker backs? I don’t even see any gen backs available unless I’m searching incorrectly. I have my parts list 99% completed except for a back.

 

[CarpetRyd]

Is there a plug n play solution for a thin cese back of correct thickness, without having to shave down thicker backs? I don’t even see any gen backs available unless I’m searching incorrectly. I have my parts list 99% completed except for a back.

Gen 16710 casebacks have gotten rare and when available are expensive and usually damaged. But if you insist, try searching for the replacement part number — 2180 instead of ones stamped for 16710 or 16570 (yes, explorer II casebacks are interchangeable)


You could try one of those Thomas Preik clear casebacks - they’re supposed to be gen spec and pretty nice…

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Gen 16710 casebacks have gotten rare and when available are expensive and usually damaged. But if you insist, try searching for the replacement part number — 2180 instead of ones stamped for 16710 or 16570 (yes, explorer II casebacks are interchangeable)


You could try one of those Thomas Preik clear casebacks - they’re supposed to be gen spec and pretty nice…

Thank you. I will modify my search and also look at the clear backs, although I’m less of a fan of them. Your comments are appreciated!

 

[LetMeHearItNow]

Thank you. I will modify my search and also look at the clear backs, although I’m less of a fan of them. Your comments are appreciated!

https://www.tswisst.de/gmt-master/caseback-rolex-gmt-16710/

 

[KJ2020]

Thank you. I will modify my search and also look at the clear backs, although I’m less of a fan of them. Your comments are appreciated!

Pricey for sure

https://swisstime40.com/product/16570-explorer-2/

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Pricey for sure

https://swisstime40.com/product/16570-explorer-2/

Indeed pricy. I appreciate the link. I’ll keep looking.
The problem I see with shaving down a thick back is it increases the contact surface on the wrist. Rolexes are comfortable because of the back is tapered and cone shaped to increase air circulation and reduce the amount of metal contact on the wrist. My theory anyway.

 

[CarpetRyd]

Indeed pricy. I appreciate the link. I’ll keep looking.
The problem I see with shaving down a thick back is it increases the contact surface on the wrist. Rolexes are comfortable because of the back is tapered and cone shaped to increase air circulation and reduce the amount of metal contact on the wrist. My theory anyway.

The shaved down caseback is very very similar to the Daytona caseback…


gen 2180, VN shaved, Noobtona

 

[Baron Rees]

Is there a plug n play solution for a thin cese back of correct thickness, without having to shave down thicker backs? I don’t even see any gen backs available unless I’m searching incorrectly. I have my parts list 99% completed except for a back.

A few earlier posts have mentioned the startime submariner caseback being closer in thickness to a 2180 than a 2160.

Otherwise Yachtmasters (16622 and potentially 116622) also use a 2180 caseback. I was able to take one from a Noob 116622.

 

[sirOZTURK]

Hello
Could you please help me ?
There is no ref ör serial number under lugs
So i am not sure this is geniue ör not

İf it is geniue , can it ne 80900?

CPH2125 cihazımdan Tapatalk kullanılarak gönderildi

 

[WatchSmith.US]

The shaved down caseback is very very similar to the Daytona caseback…


gen 2180, VN shaved, Noobtona

That’s reassuring. Maybe my theory on the size of the contact area of the back doesn’t hold water since the Daytona is considerably larger. Thanks!

 

[Max Dad]

Yes.. it's here. The wonderful land of Vietnam is now making 5 digit sport Rolex cases. Combine that with the new chinese VR3186 movements and you've got yourself an amazing franken.

Better go scoop up 16710 dials while you still can on the cheap. Confirmed every single gen part is a 100% drop in using a VR3186 and this case. Even the damn bezel inserts snap into it perfectly without sanding.

Schematics say that the 3185 is just a tiny bit thinner than the 3186, but made zero difference in the build. This beauty below is the first completed build, but I've got a couple being started also for myself. Will be updating this post with wonderful amounts of patina and serif's.

Yodog....can you put a VR3186 in a Milk case too.....

 

[LetMeHearItNow]

Whoever is looking for a 16700 dial this is a pretty good find for the price. Especially for a clean tritium.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Fa...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[RDRoss]

Can't really say in regards to the GMT cases but the 16570 Exp. II Viet case I recently received accepts the gen xtal with Viet ( and gen ) gaskets.
Same goes for the gen. Exp.II bezel.
Because this 16570 project of mine was geared towards yielding a "daily beater" I hadn't really planned on going gen crystal but the placement of the cyclop on the Viet crystal is way too far inboard.

If you're refering to which height gasket would be correct ( between the 2.5mm and 2.7mm ) I believe it's the 2.5mm gasket you're after.
If the Viet GMT cases are the same as the Viet 16570 Exp. II cases, ( and I believe that they are ) the crystal gasket height is 2.5mm ( at least on mine it is )

If I may ask, where did you find the explorer II case? I have been looking for one.

 

[WildString46]

Yodog....can you put a VR3186 in a Milk case too.....

This does work. The Milk case is built for 2836 which has a similar (if not the same) stem height as the VR3186.

As long as you are making a 16750/3/8 with the Milk case, you would have correct handstack. However, you would need an open 69 3135 date disc for it to be period correct. Though I have seen later 30xx date discs (3075 is in the 16750) with closed numerals.

 

[Freshface]

Hi,

nice watch! I'm also currently building one. Can't you tell which tube you used for the gen krown? 5330 is too small in my viet case and I can't get the 6330 in? can you help me?


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[CarpetRyd]

Hi,

nice watch! I'm also currently building one. Can't you tell which tube you used for the gen krown? 5330 is too small in my viet case and I can't get the 6330 in? can you help me?


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guess you haven’t read this thread yet? This has been addressed multiple times in this very thread…

But since that seems like to much work for you - I’ll help you out a little - check out post #299

Can’t wait to see your completed build!

 

[Freshface]

guess you haven’t read this thread yet? This has been addressed multiple times in this very thread…

But since that seems like to much work for you - I’ll help you out a little - check out post #299

Can’t wait to see your completed build!

Hey ok thanks i check it.

Here is my first built of my 16700
Viet case
Gen dial
Gen glass no LEC
Gen hands
Gen vintage crown
Gen vintage date closed 6/9

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[Freshface]

guess you haven’t read this thread yet? This has been addressed multiple times in this very thread…

But since that seems like to much work for you - I’ll help you out a little - check out post #299

Can’t wait to see your completed build!

Hey ok thanks i check it.

Here is my first built of my 16700
Viet case
Gen dial
Gen glass no LEC
Gen hands
Gen vintage crown
Gen vintage date closed 6/9

I hope
Can fit the tube

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