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

[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!

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[WatchSmith.US]

Great looking dial and hands. I just completed servicing my VR3186 and am ready to assemble the watch as soon as the case is ready.

 

[Danza1813]

That vintage 16700 is looking good, a nice faded insert will top her off.

My build is coming ever closer too. Most component parts have been collected and delivered, I now only await the arrival of the viet case this week as it currently sits somewhere between Korea and the UK.

Mine will also be a 16700 GMT master, Swiss only dial corresponding to an A serial from 1999. My date of birth making up the rest of the serial number.

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[johnmike]

HELLO VIETNAM!!! My favorite reference as well..

 

[Danza1813]

So my viet case arrived today and stripped to the midcase to begin building.

Sadly and rather frustratingly the st 16610 caseback doesn’t quite fit, it only screwed down halfway and wouldn’t budge any further. Luckily I have a noob 116622 and I was able to swap the 2180 caseback from that to the viet case, (strangely the st caseback does fit the noob so it was a straight swap)

The 2180 caseback is still accurate for my 16700 build and has shaved .5mm from the overall depth compared to the stock viet caseback.

The build will continue over the coming days.


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[kadeee]

Sadly and rather frustratingly the st 16610 caseback doesn’t quite fit, it only screwed down halfway and wouldn’t budge any further.

As I mentioned already in an earlier Post, I got a ST case some time ago with a matching case back. I also mentioned that the next ST cases I ordered where normal Sub like case backs and did not look like the lighter 2180 like shaped case back I got once.

 

[Danza1813]

As I mentioned already in an earlier Post, I got a ST case some time ago with a matching case back. I also mentioned that the next ST cases I ordered where normal Sub like case backs and did not look like the lighter 2180 like shaped case back I got once.

Yeah that would explain it.

Ok next problem. My genuine nos insert seems too big for the viet bezel ring. I’ve heard people say they have had to glue the insert, but for me the insert is too big. I’ve tried to press fit using a bezel press and no way will it fit.

Any ideas?


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[WatchSmith.US]

Yeah that would explain it.

Ok next problem. My genuine nos insert seems too big for the viet bezel ring. I’ve heard people say they have had to glue the insert, but for me the insert is too big. I’ve tried to press fit using a bezel press and no way will it fit.

Any ideas?

Should it be pressed in with a crystal press?

 

[Oascom]

Yeah that would explain it.

Ok next problem. My genuine nos insert seems too big for the viet bezel ring. I’ve heard people say they have had to glue the insert, but for me the insert is too big. I’ve tried to press fit using a bezel press and no way will it fit.

Any ideas?


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I fitted two gen inserts into viet bezels without problem. Maybe post a picture with the insert on top of the bezel ?

 

[Danza1813]

Should it be pressed in with a crystal press?

I don’t see why not as it is a press fitting.


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[Danza1813]

Ignore my last.

Sorted it. Found it easier to fit the bezel to the watch first, ensuring click spring was in place and then fitted the insert and used the edge of a wooden table to gently push the final bit. Thumbs now ruined.

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[membrelli]

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.

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I really enjoyed this post, thank you, sir.

I always believe that the best reps are assemblies, but the need for an original Rlx movement makes them very expensive, especially for GMT with a 5-digit reference.
The possibility of using VRF really helps a lot. I still have doubts about the use of the most recent Asian Copy Rolex for Sub reference 4 and 5 digits movements, but I read and I still study......... [/FONT]

 

[Danza1813]

Coming on nicely now. Fitting the hands was difficult but it always is!

At least the times line up.

Had an issue with my crown and tube, believing I had bought a 6020 spec tube and 600 crown, the tube fits the case but the crown won’t screw to the tube?

The Vietnam crown however does screw onto the tube. So I’ve bought a generic 6020 tube to test my crown. If that fails I’ll have to revert to using the Vietnam crown.


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[WatchSmith.US]

Freshly serviced VR3186. All other parts gen. Gen bezel ring (not pictured) should be here next week.

When I receive the case from Tripdog I can start assembly. Hopefully in the next few weeks.

 

[Danza1813]

Looks like a good build. Did you change your case to a 16700 to match your dial.

 

[Chiko Corleone]

The Fat Lady with 8.4 mil serial and correct 16760 engraving. Sadly it’s using aftermarket crown tube and crown, had 24-603-0 crown tube and 24-5330-0 crown but sadly the crown tube wouldn’t fit viet case.

I’ve read that 24-6020 crown tube might fit, I purchased one from WSO but my watchsmith said it didn’t fit the viet case as well. I’m afraid if I buy the Gen 24-6020 tube it won’t fit as well. And the crown for 6020 I believe is 600 crown?

So my question to senior members is, which Gen crown and crown tube should I purchase?

Many thanks in advance

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[Danza1813]

I think you are correct 6000 or 6020 crown (preferable as it screws in) and a 600 crown.

I got a dodgy 600 crown that was threaded so wouldn’t screw into my tube but the 6020 tube fits the case perfectly.


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[Chiko Corleone]

I think you are correct 6000 or 6020 crown (preferable as it screws in) and a 600 crown.

I got a dodgy 600 crown that was threaded so wouldn’t screw into my tube but the 6020 tube fits the case perfectly.


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Ah thank you for the enlightenment sir. Where did you get the 6020 tube from? And is it Gen or aftermarket? Because the WSO 6020 tube can screw in although it didn’t manage to screw all the way in.

Cheers


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[Danza1813]

Ah thank you for the enlightenment sir. Where did you get the 6020 tube from? And is it Gen or aftermarket? Because the WSO 6020 tube can screw in although it didn’t manage to screw all the way in.

Cheers


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I got an aftermarket tube from cousins uk. £11 delivered.


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[Danza1813]

Amazing.


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