Building my own 16710 gen spec GMT based on BP (not using an expensive Viet case!)

[HootschiGootschi]

For some time I’m looking for a „good“ case for an 16710 build that should take a gen style bezel, crystal & VR3186.

With my case comparison between the available aftermarket cases,
I come to the conclusion that these are to expensive for my budget and mostly need extra work too (or doesn’t even exist)

Based on my experience from preparing 1675 Cartel cases,
the decision to build my own was any easy one.

As a starting point i bought a new BP 16710 from a TD here & compare it with a gen 16710 that i have,
Well knowing that case thickness is an issue (besides missing lug holes and shape) with the BP, plus the totally wrong design of the BP bezel and how it’s fit to the case.

BP has 5,10 mm where the genuine 16710 has 4,6mm in thickness.

The BP (QC pics from TD) and after disassembling:

Here you can see the design of the BP bezel system. (Very simple design & far from gen):

First thing i changed on the BP Case was to drill the lug holes, before anything else.

Then i milled down the case on my lathe to get it to 4,6mm & turned the BP Bezel lip down to take a gen crystal:

Some shots after milling, reshaping, etc.

Default BP case & my processed case (let’s call it HG case):
(BP left - HG right)

& at least some preview shots with the 16710 bezel system...

More to come....

 

[Perpetual]

Great info here and project. Subscribed

 

[Spoons]

Subscribed! Interested in seeing how this develops.

 

[WildString46]

Nice work so far and great pics! I think once the case is able to securely take the gen crystal retaining ring, you're on the money.

Looking forward to pics of fitting the VR 3186 to the previously 2836 case. Mainly want to know if the tube needs to be retapped.

 

[HootschiGootschi]

Sorry for letting you wait for so long, but it takes longer than expected to get a crystal from Clark’s.

However, here are some pics from the assembly:

Note: at this stage i left the stem very long to ensure everything fits and is working as expected.

 

[HootschiGootschi]

Here are some pics while finalizing the build:

and at least some wrist shots:

hope you like it

 

[Anto.94]

Nice build! Can you tell us the other specs??

The movement will fit without modding the case on the inside??

 

[HootschiGootschi]

Nice build! Can you tell us the other specs??

The movement will fit without modding the case on the inside??

The BP case inside diameter is bigger than necessary for an VR3186, therefore no additional metal work is needed.
Except a pair of longer movement mounting tabs.
(Note: This would not work if you try with an ARF 3186, as these have a different design & thus a different stem height. - more like an 3135)

Beside that, you need a dial, hands, etc.

 

[Perpetual]

Job well done sir Bravo!!

So the bp case has a proper dial diameter opening for the gen dial to be properly seated I take it? ..always thought the opening was larger in result dial falling through.

 

[KJ2020]

Your case work is great bro, congrats! Great final result. I've seen people use a modded crystal gasket as a homemade movement holder if you start to notice any movement shifting.

I am using a 2836 dial with a VR3185 in a different build and also ran into the issue where the silver perimeter ring of the VR datewheel is visible through the date window. It's a shame because the DW is so good but I think I'm going to source an aftermarket DW that has no silver perimeter ring.

 

[HootschiGootschi]

Your case work is great bro, congrats! Great final result. I've seen people use a modded crystal gasket as a homemade movement holder if you start to notice any movement shifting.

I am using a 2836 dial with a VR3185 in a different build and also ran into the issue where the silver perimeter ring of the VR datewheel is visible through the date window. It's a shame because the DW is so good but I think I'm going to source an aftermarket DW that has no silver perimeter ring.

Eagle eye—-

 

[WildString46]

Job well done sir Bravo!!

So the bp case has a proper dial diameter opening for the gen dial to be properly seated I take it? ..always thought the opening was larger in result dial falling through.

I believe this is the case for the BP 16610. So apparently for HG's build (and several others who have fitted the VR 3186 in the BP 16710 case), it can take the gen dial.

KJ2020 Any chance you have taken the rehaut diameter measurements in a BP 16570? Would it take a gen dial? Perhaps an easier way to execute this build is to use the Explorer II case and a gen spec crystal retaining ring, bezel assembly and such.

 

[WildString46]

The BP case inside diameter is bigger than necessary for an VR3186, therefore no additional metal work is needed.
Except a pair of longer movement mounting tabs.
(Note: This would not work if you try with an ARF 3186, as these have a different design & thus a different stem height. - more like an 3135)

Beside that, you need a dial, hands, etc.

Great build bro! Just to confirm, no tube realignment needed, just longer movement tabs to secure the VR 3186 to the BP case?

Thank you much for your pics and contribution.

 

[HootschiGootschi]

Good morning.

KJ2020


I didn’t had an issue with the dial diameter here. At least with this BP16710 case (there might be tolerances from batch to batch)

WildString46

I can confirm: The Tube height for an 2836 case will fit for an VR3186 without any modification.

Note:
all of the BP cases are much to “fat” and need to be slimmed to get it closer to 16710

 

[KJ2020]

Good morning.

KJ2020


I didn’t had an issue with the dial diameter here. At least with this BP16710 case (there might be tolerances from batch to batch)

WildString46

I can confirm: The Tube height for an 2836 case will fit for an VR3186 without any modification.

Note:
all of the BP cases are much to “fat” and need to be slimmed to get it closer to 16710

I know I said this already, but your case work is really great! I wish I had some of those skills.

 

[KJ2020]

I believe this is the case for the BP 16610. So apparently for HG's build (and several others who have fitted the VR 3186 in the BP 16710 case), it can take the gen dial.

KJ2020 Any chance you have taken the rehaut diameter measurements in a BP 16570? Would it take a gen dial? Perhaps an easier way to execute this build is to use the Explorer II case and a gen spec crystal retaining ring, bezel assembly and such.

I did a conversion on a 16570 to give it a rotating bezel. The retaining ring fit was not perfect so I epoxied it onto the case. it will now fit gen-spec crystal, bezel and insert. The rehaut aperture on the BP 16570s is about 27.5mm, the dials are 28.5mm. I have a 16570 damaged dial that I practiced dial shaving on, it's now 27.4mm and falls through the rehaut on all the 5 digit reps I've tried it on. Gen dial is 27.3mm.

 

[KJ2020]

Apparently there are some gen 16570 dials that do fit in some BP cases. Here is one posted recently in the Eyecandy thread. Not sure if the dial was larger than 27.3mm or the rehaut opening was smaller. YMMV

Post #70

https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...70#post9709570

 

[WildString46]

I did a conversion on a 16570 to give it a rotating bezel. The retaining ring fit was not perfect so I epoxied it onto the case. it will now fit gen-spec crystal, bezel and insert. The rehaut aperture on the BP 16570s is about 27.5mm, the dials are 28.5mm. I have a 16570 damaged dial that I practiced dial shaving on, it's now 27.4mm and falls through the rehaut on all the 5 digit reps I've tried it on. Gen dial is 27.3mm.

Ahh yes I hadn't considered just epoxying the retaining ring to the case. Thanks for the measurements, I've always been disillusioned with the BP 5 digits due to their large rehaut opening.

Back to the topic, I might also venture that the midcase of the largely inaccurate BP 1675 would also be a suitable alternative for HG's work. The BP 1675 case has the 6mm crown, and lugholes, but unfortunately quite shallow rehaut. The problem will always be the retaining ring and hytrel ring would not fit properly as it is too big to fit water tight. Might need to double up using a second gasket, or epoxy.

 

[HootschiGootschi]

The Dial Window on the 16710 BP is 27mm,
so is on the 1675 BP.

The difference is the angle...
within the 16710 its sloped,
where the 1675 is strait

 

[WildString46]

Oh I see, never really noticed the rehaut angle. Thanks HG!