It is not so easy to swap inserts on the TC sub !!!!!!!

[rsh]

So a buddy wanted the TC sub converted to an LV sub......we are talking v series (wm9 v4 sub)

TC says the gen insert snaps on the bezel, and yes, when the sub arrived it had a gen black insert....I simply could not get the insert back on after I removed it....I must be too girly

Anyhow, I got an LV insert and let me tell you, it was not easy to put it on

First, the crystal is 1.8mm gen spec crystal mated to a 3.0mm gasket. Gasket should be a 2.5 or even a 2.7mm gasket. 3.0 is way too tall. This also makes it apparent why the tc sub comes with such a domed insert.

My theory is that the gen insert is made of higher quality materials and the metal starts at a certain thickness at the outer rim and quickly tapers towards the edge. The under side is sloped higher than upper aspect.

The rep inserts simply dont get this right and the bottom of the insert has to be sanded to make it fit the assembly.


The first two pics show you how when assembled, the insert simply rubs on the crystal retainer.....

So you disassemble, and start shaving the retainer and shave the under side of the insert and both or either until you can install the insert into the bezel and bezel does not touch the retainer.

So to sum it up, rep inserts dont get it right, in fact the simple thin sheet inserts are easier to install then the "gen like inserts"

The rep crystal retainer is too tall and rubs the underside of the rep inserts but not gen inserts. So they make a tall domed rep insert (i noticed this is the case with the TC LV sub insert also) and they have to make a tall gasket to make it all look decent.
?

 

[PamLuver80]

Thx RSH for the informative post.

 

[45acp]

This explains a lot. I spent about two hours and almost had an aneurism trying to get my first Clarks insert on my TC sub. Ended up getting it in without sanding it, but the insert was wrecked by the time I finally got it in. Second time with a Clarks I found that sanding around the outer edges didn't really help that much, and it wasn't until I started sanding the underside of the insert that it worked.

I had better luck with gen inserts, but it sounds like there may be some variance in the bezel rings' dimensions, as other people have still had trouble with those.

Was the LV insert you used a gen insert, or one off the new TC LV?

 

[rsh]

if it was the one off the LV, this would have been a slam dunk.....it is also too domed like the TC black insert and you could leave the original tall gasket and get away with it. If you look at the TC LV carefully, you can see how domed the insert is and in fact you will see a fishmouth like fissure effect when tilting it off angle and looking where bezel insert and crystal meet (wider gap). PLease dont think I am nitpicky, well I am but the TC LV insert looks fine just not to gen proportions

This is a rep insert with my epoxy lume mod and its contour is what it should be

 

[arcadia]

Thanks for this mate. Great info on the LV.

 

[federico]

if it was the one off the LV, this would have been a slam dunk.....it is also too domed like the TC black insert and you could leave the original tall gasket and get away with it. If you look at the TC LV carefully, you can see how domed the insert is and in fact you will see a fishmouth like fissure effect when tilting it off angle and looking where bezel insert and crystal meet (wider gap). PLease dont think I am nitpicky, well I am but the TC LV insert looks fine just not to gen proportions

This is a rep insert with my epoxy lume mod and its contour is what it should be

Did you apply the insert on without taking the bezel off? Or did you remove the bezel?
Cheers

 

[rsh]

if you do it right you can do it either way, in this case it was snapped in after the bezel was in place, otherwise I just dont see how you would align it right

 

[boostin20]

Thanks for posting that RSH.

 

[woof*]

Good info rsh,
I think I would rather buy a second hand gen bezel before I sanded a 4-500$ Lv insert? Maybe not, but the gen insert fitting feature was a big selling point of these Wm9, Tk, Tc's.

 

[SecretAgentMan]

How did the watch arrive with a gen insert? I thought there wasnt an insert on the TC V4 sub?

 

[PamLuver80]

How did the watch arrive with a gen insert? I thought there wasnt an insert on the TC V4 sub?

Maybe it had a black gen insert already.

 

[rsh]

Maybe it had a black gen insert already.

yes it did

 

[rsh]

bump for a friend who is looking for this thread

 

[dakwan]

Is this still applicable for subC insert?

 

[mech500]

Is this still applicable for subC insert?

Nope.

This thread is about a completely different model to the ceramic sub (subC).

 

[d.brocke]

And about a model that shouldn't be described as "gen spec".
If you have to sand, shave and file to get the gen insert installed then it's not gen spec.
And 1.8mm paired with a 3mm gasket isn't either.

 

[mech500]

Yeh, the term "gen spec" is overrated in the rep industry

 

[d.brocke]

Yeh, the term "gen spec" is overrated in the rep industry

Agreed.
Don't get me wrong, Thomas has been a milestone and a game changer where various models are concerned.
But I still say the ST bezel is the best way to go aside from the gen.
( though it's been awhile since I've handled one. )

 

[mech500]

But I still say the ST bezel is the best way to go aside from the gen.

I don't like the polished bezel scallops on the ST bezel (they should be satin brushed). Polished scallops just changes the entire dynamics of the watch face.

I tried to brush the st scallops with some success but it's hard to get that gen like brush.

My old Clark bezel is excellent.


TCv6 (bottom), Clark on top:

 

[mech500]

Clark (top), TCv6 bottom:

Here's a gen for reference:

Clark has deeper bezel scallops (closer to gen IMO)