A guide to 16613 builds /FRANKENING

[WatchMe01]

So, i should buy a ST bezel set. Do i need the retaining ring etc? Or the bezel would pop in easily to the stock wm9 one?

Regarding my dial here is a photo:

I think to be spot on, i will need a 25-295c with/without LEC and no AR. Correct? I love the AR on cyclops but i want it to be period correct

 

[QueTip]

So, i should buy a ST bezel set. Do i need the retaining ring etc? Or the bezel would pop in easily to the stock wm9 one?

Regarding my dial here is a photo:
I think to be spot on, i will need a 25-295c with/without LEC and no AR. Correct? I love the AR on cyclops but i want it to be period correct

You'll need a full assembly. It's not a straight fit on any other retainer than their own! Either that or you cope the little extra work that is required to make it fit the WM9 assembly.

Exactly right about the crystal, screw AR. I've always been a nut for nonAR crystals, lol.

 

[DayWalker]

I appreciate you taking the time to write this up. I'm just trying to contribute relevant information. A lot of the info in that link applies to the 16613 too.

One thing you mentioned is the lume options, Luminova vs. Tritium. The link elaborated more on these saying, "Luminova is phosphorescent and requires exposure to light during the day to glow in the dark, it is the standard on Swiss watches.
Tritium is radioluminescent and has a half life of about 15 years, since this material was phased out in the 1990s, most Rolex Submariners with this material will no longer glow in the dark. The basic thing to know here is that if you don’t see a T near the Swiss at the very bottom of the dial, it is not a tritium dial. Tritium develops a nice patina with age and is often of interest to collectors for this reason".

Certainly not criticizing, as you've provided the most pertinent information; just justifying the additional resource that you implied did not add anything beyond what you'd already posted.

 

[QueTip]

One thing you mentioned is the lume options, Luminova vs. Tritium. The link elaborated more on these saying, "Luminova is phosphorescent and requires exposure to light during the day to glow in the dark, it is the standard on Swiss watches.
Tritium is radioluminescent and has a half life of about 15 years, since this material was phased out in the 1990s, most Rolex Submariners with this material will no longer glow in the dark. The basic thing to know here is that if you don’t see a T near the Swiss at the very bottom of the dial, it is not a tritium dial. Tritium develops a nice patina with age and is often of interest to collectors for this reason".

No need for that as its a guide to Franken a certain type of Rolex.
This wasn't supposed to be a 'Rolex 101' but a clearly aimed tutorial to ONE model.
I set a requirement thought to anyone wanting to build a proper Franken like this, to know about the stuff like what tritium is and how the lume types differ.

 

[DayWalker]

Self edit...

 

[JoeyT]

Let's all get along, this is a great thread for people like me. Some may think because of my mega builds that I know everything but I'm learning more and more
everyday. Threads like this is the reason I love this hobby

 

[QueTip]

Let's all get along, this is a great thread for people like me. Some may think because of my mega builds that I know everything but I'm learning more and more
everyday. Threads like this is the reason I love this hobby

Lol brother, I see you preaching moral on 8/10 threads.

 

[JoeyT]

Lol brother, I see you preaching moral on 8/10 threads.

Haha I'm a lover, not a fighter

 

[JoeyT]

But if someone touches my 16613's, I will whoop some candy ass

 

[QueTip]

Haha I'm a lover, not a fighter

But if someone touches my 16613's, I will whoop some candy ass

LOL :rofl:

 

[Om3ga_guy]

You'll need a full assembly. It's not a straight fit on any other retainer than their own! Either that or you cope the little extra work that is required to make it fit the WM9 assembly.

Exactly right about the crystal, screw AR. I've always been a nut for nonAR crystals, lol.

I actually just bought an ST bezel assembly. Both the ring and retainer. Based on my research neither WSO or ST fit directly on a wm9 or tc retainer. There's some sanding involved to fit them on each otheir.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Om3ga_guy]

Double post...

 

[WatchMe01]

Yeah Omega_guy ..
I think i will consider the bezel upgrade after the crystal and crown swap.. I am not sure my local watchsmith can handle playing with retaining rings..

Perfect.. even the rep wm9 crystal is so clear but a gen crystal is calling me

#nofilter here folks

 

[JoeyT]

Yeah Omega_guy ..
I think i will consider the bezel upgrade after the crystal and crown swap.. I am not sure my local watchsmith can handle playing with retaining rings..

Perfect.. even the rep wm9 crystal is so clear but a gen crystal is calling me

#nofilter here folks

Beautiful WM9 brother.

 

[WatchMe01]

Fellas..
Do i need a gen tube to install my new purchase gen crown? Will it fit to the wm9 tube?
I dont care about the waterproofing since i have my gen 16610 for sea/pool.

 

[QueTip]

Fellas..
Do i need a gen tube to install my new purchase gen crown? Will it fit to the wm9 tube?
I dont care about the waterproofing since i have my gen 16610 for sea/pool.

Fits

 

[WatchMe01]

Fits

Thanks mate

 

[akjian91]

May I know how is TC 16613 dial compared to the GEN ..

 

[QueTip]

May I know how is TC 16613 dial compared to the GEN ..

Not as good, lol.

 

[FLWatchGuy]

@QueTip - Thanks for the great information. I have possibly a franken question (I'm not sure). I purchased a mother-of-pearl sub dial on RG, thinking in my naivete that it would be a simply drop-in replacement on one of my Two tones. Well, it now looks to me like the date window on the rep is further out, with the aftermarket gen replacement window being closer to the center. So I guess I have to go the franken route, or do you know of another way to do this (smaller date wheel, perhaps)? As I said, I'm just learning. Thanks!