Birth year White Sub 1680 - PT vs Trevor

[pjsayer]

I'd really love to buy myself a gen 1979 'white' 1680, but whilst the finances are slightly limited I'm going to settle for a decent rep for now. I want to keep modding to the minimum - ideally a crown swap only - so I'm basically torn between:

-PT/Hont's 'Alternative V Vintage 1680' http://www.hontwatch.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36_41&products_id=2836

-Cartel/Trevor's http://v.yupoo.com/photos/trevorwatch/albums/2235753/

I have no intention of changing crystals or dials - just a slimmer crown (probably a TC). Which one is the best white Sub out-of-the-box?

 

[pjsayer]

Ending up something like this would be nice...

http://www.chrono24.com/en/rolex/su...watchTypes=U&yearBought=1979&yearBoughtmore=1

 

[HarveyMushman]

From Bonesey: "Go for pure time if you don't plan on changing the dial or crystal. Go for the cartel versions if you want to change crystal and dial. Simples. "

PT version has correct datewheel and larger lug holes on case.

I was also looking for best OOB with no dial or crystal change. I think PT with a correct crown is the way to go for me.

 

[pjsayer]

I was thinking along those lines. It's a shame the dial markings on Angus' white 1680 aren't a shade less yellow.

What is the general consensus on the reliability and timekeeping of the reconditioned 2846s that come with these?

 

[Mendota]

I have the Puretime version. Timekeeping is great with the 2846. Mine arrived OOB at ~ +16 seconds per day which is within spec for the 2846. It got out of whack so I sent it to a smith. It was recently regulated and is keeping very accurate time now. My smith said it's within a couple seconds a day.

I had a gen vintage crown installed on it and my plan is to also swap the crystal with a Clark T19. We tried to do this using the existing plastic gasket and it cracked the sh*t out of the crystal, so I am going to have to send it to JMB for a custom retainer ring if I decide to try it again.

 

[Bonesey]

Reconditioned movements can be hit or miss. I've had some come from the dealers filthy and over-oiled, i've had some come dry and some come in really nice condition.

Remember you can still get the PT dial and hands re-lumed if you don't like the colour.

 

[pjsayer]

I have the Puretime version. Timekeeping is great with the 2846. Mine arrived OOB at ~ +16 seconds per day which is within spec for the 2846. It got out of whack so I sent it to a smith. It was recently regulated and is keeping very accurate time now. My smith said it's within a couple seconds a day.

I had a gen vintage crown installed on it and my plan is to also swap the crystal with a Clark T19. We tried to do this using the existing plastic gasket and it cracked the sh*t out of the crystal, so I am going to have to send it to JMB for a custom retainer ring if I decide to try it again.

I'd love to see some pics of yours if poss ;-) How's the timekeeping on your 2846 now?

 

[HarveyMushman]

I have the Puretime version. Timekeeping is great with the 2846. Mine arrived OOB at ~ +16 seconds per day which is within spec for the 2846. It got out of whack so I sent it to a smith. It was recently regulated and is keeping very accurate time now. My smith said it's within a couple seconds a day.

I had a gen vintage crown installed on it and my plan is to also swap the crystal with a Clark T19. We tried to do this using the existing plastic gasket and it cracked the sh*t out of the crystal, so I am going to have to send it to JMB for a custom retainer ring if I decide to try it again.

What is your criticism of the stock PT crystal in person?

 

[Chuck P]

I have a PT 1665 (red), a Cartel 1665 (white) and a Cartel 1680 (red).

I would say the bezel construction and retaining ring on the Cartels is much better...in fact I used the Cartel bezel and retainng ring on my PT (and still had to sand the crystal a tad to fit). The PT dial is better in my opinon and lug holes pre drilled to correct size. My PT also took a 703 crown with existing tube...the Cartel tube needs replacing to fit crown.

Overall....it might be a wash as to which is better. I like my Cartelized PT 1665 the best. The PT would take it hands down if the bezel construction were better.

 

[pjsayer]

Okay guys thanks for the input. Ryan has managed to get hold of a PT 1680 for me - here's one of the QC pics...

I'm cool with the case and crystal so my plan is:

-Crown swap to a 703
-Maybe some CG work
-Dial relume to 'off white' rather than Chernobyl yellow
-DW swap to white rather than yellow
-Case softening/vintagizing

I'm aiming for something along these lines...

My questions are:

-Where can I source a decent white background date wheel?
-Who is the best modder to relume these vintage Subs?

TIA...

 

[Ephry73]

Looking good or a choice. Te CGs look good

 

[phillycheez]

I'm aiming for something along these lines...

My questions are:

-Where can I source a decent white background date wheel?
-Who is the best modder to relume these vintage Subs?

TIA...

FYI.

That's a service dial, hands and insert. It's also a silver date wheel.

That beauty glows.

I personally like my 1680s to look like this. I used to own a franken...

 

[pjsayer]

FYI.

That's a service dial, hands and insert. It's also a silver date wheel.

That beauty glows.

I personally like my 1680s to look like this. I used to own a franken...

That, dear boy, is an absolute beauty. I am green with envy ;-)

 

[phillycheez]

That, dear boy, is an absolute beauty. I am green with envy ;-)

It's long gone. Before it left my possession I'm glad a few at least got to see it at a GTG in Portland.

 

[Ephry73]

I have no idea what I wrote. Damn phone app. The CGs on the PT quality control pictures look really good. I would go for that case and mod the CGs slightly, then add the dial/movement/hands you want. The case and crown position as well as bezel are the bigger issues. Does Andrew have more of those 1680s?

 

[alligoat]

Leave the silver DW alone- it's correct for a 1680. The font's may be a little thin but don't obsess.
As for the relume, since you're in the UK, you're going to have to find a EU modder. Rolex addict and Domi come to mind. You'll find these guys over at RWG.

 

[Mendota]

I'd love to see some pics of yours if poss ;-) How's the timekeeping on your 2846 now?

I just posted a thread with pics of my red sub. I have a gen crown installed and it looks awesome. Night and day improvement. It was regulated and is now keeping time within a few seconds per day. I am very pleased.

Here's the thread: http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/red-1680-sub-135506

 

[pjsayer]

Great thread mate - I'm definitely going to get a better crown for mine. I'm just concerned the lume may be a tad yellow for a 34 year old watch. I'll wait until I've scuffed it up a bit before I decide whether to re-lume or not...

 

[pjsayer]

For anyone who's interested I thought I'd add a few more of Ryan's QC pics...

Nice bonus with the movement decoration. It's not going to fool anyone, but I appreciate the branded rotor. I'm hoping the dial markings will look a little less yellow in the flesh!

 

[Mendota]

It looks like the lugholes on the 12:00 side are riding a little high on the lug. Almost as if the watch case shifted in the vice as they were preparing to drill it.

Everything looks more ominous in macro shots, however, and it's probably not even noticeable in real life.

It's hard to say with the lume color until you receive it, but mine is a very pale cream color. My hands and pearl also match this perfectly. I have found multiple pics of gen red subs with similar lume color and consistency to my rep - no marbling or swirling or patina, so it just leads me to believe that every single watch in the gen world is unique.

I bet you are excited to receive yours!