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BP Factory Rolex 16710 GMT Full Review VS Gen

johnlogan

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The 10-20 year old market is going nuts right now as the Rolex drought continues, so good almost-vintage pieces are becoming all the rage. Hopefully we’ll see that with newer and better 5 digit reps.

Not unlikely. Great thread by KJ btw:)
 
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Sonofalich

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I thought I was a fan of 6 digits... but I've got my first 5 digit reference and its incredible. I have large wrists 8" and even with large wrists these 5 digits are way more comfortable. (albeit on a Ginault Glidelock replacement bracelet)

I've been eyeing up the GMT as my next purchase.... so I'd love if more factories made it!
 
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Naughtylus

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Hi, so I’m in on this route too... a vintage build... I also saw a 2813 caliber by BP which is a CHS but also similar price... what do you all think?? And can this model (this 3816 ICHS) or the 2813(if anyone familiar with) be fit with Yuki mods??? Or gen parts??? Thanks in advanced.


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KJ2020

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Hi, so I’m in on this route too... a vintage build... I also saw a 2813 caliber by BP which is a CHS but also similar price... what do you all think?? And can this model (this 3816 ICHS) or the 2813(if anyone familiar with) be fit with Yuki mods??? Or gen parts??? Thanks in advanced.


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First, I would stay away from CHS movements. They are unreliable known time bombs. The linked post below is about the 2824 modded to 3186 CHS, but any 2813 attempt would be similarly ill fated. It has been tried before and failed.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo.../304335-why-the-chs-gmt-movements-are-failing

Secondly, the 2836 ICHS BP models will not take any Yuki or gen parts AFAIK. Not even a crystal or insert. I suppose you could replace the tube and use a gen crown, but that's of little real improvement. It's ETA based so 3135 based movements would not be case compatible. The rehaut aperture is 27.4, too big for a gen dial.

If you want a great Franken base, you need to see the master tripdog

​​​​​​​
 

Naughtylus

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So there is no way for the moment that a 2826 can be modded into a CHS?? But only a gen would work as a CHS safely?


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KJ2020

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So there is no way for the moment that a 2826 can be modded into a CHS?? But only a gen would work as a CHS safely?


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A couple of forum watchmakers extraordinaire have modded Yuki 3135s into clone 3185s

Tickleshoes 2fake4u

Here is a post detailing one such mod

https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo...580684-franken-116710ln-build-w-sh3185-hybrid

AFAIK, this has not ever been done to fit a 5 digit case for a 5 digit model. IDK if that would be possible or not.
 

Naughtylus

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A couple of forum watchmakers extraordinaire have modded Yuki 3135s into clone 3185s

Tickleshoes 2fake4u

Here is a post detailing one such mod

https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo...580684-franken-116710ln-build-w-sh3185-hybrid

AFAIK, this has not ever been done to fit a 5 digit case for a 5 digit model. IDK if that would be possible or not.

Wow KJ... thank you so much on the info!!! So resourceful! Haha. I probably can only understand 50% of these posts you’ve given me to look at, but I’ll try!! Lol

Lately I’m just so into the vintages models! Air King, Explorer I & II, and of course the GMT is always my favorite!


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KJ2020

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The only I am concern is thick caseback.
Is this model also Thick case back?
I havn't seen any deco plate so, It should be thinner.

https://www.ts-station.cn/goods.php?ProId=13255

That's the model I reviewed. Click on my link in the first post it goes to the same watch now. The only difference is they show a different dial, which you won't get because the current BP batch is all like the dial I reviewed. Yes it has a thick caseback.

https://forum.replica-watch.info/fo...ust-in-bp-16613lb?p=8128574#post8128574​​​​​​
 

KJ2020

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It's such a shame more factories aren't producing this. A real missed opportunity.

I eye up this most days....

https://www.intime05.co/rollie/3627-gmt-master-ss-bp-blue-red-bezel-ss-bracelet-a3186.html

I presume that's the same watch KJ2020 just with the pepsi bezel.

Very tempted to buy it and buy an explorer dial polar + hands and make the hybrid on your GIF....

From another post, this was my experience with just ordering that watch a couple weeks ago

"IDK what is up with BP 16710 GMT dials but be aware there are two versions. The current batch is NOT the one pictured in your link. I tried to get it from Ryan, who also pictures it on his site.

https://www.intime05.co/rollie/3627-...let-a3186.html

Before paying, he assured me he could get this version dial, well guess what. Here's what he got. After checking with the factory "Sorry the current batch is all this way". Nice.

20190904-105854.jpg


It's still good watch but the dial is not as good as the other version. That dial crown is pretty ugly (oxymoron) IMO. It was only ever used on the DSSD MK1 dial in gen and NEVER on any GMTs. Plus it's a stick dial which was quite rare in gen and easily called out."

Here's what's currently in my BP 16710, still trying to source another dial.

15648750794070.jpg
 

KJ2020

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The BP 16710 rehaut aperture is 27.4mm, so it wont take a gen dial, which is 27.3mm.

Yukiwatch just came out with a nice new GMT ETA dial which would fit, but all his ETA dials have ETA date window placements. That would require sourcing an ETA DW with Rolex fonts, and changing the crystal or moving the cyclops. All things I done on other watches, but in the opposite direction. I don't want to do all that to move another step AWAY from gen spec.

http://www.yukiwatch.net/GMT-Master-II-16710-ETA-dial-p148234110
 
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KJ2020

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is it possible to source thin case back?

I put a thinner caseback on mine so yeah it was sourced somewhere at some time. I think it was a DHGate Yachti.

The caseback is unnecessarily thick. There are plenty of slimmer ones that will fit to replace it. Trouble is finding one, it's hit or miss!

BP 16710 before and after a caseback swap compared to gen

Gen-BP-10-Medium.jpg


Gen-BP-12-Medium.jpg
 

d3xophen

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Reading your review these days, BP got my attentions.
Have no idea TD can get these three models. I will get these three models.
16613LB with grey dial
GMT 16710 pepsi old
BP kermit 16610 LV

I have ARF daytona (which is thick caseback) and Noob daytona. ARF caseback annoy me since my wrist is skinny flat and It sit really high on my wrist. I am afarid this all BP come with thick case back. I think you have all three models. Are all come with thick caseback?

Thanks you for review Kj.
 
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KJ2020

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Reading your review these days, BP got my attentions.
Have no idea TD can get these three models. I will get these three models.
16613LB with grey dial
GMT 16710 pepsi old
BP kermit 16610 LV

I have ARF daytona (which is thick caseback) and Noob daytona. ARF caseback annoy me since my wrist is skinny flat and It sit really high on my wrist. I am afarid this all BP come with thick case back. I think you have all three models. Are all come with thick caseback?

Thanks you for review Kj.

The Subs are not thick casebacks. In fact I have a mind to convert a plain black 16610 into a GMT. I would need to mod the CGs but I think that's doable. I need to check on the space between the dial and the crystal IDK if another hand will fit. I will get you a case measurement posted soon for the Subs.