- 14/3/17
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Here's a show and tell of one of these budget 16610 Sub cases for 3135 that's been popping up on across the webs and recently one in a build on m2m. I first seen these on ebay earlier last year and then recently on good ol' Aliexpress for a whopping $35 so I splurged a little and scooped one up to to do some scientific rep research; not sure if there is already a review on this but I haven't seen one so below are my findings and dissertation.
Overview
Case is a rep of an M serial 16610 Submariner with rehaut engravings + no lug holes and made to fit 3135 movements; I used a VR 3135 for this build. Case also came with the rubber protective casing. EDIT to add that dial and hands were not included with the case, those were from my private reserve
Bezel
The bezel construction is the typical lower end style wire retention and not gen construction but is still 120 clicks, minimal lateral play and clicks actually feel nice and smooth. The insert is thin an although it uses a 3M double side adhesive to stick onto the bezel unlike gen snapping into place, the markings on the insert is actually pretty decent, compared side by side with a gen and it doesn't look too bad. I did try a gen spec insert on the bezel ring and it does snap nicely in place. The pearl pip is also the crappy nipple ones, I swapped it out for a busted JF one and the insert instantly looks overall much better.
Crystal
I forgot to take pics of the crystal while it was off the case but interestingly enough the crystal itself appears to be gen spec though it is mounted on a very thin gasket that is then just pressed into the case, unlike gen that would be held in by bezel retainer ring. No AR and the date magnifier cyclops and it also has a 'LEC' that isn't entirely accurate or in perfect 6 oclock position relative to cyclops. Mine also came with a complimentary little scratch by 1 oclock area.
Movement Fitting
The case is a direct fit for 3135 clone movements and the movement is mounted in place gen-style where the movement screws are screwed up until it pushes into the case and holds it in place and the movement does fit pretty firmly in place once mount screws are backed into the case. However, cut outs for the mounting screws are not where gen cases have them and they are also pretty crude and doesn't leave much clearance to get the screw through though it does fit. The punch mark by the mounting screw close to stem was made by me since the screw wasn't catching the last few threads in the movement. The case also works with gen spec dial diameter 27.4mm and fits up to I believe at least 28.5mm, haven't tried fitting any larger dials. The stem hole lines up well with the movement as well.
Markings
There are laser engravings between the lugs and rehaut, they aren't the greatest looking and the serial number appears both on rehaut and between lugs, otherwise the text is accurate, these are marked for ref 16610LV. Caseback markings appear a bit better looking.
Crown / Tube
The crown is gen spec and actually looks pretty decent as well, not too far off from the JF ones from what I can remember and the tube fits gen crown without an issue. The crown position / stem hole height also looks pretty decent and not too low like on some 2836 cases.
Case back
Is gen spec and swaps with TC / JF one without issue. Also no issues with movement / rotor running into it.
Shape
The overall shape of the case isn't terrible though the lugs are a bit too wide; the crown guards also look pretty decent though can use a very slight trimming as well, imo the CG's look better than ARF / JF and definitely better than the nubs on ST cases. The case also measures slightly thinner at 12.4mm (gen 13mm) though I believe that is because the caseback appears thinner. I don't have any 93250 bracelet to try with this so can't speak to bracelet fitment etc.
Side by side with TC case on right:
TL/DR + Takeaways
This case is no TC or ARF and far from perfect, but for $35, it's a pretty good value and has lots of potential for a neat little budget build.
Pros
Overview
Case is a rep of an M serial 16610 Submariner with rehaut engravings + no lug holes and made to fit 3135 movements; I used a VR 3135 for this build. Case also came with the rubber protective casing. EDIT to add that dial and hands were not included with the case, those were from my private reserve
Bezel
The bezel construction is the typical lower end style wire retention and not gen construction but is still 120 clicks, minimal lateral play and clicks actually feel nice and smooth. The insert is thin an although it uses a 3M double side adhesive to stick onto the bezel unlike gen snapping into place, the markings on the insert is actually pretty decent, compared side by side with a gen and it doesn't look too bad. I did try a gen spec insert on the bezel ring and it does snap nicely in place. The pearl pip is also the crappy nipple ones, I swapped it out for a busted JF one and the insert instantly looks overall much better.
Crystal
I forgot to take pics of the crystal while it was off the case but interestingly enough the crystal itself appears to be gen spec though it is mounted on a very thin gasket that is then just pressed into the case, unlike gen that would be held in by bezel retainer ring. No AR and the date magnifier cyclops and it also has a 'LEC' that isn't entirely accurate or in perfect 6 oclock position relative to cyclops. Mine also came with a complimentary little scratch by 1 oclock area.
Movement Fitting
The case is a direct fit for 3135 clone movements and the movement is mounted in place gen-style where the movement screws are screwed up until it pushes into the case and holds it in place and the movement does fit pretty firmly in place once mount screws are backed into the case. However, cut outs for the mounting screws are not where gen cases have them and they are also pretty crude and doesn't leave much clearance to get the screw through though it does fit. The punch mark by the mounting screw close to stem was made by me since the screw wasn't catching the last few threads in the movement. The case also works with gen spec dial diameter 27.4mm and fits up to I believe at least 28.5mm, haven't tried fitting any larger dials. The stem hole lines up well with the movement as well.
Markings
There are laser engravings between the lugs and rehaut, they aren't the greatest looking and the serial number appears both on rehaut and between lugs, otherwise the text is accurate, these are marked for ref 16610LV. Caseback markings appear a bit better looking.
Crown / Tube
The crown is gen spec and actually looks pretty decent as well, not too far off from the JF ones from what I can remember and the tube fits gen crown without an issue. The crown position / stem hole height also looks pretty decent and not too low like on some 2836 cases.
Case back
Is gen spec and swaps with TC / JF one without issue. Also no issues with movement / rotor running into it.
Shape
The overall shape of the case isn't terrible though the lugs are a bit too wide; the crown guards also look pretty decent though can use a very slight trimming as well, imo the CG's look better than ARF / JF and definitely better than the nubs on ST cases. The case also measures slightly thinner at 12.4mm (gen 13mm) though I believe that is because the caseback appears thinner. I don't have any 93250 bracelet to try with this so can't speak to bracelet fitment etc.
Side by side with TC case on right:
TL/DR + Takeaways
This case is no TC or ARF and far from perfect, but for $35, it's a pretty good value and has lots of potential for a neat little budget build.
Pros
- 3135 movement is direct drop in fit
- fits gen spec bezel insert
- fits gen spec crystal (tbc)
- fits gen spec crown
- fits gen spec dial
- decent shape, plenty to work with for reshaping
- it's 35 bucks.
- poor engraving
- non gen spec bezel assembly / crystal mounting
- lugs a tad bit wide
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