Build a Rolex 1680 replica based on a milk case

[matzemedia]

Regulate movement

To regulate the movement, I use an Asian Weishi timegrapher. It is very popular for hobby working and does his job quite well. I used for the 1680 build a VS 3135 movement. This is not typical for a 1680 build. A lot of people use a ETA or Asian 2846 because the beat is close to the original 1570 movement (1570 = 19.800 and 2846 = 21.600) . The 3135 movement is the successor of the 1570 and runs with 28.800 beats per minute. I chose this movement because it is a Rolex patent and I thought it fits nicely into the milk case. There are several copies out there, the most popular are the VR and VS Model. Currently, the VS 3135 is without any Rolex stamp or serial number and a lot of people wrote about the good quality. So let's see.

Here are the results of my first measurement:

• Rate +53 sec per day
• Beat Error 0.3ms
• Amp 251°

That is not the best for a new movement. After some modification, I can optimize to:

• Rate +1 sec per day
• Beat Error 0.1ms
• Amp 259°

That is fine to me. I hoped the movement has a better amplitude, something about 280°, but therefore it may need some service. However, the movement makes a high-quality impression, the hands can be adjusted smoothly and nothing rattles. It feel like a good choice.

 

[freebalkany]

I think the movement should be fine. Did you try to measure dial up too? is there a big difference?
I keep looking for an excuse to build a watch with a clone 3130 or 3135 in it.

 

[ebzen02]

Milk selling vintage sub cases? Man I’ve been out of it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[matzemedia]

Did you try to measure dial up too? is there a big difference?

No, I did not.

I keep looking for an excuse to build a watch with a clone 3130 or 3135 in it.

I know what you meen. Perhaps I have given you a reason with this thread.

 

[matzemedia]

Milk selling vintage sub cases? Man I’ve been out of it

As I know not too long. Here a thread form tripdog , where I read the first time about the milk submariner.

 

[freebalkany]

No, I did not.


I know what you meen. Perhaps I have given you a reason with this thread.

Yes for sure, but I just got a genuine 5500 case for my next project and I'm 90% sure a 3130 or 3135 won't fit in there.

Anyway, great job you did here!

 

[matzemedia]

Modding the insert

There was one step that I still want to try. It took me a while, because of a missing part, that I have to order. The insert I currently use looks very new - because it is new - and in my opinion it doesn't fit to that old watch. So my mission is to give it a vintage touch. On the thread xxx there are a lot of nice inspirations of vintage 1680. I can find three different ways of modding a insert: bleaching, mechanic scratching and using heat.

I go for the bleaching method, because it is easy and gives good results. Therefore, I bought two new and cheep inserts from Alie and use light bleeding water. It's based on a Sodium hypochlorite (2-3%). Because of the in law in europa you can't by stronger products in the drugstore. As a result, the bleaching process takes a long time.

At the following pictures, you can see the different states of the bleeding process.


And finally the result at the watch:

I like the style and I am happy about the result. But I still have one insert left for further experiments. What's your idea? What should I do with the one insert?

 

[matzemedia]

Adaptation crown guard
It is now almost a year since the 1680 was finished. Every now and then, it's allowed on my wrist. But every time, a detail of the case has annoyed me. The crown guard is a bit too big on Milk's basic case. @tripdog also described it in his presentation of the case. You can leave it as it is, but now I wanted to do something about it and adjust the crown guard to the gen. After I found several pictures on the net, I reduced the width with a file and polished it with sandpaper up to 3000.

Here the result:
Left: new shape; Right: milk shape

 

[Baccaracca669]

Man, thanks so much for this thread, I learned so much! best of luck with everything

 

[trash3939]

I also read this thread and assembled it with VS3135 in a MILK case.

 

[trash3939]

 

[trash3939]

 

[Singapore9]

Great to see this thread bumped! I marvel at the lathing of the neck spacer! Hope Milk does some V2 cases with this corrected, one of these days!

 

[trash3939]

 

[1016 lover]

Wath is WHO, supplier?

 

[matzemedia]

Wath is WHO, supplier?

They renamed now to EWatchparts. (Bevor wholesaleoutle). A Ebay Shop: https://www.ebay.com/str/wholesaleoutlet990