- 12/3/18
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Hey KJ2020 thanks for all the info on this thread. Im gonna get a BP 16570 and have a few qns if you don't mind.
1) Where can I find a thinner CB or can a modder do it? (or is it even necessary?)
2) Is it possible to change the crown position or do you feel like it's not worth it.
3) Any mods you recommend for the watch or is it good to go OOTB?
Thanks man!
Also, why the love for the neo-vintage and not really vintage?
Hey bro,
1) The caseback on the BP 16570 is not as thick as on the BP 16710. It doesn't make your watch stick up on your wrist and it never bothered me enough to feel like I had to replace it. There is a lot of info about replacing the BP 16710 caseback in my review thread of it. The same replacements that work for it *should* fit the BP 16570. Shaving a caseback is possible, but you can't always keep the same outer profile, with the stairstep shape leading to a brushed plateau.
16710 BP vs Gen
2) Changing crown position is also possible but is not beginner level metal work. The old tube has to be removed and the hole welded closed with new material. Then a new hole drilled and tapped at the new height. There are forum members who are experts in mods like this, even entire case shaping. You can see some of this type of work in my review thread.
3) I modded my first BP 16570 with a rotating bezel to make a fantasy watch.
But the others I have that are not fantasy are mostly stock. On two of them I sanded the engraved rehaut off and one or more of them have different crystals, gaskets, or bracelets. But the rep is pretty good OOTB IMO if you aren't overly picky. Like all reps you can spend a lot on one and make it nearly indistinguishable from a gen. Personally I would rather have 5 acceptable reps than one near gen-like for the same money. Though I really appreciate what members do to some of these reps.
My love for neo-vintage stems mostly from owning a gen 16710 as the original owner. It's a first year model from 1989, bought in 1990. At first it became a challenge for me not to scratch it up, then an obsession. Eventually it became second nature to not let anything but a shirt or coat sleeve touch it. It got about a 5 inch invisible barrier around it that nothing is allowed in. That habit pattern became sub-conscious and was easily carried over to my reps. I detest scratches and don't tolerate them for long in the rare instances they occur. What can I say I love "showroom condition".
This watch has been all over the world and has not been kept in a safe. But it has been exceedingly well cared for. 31 years old. It is indeed really vintage.