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Has Anyone Ever Modded A 1680 Vintage Rolex?

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frogman

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Mine is very similar.....are you asking where to buy one or how to build it? Only difference is my dial is meters first. Just posted details about it on another forum.

IMG_8577.jpg

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SecretAgentMan

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Frogman, I know there are several TD's that sell them from what ive seen researching but I am looking to get one that looks as close to a gen as possible. I have read that the gen parts for a rep are easier to find, correct me if im wrong.......so I may be looking for a franken, (gen crystal, gen dial, gen crown.......dont know if I want a gen bezel tho. I also want the CG's done exactly like the gen & the band & clasp need to be as close to the gen as possible)

I dont work on watches myself..........

Where did you get yours?


I either want to buy on of these like I mentioned above or a franken sub 16610 with the CG's done exactly like the gen, a swiss eta movement, a gen crystal, gen crown & gen bezel. The gen dial is too expensive but there are great looking rep dials out there.
 
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Rick914

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I did one for myself not too long ago, I'm actually going to build another one from Silix here soon, right after I get 2 GMTs, SubLN, And a SubLV finished up. Going to lightly gilt with some standard mods, plus a Clark crystal, gen tube/crown, and a few other goodies :)

Here's mine:

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii89/914rick/Watch%20pics/1680%20Gilt/8b101fe5.jpg

Next one I do will keep the natural colored lettering and only a lightly matte finished dial. Not the heavily flooded look of this one.
 
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SecretAgentMan

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Rick, your vintage is too beat up for my liking. I like the 1680 but in good shape.......your pic looks as if water was inside the dial & it dried out. I know a lot of people like that look but its not for me. If I do get a vintage 1680 & its too clean, some people may wonder if it is a rep since it looks so good.

Maybe I should just look towards a franken sub 16610 instead...........
 
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Rick914

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I hear ya, this is my ranch work watch. I wanted it beat up enough if I banged it up working with horses or building fence it wouldn't bother me. The next one I'm gonna build will be more like the pics you showed on Bay. With just a light matte dial finish and little yellowing in the lume. More of a office mans older piece, just light desk marks, that kinda thing.
 
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frogman

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Sounds like your going to build a franken. The key is finding a base watch to start with. Many members will start with an mbw/mbk watch. Others use the cartel versions. If you want to fit a gen movement yuki may be a better option. Bottom line each option comes at a different price point. I have under 1k in my build. It has a ton of gen parts as well. It is very close to gen. Do a lot of research on the 1680 before proceeding.

I've had a lot of 1680's through the years and this particular build feels like a gen in your hands. Make sure you find yourself a local dealer that you can look at the real deal in person. This will give you a better idea on the direction you take. I had the pleasure of looking at ~30 vintage Rollie's late last year and my eyes were opened how close our reps can get. Hell many of the real watches had aftermarket parts. Most had replaced inserts, crowns, crystals, and in some cases bracelets. The vintage world is all over the board.

Send me a pm and I will give you the link to the build list on mine. Good luck bro....the 1680 is a fun project

IMG_8579.jpg
 
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SecretAgentMan

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Rick914 said:
I hear ya, this is my ranch work watch. I wanted it beat up enough if I banged it up working with horses or building fence it wouldn't bother me. The next one I'm gonna build will be more like the pics you showed on Bay. With just a light matte dial finish and little yellowing in the lume. More of a office mans older piece, just light desk marks, that kinda thing.
Click to expand...



Oh, okay, I gotcha.........I will be looking forward to seeing that watch you build.
 
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frogman

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It depends on what base watch you're using.....where did you source the watch?
 
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