How would you build the perfect daily Kermit 16610LV?

[digisrw]

My wrist size is around 16cm, and I feel that the pre-ceramic Submariners wear a lot better than the modern ones. So I've been thinking about getting one. I tried on my friend's gen Kermit. The fit was perfect, and the green bezel was just pure joy.

So I've been thinking: should I get a rep Kermit to start with? If I enjoy it too much, I would probably like it to be:

• serviceable
• waterproof
• reliable
• reasonably accurate

What would you do? Should I start with a BP/ARF/RAF/TM Kermit and test drive it for a month to see if is indeed the daily pick? And if so, commission work of a proven modder (in the EU) to improve this base watch? Or should I commission a custom build from scratch (viet case, ETA movement, some gen parts etc.)?

noob alert: I'm new to the forum and might have some stupid questions, so please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks everyone!

 

[Reaps]

Buy the cheap BP 3135 Kermit and see if it's to your liking. But the BP is not very accurate to gen and if you do even the slightest detailed comparison, you will find problems. If you wear it for a month and are not bored of it and love it, then you can consider higher end options.

If I was to find a Kermit I would just wait M2M for someone to sell their modded one and buy it, you can save some cash this way, unless you are specifically looking or chasing a build.

There's many levels you can take this, it really depends, "what's your budget", because you can end up spending anywhere from $500 to $5000 to the same cost of a Kermit gen if you really wanted to.

 

[RepsAllDay]

That would be my advice yes, then at least you have a solid base to work from. Then you can go from there if you want to upgrade bezel insert/dial/case/crystal etc as necessary.

 

[Reaps]

Oh, and if you can find one, a TC is a great option. If you can find one lol.

 

[digisrw]

Thanks everyone! From what I gathered, TC is a rare find. So as a starting point, I'll keep my eyes out for a well priced BP on the M2M. If nothing comes up, maybe getting in touch with a TD.

When it comes to serviceability, is it possible to have an ETA or A2824 movement in this neovintage rep cases?

 

[Reaps]

Thanks everyone! From what I gathered, TC is a rare find. So as a starting point, I'll keep my eyes out for a well priced BP on the M2M. If nothing comes up, maybe getting in touch with a TD.

When it comes to serviceability, is it possible to have an ETA or A2824 movement in this neovintage rep cases?

BP can be offered with the ETA2824 actually, but the date wheel is in the wrong position.

I would say not to worry about it. Avoid the RAF if this is your concern. The VR3135 is fairly reliable and if broken can be replaced with AliX movement for cheap.

 

[p0pperini]

Given that you've tried on a gen and know it's the right watch for you, my recommendation would be to get the ARF and be perfectly happy with a rep that's as close to the gen as anyone except a die-hard fanatical expert would be perfectly happy with.

Make sure to get it tested if you plan on getting it wet. Other than that, nothing to really do except wear and enjoy, until you start to become a die-hard fanatic...

Coincidentally I'm wearing my TC Kermit today... but I'd be just as happy wearing my JF Kermit (which is, to all intents and purposes, an ARF). Well, almost as happy.

 

[digisrw]

Thanks for all the insightful advice! I suppose an ARF 16610LN (possibly with a VS3135 swap) would be the sweep spot as a starting point?

Does anyone have experience with the bezel action of the ARF?

 

[Reaps]

Thanks for all the insightful advice! I suppose an ARF 16610LN (possibly with a VS3135 swap) would be the sweep spot as a starting point?

Does anyone have experience with the bezel action of the ARF?

Just read the thread man. Half the reason I hate answering these kind of posts is because it just leads people to ask more and more questions thinking that members are personal assistants.

ARF silently released new 16610LN's and 16610LV's

Hey, a friend of mine just told me that inTime just listed the ARF 16610LN and 16610LV with and without rehaut engraving as "new releases". 16610LN no rehaut 16610LN with rehaut 16610LV no rehaut 16610LV with rehaut The movement listed is the SH3135 - but I think it could even be a VR3135...

forum.replica-watch.info

 

[digisrw]

Oh, I missed this. Thanks for the link. Will do!

 

[p0pperini]

Does anyone have experience with the bezel action of the ARF?

Bear in mind that gens vary in all sorts of ways too. So trying to replicate a bezel action because of how your friend's Kermit felt is, IMHO, potentially an expectation/aspiration too far. I've got a selection of gen and rep 5-digits and they all vary in so many respects I can't be arsed to start trying to pinpoint what are the best or worst traits of each.

Which is why I suggested buying a vanilla good quality rep and living with it, before diving down the rabbit hole of modding it to be "the pefect daily Kermit". You might find the rep you get easily meets that criteria.

EDIT: and LOL, I just tried the bezel on this TC Kermit I'm wearing, and it's almost immovably stiff. But I don't care...

 

[ap9791]

Buy the cheapest BP 16610lv you can find 2836 or even 2813, wear it for 3 months to see if you like the watch enough to spend the money to build a Frankenstein. You can then sell the watch losing little money, then buy a gen compatible ARF 16610lv and make as many improvements as you want.
I say this because in all likelihood, like most of the 'shiny magpie' watch enthusiasts on RWI (including myself) within a week of receiving any Kermit you buy, you will already have you eye on your next perfect watch.
I would suggest living with an out of the box watch for at least a few months before investing hundreds of dollars in expensive upgrades.
I know from experience

 

[digisrw]

Would the more modern glidelock bracelet from the 116610 fit the 16610LV case?

 

[p0pperini]

Would the more modern glidelock bracelet from the 116610 fit the 16610LV case?

Yes.

But even asking that is heresy and you'll never get a TC Owners Club badge that way.