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I need a 16800 and I'm confused and need your help

newest dude on the forum

newest dude on the forum

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Ok, so after seeing so many gorgeous vintage builds and amazing frankens, I have decided to dip a toe into that world. My dream watch is a 16800 so I've read some threads and looked at some options and I think I have a feel for the direction that I want to go.

1. 16100 case because it'll take a VR3185, have one of our modders reshape it to look like a 16800
- Toward this end I have contacted some TDs about sourcing the ARF 16610 case and have been told that ARF isn't producing them anymore. What's my next best option for 16100 case?
-Ruby has a 16800 case. Would this be good enough to not require reshaping? If I go this route, what are my movement options?
2. I've been scouting gen dials. I'd like the matte dial with tritium plots and unfortunately these seem to be much more expensive than the glossy dials. What are my options in rep dials? MoChaCha has some 16800 dials but I'm not crazy about the pics, does anyone have experience with these? Ruby doesn't have 16800 dials, which is a shame because it seems that these are popular.
3. Gen bezels inserts aren't very expensive, it seems like this may be the way to go. Are there any rep bezel inserts that are good enough to not consider the slight markup for gen?
4. I'd appreciate any guidance you can give me on hands and crowns.

Thanks so much in advance! I know a lot of these are noob questions, and I'm admittedly a noob in this area. If anyone has any other guidance or suggestions please share!

Oh, and if anyone is selling an accurate 16800 hit me up and disregard the above questions :p

Pic inspo:
zuM5ps.webp
 
Dino2018

Dino2018

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Hello! The 16800/16610 are lovely newish vintage Rolexes, so there are still plenty of gen and rep parts to play with.

1.- Cases: I guess that the old JF/ARF 16610 is still being made by another factory, you can ask any TD about this. However, I would go to the M2M in search for a used Startime case, or a new one if you can be accepted on the site as a watch repair shop. I've built two 16610 with this cases and they are swiss made and superbly finished. They also have lug holes. They are a little fat lugged (are nicknamed fat ladies for a reason!) and need a minor reshaping - bevel lugs and crownguards, but any modder can do this.
Other option is the TC 16610 case if you are lucky to find one, but need lug holes to be drilled.
I understand that any Viet 16800 case should be intended for the Rolex 3035 movement that has different stem height than the 3135.

2.- MQ makes superb 16800 dials, they are about 350 USD each.

3 and 4.- Gen bezel is the route to go. Crown can be either gen 703 or Athaya. Hands either TC or Phong.

I have some leftover gen parts so if you are interested please contact me by PM.
 
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newest dude on the forum

newest dude on the forum

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Dino2018 said:
Hello! The 16800/16610 are lovely newish vintage Rolexes, so there are still plenty of gen and rep parts to play with.

1.- Cases: I guess that the old JF/ARF 16610 is still being made by another factory, you can ask any TD about this. However, I would go to the M2M in search for a used Startime case, or a new one if you can be accepted on the site as a watch repair shop. I've built two 16610 with this cases and they are swiss made and superbly finished. They also have lug holes. They are a little fat lugged (are nicknamed fat ladies for a reason!) and need a minor reshaping - bevel lugs and crownguards, but any modder can do this.
Other option is the TC 16610 case if you are lucky to find one, but need lug holes to be drilled.
I understand that any Viet 16800 case should be intended for the Rolex 3035 movement that has different stem height than the 3135.

2.- MQ makes superb 16800 dials, they are about 350 USD each.

3 and 4.- Gen bezel is the route to go. Crown can be either gen 703 or Athaya. Hands either TC or Phong.

I have some leftover gen parts so if you are interested please contact me by PM.
Click to expand...
How does this case look and would it be a good place to start?

Submariner 16610 LN Black Bezel 904L Steel RAF1:1 Best Edition on SS Bracelet SA3135

puretimewatch.io puretimewatch.io

What is the difference between 16610 hands and 16800 hands?
 
A

alligoat

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I think 16800 and 16610 hands are the same sizes. 16800 and 16610 early hands were tritium, then Rolex went to luminova for a year or so and super luminova since around 2000.
I don't think the Startime case- 16610- is around anymore- not on their website. That leaves the RAF 16610 that PT has.
MQ's 16800 matte dial looks pretty good but check it out for yourself

Dial Rolex Submariner Ref 16800 Matte Dial off White Lume Profes

vintagewatchesmq.com vintagewatchesmq.com
So maybe a build would look like this:
RAF 16610- say $500+
Drill lugholes say $100
MQ matte dial- $400
Clark hands since RAF hands are LV maxi- $20
93150 markiemark bracelet- Maybe $400
watchmaker to put it together- ???- a decent watchmaker would hopefully only charge $100-200 to put all the parts together.
This would have the SA3135 movement- to swap in a VS/VR3135- may add $200
Better bezel insert- say $100
You could save a couple of hundred dollars buy buying a Marvellous 1680 rep with the 93150 bracelet for $150 and swapping in the 93150 on it.
So for $1500 to $1700 you could have a pretty nice 16800 matte dial!
 
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GIG

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Dino2018 said:
Hello! The 16800/16610 are lovely newish vintage Rolexes, so there are still plenty of gen and rep parts to play with.

1.- Cases: I guess that the old JF/ARF 16610 is still being made by another factory, you can ask any TD about this. However, I would go to the M2M in search for a used Startime case, or a new one if you can be accepted on the site as a watch repair shop. I've built two 16610 with this cases and they are swiss made and superbly finished. They also have lug holes. They are a little fat lugged (are nicknamed fat ladies for a reason!) and need a minor reshaping - bevel lugs and crownguards, but any modder can do this.
Other option is the TC 16610 case if you are lucky to find one, but need lug holes to be drilled.
I understand that any Viet 16800 case should be intended for the Rolex 3035 movement that has different stem height than the 3135.

2.- MQ makes superb 16800 dials, they are about 350 USD each.

3 and 4.- Gen bezel is the route to go. Crown can be either gen 703 or Athaya. Hands either TC or Phong.

I have some leftover gen parts so if you are interested please contact me by PM.
Click to expand...

Does Startime still carry a 16610 case? I was under the impression those were no longer available.

For the OP I would suggest the new "RAF" release while it's available. Short of lucking out on a TC or ST case in M2M (I've been looking for a year). Ruby case is also an option but is expensive and needs reshape. There is also a South Korean case on ebay that will be promising if it gets a revision. And you could always buy a ginault to mod. You have some options but they all require some effort.

Let us know what you end up with!! 🤙🏼
 
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kidcreole

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We just discussed ST cases on another thread. Apparently they haven’t been available for over a year. The Korean cases @ $400 aren’t as accurate as they should be for the price. Lug holes off by a fair margin.
 
Dino2018

Dino2018

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I'm sorry to hear ST cases are no longer available, they were superbly manufactured.
 
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