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Hey folks, newish member here with a quick recipe for how I built my “budget” bluesy. As builds go this is one of the easier I’ve messed with, but frankening a 16613 isn’t the cheapest of endeavors. Let’s get to it!
CASE
I’ve searched the internet over and thrown my credit card in leaps of faith until I think I’ve found the current best available five digit sub case on the market. Sure a TC case would be ideal, but good luck finding one these days. When I built my first frankensub I bought a case from Pengliang on AliEx for $430. It’s gen spec without lug holes. Great case, but being the cheapskate I am I was always on the lookout for something cheaper. I took a leap of faith on a Sillan Watch Co. case on Alibaba. They come in a 2 pack for $400 total or $300 for one case.
The two pack arrived this week and lo and behold it’s the EXACT SAME CASE AS PENGLIANG, right down to the crown guard shaping. Jackpot! These cases also go by the name Vanbaol. Here’s the link on Alibaba: https://x.alibaba.com/Aww75d?ck=pdp
And here’s the links to Pengliang as well as Vanbaol on AliEx if you just hate saving money buying
:
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $311.57 | 40mm old vintage submarine watch case fit for 3135 movement RLX 16610 watch
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $433.16 | 904L Stainless Steel Watch Case For Vintage Submariner 16610, Fit to 3135 Watch Movement, Watch Parts
These cases have been described by others as old ARF cases. I can’t confirm or deny that. I can say that they’ll take a gen insert, gen crown and gen dial. It comes with a LEC, but I haven’t decided if it’s worth swapping in an gen crystal yet. I assume it would fit. Again these come without lug holes. I’m working up the parts and nerve to drill some. You could also order the case with rehaut engraving and not have to worry with lugs as then it would be period correct. Here’s some photos of my Pengliang case (with bracelet) alongside the Sillan case. These even come individually serialed. These two cases pointed to a 2007 production year from a Rolex serial look up.
BEZEL ASSEMBLY:
This is where you can blow up your budget build in a hurry. Not sure I would even like my bluesy (I’ve never been a two-tone guy until now) I opted for a steel plated aftermarket assembly from Ewatchparts on eBay.
It’s cheapish, but also gen spec. I popped off the original 16610 bezel assembly, popped the gen 16613 bezel insert into the aftermarket gold bezel and it snapped in like butter. I used the original friction ring and click spring from the case. Friction ring went on first, then the click spring and finally the newly assembled gold bezel assembly popped right on. Bezel action is decent. I doubt it’s identical to gen, but it’s certainly functional and doesn’t hang up anywhere. Moving on.
CROWN:
I found a gen 18k crown on eBay for a steal at $60. 7mm 703 crown went on the case’s original crown tube with no issues.
https://images.clickpix.org/KcTAZS.jpeg[/img]
DIAL/HANDS:
I picked up a gen 16613 Singer dial as well as gen hands on eBay. I’ve been told that the Singer dials are more apt to purple with age which is sought after. Mine’s blue but it will turn a gorgeous crown royal purple depending on the light and the angle of the watch. Mesmerizing! I kinda went full retard on eBay and stumbled upon a parts lot from a solid seller for $1450. After some back and forth offering we landed on $900. Links below for the dial and hands.
What arrived in the parts lot was several sets of 16613 hands and a couple sets of 16610 hands which I’ll use some other time. The inserts were a 16610, two blue 16613s and one black 16613. I’ll build to sell some with these parts. I picked the best looking hands for my tastes - the ones with good lume as I like to actually see what time I’m going to the bathroom every night. Middle age prostates suck.
MOVEMENT:
I opted for a VS/Dangdong 3135 from this AliEx store. I chose the cheaper non-engraved version as I don’t give a shit what it looks like hidden in a case as long as it works. I was pleasantly surprised to see it running +-2/d with zero regulation!
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $73.44 | Dandong VSF Super 3135 automatic mechanical movement blue balance wheel watch movement VS 3135 Provide assembled watches 116610
DATE WHEEL:
Picked up a gen champagne DW from the same store I bought the large lot of parts. They’re in FL, ship stupid quick and I’m in AL so I get the parts in three days. The date wheel swap was painless on the VS movement. There’s a tab with a screwdriver recess on one side of the movement, and a slotted tab on the other side. I used tweezers with rodico and, once I twisted the tab to free the wheel, I slid the slotted tab over and tapped the wheel with my rodico and it lifted right out. Installation of the new one was just as easy. I’ve highlighted the two parts you have to manipulate.
The VS3135 uses the same dial feet locations as the gen dial, so no alignment issues or feet clipping required.
BRACELET:
Here’s the other spot where you can blow your wad quickly. I opted for a Raffles two tone plated oyster bracelet. It seems like nice quality especially for the price. Eventually I may spring for plating or a gen bracelet. For now Raffles is fine.
PARTING THOUGHTS:
In total for this particular build I was at about $1,075 I believe. If that math ain’t mathing it’s because I bought a fair amount of parts I didn’t even use like this set of crystal, hands and bezel insert which I can’t even find on my purchases list anymore because the store grouped it with some other parts I ordered AFTER they printed the shipping label. Tracking never updated but I did arrive just fine. Hope they don’t get sideways with eBay for that as there’s no way I could show it received on my end. Paid $375 for that lot. I’m also not counting the $900 parts kit in this build either. This is my biggest franken project to date. It was also my easiest due to using a quality case I think. I think the crystal looks fine, but I’m curious if the gen crystal is worth swapping in. Also pleased that the gold color on the bezel and the Raffles bracelet seem to match. I was worried about that. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk!
Enough chattering, on to the watch porn!
CASE
I’ve searched the internet over and thrown my credit card in leaps of faith until I think I’ve found the current best available five digit sub case on the market. Sure a TC case would be ideal, but good luck finding one these days. When I built my first frankensub I bought a case from Pengliang on AliEx for $430. It’s gen spec without lug holes. Great case, but being the cheapskate I am I was always on the lookout for something cheaper. I took a leap of faith on a Sillan Watch Co. case on Alibaba. They come in a 2 pack for $400 total or $300 for one case.
The two pack arrived this week and lo and behold it’s the EXACT SAME CASE AS PENGLIANG, right down to the crown guard shaping. Jackpot! These cases also go by the name Vanbaol. Here’s the link on Alibaba: https://x.alibaba.com/Aww75d?ck=pdp
And here’s the links to Pengliang as well as Vanbaol on AliEx if you just hate saving money buying
: Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $311.57 | 40mm old vintage submarine watch case fit for 3135 movement RLX 16610 watch
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $433.16 | 904L Stainless Steel Watch Case For Vintage Submariner 16610, Fit to 3135 Watch Movement, Watch Parts
These cases have been described by others as old ARF cases. I can’t confirm or deny that. I can say that they’ll take a gen insert, gen crown and gen dial. It comes with a LEC, but I haven’t decided if it’s worth swapping in an gen crystal yet. I assume it would fit. Again these come without lug holes. I’m working up the parts and nerve to drill some. You could also order the case with rehaut engraving and not have to worry with lugs as then it would be period correct. Here’s some photos of my Pengliang case (with bracelet) alongside the Sillan case. These even come individually serialed. These two cases pointed to a 2007 production year from a Rolex serial look up.
BEZEL ASSEMBLY:
This is where you can blow up your budget build in a hurry. Not sure I would even like my bluesy (I’ve never been a two-tone guy until now) I opted for a steel plated aftermarket assembly from Ewatchparts on eBay.
BEZEL & INSERT FOR ROLEX SUBMARINER 16800 16808 16610 16613 16618 BLUE GOLD GP | eBay
They are made for a Rolex Submariner and fit model 16800 16808 16610 16613 16618 16803 in blue insert with gold color. ROTATING BEZEL RING INSERT FOR ROLEX NO DATE SUBMARINER 14060 WATCH S/STEEL. BEZEL + INSERT FOR ROLEX SUBMARINER SEA DWELLER 16600, 16660 INSTALLED BLUE.
www.ebay.com
It’s cheapish, but also gen spec. I popped off the original 16610 bezel assembly, popped the gen 16613 bezel insert into the aftermarket gold bezel and it snapped in like butter. I used the original friction ring and click spring from the case. Friction ring went on first, then the click spring and finally the newly assembled gold bezel assembly popped right on. Bezel action is decent. I doubt it’s identical to gen, but it’s certainly functional and doesn’t hang up anywhere. Moving on.
CROWN:
I found a gen 18k crown on eBay for a steal at $60. 7mm 703 crown went on the case’s original crown tube with no issues.
Rolex Crown 7mm.,24 703 8 ,18k Yellow Gold, Daytona, Submariner, | eBay
100% Authentic Rolex Crown B24 703 8. Genuine Rolex Crown in Excellent condition. We are not affiliated with Rolex or any other watch manufacturer.
www.ebay.com
https://images.clickpix.org/KcTAZS.jpeg[/img]
DIAL/HANDS:
I picked up a gen 16613 Singer dial as well as gen hands on eBay. I’ve been told that the Singer dials are more apt to purple with age which is sought after. Mine’s blue but it will turn a gorgeous crown royal purple depending on the light and the angle of the watch. Mesmerizing! I kinda went full retard on eBay and stumbled upon a parts lot from a solid seller for $1450. After some back and forth offering we landed on $900. Links below for the dial and hands.
Vintage Genuine Rolex Submariner 16613 16618 16803 16808 Blue Purple Singer Dial | eBay
Genuine Rolex dial is in fair condition. At certain angles the dial flashes a purple color versus blue. WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ROLEX OR ANY OTHER WATCH MANUFACTURE.
www.ebay.com
Rolex SUBMARINER Crystal - Insert - Hands. Rolex ORIGINAL PARTS All Authentic. | eBay
These parts are for Rolex SUBMARINER. Rolex ORIGINAL PARTS. 7 complete hand set. Silver and gold hands. Swiss Made Rolex Factory parts. ALL 100% GENUINE. authentic genuine original factory Rolex Watch calendar disc.
www.ebay.com
What arrived in the parts lot was several sets of 16613 hands and a couple sets of 16610 hands which I’ll use some other time. The inserts were a 16610, two blue 16613s and one black 16613. I’ll build to sell some with these parts. I picked the best looking hands for my tastes - the ones with good lume as I like to actually see what time I’m going to the bathroom every night. Middle age prostates suck
. MOVEMENT:
I opted for a VS/Dangdong 3135 from this AliEx store. I chose the cheaper non-engraved version as I don’t give a shit what it looks like hidden in a case as long as it works. I was pleasantly surprised to see it running +-2/d with zero regulation!
Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! $73.44 | Dandong VSF Super 3135 automatic mechanical movement blue balance wheel watch movement VS 3135 Provide assembled watches 116610
DATE WHEEL:
Picked up a gen champagne DW from the same store I bought the large lot of parts. They’re in FL, ship stupid quick and I’m in AL so I get the parts in three days. The date wheel swap was painless on the VS movement. There’s a tab with a screwdriver recess on one side of the movement, and a slotted tab on the other side. I used tweezers with rodico and, once I twisted the tab to free the wheel, I slid the slotted tab over and tapped the wheel with my rodico and it lifted right out. Installation of the new one was just as easy. I’ve highlighted the two parts you have to manipulate.
Rolex Watch 3135 3175 3185 Caliber 16100 Champagne Beige Watch Date Disc Wheel | eBay
In Good condition. The date disc will is free from scratches or any missing black paint on the numbers.
www.ebay.com
The VS3135 uses the same dial feet locations as the gen dial, so no alignment issues or feet clipping required.
BRACELET:
Here’s the other spot where you can blow your wad quickly. I opted for a Raffles two tone plated oyster bracelet. It seems like nice quality especially for the price. Eventually I may spring for plating or a gen bracelet. For now Raffles is fine.
PARTING THOUGHTS:
In total for this particular build I was at about $1,075 I believe. If that math ain’t mathing it’s because I bought a fair amount of parts I didn’t even use like this set of crystal, hands and bezel insert which I can’t even find on my purchases list anymore because the store grouped it with some other parts I ordered AFTER they printed the shipping label. Tracking never updated but I did arrive just fine. Hope they don’t get sideways with eBay for that as there’s no way I could show it received on my end. Paid $375 for that lot. I’m also not counting the $900 parts kit in this build either. This is my biggest franken project to date. It was also my easiest due to using a quality case I think. I think the crystal looks fine, but I’m curious if the gen crystal is worth swapping in. Also pleased that the gold color on the bezel and the Raffles bracelet seem to match. I was worried about that. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk!
Enough chattering, on to the watch porn!
