NEW! 1675 GMT case set offering from Raffles.

[KJ2020]

What about attacking the inside of the bezel, where the insert sits? Wouldn't it be possible to open up the diameter slightly?

You can indeed. It's quite tedious if you don't have a lathe. The difference between 37.4mm and 37.75mm means a 0.175mm enlargement all the way around the bezel rim. It looks like that wouldn't be possible without eating into the edge scallops. You could take  some of the inside bezel rim away but not much.

I did this by hand on a Startime bezel that was supposed to take a gen-spec insert. It didn't.

ST bezel on top of gen

 

[KJ2020]

Thanks buddy. I was able to transfer my old stock style bezel assembly over from my cartel rep I made years ago. And it spins! The crown isn’t too far in after all. Will likely change the insert, but this is progress and a crisis avoided.

Great save with the bezel swap letting the crown work. The CGs look good!

 

[DeLoMan]

Thanks! I transferred my VN dial out of my old cartel build, the old brushed silver DWO someone once sold on this forum years back, and tossed it on a distressed leather strap. I’m sure others are going to do more impressive things with theirs, but I’m pretty pleased with this outcome.

 

[pullthat92]

I was looking up the case structure to make the Marlon Brando build. There are more parts than I thought..
It looks like this ring is much smaller than the original. Does anyone know where to buy the exact size parts?
@R.O.Archer advised me to buy from the bf factory, but I don't know how to do that.

 

[Singapore9]

Is that not the crystal retaining ring e.g.

RETAINING RING FOR ROLEX GMT MASTER 1670, 1675, 16750, 16753, 16759 | Ewatchparts

ewatchparts.com

Retaining Ring For Rolex GMT Master 1670, 1675, 16750, 16753, 16759 | eBay

<p></p> <p></p> <p>The item for sale is a brand new aftermarket replacement, stainless steel, retaining ring. It is made for an older model GMT with a plastic crystal. It will fit case #1675, 1670, 16750, 16753, 16758 and others.You will not be able to tell the difference from the...

www.ebay.com

 

[KJ2020]

Thanks! I transferred my VN dial out of my old cartel build, the old brushed silver DWO someone once sold on this forum years back, and tossed it on a distressed leather strap. I’m sure others are going to do more impressive things with theirs, but I’m pretty pleased with this outcome.

Looks fabulous bro. You should send a pic to Ken. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to post it on his site. Great advertising.

 

[R.O.Archer]

I Can get this part for you, about $20

Toothed ring? Do you mean that this part is not in the raffles case? Where can I buy this part separately?

 

[Soulbend77]

Thanks! I transferred my VN dial out of my old cartel build, the old brushed silver DWO someone once sold on this forum years back, and tossed it on a distressed leather strap. I’m sure others are going to do more impressive things with theirs, but I’m pretty pleased with this outcome.

You’re too humble, I’d wear this every day! Great taste

 

[pullthat92]

I Can get this part for you, about $20

Is it the part in this picture?

 

[R.O.Archer]

Is it the part in this picture?

yes

 

[DeLoMan]

I felt that there was still a bit too much meat on the CGs and I busted out my files and sandpaper again tonight. Here’s as good as it is going to get! Calling it done.

 

[pullthat92]

yes

Thank you very much for your kindness.. but I don't need it right now. A bezel-less GMT seems to suit only Marlon Brando.

 

[DeLoMan]

 

[369mafia]

Dude!!! Id say you nailed it. nice job!! Do one for me lol

 

[charliehotel]

Lol im second in line for one!

 

[dpd3672]

I would be very happy just to have the skill to match the angle and perspective of the two photographs, let alone the metalworking displayed. Well done!

 

[Megahz1]

I just received the case...
The midcase/caseback are actually pretty good. Quality is excellent and there is plenty of material to work with.
The lugholes seem to be drilled to around 1.2mm (1.25mm drill bit does not pass through all the way) so even if you do not have a drill press I think you will be able to enlarge them without too much struggle.
The crown is pretty bad and replacing it is advisable and the crystal is glued to the midcase.
Finally the bezel assembly is absolute garbage and needs to be replaced imo; the ring has no resistance at all and spins freely.
Overall for the price is a good deal if you can live with the bezel, otherwise keep in mind you will have to pay around €150 for a new one.

 

[Megahz1]

Here for reference a comparison with a genuine 530 crown from a 15200:

 

[DeLoMan]

Here for reference a comparison with a genuine 530 crown from a 15200:

The only potential issue might be getting a correct crown tube in. The Raffles crown tube threads into the case are 2.8mm. I think OEM is 2.3 mm. It would be interesting to see if a gen crown threads nicely onto the Raffles crown tube though.

 

[Megahz1]

The only potential issue might be getting a correct crown tube in. The Raffles crown tube threads into the case are 2.8mm. I think OEM is 2.3 mm. It would be interesting to see if a gen crown threads nicely onto the Raffles crown tube though.

I think the tube could potentially be gen spec. From Raffles website the 5.3mm crown is listed as the following:



The correct thread size is 2.5x0.25 so I hope it fits, but I have to check.