New Ebay 1:1 16710 Case Review

[KJ2020]

Hi this is great post, I was wondering is anyone has the dimension of the bezel on a gen 16710, as in width the and height the of the case section, and the bezel and spring assembly. I have one of the newer BP 16710 which as the crappy old bezel metal wire spring set up, and was wondering if maybe having a play and using a complete bezel ring, insert and spring assembly from WSO would actually fit. Rather than just buying on a whim If anybody knows the gen spec sizes and they are close to the dims on the BP I might give it a go. I suspect they are way off or that the crystal will need changing, but this is more for the want of trying really as the new case I have isnt all that bad CG's look ok and even the over emphasised chamfers are way less, and with a little grey scotch pad work they are far less visible unless under a loupe.
TIA

A gen bezel will not work in an old BP with the wire clip without some significant modification. The problem is the old BP has a crystal retaining ring built into the case that is not gen-spec. It is actually molded together with the rehaut, a sloped extension surrounding it. This creates a very short step inside the slope for a crystal gasket to sit and the proprietary gasket used is less than 1.0mm tall.

So that sloped extension would have to be removed with a lathe. Getting the remaining outside diameter of the rehaut right would be crucial, as it would then take a gen-spec gasket to seat the crystal over which a gen-spec retaining ring could be pressed.

But then another issue is that many of these BP 16710s used non gen-spec crystals with a straight edge profile, not a stair-step edge profile. These crystals have a 30.5mm OD so the rehaut opening is about 31.5mm to accommodate the gasket width. A gen-spec crystal OD is 29.5mm at the bottom step where the gasket fits.

So you either need to use two gaskets wedged in together, or drool a bead of epoxy into the gap between the outer side of the gasket and the inner side of the built in retaining ring. I've done it both ways, they both work but are rather tedious and painstaking. A second gasket needs to be shaved vertically to a height matching the stock gasket. And getting epoxy into that tight a space neatly and cleanly presents it own challenges.

Two gaskets

Epoxy drool

Neither one shows appreciably when the insert is in place.

Given these issues, it really makes more sense to just start with a more gen-like case if you want to Franken, though I have seen this done in some rare examples.

Starting with a BP 16750 is simpler as it doesn't have the sloped retaining ring molded next to the rehaut, though when adding a gen-spec retaining ring there is a gap. The gap can be filled with epoxy but then the crystal and gasket have to be installed (or changed) last as the retaining ring is epoxied to the case.

You set the crystal on top of the rehaut ledge then wedge the gasket in around it inside the retaining ring. Or you can set the gasket first and press the crystal down inside it. A little unconventional but it works.

16750 case with rotating bezel

 

[RDRoss]

Actually these beautiful case seems out of stock unfortunally buddy and makers seems disappeard.

Thanks. Sadly what I thought.

 

[TerryRobot]

A gen bezel will not work in an old BP with the wire clip without some significant modification. The problem is the old BP has a crystal retaining ring built into the case that is not gen-spec. It is actually molded together with the rehaut, a sloped extension surrounding it. This creates a very short step inside the slope for a crystal gasket to sit and the proprietary gasket used is less than 1.0mm tall.

So that sloped extension would have to be removed with a lathe. Getting the remaining outside diameter of the rehaut right would be crucial, as it would then take a gen-spec gasket to seat the crystal over which a gen-spec retaining ring could be pressed.

But then another issue is that many of these BP 16710s used non gen-spec crystals with a straight edge profile, not a stair-step edge profile. These crystals have a 30.5mm OD so the rehaut opening is about 31.5mm to accommodate the gasket width. A gen-spec crystal OD is 29.5mm at the bottom step where the gasket fits.

So you either need to use two gaskets wedged in together, or drool a bead of epoxy into the gap between the outer side of the gasket and the inner side of the built in retaining ring. I've done it both ways, they both work but are rather tedious and painstaking. A second gasket needs to shaved vertically to a height matching the stock gasket. And getting epoxy into that tight a space neatly and cleanly presents it own challenges.

Two gaskets

Epoxy drool

Neither one shows appreciably when the insert is in place.

Given these issues, it really makes more sense to just start with a more gen-like case if you want to Franken, though I have seen this done in some rare examples.

Starting with a BP 16750 is simpler as it doesn't have the sloped retaining ring molded next to the rehaut, though when adding a gen-spec retaining ring there is a gap. The gap can be filled with epoxy but then the crystal and gasket have to be installed (or changed) last as the retaining ring is epoxied to the case.

You set the crystal on top of the rehaut ledge then wedge the gasket in around it inside the retaining ring. Or you can set the gasket first and press the crystal down inside it. A little unconventional but it works.

16750 case with rotating bezel

Excellent explanation, thanks, I thought this might be the case I was hoping I could make use of a the full bezel ring set up but was suspect on if the BP case for the latest 16710 would be able to take it. Its just that WSO are sketch on giving out the dims of the things they sell, they just say it fits gen size. So if I was more confident Id maybe risk it, but seeing as the BP case isnt perfect as far as chamfers go, its not really worth the effort on it in reality. Had it been a nice swap then it would mean a half decent bezel movement and easy to swap inserts as they would then be click in, I know a gen insert can fit the current one, but the fell of the bezel is not all that good, I suspect fitting a stronger bezel spring may help with this. Might need to find another case I think, maybe the neo vintage ones could be better or like you say the Explorer. It amazes me that there are still so many differences in builds considering they are clones, the new models a pretty close on all counts but I guess these are the older models and so less market for them although the questions on the forums and how quick good reps go on here might say otherwise.

Thanks for the input great as always, trying to franken a later model 16710 with a non Tritium dial (swiss, ro Swiss Made) is proving hard work! Not many dials around either, Im guessing as they used luminova instead of Tritium less need to be swapped out during service if lume is still required!

 

[Zen_der]

Too bad they're no longer available, if anyone has a 16710 case back for sale please give a shout, I'm looking for it thanks