So I got one of the new super 1:1 16710 Ebay cases.
Link to case:
Ebay 16710 case
Overall I was blown away at how beautifully this was made - the lines are crisp, the polishing is superb, the brushing is great. I could go on and on.
Let’s take a look at it next to my gen and see how it stacks up. Nearly everything I point out will be pretty negligible to most of us. The newest of these gen models is now 15 years old so there will be wear and polishing, etc. that will make gen samples have some variability in shape and appearance. My gen is a 1990 L serial that has never been polished (original owner).
All pics of my gen are the ones with the bezel on.
Comments from the pics above - the lug shape is beautiful. They are just a tad long as you will see in subsequent pics but not an issue cosmetically and as I understand it the intent was to leave a little extra for re-brushing if desired. The CG’s from an end-on view show a straight out extension on top rather than dropping down to a curve sooner like the gen but this detail would be overlooked by most. There is less bottom curve to the mid-case than the gen, and it is slightly taller in height than the gen.
The CGs are skinnier than my gen. I actually like this look, I have long thought the gen 16170 CGs look too chunky for its diminutive crown, especially from a top view. The 16610 Sub has way skinner CGs than the 16710 and a much larger crown. Go figure. Keep in mind too that 16710 lug holes cases were phased out in 2003 so what you'd make with this case is a rep of a gen at least 19 years old and going back to 33 years old. Many of these would have been polished, reducing the CG thickness.
The lug holes sit a little lower than the gen (more on this later), and also note that the Ebay case does not have any chamfers cut, which I understand was left to the customers to do how they wanted. It’s very easy to do, just wrap some sandpaper around a springbar pry tool tip and grind the angle down however wide you want.
In the next pic you can see some measurement comparisons.
The caseback is nice, and appears to be the same size as gen.
The VR3186 slid right in, the case cutout is smooth, and movement screws work like gen. Stem hole is centered.
Dial sits nicely against the rehaut (yes I know it’s a 6-digit dial).
The rehaut is nicely finished, I did note that is a tad taller than gen. This is quite easily corrected if one is so inclined. Turn the case upside down and then a few minutes of light sanding on a piece of 400 - 600, then 800 - 1000 grit paper on a flat bench will take it down nicely. This will not affect how the crystal gasket sits or the crystal height. Some TC cases were like this, many people are not bothered by it.
Here you can see the slight difference in lug lengths. This is not usually noticeable with a bracelet link in its normal position.
So next I tried installing some bracelets. But before I show pics of that, let me mention again that the lug holes are a tad low. I measured them to be about 0.2mm low (from case underside to mid hole).
Ebay case
Gen case with Ebay distance carried over
Gen case
So obviously this is going to mean that end links are going to sit lower and there will be more recess. We all like recess but first let’s look at how little recess unpolished and in good condition gen 16710’s usually have.
Here are 4 actual gens with different configurations (pics from my fave gen window shopping site SwissWatchExpo)
My gen (unpolished, end link untouched - not bent)
So here are some pics with some rep bracelets I tried on the Ebay case
My gen bracelet end link fit the Ebay case better though you can see how it drops down at the back. This is actually a nice look IMO and would be totally acceptable. The little gap at the case is hidden by the bezel.
Another pic of both cases with the same gen folded end link
Here are a couple other pics of a folded link installed
Left is gen folded link, right is gen SEL
This pic credit to
@Johnny Depp
So the point here is that you may have to try a few different bracelets to get the fit you want, and that using a gen end link appears to offer the best result. Folded links can be bent (opened or closed) a little to improve their appearance. In all cases you should expect the end link to sit lower than it would on a gen case due to the lug holes being lower.
One last point about the lug holes - I was never able to get gen or Everest 2.0mm shoulderless springbars to expand fully in the holes with an end link installed. They would fit and expand with no end link but not when the end link was in place. The tips go in the hole enough to anchor the end link, but it isn’t expanding out into the hole. This has been confirmed by JD, so for now a 1.8mm springbar needs to be used. Everest and Startime both sell 1.8mm shoulderless springbars. Alternately the tip on a 2.0mm bar could likely be shaved a little and it would pop home.
I did install a gen-spec crystal and gasket with no issues but I don’t have a spare gen-spec retaining ring on hand so I have to leave my review there for now.
In summary this is an absolutely beautiful case that is a great base for a Franken. I hope I’ve pointed out some things that will help you understand its pros and minor cons so you can work around them to make that prized addition to your collection.
Update:
I'm still waiting on some parts for mine but I wanted to mention something I found while test fitting some pieces together.
The factory brushing doesn't go up quite close enough to the outer rehaut to be covered by the bezel. This means narrow unbrushed strips will be visible outside of the bezel circumference. This is more pronounced on a 16570, as that bezel is only 39mm while the GMT bezel is 40mm OD.
It's a easy fix - wrap some 320 - 400 grit paper over a sanding stick or similar and blend the areas together. Finish with some Scotch brite or other brushing pad.
Then you can cut some chamfers.
Thanks for looking!
