New Ebay 1:1 16710 Case Review

[Nur-Uhr]

You will find A-series and P-series
so 2000 / 2001 models very transitional.

You can find A Series with hollow endlinks and SEL
Same as P Series.
So it may depend if it is a late 2000 or early 2001
And for GEN you have to consider - they started not with all bracelets Reference to same day from Hollow Endlink to SEL
If I remember correctly, first they started with the 93150 to 93250
Later with the 78790 …
78760 never had SEL for example- also the 62510 never got SEL

 

[FiveGuys]

Also K series will have drilled holes and SEL but swiss made.
You will find a bunch of examples on Chrono24 when you filter these years.

Also since you have sel the bracelet is a 78390A. To my knowledge the 78390 doesn’t have SEL and is the last of the hollow endlinks for GMT

 

[mp1mancini]

This ebay case is amazing. The machining quality is very clean and precise, which reminds me of TC.

I compared the lug shape to my gen and its overall dimensions seem to be spot on. But chamfers need to be added to the lugs, like my gen.

Disadvantages:
- The crownguard needs more material on both sides. But maybe this flaw could be dismissed and deemed to be a feature of an over-polished gen.
- The case doesn't come with a bezel. High quality 16610 / 16710 bezel assemblies are hard to find, and WSO is not a quality option.

Overall, I love this case. Here is my superfranken with chamfers added to the lugs, using a dremel and polishing bits. The chamfers make the stock lugs looking less bulky.

I used a bezel from Ernst/Westphal $125, it was tight on the ST crystal ring but got it to work. The pics are post #169.

My latest problem however is the waterproofing. I've tried two Clark 2.5 mm crystal gaskets with the ST ring and it's failing even on 1bar. I thought the Clarks were thick, wondering if there's anything thicker out there?

 

[WatchSmith.US]

I used a bezel from Ernst/Westphal $125, it was tight on the ST crystal ring but got it to work. The pics are post #169.

My latest problem however is the waterproofing. I've tried two Clark 2.5 mm crystal gaskets with the ST ring and it's failing even on 1bar. I thought the Clarks were thick, wondering if there's anything thicker out there?

I had a similar experience with waterproofing this case. Not even 1 bar. Some UV glue on the crystal gasket might be a solution

 

[miami_YG]

I had a similar experience with waterproofing this case. Not even 1 bar. Some UV glue on the crystal gasket might be a solution

Is it the crystal gasket? Thought it might be the caseback. But then again I got fog under it dial side during heavy rain…

Anyone get this guy waterproofed?

 

[KJ2020]

Are you guys using the O ring under the crystal retaining ring?

I took a guess on which caseback gasket would fit the groove under the retaining ring. It looks like the numbers 322 and 337 in the part number correlate to 32.2mm and 33.7mm. The 33.7mm caseback gasket fits the retaining ring groove nicely.

 

[mp1mancini]

I can't believe this never came up !!!

Thank you so much @KJ2020



All the air escaped from the crystal side and water appeared on the inside of the crystal. There were no bubbles from the crown or the case back.

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Are you guys using the O ring under the crystal retaining ring?

I took a guess on which caseback gasket would fit the groove under the retaining ring. It looks like the numbers 322 and 337 in the part number correlate to 32.2mm and 33.7mm. The 33.7mm caseback gasket fits the retaining ring groove nicely.

Yes, I used the appropriate o-ring under the crystal retaining ring.

 

[mp1mancini]

Rats, and it still couldn’t pass 1bar.

 

[KJ2020]

Rats, and it still couldn’t pass 1bar.

Try adding a bead of glue at the joint between the outside bottom of the crystal gasket and the case. You can use UV glue, GS Hypo or I've also used E6000 successfully. If using GS Hypo or E6000 you'll want to press the retaining ring into the wet glue bead as the hardened glue would create an obstruction. UV glue requires light exposure to cure so pressing the ring would have to wait.

I've used about a 2mm bead, making sure it covers the joint completely with a little border either side. if you use E6000, don't dispense right from the tube unless you puncture the seal with a pinhole. The nozzle opening is too large. Put a blob on some plastic and apply it with a small pointed tool. Or squeeze some into a syringe with a nice size nozzle. Pet med syringes are good for this.

 

[vcelkama]

This is super interesting reading and a lot of useful info. Did anyone here had a chance to compare this new "German ebay" case with Viet 16710 cases? (they usually come as a full set with caseback, customer engravings, bezel, insert, crystal, tube, crown for the cost $750+). So the question is rather how the mid case and caseback compare between this ebay one and the viet version.

 

[Shany]

is someone able to build me this ?

i have:
gen 16710 dial
gen complete bezel with rings and so on
gen hands

rest is needed

 

[miami_YG]

Try adding a bead of glue at the joint between the outside bottom of the crystal gasket and the case. You can use UV glue, GS Hypo or I've also used E6000 successfully. If using GS Hypo or E6000 you'll want to press the retaining ring into the wet glue bead as the hardened glue would create an obstruction. UV glue requires light exposure to cure so pressing the ring would have to wait.

I've used about a 2mm bead, making sure it covers the joint completely with a little border either side. if you use E6000, don't dispense right from the tube unless you puncture the seal with a pinhole. The nozzle opening is too large. Put a blob on some plastic and apply it with a small pointed tool. Or squeeze some into a syringe with a nice size nozzle. Pet med syringes are good for this.

Great insight. I have some e6000 laying around. You think that’s the best option? Did you do any formal water resistance tests after this?

 

[KJ2020]

Great insight. I have some e6000 laying around. You think that’s the best option? Did you do any formal water resistance tests after this?

I like it and would use it again. I did not test in a wet chamber afterward ( I have one) but I've seen no evidence of intrusion from steam or humidity. I don't swim or shower with watches on so I didn't test these. I didn't buy the tester for my own watches. If you get a solid bead around the joint I don't see any water gettting past it.

 

[miami_YG]

I like it and would use it again. I did not test in a wet chamber afterward ( I have one) but I've seen no evidence of intrusion from steam or humidity. I don't swim or shower with watches on so I didn't test these. I didn't buy the tester for my own watches. If you get a solid bead around the joint I don't see any water gettting past it.

Awesome, thank you. Good enough for me! Will also do.

 

[silentflight]

what are peoples experiences with rep hand selection. I bought one of these cases for a budget friendly build, using a beat up genuine dial and insert. Gen tritium hands would set me back about the same as the dial and insert combined. Not really an option.

I saw WSO has aged hands for like 50, what is the best option these days?

 

[APjumbo]

@silentflight

For sub hands at least (you would have to see if they have gmt hands)
TC hands aged by a good modder

Other than that I’m pretty sure @pompompurin said raffles hands are a good option. I would guess the third best option is Startime hands that are aged by a Modder.

Not many people seem to recommend WSO hands.

There is also watchmaterials.com hands that KJ2020 likes.

 

[silentflight]

I

@silentflight

For sub hands at least (you would have to see if they have gmt hands)
TC hands aged by a good modder

Other than that I’m pretty sure @pompompurin said raffles hands are a good option. I would guess the third best option is Startime hands that are aged by a Modder.

Not many people seem to recommend WSO hands.

There is also watchmaterials.com hands that KJ2020 likes.

Thanks for the reply. I have NOS TC hands but they’re for ETA.

I saw that ST has a set. I actually liked their 3135 hands, when I used them a couple years ago. This is my first build since before 2020.

Just trying to see what’s what these days.

 

[bowtiefanatc]

WSO hands are pretty bad. I’ve gone through a few sets. Little to no lume but they are inexpensive and get to you quick.

I have a set of ST hands that I’m going to use on a 14060 build. They are decent quality and super affordable as well.

The ST 3135 hands are way too big for 5 digits, so I got the older style set. Will see how they fit and look.

I bought a set of black GMT hands for a 16570 project and I’m going to have them relumed to match the lume on the dial.

 

[silentflight]

WSO hands are pretty bad. I’ve gone through a few sets. Little to no lume but they are inexpensive and get to you quick.

I have a set of ST hands that I’m going to use on a 14060 build. They are decent quality and super affordable as well.

The ST 3135 hands are way too big for 5 digits, so I got the older style set. Will see how they fit and look.

I bought a set of black GMT hands for a 16570 project and I’m going to have them relumed to match the lume on the dial.

Yeah I think I have determined ST to be the route to go. I need to order some stuff to finish the build anyways. I’m excited for this one.