New Ebay 1:1 16710 Case Review

[KJ2020]

Circling back to this topic. I got crystal ring washer (29-337-8) from ST, then cemented the gasket as described with E6000 and allowed to cure for 5 days. Reassembled and just did an initial waterproof test at 1 bar.

This time it streamed bubbles but they were the finest little bubbles i ever saw between bezel and crystal. There was no water intrusion. Could this be air from underside of crystal ring?

I'm not sure I'm clear on what you used the E6000 on. While it certainly wouldn't hurt to use it under the crystal retaining ring, where I've used it is at the joint between the crystal gasket and the case. Then pressing the crystal retaining ring into the wet glue bed. That puts the new glue seal at the last point of possible water entry from the case side.

If you got no water entry at all maybe you are OK. I would test it again. You don't need the bezel on to test it and that can just confuse your issue. If you continue to get air bubbles without the bezel on then more investigation may be warranted.

 

[mp1mancini]

I applied E6000 at the joint between the crystal and the case as you suggested.

Sorry if it sounded like I applied it under the crystal ring.

I’ll try with bezel off.

 

[APjumbo]

Has anyone used a new DD3285 movement in one of these, or does a 3285 use a pressure fit dial and will not work with a 5 digit dial that has dial feet.
I think that is the case, but was wondering if the new DD3285 has holes for feet.

 

[KJ2020]

Has anyone used a new DD3285 movement in one of these, or does a 3285 use a pressure fit dial and will not work with a 5 digit dial that has dial feet.
I think that is the case, but was wondering if the new DD3285 has holes for feet.

The gen 3285 dial has no feet and uses pressure fit. The gen, the DD3285 (listed as CLEAN in the pics), and the SH 3285 all have holes where dial feet can go, but they are not in the same places that 31xx dial feet are in. The 3285 holes look to be around 24 and 54 minutes, 31xx dial feet are at 13 and 37 minutes. Additionally, the gen and DD3285 "feet holes" have no screws or screw holes to anchor a dial foot, while the SH3285 appears to have these. Also note the SH3285 still uses the "Unscrew the movement screw" method to anchor the movement, while the gen and the DD3285 use movement tabs.

Excellent pics credit to @CTime ofc

So in any case, 31xx feet would have to be clipped to go on all of these movements. New feet could be glued/soldered on but there really is no need to do that. An equally acceptable solution IMO which I have done multiple times is to simply epoxy the dial to the date plate. Put 4 short narrow ribbons of epoxy in clear open spaces on the date plate, set the dial and adjust it for center and rotational accuracy. Then weight it down gently and carefully and let it cure. Epoxy is easily sliced through and cleaned away if it becomes necessary.

However, to really answer your original question, for some reason CLEAN had to modify their 3186 cases to accommodate the DD3285. I don't remember ever reading exactly how it was modified - either the inside was made slightly larger or maybe the inner case grooving was changed. On paper the two movements are exactly the same outer diamter, 28.5mm. So I think you could not fit a DD3285 into a rep 3185/6 case.

 

[APjumbo]

@KJ2020
Your answer went above and beyond. Much appreciated. I’ll stick with the VR3185/VR3186 or whatever I was using before then.

 

[KJ2020]

This is a different case but given the SEL issues with the Ebay 16710 some may find this useful here. See writeup in the thread below.

Another use for fishline

Check it out

Before

What's needed on a fit like this is some wedge material on the bottom between the case lip and the SEL flange.

0.48mm line added

After

@sfbatman787

 

[Chroad]

Has anyone tried to fit a gen caseback onto this case? Apologies if it’s happened and I’ve missed it, because I sure don’t think I’ve seen it discussed.

 

[wildrabbit]

Has anyone tried to fit a gen caseback onto this case? Apologies if it’s happened and I’ve missed it, because I sure don’t think I’ve seen it discussed.

I have tried both a Gen 16700 and the 2350 - they both fit well.

 

[daytonadude]

Looks like the case is current out of stock, but have heard that a v2 is coming for a fellow member, so definitely looking forward to that!

 

[Chroad]

I think it’s back up… I might should go ahead and buy another…

Aftermarket 16710/16570 Staineless Steel Watch Case for 3185/3186 Movement 4170000067917 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Aftermarket 16710/16570 Staineless Steel Watch Case for 3185/3186 Movement at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[DrDrew90]

Case received Wednesday and I completed the build yesterday. I built a 3185 with a vs3135 and gen parts. Gen dial, hands , crystal, and bezel assembly. I know the patina mismatch will not be for everyone, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything to gen hands to change the color. I also have a gen 93150 bracelet that will be going on after refinishing.

I had a bit of trouble with the gen crystal retaining ring not pressing down all the way. It turned out that some of the crystal gasket was getting smushed underneath. I trimmed it with an exacto knife and we shall see if it holds pressure.

 

[KJ2020]

Case received Wednesday and I completed the build yesterday. I built a 3185 with a vs3135 and gen parts. Gen dial, hands , crystal, and bezel assembly. I know the patina mismatch will not be for everyone, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything to gen hands to change the color. I also have a gen 93150 bracelet that will be going on after refinishing.

I had a bit of trouble with the gen crystal retaining ring not pressing down all the way. It turned out that some of the crystal gasket was getting smushed underneath. I trimmed it with an exacto knife and we shall see if it holds pressure.

Looks great bro, nice work. Interested in how your 93150 bracelet fits. The lug holes sit a tad low even on the V2. There are many references to that in this thread. You might need to use a 1.8mm springbar and/or some wedging material (bracelet tape, fishline, etc) to achieve an optimal fit.

 

[DrDrew90]

Looks great bro, nice work. Interested in how your 93150 bracelet fits. The lug holes sit a tad low even on the V2. There are many references to that in this thread. You might need to use a 1.8mm springbar and/or some wedging material (bracelet tape, fishline, etc) to achieve an optimal fit.

Thanks for the heads up man I will post back when the bracelet is finished. I noticed on your first post about the end link fitment. I even thought about removing some material from the top of the lugs, but I’m not well enough equipped to perform that to my liking, so I think I’m going to live with the slight recess.

 

[Chroad]

Case received Wednesday and I completed the build yesterday. I built a 3185 with a vs3135 and gen parts. Gen dial, hands , crystal, and bezel assembly. I know the patina mismatch will not be for everyone, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything to gen hands to change the color. I also have a gen 93150 bracelet that will be going on after refinishing.

I had a bit of trouble with the gen crystal retaining ring not pressing down all the way. It turned out that some of the crystal gasket was getting smushed underneath. I trimmed it with an exacto knife and we shall see if it holds pressure.

DrDrew90, great build! I am waiting for my parts to all show up to get my build moving. Very happy that so many people have had good experience with this case.

Mind me asking what your part list was? Other than the VS3135 since you already said that. But on the VS3135, what instructions did you use for the 3185 conversion? I know there are several available—just curious which one you followed and your experience with it. And I hear you on the hands and the patina. I’d have made the same decision.

My apologies if you’ve answered these questions elsewhere. I’ll confess I didn’t go search to see if you had…

 

[WatchSmith.US]

Case received Wednesday and I completed the build yesterday. I built a 3185 with a vs3135 and gen parts. Gen dial, hands , crystal, and bezel assembly. I know the patina mismatch will not be for everyone, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything to gen hands to change the color. I also have a gen 93150 bracelet that will be going on after refinishing.

I had a bit of trouble with the gen crystal retaining ring not pressing down all the way. It turned out that some of the crystal gasket was getting smushed underneath. I trimmed it with an exacto knife and we shall see if it holds pressure.

DrDrew90, great build! I am waiting for my parts to all show up to get my build moving. Very happy that so many people have had good experience with this case.

Mind me asking what your part list was? Other than the VS3135 since you already said that. But on the VS3135, what instructions did you use for the 3185 conversion? I know there are several available—just curious which one you followed and your experience with it. And I hear you on the hands and the patina. I’d have made the same decision.

My apologies if you’ve answered these questions elsewhere. I’ll confess I didn’t go search to see if you had…

.

Parts needed for 3135 to 3185 conversion

3155-335 minute pinion canon pinion

3155-360 second wheel

3175-260 minute wheel

3185-268 cover

3185-284 hour wheel

3185-600 date indicator seating

3185-614 date jumper

3185-623 date finger

3185-625 date wheel

3185-660 module for jumping hours

3185-662 corrector wheel

3185-670 intermediate date wheel

 

[DrDrew90]

Thanks for listing that, I will add that I tried to use a gen date indicator seating, but when I tightened it down it bound up with the corrector wheel. So I ended up having to use the vr date indicator seating, which was machined a bit deeper for the vr corrector wheel. I found this very odd. I even swapped in the vsf 3135 keyless cover, and swapped over the small gear from the vr3186 keyless cover to make it work with the gmt mechanism. However still no dice. I think the gen corrector wheel is thinner.

 

[DrDrew90]

DrDrew90, great build! I am waiting for my parts to all show up to get my build moving. Very happy that so many people have had good experience with this case.

Mind me asking what your part list was? Other than the VS3135 since you already said that. But on the VS3135, what instructions did you use for the 3185 conversion? I know there are several available—just curious which one you followed and your experience with it. And I hear you on the hands and the patina. I’d have made the same decision.

My apologies if you’ve answered these questions elsewhere. I’ll confess I didn’t go search to see if you had…

Thanks for the kind words, I used a Rolex service manual and the parts listed by watchsmith.us above with mostly vr parts and a gen gmt module

 

[Chroad]

Thanks for listing that, I will add that I tried to use a gen date indicator seating, but when I tightened it down it bound up with the corrector wheel. So I ended up having to use the vr date indicator seating, which was machined a bit deeper for the vr corrector wheel. I found this very odd. I even swapped in the vsf 3135 keyless cover, and swapped over the small gear from the vr3186 keyless cover to make it work with the gmt mechanism. However still no dice. I think the gen corrector wheel

So I actually meant the parts list for the watch itself, not the 3185 conversion, but I worded it poorly and it didn’t read right. Although I always appreciate a discussion of a 3185 conversion, so happy mistake I suppose. But really I was curious about the whole watch parts list—where did you use gen parts and where and what non-gen parts did you use?

 

[DrDrew90]

So I actually meant the parts list for the watch itself, not the 3185 conversion, but I worded it poorly and it didn’t read right. Although I always appreciate a discussion of a 3185 conversion, so happy mistake I suppose. But really I was curious about the whole watch parts list—where did you use gen parts and where and what non-gen parts did you use?

Ah my bad! I used gen crystal, dial, hands, crown and tube, open 6/9 date wheel, and full bezel.

 

[Chroad]

Ah my bad! I used gen crystal, dial, hands, crown and tube, open 6/9 date wheel, and full bezel.

I love it! Thanks for that. I’m headed in the same direction as far as gen parts, with the exception of the Crystal—I’m planning to use a Clark crystal with full AR on the backside. Not quite true to the original form, but I prefer the full AR than to be fully correct.