New here, please help identify replica Sub and if a genuine dial will fit

[Dan_189]

Hi all,
Just joined this forum

Bought a replica Rolex overseas recently and was after some help identifying what kind of replica it was/who made it.

The reason I ask is i'd like to put a genuine dial in it but not sure if it would fit.

Some of the flaws include:

- Incorrect cyclops date magnification
- Glass/crystal slightly crooked
- Hour hand incorrect, from a GMT not a Submariner
- Serial number is: 116670 (GMT c2?)
- Bezel insert pearl incorrect
- "OYSTER..." lettering incorrect
- 1 or 2 Rehaut letters are too high/not in line

Here are some pictures:



Planned mods:

Genuine bezel
Genuine hands
Genuine glass
Genuine dial (if it fits, fingers crossed)

Thanks!

 

[sneed12?]

1) good luck sourcing the parts
2) none of those will fit with the possible exception of the dial, which you will have to clip the feet off of
3) that is not a very good rep to begin with, throwing $2000 worth of gen parts at it seems like a rather odd choice.

 

[rsh]

I am with sneed, why bother with that case ?

 

[Dan_189]

I am with sneed, why bother with that case ?

Hey guys,
In short, because I paid $40 AUD for it and id like to make it a bit better.

Could you point out what makes it a not so great case? Other than the issues I have pointed out?
Also if you could point me in the direction of a better case? Could you tell from the pictures what kind of movement it has, or will I have to open it?

Thanks

 

[Fidhle007]

It's a 21j with a plastic movement ring. The main problem with that case is that it bears slim little resemblance to anything Rolex has ever made. There's going to be a bunch of new 1:1 ceramic bezel subs coming out sometime this summer. If you want accuracy, why not wait for those?

 

[Dan_189]

Is the little resemblance in terms of actual size or because of the imperfections I have noted?
I thought the case and band were the better parts about it! Haha!
Thanks

 

[rols16610]

Hi Dan

Welcome to the forum

As the others have said if you are looking to install genuine parts then you will need a better base watch.

If you are looking for a ceramic sub there are quite a few options to choose from, which include good out of the box reps and some more custom versions which cost a little more, as Fidhle007 mentioned there are some new ceramic sub reps coming soon.

Installing genuine parts on a ceramic sub is going to be expensive, the bezel insert for the ceramic sub is $1,000 on its own and I think they are pretty rare.

If you definitely want genuine parts then you would need to go for one of the older subs like the 16610, have a look for the BK Submariner and TC Submariner on the forum, both will accept genuine parts.

The links below should give you some details on both the TC Sub and BK Sub.

BK Sub

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/product-offering-tw-88852

TC Sub

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/tc-sub-and-103387

I hope this helps.

 

[Dan_189]

Hi rols16610,

Thanks for the reply and the welcome! As you mentioned, ill look into those watches thanks for the links.

My original thoughts (which I should have mentioned!) were to turn this into a '16610LN'. From my investigation this would allow me to use a non ceramic genuine bezel, whilst keeping it somewhat plausible because the case has no lug holes, but having a newer yet incorrect 116610 clasp!)

Also quick question, when you mean better base watch do you mean movement? Is the actual case a correct size from what you can see?

Thanks
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/member.php?u=45286

 

[rols16610]

Hi rols16610,

Also quick question, when you mean better base watch do you mean movement? Is the actual case a correct size from what you can see?

Thanks

Hi Dan

I have only been here myself for a couple of months, so I don't know a lot about the ceramic subs.

But from what the others have said, I think you would need to start with a different case.

Some of the ceramic sub reps are really good out of the box, all come with a choice of different movements which determine their price.

There are also custom versions from people like BK who offer a few mods on the watch to make them look even more like the real thing.

I hope this helps

 

[Dan_189]

Ahh fair enough maybe just a genuine non ceramic bezel will do for now. Any way to check if a genuine crystal would fit. I was thinking I'd buy one then if it doesn't work ill put it on my next replica or real sub one day! Any recomendations on how I could check?

 

[rols16610]

Dan, from my experience I would keep the watch you have as it is, if you want to start modding one with genuine parts then I would have a look at both the TC and BK subs.

Both will accept gen parts and are great watches, they are not cheap though.

If you want a ceramic sub have a look at the ones available from the trusted dealers section on the forum, there are quite a few options and a good range of watches available.

 

[Dan_189]

Guys another quick one, how can I open the case back if I don't have the special tool? Any tips? Haven't been able to find any on this forum.

Thanks!

 

[trailboss99]

Well I searched caseback opener just now and got a heap of hits. I'm sure some of them include the info you need. Since that question has been answered maybe 1000 times on here you can't have looked that hard mate.

 

[Dan_189]

Thanks trailboss99 I searched "open case" and don't remember seeing much so thanks for the tip. Thought there would be plenty out there so I didn't start a thread. Any thoughts on the rep now that I've put some pics up?

Thanks

Good to see you're in Australia btw so am I

 

[Dan_189]

So I went ahead and opened it up... This is what I found, not a fantastic movement by a long shot but as long as it works im happy. How do you release the crown/stem on this movement?


Thanks

 

[Fidhle007]

On the bottom picture, there's a tiny button on just to the left of the stem. Push that in GENTLY and extract the stem.

Addressing your "16610LN" comment: There are two different models of modern submariner that most of us play with. The aluminum-bezeled 16610 and the ceramic-bezeled 116610. If you spend some time with google image search you will find that they have completely different cases, both of which differ from what you have. The biggest issue with building a 116610 rep is that almost NO ONE sells one with the proper case. The rep factories duplicated the ceramic GMT case and assumed it was the same for the new sub, but as Rolex usually does, it takes a whole new case. The 16610 has been repped flawlessly for awhile but we are still waiting on a 116610 that looks right. This summer should see a batch of new 1:1 reps of the ceramic bezel sub but we'll just have to wait and see what happens...

 

[Dan_189]

Ahh right thanks for that
I was thinking about trying to build (as close as possible) a franken 16610 so getting a non ceramic bezel for it, as apposed to a dodgey 116610 which it is now!

I was under the impression that a 16610LN had no case lug holes? Is my case closer to a GMT Master II? I had a look at some dimensions and it appears that the size difference is +.6 in thickness to submariner 16610 is this from a thicker case back?
Source:
http://clockmaker.com.au/rolex_case_size.html

Also what other movements would fit this case? Would a 2824 fit? What is mine?
Thanks

 

[Dan_189]

One thing that I can notice is the ends are not as pointy/long as a submariner, am I correct? Is this the case's flaw??

 

[Fidhle007]

Rolex 16610:

Note the crown guards and lugs. This is not a lughole watch.


Rolex 116610:

Note the same things and the differences between the two. Your case lies somewhere in between these two and can't really be modded either way. Wear it, love it and buy a better base to start with if you want to build a franken.

 

[Wacker23]

Buy a bk sub you will like it.