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NH35 movement swap into a JK Factory sub - Tutorial
- Thread starter NCRich
- Start date
Alan Bourdillion Traherne
Renowned Member
The Pagani 1661 is a size spec copy of the 16610 40mm Submariner with an NH35 movement. Would it not be possible to simply swap a rep Sub dial into the NH35 movement and put it back into the Pagani case? I am no watchmaker (obviously) but am interested in what this might entail and if it could be actually done.
Goddamn it! I found this thread too late...
I've just bought and put a miyota POS 8215 into my watch to replace a knackered 2813. It's like a bastard Beyblade even with a greased up rotor bearing. I'd have much preferred to have put a nh35 in there as I have one in my parts drawer.
I'd have then been able to buy a big box o' hands and a cheap gasket from cousins instead of a shitty miyota which I'm already planning on replacing.
Thanks for the thread though, excellent information to have!!
I've just bought and put a miyota POS 8215 into my watch to replace a knackered 2813. It's like a bastard Beyblade even with a greased up rotor bearing. I'd have much preferred to have put a nh35 in there as I have one in my parts drawer.
I'd have then been able to buy a big box o' hands and a cheap gasket from cousins instead of a shitty miyota which I'm already planning on replacing.
Thanks for the thread though, excellent information to have!!
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As for the JK factory range of subs I have found that the cases will vary in size. The case they use for the 5512/13 vintage subs you actually have to cut down the existing gasket on the NH35/6. I need to update this.
OK, here are the differences in dealing with the 5512 thru 1680 cases. The plastic spacer on the NH35/36 is a bit too large for this case. The solution for this is to snap the plastic case off the movement and use a dremel with a drum sanding bit to take the outer edge of the spacer down to size. Take your time and for God's sake don't do this with the spacer still on the movement as you will get plastic dust inside the movement. You need to take maybe 1/16 or so off to get it to fit. Then snap it back on the movement. After that all the other directions are the same.
OK, here are the differences in dealing with the 5512 thru 1680 cases. The plastic spacer on the NH35/36 is a bit too large for this case. The solution for this is to snap the plastic case off the movement and use a dremel with a drum sanding bit to take the outer edge of the spacer down to size. Take your time and for God's sake don't do this with the spacer still on the movement as you will get plastic dust inside the movement. You need to take maybe 1/16 or so off to get it to fit. Then snap it back on the movement. After that all the other directions are the same.
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Interesting, do you have a link to a Pagani 16610? I can only find 116610 ceramics.
You'd have the wrong clasp, wrong crown and possibly see-thru caseback to deal with
The Pagani 116610 appears to be 43mm.
Alan Bourdillion Traherne
Renowned Member
https://www.paganidesignwatch.com/pagani-design-pd-1661
Scroll down for specs. Pagani says the case on the 1661 is 40mm.
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Are you interested in building a 5-digit (16610) submariner or a 6-digit (116610) submariner? The maxi case of a 6-digit 116610 is very different from a 5-digit case, although both are ~40mm diameter cases. The case of the Pagani 1661 most closely resembles a 6-digit 116610 maxi case.
If you're interested in building a 5-digit 16610 sub, then this looks like it might be a better option:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002723350461.html
The aliexpress seller also has complete watches that seem to use that case, for example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002710144376.html
Some things to note:
- The seller is new and has 0 feedback, so I have no idea if they are trustworthy
- The bezel assembly looks like it has a non-genuine constructions similar to the construction of the bezels that come on BP factory 5-digit subs (i.e., bent retaining wire)
- I have no idea if the dial opening is properly sized for a replica sub dial or what size bezel insert will fit the bezel assembly
- Cyclops on the crystal seems to be placed to match the date wheel location on a NH35, so if you want to use a replica dial with the date window in the proper location for a 3135 movement (using a date wheel overlay on the NH35 movement), then you will need to either relocate the cyclops on the crystal that comes with the case (risky and probably difficult to do cleanly) or replace the crystal with one that has the cyclops in the proper location to line up with the date window on a 3135 dial (may be difficult to find a combination of crystal and crystal gasket that will work with the case and retaining ring)
- there are probably more potential issues with making this work, but those are the ones that first occurred to me.
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Alan Bourdillion Traherne
Renowned Member
Are you interested in building a 5-digit (16610) submariner or a 6-digit (116610) submariner? The maxi case of a 6-digit 116610 is very different from a 5-digit case, although both are ~40mm diameter cases. The case of the Pagani 1661 most closely resembles a 6-digit 116610 maxi case.
If you're interested in building a 5-digit 16610 sub, then this looks like it might be a better option:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002723350461.html
The aliexpress seller also has complete watches that seem to use that case, for example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002710144376.html
Some things to note:
- The seller is new and has 0 feedback, so I have no idea if they are trustworthy
- The bezel assembly looks like it has a non-genuine constructions similar to the construction of the bezels that come on BP factory 5-digit subs (i.e., bent retaining wire)
- I have no idea if the dial opening is properly sized for a replica sub dial or what size bezel insert will fit the bezel assembly
- Cyclops on the crystal seems to be placed to match the date wheel location on a NH35, so if you want to use a replica dial with the date window in the proper location for a 3135 movement (using a date wheel overlay on the NH35 movement), then you will need to either relocate the cyclops on the crystal that comes with the case (risky and probably difficult to do cleanly) or replace the crystal with one that has the cyclops in the proper location to line up with the date window on a 3135 dial (may be difficult to find a combination of crystal and crystal gasket that will work with the case and retaining ring)
- there are probably more potential issues with making this work, but those are the ones that first occurred to me.
Well, I'm not sure. And I am not even sure I am asking the correct questions. I just had the thought in my head about swapping in a rep Rolex face into the Pagani case and movement. Clearly I have never done anything like this and you obviously have so I was just kind of wondering of it could be done. And I agree that most likely there are too many issues to overcome to make it worthwhile. After all, if I thought about it then most likely many others have also.
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I'm really tempted to order one of those cases to see what could be done with it ... but still hesitating
Looking at the pics I'm pretty surprised as some specs seem to be on the "high end" side ... crown tube with inner grooves (just wonder if a Bergeon tool can be used on it), thick caseback gasket, etc ... and some are on the "cheap side" ... paper-clip bezel, etc ...
What sounds really weird is that the bezel is supposed to have 120 clicks and I really don't see how it could be done with a paper-clip assembly.
I'll ask the seller to send me some more pics to check but at $37 shipped I'll probably take the risk.
If the dial opening proves to be small enough I'll try to rework the rehaut on a lathe and ... maybe ... modifyso that it can take a plexi + standard bezel assembly (retaining ring, tension spring, clipped bezel).
If not ... I'll just drill the lugs, rework the crownguards and just mod it as good as I can.
Of course I'll let you know.
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Keep us updated. I am very curious to see what, if anything, can be done with this case.
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Much better deal noob.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002495244135.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.753d4c4dbSvlbG
Hope you are well.I don't get over here very much anymore.
Rich
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WOW !!! you make me hesitating
I checked the comments on AliE and some guys wrote that the case can take a 3135 movement and 27.5 to 28mm dials only
If all this proves to be true there are good chances that when reworked on a lathe the rehaut can take a standard bezel assembly
If not ... I could just live with the "paper-clip bezel", dwonsize it a little and keep the flat-four insert (if the one I receive looks kike the one on the pics)
Rich ... I'm pretty well my friend and hope you are too.
There's been some big (and stormy) changes in my life so I'll PM you to keep you informed and chat a little
Cheers
bigtiddygothgf
Active Member
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There are also a lot of similar cases on ebay for the same pricepoint of around $35 that have clickless bidirectional bezels, plexi/acrylic dome crystals, and drilled lugs. The crownguards and lugs are somewhat fat though. if you search '39.5mm NH35 case' on ebay you should find them. Tiger Concepts 5513 bezel inserts fit them but I have yet to try a gen spec 5513 insert. I know they take standard 28.5mm Seiko dials but not sure what the rehaut is at. I have one on hand and can find my calipers though.
WildString46
Known Member
Perhaps these are the same cases the BP 16610 SA3135 are built on. A few builds here have noted gen ~27.3 mm dials fit, but haven't tried myself. HootschiGootschi has also redone the rehaut and paperclip assembly on a BP 16710 GMT to take a gen 5-digit crystal retaining ring and bezel assembly.
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If you don't mind checking the rehaut opening on yours that would be nice.
But a friend ordered one a those NH35 cases and the dial opening is 28mm so way too large for a nice 5 digits mod
Too bad ... as the already drilled-through lugs could save a lot of time.
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Sound to be good news !!!
If I can do the same on that one that'll be nice.
Drilling the lugs from scratch will be a PITA but I've done this many times.
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If you don't mind checking the rehaut opening on yours that would be nice.
But a friend ordered one a those NH35 cases and the dial opening is 28mm so way too large for a nice 5 digits mod
Too bad ... as the already drilled-through lugs could save a lot of time.
I have one of these cases on hand (it fits an NH35 and has a non-clicking bi-directional "paper clip" bezel) : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002134340437.html
^ On that case, the rehaut opening is ~26.9mm:
Tschacko
Active Member
- 1/8/18
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I have one of these cases on hand (it fits an NH35 and has a non-clicking bi-directional "paper clip" bezel) : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002134340437.html
^ On that case, the rehaut opening is ~26.9mm:
It seems there is anyway a lot of casework needed thinning the lugs and reshaping the Crownguards on that one. Plus you need to get the vertical finish on top of the lugs.
