[Pompomurin's] Let's build a Rolex GMT Master 16700 (with 3135 to 3175 movement conversion)

[pompompurin]

I have been collecting parts to build a Rolex GMT MASTER 16700 for 2 years. I am getting there!

Here are the parts that I currently have:


- Gen "Swiss Made" 16700 dial (rare)
- Gen hands
- Gen date disc
- Gen no LEC crystal
- Gen serif insert
- Vietnam 16700 case set from bivintage's ebay store
- VR3135 (not pictured)
- Aftermarket 3175 260 minute wheel 24h (not pictured. Can be harvested from a VR3186 movement)
- Aftermarket 3175 280 hour wheel 24h
- Aftermarket 5336 friction spring (not pictured. Can be harvested from a VR3186 movement)
- High quality replica 604 crown

Here are the parts that I still need to source/ being shipped to me:
- Gen 3175-284 hour wheel 12h (hard to find)
- Gen 3175 670 intermediate date wheel (hard to find)
- Swiss 6330 conversion tube
- Aftermarket 16710 bezel click spring

Mods I plan to do:
- Convert the movement from 3135 to 3175
- Reshape the crownguards


Here is the bloody rare dial:



Stay tuned for more updates!

 

[Yellowsubmarine]

This is gonna be a good ‘un..
Looking forward to seeing the updates!

 

[tienbang]

How’s the case? Really want to build a polar 16570 but haven’t found a good case since that one eBay seller went dark.

 

[pompompurin]

How’s the case? Really want to build a polar 16570 but haven’t found a good case since that one eBay seller went dark.

The case looks ok. Some crownguard work should do the job. Maybe lug work is good

 

[Nur-Uhr]

OMG ... a nice 16700 build thread.

My two GMT favorites are the 16700 and the 16750 ... in fact I have already a 16750, I am following this thread.
Such 16700 are rare builds, a few weeks ago there was also a nice offered here at M2M (but I had already my 16750)

 

[pompompurin]

OMG ... a nice 16700 build thread.

My two GMT favorites are the 16700 and the 16750 ... in fact I have already a 16750, I am following this thread.
Such 16700 are rare builds, a few weeks ago there was also a nice offered here at M2M (but I had already my 16750)

You might be tempted to buy a 16700 once I finish this build lol

 

[Nur-Uhr]

You might be tempted to buy a 16700 once I finish this build lol

Oh no - please not .... my watch box with rlx is now more than full

 

[Singapore9]

Checking in for another great Pom build thread!

 

[Fraist]

It will be a great built

 

[pompompurin]

The 3135 to 3175 conversion requires the following important parts:

- 3175 260 = this part can be obtained from a vr3186 to save money.
- 3175 280 = the aftermarket Swiss equivalent part exists to save money.
- 3175 284 = as of now, only the genuine Rolex part exists (uncommon/ rare and quite expensive). It should come with the 5226 friction spring.
- 3175 670 = as of now, only the genuine Rolex part exists (uncommon/ rare and quite expensive).

Pictured below is all the necessary parts for the conversion.

The first step is to remove part 3135 260 and replacing it with part 3175 260 (which is already installed in the picture below).



The second step is to remove the stock 3135 movement's part 3135 280 and 3135 670.

Then add part 3175 280:



Then add part 3175 284:



Then add part 3175 670:



Then screw back on the 3135 600 calendar plate and install the date disc:



After the modification to the movement, the handstack should look similar to this:



Then install the dial and hands:





The overall conversion process is straightforward. The hardest process is sourcing the conversion parts.

 

[pompompurin]

Now that the movement is sorted, I needed to also do some case work by opening up the crownguards.

The case set was dismantled:



Then I removed the stock (terrible) crown/ tube and retapped the case to clear any glue remnants and make sure the threads are correct:



Then I opened-up the crownguards using a file:



Once I was happy with the opening, I polished the insides of the crowguard to remove any sharpness from filing. I also decided to install a swiss 6020 tube + athaya 6mm crown instead.



The 3175 movement was then installed:





The gen crystal (with gen 2.7mm gasket) and bezel assembly were then installed. The bezel teeth aren't amazing and neither is the clicking action; however, it gets the job done.



Then the gen serif font insert and rafflesdial bracelet were added. Done.

 

[jamesew]

Reserved. haha

 

[Hor-Fan]

You may be able to improve the click action by increasing the pitch of the click spring and making the bend more acute



…but not too acute, or it won’t move.

 

[pompompurin]

You may be able to improve the click action by increasing the pitch of the click spring and making the bend more acute



…but not too acute, or it won’t move.

Thanks. I tried that already. But because of the jaggedness of the bezel teeth, the bezel won't move haha.

In my opinion, the best bezel click is hands-down ARF 16610. But sourcing that bezel assembly individually is pretty much impossible.

 

[Mr-Rolex]

Beautiful job as always mate. 5 digit GMT is next on my list!

 

[Frankierider]

Super impressive

 

[Fraist]

Beautiful watch. This Gmt was always my favorite watch.
The Bivintage case had a gen spec tube thread and you just cleaned the thread with the tap or the case needs complete retapping to be able to take gen tube?

 

[pompompurin]

Beautiful watch. This Gmt was always my favorite watch.
The Bivintage case had a gen spec tube thread and you just cleaned the thread with the tap or the case needs complete retapping to be able to take gen tube?

Thanks,

I always tap my cases to clean any dried glue residue and to check if the pitch of the threads is correct.

From what I have noticed, this bivintage 16700 case already has thread pitch for 6020 tubes.

But note that genuine 16710 / 16700 / 16570 cases should have tube holes that fit 5330 / 5320 tubes and not 6020 tubes. Nonetheless, a conversion 6330 tube can therefore be used.

For this project, I decided to use a 6020 tube instead of a conversion 6330 tube because I have a 6020 tube and athaya 600 (6mm) crown readily available.

 

[Fraist]

Thanks,

I always tap my cases to clean any dried glue residue and to check if the pitch of the threads is correct.

From what I have noticed, this bivintage 16700 case already has thread pitch for 6020 tubes.

But note that genuine 16710 / 16700 / 16570 cases should have tube holes that fit 5330 / 5320 tubes and not 6020 tubes. Nonetheless, a conversion 6330 tube can therefore be used.

For this project, I decided to use a 6020 tube instead of a conversion 6330 tube because I have a 6020 tube and athaya 600 (6mm) crown readily available.

Nice. Thanks for the detailed explanation.

 

[Yellowhammerwatches]

Welp after seeing this I need to toss my piss poor attempt in the trash . Gen dial, raffles 14060 case I had lying around (rehaut is rough, but it looks more like a 16700 than a real 14060).