RAF 16610, New 5 Digit Factory

[mmax]

Thanks for the tip. I'm not sure how it works tho. On the gmt bezel there is a specific place where the hytrel ring sit, on the 5 digit sub bezel I'm not sure where this thread should sit. Can you by any chance share some photos?

I have updated my post with some photos. Once placed into the bezel ring the nylon thread becomes almost invisible. But you will feel and hear it's there. Hope this helps!

 

[Saggiolus]

That could trap the click under the bezel teeth. You might try a piece of waxed dental floss wrapped around the click and then both floss ends taped to the crystal, pulling the click back out of the way of the bezel teeth. After the bezel is in place pull the floss out. Cut one floss end really short before pulling on the long end to remove it.

Done. You are a genius.
It works like a charm. Click improved dramatically. Still not quite as gen but definetelly much much much closer. Bezel stability solved.
At this point I think we have a winning approach thanks to KJ2020.
The ideal solution is to find a ticker washer and use only one. The alternative what KJ2020 did and I just did too works wonders.

 

[Saggiolus]

I have updated my post with some photos. Once placed into the bezel ring the nylon thread becomes almost invisible. But you will feel and hear it's there. Hope this helps!

Thank you for the contribution! I'll look at the images also the double washer solution works!

 

[mmax]

Thank you for the contribution! I'll look at the images also the double washer solution works!

I'm glad you found a solution for the WSO bezel, as it seems tighter than the RAF bezel and the nylon thread may be too thick to work. Conversely, a double washer made little improvement for my RAF bezel.

 

[Saggiolus]

I'm glad you found a solution for the WSO bezel, as it seems tighter than the RAF bezel and the nylon thread may be too thick to work. Conversely, a double washer made little improvement for my RAF bezel.

I'm glad you found a solution for the WSO bezel, as it seems tighter than the RAF bezel and the nylon thread may be too thick to work. Conversely, a double washer made little improvement for my RAF bezel.

on the WSO bezel it improved a lot. the bezel feeling is way more stable basically as stable as the gen. the click sound is not as good yet. but this might be also because the WSO teeth are shitty and uneven.
I'm about to order a ST bezel and see how it goes with the click sound and feeling.

 

[GrandmasterChime]

on the WSO bezel it improved a lot. the bezel feeling is way more stable basically as stable as the gen. the click sound is not as good yet. but this might be also because the WSO teeth are shitty and uneven.
I'm about to order a ST bezel and see how it goes with the click sound and feeling.

Where are you getting the st bezel from, I couldn't find them even on their site

 

[StreetFighter]

So reading through, it seems this watch needs some specialist attention out of the box to be acceptable. Bezel has sloppy play problems and the crown is wack. This is disappointing. You'd think that today they could produce a really good 5 digit Sub.

 

[KJ2020]

Where are you getting the st bezel from, I couldn't find them even on their site

Rolex-Style Stainless Bezel, -- RSBSS/I: Star Time Supply

www.startimesupply.com

 

[Saggiolus]

So reading through, it seems this watch needs some specialist attention out of the box to be acceptable. Bezel has sloppy play problems and the crown is wack. This is disappointing. You'd think that today they could produce a really good 5 digit Sub.

Today they are producing much better replicas indeed. But this is not a today replica. This is likely a batch produced with ARF older parts. Or even a mix of JF and AR leftovers. If they were to start to make a new replica for the 16610, it would requires brand new moulds and tooling. I do not think they are doing that. Significant investments even in China. Maybe they are testing the market to see if it's worth it. Maybe they are just maximising profit by getting rid of older parts. I have no idea.

This watch would have been considered a good replica few years ago before factories like clean and VSF took to bar up by a lot. With those mods the watch is wonderful in my opinion. But of course I like replica because of the idea of modding and improving, if you want out of the box "perfection" this is not the watch for you.

 

[Saggiolus]

Where are you getting the st bezel from, I couldn't find them even on their site

FYI it's unknown for me at the moment if the insert I have (WSO) or the stock RAF insert fit the bezel from ST. If you have the LN version you are fine as ST provide an LN insert. If you are looking to fit the ST bezel on the LV than there is a degree of uncertainty for the moment. I will know if my LV insert will fit the ST bezel soon.

 

[KJ2020]

I bought two ST Sub/GMT bezels recently. They come with your (limited) choice of insert as an online order. You may be able to get any other insert they sell by special request as they are all the same price. I didn't ask because I didn't really need any particular insert. The ST inserts I got were press fit but not gen outside diameter.

The two ST bezels I bought were IMO inferior quality and do not fit a gen insert. I spent a lot of time sanding down the inner perimeter of the bezel rim so I wouldn't have to shave my gen insert and then I decided to re-use a four year old WSO bezel which is more gen-like and took a gen insert straight away. This is not a WSO bezel recommendation as batches change and mine were from so long ago.

There are some pics and more discussion in the link below

Post #150

New Ebay 1:1 16710 Case Review

I might also suggest pressing it on without the click spring. This way you can see if your bezel and retaining ring from two different suppliers are compatible. If it still won’t turn, try without the washer. If it works, then try with the spring. This is good advice. @Michaelarena89 If your...

forum.replica-watch.info

 

[GrandmasterChime]

I bought two ST Sub/GMT bezels recently. They come with your (limited) choice of insert as an online order. You may be able to get any other insert they sell by special request as they are all the same price. I didn't ask because I didn't really need any particular insert. The ST inserts I got were press fit but not gen outside diameter.

The two ST bezels I bought were IMO inferior quality and do not fit a gen insert. I spent a lot of time sanding down the inner perimeter of the bezel rim so I wouldn't have to shave my gen insert and then I decided to re-use a four year old WSO bezel which is more gen-like and took a gen insert straight away. This is not a WSO bezel recommendation as batches change and mine were from so long ago.

There are some pics and more discussion in the link below

Post #150

New Ebay 1:1 16710 Case Review

I might also suggest pressing it on without the click spring. This way you can see if your bezel and retaining ring from two different suppliers are compatible. If it still won’t turn, try without the washer. If it works, then try with the spring. This is good advice. @Michaelarena89 If your...

forum.replica-watch.info

If it doesn't take gen I. Not going down that track. I have gen insert here to go in

 

[GrandmasterChime]

I bought two ST Sub/GMT bezels recently. They come with your (limited) choice of insert as an online order. You may be able to get any other insert they sell by special request as they are all the same price. I didn't ask because I didn't really need any particular insert. The ST inserts I got were press fit but not gen outside diameter.

The two ST bezels I bought were IMO inferior quality and do not fit a gen insert. I spent a lot of time sanding down the inner perimeter of the bezel rim so I wouldn't have to shave my gen insert and then I decided to re-use a four year old WSO bezel which is more gen-like and took a gen insert straight away. This is not a WSO bezel recommendation as batches change and mine were from so long ago.

There are some pics and more discussion in the link below

Post #150

New Ebay 1:1 16710 Case Review

I might also suggest pressing it on without the click spring. This way you can see if your bezel and retaining ring from two different suppliers are compatible. If it still won’t turn, try without the washer. If it works, then try with the spring. This is good advice. @Michaelarena89 If your...

forum.replica-watch.info

If it doesn't take gen I. Not going down that track. I have gen insert here to go in

 

[Saggiolus]

If it doesn't take gen I. Not going down that track. I have gen insert here to go in

The problem of the WSO is the quality of teeth. It's discussed a few posts back. Like page 12 or 13 I think

 

[shotgun]

My RAF perfect crown and click bezel is not bad,DW is little bold,but is ok for watch 2006/2007…great rep for me …

 

[Saggiolus]

I chime in with mine too . The 16610LV is personally my favorite reference of all time and I’m very proud of this mods and light Franken build.
After adding the double washer to my WSO bezel I’m satisfied with the result of click and feeling too.

 

[Perpetual]

I chime in with mine too . The 16610LV is personally my favorite reference of all time and I’m very proud of this mods and light Franken build.
After adding the double washer to my WSO bezel I’m satisfied with the result of click and feeling too.

That AR cylop crystal looks really good info on this please

 

[Saggiolus]

That AR cylop crystal looks really good info on this please

Prof

edit: tagging prof @rnrprof for everyone who is interested in the crystal. It's truly a wonderful upgrade. At first I installed clark's one. I did not like and I immediately switched to prof's. It's my 4th crystal from him. I can't imagine getting another rep and not switching the crystal to one of his crystals (best option after gen in my opinion).

 

[Perpetual]

Yea I totally see it's of good quality, here's Clark's for reference AR isn't quite there.

 

[Saggiolus]

Yea I totally see it's of good quality, here's Clark's for reference AR isn't quite there.

My clark was much worst than yours. I think a bad batch. Then again many are complaining about it recently. Probably his quality went down recently.
Can you see the "double reflection of the number? and the AR coaching is not comparable. In person is even worst than in photo with realtime reflections.

By the way, your Ginault... gorgeous. and the insert is amazing. Does he still sell that reference?