RAF 16610, New 5 Digit Factory

[rockdaytona]

I bought the WSO insert also.
Will send both to the experts once received

 

[Bpyfu]

I have a question or two, I’ve tried to use the search bar. I’m looking to purchase a gen crystal. None of the options I find come with a gasket. What part number is the gasket I need for a 16610? Also, aftermarket gasket seem to come in different heights. So would I just have to purchase different gaskets and just trial and error them with the crystal until I get it to sit at the appropriate height?

 

[McDuck888]

I don't know much, since I am a buy-a-bag-of-gaskets trial-and-error type of person, so hopefully someone else will give you much better help, but I found the RAF stock crystal gasket to measure 2.5mm in height.
I'm using a gen crystal and could have easily reused the stock RAF gasket but I find the numbers in the cyclops look a little smaller than what I like because it's only 2.5mm tall.
Usually 2.7mm is the typical crystal gasket height people choose for their 16610 and it's what I will be going with for better sized numbers in my datewheel.

 

[Bpyfu]

I don't know much, since I am a buy-a-bag-of-gaskets trial-and-error type of person, so hopefully someone else will give you much better help, but I found the RAF stock crystal gasket to measure 2.5mm in height.
I'm using a gen crystal and could have easily reused the stock RAF gasket but I find the numbers in the cyclops look a little smaller than what I like because it's only 2.5mm tall.
Usually 2.7mm is the typical crystal gasket height people choose for their 16610 and it's what I will be going with for better sized numbers in my datewheel.

Thank you sir! Just the answer I was looking for.

 

[andyc]

I've been feeling the need for a 16610LV in my collection again - am kicking myslf for letting 2 TC subs go over the last few years.....!

I see that Trusty is offering either a rehaut or non-rehaut version of the RAF 16610LV - I'm torn between which one to pick up - most of the watches I've seen in this thread are non-rehaut, I'd be pleased to hear what people think of the two versions.

Is there a good UK modder that people can recommend to help me get the watch's problems sorted after I receive it?

 

[KushBandit]

I've been feeling the need for a 16610LV in my collection again - am kicking myslf for letting 2 TC subs go over the last few years.....!

I see that Trusty is offering either a rehaut or non-rehaut version of the RAF 16610LV - I'm torn between which one to pick up - most of the watches I've seen in this thread are non-rehaut, I'd be pleased to hear what people think of the two versions.

Is there a good UK modder that people can recommend to help me get the watch's problems sorted after I receive it?

The rehaut engraving isn't as good as a gen 16610, but it's not bad either. As long as you're not comparing it directly with a gen, then it's acceptable. Hopefully someone here who has one can upload a macro shot.

Personally, I prefer the non-engraved model for a cleaner and less crowded look on a 5-digit. I was also torn between both, but found I would rather have the rehaut engraving on a 6-digit watch. The taller rehaut of a 16610 makes it stand out more. Then again, I'm someone who thinks the 14060m two-liner is the best Submariner.

A stock ARF isn't nearly as good as a TC. So be prepared to spend some money to bring it up to that level. TCs are rare enough, and the engraved ones are nearly impossible to find anymore. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Fin]

Anyone able to weight in on whether the date font of the included movement is more or less accurate than the typical date font an a VR3135? Have a VR3135 going in for work and would like to get the best match possible. Unfortunately no longer have either in hand. This would be for an engraved rehaut 16610LV. Any help is appreciated.

 

[heska]

Anyone able to weight in on whether the date font of the included movement is more or less accurate than the typical date font an a VR3135? Have a VR3135 going in for work and would like to get the best match possible. Unfortunately no longer have either in hand. This would be for an engraved rehaut 16610LV. Any help is appreciated.

The stock RAF (SH3135) is terrible. VR datewheel is way better

 

[Bpyfu]

Here are some macro shots of the rehaut and date wheel.

 

[KushBandit]

Here are some macro shots of the rehaut and date wheel.

Excellent job, thank you for taking the time to post these.

Here are some photos of genuine 16610 rehaut engravings. As mentioned, the ARF/RAF engravings are acceptable as long as you're not comparing them to a gen. This can be said for most rep rehaut engravings though.

 

[andyc]

I think the rep rehaut actually looks pretty damned good......!

 

[mmax]

I think the rep rehaut actually looks pretty damned good......!

Yes. Impressively good. However, the non-engraved rehaut is 100% like gen

 

[Sundek]

Here are some macro shots of the rehaut and date wheel.

looks good the dw did you do any mod?

 

[Bpyfu]

looks good the dw did you do any mod?

That is the stock AR/RA datewheel. I think it looks perfectly acceptable.
I have seen some that have very thick heavy font. But mine came like this, and I’m happy with it. To me it looks similar to my ginault, slightly less bold than the ginault actually.

 

[Bpyfu]

I have a vs3135 on order. Which I will swap out when the sa/sh dies. I suspect this movement might be magnetized with how off the time is. Or maybe it’s just normal for sa/sh movements? It was running a minute slow over two days when I first received it. It is now a minute fast since yesterday. Depending on the printing of the Vs movement, I might swap it out with this one.

 

[mag8]

This thread is pushing me over the edge of ordering a "maxi dial" 16610 LN... the ones I see on trusty's website are very tempting

 

[Sundek]

That is the stock AR/RA datewheel. I think it looks perfectly acceptable.
I have seen some that have very thick heavy font. But mine came like this, and I’m happy with it. To me it looks similar to my ginault, slightly less bold than the ginault actually.

they are probably doing silent upgrades.
How does the rotation of the bezel seem to you instead?

 

[Bpyfu]

For anyone curious, a Ginault bracelet fits pretty well on this ar/ra. The SELs line up with the holes and leave a nice step down, just like on the Ginault. I don’t have a gen to compare to but I do like this Arf bracelet. It is thicker than the ginault bracelet when viewed from the side profile though, and the sides are brushed and not polished like on the Ginault. I’m not sure which one is more close to gen.

 

[Fin]

The stock RAF (SH3135) is terrible. VR datewheel is way better

Thanks for the input!

 

[Bpyfu]

they are probably doing silent upgrades.
How does the rotation of the bezel seem to you instead?

The bezel rotation is my biggest gripe with the watch. Out of the box, the rotation was horrible, the bezel was loose and I was even able to rotate it in both directions. The spring was not engaging correctly. I have a wso replacement bezel, however that was not much of an improvement. The machining on the internal teeth of the wso was far worse than the Ar bezel. But when I put the wso spring into the ar bezel it did function much better. However it still not as tight as I would like. If I add a second tension spring it is too tight, so I plan to thin down a washer and add that, as has been suggested by other users.