RAF 16610, New 5 Digit Factory

[andyc]

Hi - I'd appreciate comments on these QC pics recently received - I have (as expected) some concerns about the crown screw down position - is this as good as it gets?? Many thanks.

 

[McDuck888]

Yep. This is the B.S. we're paying our hard earned cash for lol. I had two factors that were wrong when I tried the RAF crown with and without it's stem on a multitude of different cases lol. Both my stem was too long, I shortened it a great deal. And the crown as a shape doesn't screw deep enough into the tube even without a stem. I mean damn lol. I now have a gen crown and shortened stem and everything is perfect.

 

[Sundek]

Mainly for the price.

Hi, I'm curious to see the final result
all those, myself included, who have fitted a vs movement have the date slightly off to the left
I await your feedback

 

[McDuck888]

@Sundek Hi there - I put a VR in mine. The dates do look centred to me. I'll take some pics so you can decide if it's good enough. Here:

 

[McDuck888]

(Lord, it is scary uploading HUGE photos of the watch. I can suddenly see all the 101 things that should be in better condition with the watch that I wouldn't ever notice on the wrist. I didn't even realise my pearl is off-centre before now haha )

 

[andyc]

(Lord, it is scary uploading HUGE photos of the watch. I can suddenly see all the 101 things that should be in better condition with the watch that I wouldn't ever notice on the wrist. I didn't even realise my pearl is off-centre before now haha )

I love those old sert dial LB's - is that the BP version?

 

[McDuck888]

I love those old sert dial LB's - is that the BP version?

Gen.

 

[Sundek]

@Sundek Hi there - I put a VR in mine. The dates do look centred to me. I'll take some pics so you can decide if it's good enough. Here:

do you mean movement and data vr disk?
yours is perfect indeed

 

[McDuck888]

Sorry, I mean I used a VR3135 movement with a gen date disc

 

[Bpyfu]

My new vs movement. Date sits low, I may try to re-use the old sh datewheel. Or I might keep my eye open for an inexpensive gen

 

[Sundek]

My new vs movement. Date sits low, I may try to re-use the old sh datewheel. Or I might keep my eye open for an inexpensive gen

I think and i’m sure that better solution is vr movement for to have a good dw position

 

[KJ2020]

My new vs movement. Date sits low, I may try to re-use the old sh datewheel. Or I might keep my eye open for an inexpensive gen

Sometimes dial feet from one factory don't line up exactly with a movement from a different factory. It's possible to move dial feet only slightly but with a 31xx, replacement dial feet that have bases on them are slightly problematic because there is no dial spacer to notch a little to offset the foot base thickness.

Another solution, which I have used on occasion:

Clip the dial feet, and sand the areas flush
Use 4 small blobs of epoxy in open areas of the date plate to anchor the dial. A dial adhered this way is easily removed with a razor when necessary.

This allows you to rotate the dial clockwise a few degrees, which can fix your date issue. Note that this will also improve your rehaut crown position and the relationship between the date window and the cyclops, both of which are off anti-clockwise. Ofc this changes the hands-to-dial relationship but it's not a factor here since your hands have to be reset anyway.

This dial rotation trick is not uncommon to use on reps that have movements connected to movement holders with screws (like a TC), or dial feet that are set into the movement holder (like a 2836 Day-Date). You can sometimes use this to advantage as described above.

 

[Nur-Uhr]

My new vs movement. Date sits low, I may try to re-use the old sh datewheel. Or I might keep my eye open for an inexpensive gen

Without Rehaut engraving it would look much more "cooler"
Great watch.

As @KJ2020 has written, the "dial dot" mod can make it look more accurate. But do this only as "last attempt"
Normally these was done with GEN dials on various not gen-like clone movements.

 

[McDuck888]

Sometimes dial feet from one factory don't line up exactly with a movement from a different factory. It's possible to move dial feet only slightly but with a 31xx, replacement dial feet that have bases on them are slightly problematic because there is no dial spacer to notch a little to offset the foot base thickness.

Blxxdy hell! - I'd not thought of that.
From looking at the chap's photo, his dial looks like it would do it some good to be rotated a teeny tiny fraction clockwise to look better too. I think you're spot on.

 

[Bpyfu]

I think you’re all correct, I think I need to shift my dial clockwise.

 

[KJ2020]

I think you’re all correct, I think I need to shift my dial clockwise.

Ofc you can use dial dots as @Nur-Uhr
mentioned. I prefer epoxy because it doesn't add any space thickness and dial dots can allow some lateral shifting over time if everything in the case isn't locked down tight. Just a personal preference, YMMV.

Also doing this may require repositioning the insert. The things we go through with reps, hah.

 

[Geonor]

The things we go through with reps, hah.

Go through? It's part of the fun!

 

[Sundek]

Same dimensions, knurling, and logo. You may need a new tube, but shouldn't if it is gen spec. Tubes are cheap, so it's not a bad idea to get one with the crown if possible.

Nothing worse with a watch project than sitting down to swap parts, only to realize you need more.

My friend sorry one last thing
Crown sub series 1166 but also 1266 is correct for 16610?
Thank u

 

[KushBandit]

My friend sorry one last thing
Crown sub series 1166 but also 1266 is correct for 16610?
Thank u

Yes, the 704 crown is interchangeable between the 3 generations(16610, 116610, 126610)

 

[dk2852]

Sorry, I mean I used a VR3135 movement with a gen date disc

I'm going the same route. VR plus gen date disc cost me the same as a VS.