RAF 16610, New 5 Digit Factory

[bowtiefanatc]

i know i have friends doing that. Couldnt pay me enough money to have the lightness and comfort of a 5 digit oyster taken away from me sorry

Agreed. I like each generation for their differences. The light bracelets on the 5 digits don’t bother me at all. It’s just part of what makes it a 5 digit.

 

[ombre]

Picked this up via M2M here and mad a few changes. It had one of the more protruding crowns that was fixed with a gen crown. I tried swapping the SH3135 with a VS3135 but ran into the same issue as others have - the date wheel was sitting very low in the DW. I tried to bend the dial feet a little but this threw off the dial alignment to me. I ended up using a VR3135 with one of VSF early date wheels and got the correct DW alignment. I tried swapping over the calendar plate from the VR to the VS and it fixed the DW alignment by about half. So, in the end I just used the VR but put in a spare VS autowind with gen reversing wheels.

The bezel action wasn't too bad when I received it. The bezel was pretty sharp and the inner diameter was much less than gen-spec. The RAF insert must have been shaved from the factory because it was sanded quite a bit on the edges which made the edges look rough under the right light. I didn't feel like working the bezel forever so I just put a gen bezel and retaining ring on. I ended up using one of the Horlogear green inserts which snapped right in without using the adhesive ring.

The very last touch, although not period correct, was a gen b25-295-c12 crystal. I used a 2.5mm gasket to keep the correct thickness and crystal height. I can't say I am expert on differentiating between 2.5x or 2x on the cyclops so I used the gasket size to keep the correct crystal height vs the date mag. But, I think the date magnification looks good with a 2.5mm gasket.

For anyone wondering, I don't care about the CG shape on this version.

Also have to thank @KJ2020 for his dial cleaning DIY recommendations. There were a couple little smudges between the dial markers and his method of cleaning worked like a charm. Thanks again man.

 

[KJ2020]

Picked this up via M2M here and mad a few changes. It had one of the more protruding crowns that was fixed with a gen crown. I tried swapping the SH3135 with a VS3135 but ran into the same issue as others have - the date wheel was sitting very low in the DW. I tried to bend the dial feet a little but this threw off the dial alignment to me. I ended up using a VR3135 with one of VSF early date wheels and got the correct DW alignment. I tried swapping over the calendar plate from the VR to the VS and it fixed the DW alignment by about half. So, in the end I just used the VR but put in a spare VS autowind with gen reversing wheels.

The bezel action wasn't too bad when I received it. The bezel was pretty sharp and the inner diameter was much less than gen-spec. The RAF insert must have been shaved from the factory because it was sanded quite a bit on the edges which made the edges look rough under the right light. I didn't feel like working the bezel forever so I just put a gen bezel and retaining ring on. I ended up using one of the Horlogear green inserts which snapped right in without using the adhesive ring.

The very last touch, although not period correct, was a gen b25-295-c12 crystal. I used a 2.5mm gasket to keep the correct thickness and crystal height. I can't say I am expert on differentiating between 2.5x or 2x on the cyclops so I used the gasket size to keep the correct crystal height vs the date mag. But, I think the date magnification looks good with a 2.5mm gasket.

For anyone wondering, I don't care about the CG shape on this version.

Also have to thank @KJ2020 for his dial cleaning DIY recommendations. There were a couple little smudges between the dial markers and his method of cleaning worked like a charm. Thanks again man.

Looks great bro. WTG with trying various combos til you get it how you want it. It's so often the life of a serious hobbyist or modder.

Link to dial washing for others - read the cautions, test on a junk dial, perform at own risk!

Post 19 and after
DIY Dial Shaving

 

[Sundek]

Hi everyone, I bought a RAF/ARF months ago.
I improved it with VR movement, data disc gen, crystal vs, new spring for the click of the bezel, new crown because I had the wrong one suitable for the gold versions (then raf updated this too).
The watch is even more fantastic now.
However, the bezel has too angular knurling (someone raised this detail).
I would like to get a new bezel.
Does anyone know if RAF has improved this angularity with the latest silent updates?

 

[Nur-Uhr]

@Sundek

You have some options, you can go the route with the "older" JF 166xx bezel. This was fine.
The first ARF had also nice bezel feeling and click.

The RAF is not so smooth... but there was again improvment with the actual ARF (the latest batch which is available)
Perhaps you can source here on of these mentioned parts ... ?

There are always people upgrading / changing parts.
You can also start an "Want To Buy" in the sales area.

 

[Sundek]

@Nur-Uhr

thanks for your input
my td can to me the bezel kit
I was wondering if anyone knows that the latest version is improved, I think so
you're right I can see on the sales section even if there is no certainty of the quality of the part

 

[Bpyfu]

So I took my LV in another direction. I don’t know why but I can’t stop tinkering with my watches lol. I picked up a gen “SWISS MADE” LN dial from the bay. I’m waiting on delivery of a gen insert and LN hands, in the meantime I have a random aged insert in place. The list of mods so far are as follows:
Gen dial
Gen crown
WSO bezel and insert
Clarks crystal
VS 3135

 

[surf]

I am about to get one for a build after a lot of research on the case options. Is the bracelet WM9 or TC quality or is it rubbish like BP? The dealer i am using only charges $327.00 all in shipped is that about what others are paying? Seems cheap enough to gamble on.

 

[KJ2020]

I am about to get one for a build after a lot of research on the case options. Is the bracelet WM9 or TC quality or is it rubbish like BP? The dealer i am using only charges $327.00 all in shipped is that about what others are paying? Seems cheap enough to gamble on.

I never saw anything great about TC bracelets. I have numerous BP bracelets with the same PJ4 clasp codes. Make your own conclusions. I put a Ginault bracelet on my TC, which is as good as a gen 6 digit IMO and far better than a gen 5 digit.

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Are those RAF 5 digits updated these days? Or the SH movements inside?
Thinking about directly swapping the movement after having one arrived, whats the opinion on the movement?

 

[bowtiefanatc]

They should be coming with VRs these days. My last few did

 

[Bpyfu]

Are those RAF 5 digits updated these days? Or the SH movements inside?
Thinking about directly swapping the movement after having one arrived, whats the opinion on the movement?

My movement died the other day. I took it out of my watch case after not wearing it for a week or two, and it’s a no go. I should say it’s “frozen” I guess. The rotor spins, I wound it, gave it a good few shakes, nothing at all.

 

[garnier]

Has anyone ordered this recently? In that case could you post some pictures?

 

[Reaps]

Thanks for the enjoyable 47 page read guys. This is what I got from the summary, specifically only for the 16610LV (i think the ARF is better for LN for my humble opinion). If I got anything wrong, please correct me or chime in :

- RAF bezel is it's weakness, the action is "trash" and feels horrible, people have compared it to DHGate shitters, can be fixed by stacking another washer, or using nylon thread
- RAF stock bezel may or may not be compatible with gen insert, some people have sanded it down, some people say it's too large, I'm not sure,
- Compatible with gen bezel assembly, most people opt for WSO bezel assembly but it has terrible bezel scalloping/machining (for me I can't really see the difference), but allows for gen spec insert to drop in completely, it's your choice of flavor
- Crown is not completely flush with the case, depending on the variation, some looks okay, but some needs a counter sinking to make it look better
- SH movement is SH movement, pretty bad. People have swapped with VS but leads to an issue with the date not being aligned/left justified, the VR is the way to go, or using a VS but with the SH date parts?

QC Issues :
- Bracelet may have some pin issues per JF so be careful, pay attention if the pin is sticking out of the hollow end link in QC
- Bold date font, but this was corrected in latest batches
- Crown is for gold model (middle dot bigger than side dots), but corrected in latest batches
- Crown guards a little too overpolished but not an issue, but need to pay attention, some of the crown guards are really bad, some are okay
- Sometimes clasp crown is shifted to the right

Anything else I miss?

Despite all of these, with a bit of grease work, I think this model is superior to the BP Kermit (maxi hands failure), and also the ARF (hands too white). I think this will be my next pickup for the Kermit model.

I might just enjoy it stock and see how I like it. If it becomes a favorite, what I will do is :
- Counter sink to make crown flush
- Replace with Deep crystal (people say the Clark crystal is barely any difference)
- WSO bezel assembly to drop a gen insert in, but I like the color of it
- Replace with a 6 digit bracelet with glidelock, OR just wear it on leather

 

[Art Vandelay]

I think i read on page 31 that it's not necessarily the tube that needs countersunk.

Maybe you just need another crown?

Think it was @McDuck888 who fitted a RAF crown on an ARF and replicated the same gap.

 

[Geonor]

I have a VSF crown on my RAF

 

[Art Vandelay]

I have a VSF crown on my RAF

Looks good, you've answered a question that was rattling around my head.

I've got a spare new VSF crown so good to see the end result and closing of the gap.

 

[Geonor]

Looks good, you've answered a question that was rattling around my head.

I've got a spare new VSF crown so good to see the end result and closing of the gap.

And a VSF crystal and a VS3135 as well for good measure.

 

[Reaps]

Placed my order for a RAF. Let's see how it goes!

 

[m5smg2]

Placed my order for a RAF. Let's see how it goes!

Please share your QC pics once approved. looking to see any updates. Thanks