The 1016: The Under Appreciated Thread

[316lad]

If it's any consolation, I've done that to a gen before, lol (Speedmaster, not Explorer).

One of the reasons I prefer acrylic to sapphire crystals. I use tool watches as intended, and doing that to a sapphire crystal usually means a full service is required.

To an acrylic crystal, it's a quick and relatively cheap repair...

Service will be required as it froze about 20 minutes later. Shards have fallen straight down and are either locking hands together or worse have gone through the dial hole in to the movement.
It's a nice movement so I'll do a partial if not total service when I get the new glass. For now - it's dial down on the top shelf with the crown pulled out and hacked.
Oh well, it's all experience - and you know what they say about experience? - it's cheaply bought at any price.

 

[freebalkany]

Hello,
Here is a little "work in progress" peak at my current 1016 build.


Current specs are:

* ETA 2840 with movement tabs (they exists it seems...)
* Bivintage 1016 case
* Yuki tropical 1016 dial

I still haven't decided on whether I'll mount it on a strap or a bracelet.
A tad bit expensive, but I was thinking about using this strap: https://shop.fratello.com/products/fratello-x-rem-speedmaster-strap-october-edition

 

[dpd3672]

Hello,
Here is a little "work in progress" peak at my current 1016 build.


Current specs are:

* ETA 2840 with movement tabs (they exists it seems...)
* Bivintage 1016 case
* Yuki tropical 1016 dial

I still haven't decided on whether I'll mount it on a strap or a bracelet.
A tad bit expensive, but I was thinking about using this strap: https://shop.fratello.com/products/fratello-x-rem-speedmaster-strap-october-edition

Love that strap, now I want one for my Speedmaster, lol.

 

[bronzefish]

This is a Top Grade Thread, so much info and knowledge...I enjoyed reading them so much! Thank you guys!

Just a question: how's the quality of the raffles bracelet? Good? Acceptable ?(hope is not asked before)

Thanks n Cheers!

Jack

 

[dpd3672]

This is a Top Grade Thread, so much info and knowledge...I enjoyed reading them so much! Thank you guys!

Just a question: how's the quality of the raffles bracelet? Good? Acceptable ?(hope is not asked before)

Thanks n Cheers!

Jack

I think the Raffles bracelets are pretty good value for the money, especially when compared to gen vintage bracelets, which were, frankly, somewhat flimsy themselves, compared to what comes with new watches today. I'm a huge fan of their riveted ones.

Folded links, hollow end links, stamped clasps...tbh, a $50 Chinese homage bracelet has a much more quality "feel" than a gen vintage Rolex, in many ways. The vintage Rolex watches weren't ever intended to be fine horological masterpieces...just bulletproof precision tools for people leading an active lifestyle, and vintage gen bracelets today are usually very rattly, lightweight, stretched, and beat up.

That said, the little details like the accuracy of the stampings and the crown on the clasp might very be far from gen. There are a lot of variations in the older gen bracelets, and I'm far from an expert on those details. Others, I'm sure, will chime in with more information.

Personally, I just throw a riveted bracelet on anything from the 60s or earlier, and a folded bracelet on anything after that, unless it's a SEL model from the last 10 or 20 years. I may not be completely historically accurate, but it's in the ballpark, lol.

 

[dpd3672]

This is a Top Grade Thread, so much info and knowledge...I enjoyed reading them so much! Thank you guys!

Just a question: how's the quality of the raffles bracelet? Good? Acceptable ?(hope is not asked before)

Thanks n Cheers!

Jack

Here's a little (like, the entrance to a rabbit hole "little") information on the evolution of Rolex bracelets. It's the tip of an iceberg, but a good general reference.

Vintage Rolex Bracelets | Rolex Vintage Information

Vintage Rolex Oyster Bracelet Guide

rolexhaven.com

 

[bronzefish]

I think the Raffles bracelets are pretty good value for the money, especially when compared to gen vintage bracelets, which were, frankly, somewhat flimsy themselves, compared to what comes with new watches today. I'm a huge fan of their riveted ones.

Folded links, hollow end links, stamped clasps...tbh, a $50 Chinese homage bracelet has a much more quality "feel" than a gen vintage Rolex, in many ways. The vintage Rolex watches weren't ever intended to be fine horological masterpieces...just bulletproof precision tools for people leading an active lifestyle, and vintage gen bracelets today are usually very rattly, lightweight, stretched, and beat up.

That said, the little details like the accuracy of the stampings and the crown on the clasp might very be far from gen. There are a lot of variations in the older gen bracelets, and I'm far from an expert on those details. Others, I'm sure, will chime in with more information.

Personally, I just throw a riveted bracelet on anything from the 60s or earlier, and a folded bracelet on anything after that, unless it's a SEL model from the last 10 or 20 years. I may not be completely historically accurate, but it's in the ballpark, lol.

Hello dpd3672,
Thank you so much for your fast reply!
Appreciate the explanation here.
(I do like the riveted bracelet too)

Cheers!

 

[bronzefish]

Here's a little (like, the entrance to a rabbit hole "little") information on the evolution of Rolex bracelets. It's the tip of an iceberg, but a good general reference.

Vintage Rolex Bracelets | Rolex Vintage Information

Vintage Rolex Oyster Bracelet Guide

rolexhaven.com

Thanks again bro!

Jack

 

[Karbon74]

started the case work with the lug drilling
I snapped 3 bits

seems that the Raffles steel is stronger than the JKF

 

[Karbon74]

I also broke the stock crystal
it was glued solid to the case. There is a partial ring around the rehaut where the acrylic is stuck

now it's taking an acetone bath.
I did the rough shaping. Much more difficult than the 5513. I don't think I nailed but it's okish. will post photos later

 

[316lad]

I also broke the stock crystal
it was glued solid to the case. There is a partial ring around the rehaut where the acrylic is stuck

now it's taking an acetone bath.
I did the rough shaping. Much more difficult than the 5513. I don't think I nailed but it's okish. will post photos later

You're having the day I did a couple of days ago where I broke everything I touched on the bench. Had to abandon Watchmaking for the rest of the day.
Can't wait to see pics though as it sounds like progress nonetheless.

 

[Karbon74]

You're having the day I did a couple of days ago where I broke everything I touched on the bench. Had to abandon Watchmaking for the rest of the day.
Can't wait to see pics though as it sounds like progress nonetheless.

my working conditions are terrible
I am in the cold outside on the balcony, using my foldable B&D workbench and the dremel station. plus doing this between two conference calls

 

[Karbon74]

also any tips to remove those acrylic remnants and glue? For the moment I am just letting it drown in the nail varnish remover

it's not acetone actually, it's a natural thingy from my wife's (she is going to kill me...)

 

[316lad]

also any tips to remove those acrylic remnants and glue? For the moment I am just letting it drown in the nail varnish remover

it's not acetone actually, it's a natural thingy from my wife's (she is going to kill me...)

Assuming Ken has used GS-Hypo Cement glue/ Superglue then acetone or IPA is your best bet - should get rid of it completely.

 

[316lad]

Watch the acetone around the crown tube gasket. Best remove it first if it's in there.

 

[Action_Jensen]

also any tips to remove those acrylic remnants and glue? For the moment I am just letting it drown in the nail varnish remover

it's not acetone actually, it's a natural thingy from my wife's (she is going to kill me...)

I used a file and sanding paper now that you have the case it is what it is but for a second build i would try out the saphire case, it is much easier to dismantle and the acrylic fits as well

 

[Karbon74]

it was harder than I thought

 

[Action_Jensen]

Looking good. if it is flat its fine maybe you can go over the outside of the rehaut, even scraping a little with a small screwdriver or something because the crystal will go over there. but everything on the flat is fine, it will be covered up by the bezel

 

[369mafia]

@Karbon74 looks good , drilling the holes can be unforgiving with these smaller bits but the shaping you did looks good a nice original example that has not been near a rolex polishing booth lol

 

[Karbon74]

@Karbon74 looks good , drilling the holes can be unforgiving with these smaller bits but the shaping you did looks good a nice original example that has not been near a rolex polishing booth lol

I am still in two minds about doing the nails&stone treatment.

I decided to do a NOS look first so that I did not get lazy and sloppy, in order to fix the shape in my mind. I still feel there are a few symmetry issues, but mostly the lugs now "feel right" if you see what I mean