- 23/10/18
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The tale of an early 16613 Burple build….
When materials age strange things happen and when Rolex dials, hands, and inserts age stranger things happen!
Strange, like dial’s that get nicknames and insanely high prices to match! If you are a fan of Rolex you know what I mean. Anyway, this Burple build was a LONG time in the making and now its finally finished! BTW thank you to those members who have contributed to the bluesy thread without that I would not have been able to complete this!
Back to the opening statement, when the 16803/16613 dials age some turn pale blue others a strange teal/green color a few turn to gold and some BURPLE. The dials on these Submariners are truly amazing
The Burple Dial ….
Tritium hour markers have darkened and formed an amazing deep patina. From some angles, the dial looks deep blue and from others violet and others a gradient of purple, gold, blue, and violet. I can tell you one thing the Sapphire really tames this wild dial.
The hands are ST that I've relumed to the best of my abilities
The case…
Reshaped ST 3135. I am not a professional and I know my limitations, however, a few hours with a file and sandpaper and this case is miles better than that oversized stock ST profile
Here is the end result after about three hours.
The movement is a VR3135 with a few Gen Parts built by one of RWIs finest.
Case… First I installed dial on the movement then installed the hands. Next, was case assembly and last casing the movement I was very careful to line everything up and get things watertight. It seemed like my build stayed in this state for a LONG time.
While researching parts and options for my bezel, bracelet, and clasp I came to the conclusion that there was a gap in information so I decided to add it to this thread on weight and color.
The Bracelet, ST 93253 18K. The bracelet is well made and the color is so close to Gen my eyes could not see a difference next to the crown. When removing links there were SS inserts in the 18K links that the screw fits threw, I am assuming this to reduce wear on the gold. The diver's extension is a copy of the Gen and works as it should in a Gen 93153 clasp.
The weight difference between an ST 93150 and ST 93153 (Full Links)
The bezel is of equal quality and the color matches the bracelet and crown perfectly. Here is the weight difference between SS and 18K
Regarding the bezel action and insert installation. The bottom of the insert had to be sanded with 500 grit sandpaper to reduce the thickness before I could get it to press in. I've read old threads where members have reported that Gen inserts fit without being modified, I tried and tired and could not get it to fit. I am 100% certain the insert is Gen. So, it's possible the ST bezel has changed?
Another thing worth mentioning is I had to trim and sand the ST bezel spring to get the action correct, now it's smooth. Without trimming the length the bezel would not rotate.
Here are few images of the $tar T$me lot
Last was a good idea that went bad and transformed into a MASSIVE PIA. That would be the Gen 93153 clasp. First, they are not cheap and so I bought a broken clasp at a decent price and decided I would “FIX’ it. All I can say is tiny rivets and washers are peening is an absolute ART and I was not good at it… Here is the transformation.
After
The finished product. I didn't keep track of the cash or the time that is not the point. What's important is they have to built from the ground up and require a massive amount of learning and an equal amount to patience. Thank you to RWI!
When materials age strange things happen and when Rolex dials, hands, and inserts age stranger things happen!
Strange, like dial’s that get nicknames and insanely high prices to match! If you are a fan of Rolex you know what I mean. Anyway, this Burple build was a LONG time in the making and now its finally finished! BTW thank you to those members who have contributed to the bluesy thread without that I would not have been able to complete this!
Back to the opening statement, when the 16803/16613 dials age some turn pale blue others a strange teal/green color a few turn to gold and some BURPLE. The dials on these Submariners are truly amazing
The Burple Dial ….
Tritium hour markers have darkened and formed an amazing deep patina. From some angles, the dial looks deep blue and from others violet and others a gradient of purple, gold, blue, and violet. I can tell you one thing the Sapphire really tames this wild dial.
The hands are ST that I've relumed to the best of my abilities
The case…
Reshaped ST 3135. I am not a professional and I know my limitations, however, a few hours with a file and sandpaper and this case is miles better than that oversized stock ST profile
Here is the end result after about three hours.
The movement is a VR3135 with a few Gen Parts built by one of RWIs finest.
Case… First I installed dial on the movement then installed the hands. Next, was case assembly and last casing the movement I was very careful to line everything up and get things watertight. It seemed like my build stayed in this state for a LONG time.
While researching parts and options for my bezel, bracelet, and clasp I came to the conclusion that there was a gap in information so I decided to add it to this thread on weight and color.
The Bracelet, ST 93253 18K. The bracelet is well made and the color is so close to Gen my eyes could not see a difference next to the crown. When removing links there were SS inserts in the 18K links that the screw fits threw, I am assuming this to reduce wear on the gold. The diver's extension is a copy of the Gen and works as it should in a Gen 93153 clasp.
The weight difference between an ST 93150 and ST 93153 (Full Links)
The bezel is of equal quality and the color matches the bracelet and crown perfectly. Here is the weight difference between SS and 18K
Regarding the bezel action and insert installation. The bottom of the insert had to be sanded with 500 grit sandpaper to reduce the thickness before I could get it to press in. I've read old threads where members have reported that Gen inserts fit without being modified, I tried and tired and could not get it to fit. I am 100% certain the insert is Gen. So, it's possible the ST bezel has changed?
Another thing worth mentioning is I had to trim and sand the ST bezel spring to get the action correct, now it's smooth. Without trimming the length the bezel would not rotate.
Here are few images of the $tar T$me lot
Last was a good idea that went bad and transformed into a MASSIVE PIA. That would be the Gen 93153 clasp. First, they are not cheap and so I bought a broken clasp at a decent price and decided I would “FIX’ it. All I can say is tiny rivets and washers are peening is an absolute ART and I was not good at it… Here is the transformation.
After
The finished product. I didn't keep track of the cash or the time that is not the point. What's important is they have to built from the ground up and require a massive amount of learning and an equal amount to patience. Thank you to RWI!
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