VSF Sub 116610 Stem broken Tube is glued into case not screwed

[FischersFritze]

Hi,

recently, the stem of my crown (VSF Sub 116610 LV) was broken. So I thought to change the crown and stem. The first thing I noticed, the crown of the VSF is not gen like, and the stem was glued to the crown itself. No worries, I had an old TC crown and tube. So I ordered some stems for my TC crown. Next thing, I tried to screw the TC crown on the VSF tube. Of course, it doesn't fit, because of the construction of the VSF tube. Therefore, I want to change the VSF tube to the TC tube and try to unscrew the VSF tube. Next thing I held the VSF tube in my hand, but to my surprise the tube wasn't screwed into the case but glued to the case and the case hole has no screw thread but is smooth without a thread to screw a new tube into the case.
Is that normal for a VSF Sub 116610 I thought a tube and crown would be an easy switch to gen parts or replacement parts. But this construction is nowhere near to gen spec and seems really cheap and unrepairable.
Is this the same for other top-tier reps like clean factory?

 

[KJ2020]

I've never seen a Rolex rep where the stem wasn't threaded and glued into the crown and the tube wasn't threaded and glued into the case. I use GS Hypo cement on the crown and blue Loctite on the tube.

Even my less than $100 DH Gate shitters have had threaded parts like this. I would question the provenance of your watch.

You can retap your case to put threads in it and then use a matched crown.

 

[FischersFritze]

Hi, thank you for your reply. So it is not normal that the tube and crown stem are glued to the case and crown in a VSF. I attached some photos, where you can clearly see that there is no screw thread on the tube to screw it into the case. As well as that, the stem was glued into the crown with a spring between a short stem and the inner side of the crown. I am a little bit confused about this construction and never expected this of a VSF. I bought the watch from a long-term TD of the forum. And now I am really interested if every VSF is built like this or if this is an indeed some kind of "fake" vsf.

 

[Thomas_M]

Sorry to see your struggles with this... Unbelievable.
I thought VSF still keeps high quality in their batches...
Another point to believe that Clean is much better than VSF these days...

 

[Reaps]

Sorry to see your struggles with this... Unbelievable.
I thought VSF still keeps high quality in their batches...
Another point to believe that Clean is much better than VSF these days...

Clean is much preferred in China than VSF. There's a reason why.

 

[Thomas_M]

Clean is much preferred in China than VSF. There's a reason why.

Yup, cannot agree more!

 

[engbanna1]

Hi,

recently, the stem of my crown (VSF Sub 116610 LV) was broken. So I thought to change the crown and stem. The first thing I noticed, the crown of the VSF is not gen like, and the stem was glued to the crown itself. No worries, I had an old TC crown and tube. So I ordered some stems for my TC crown. Next thing, I tried to screw the TC crown on the VSF tube. Of course, it doesn't fit, because of the construction of the VSF tube. Therefore, I want to change the VSF tube to the TC tube and try to unscrew the VSF tube. Next thing I held the VSF tube in my hand, but to my surprise the tube wasn't screwed into the case but glued to the case and the case hole has no screw thread but is smooth without a thread to screw a new tube into the case.
Is that normal for a VSF Sub 116610 I thought a tube and crown would be an easy switch to gen parts or replacement parts. But this construction is nowhere near to gen spec and seems really cheap and unrepairable.
Is this the same for other top-tier reps like clean factory?

This is a sub 126610LV not 116610. Can we have a look at the movement?

 

[Hor-Fan]

Looks like the tube has snapped off, the threaded portion is still in the case.

 

[KJ2020]

Looks like the tube has snapped off, the threaded portion is still in the case.

^ This

Tap a square or triangular file into the tube remnant and use some pliers or vice grips as a handle to unscrew it. Obviously take the movement out first.

Never seen a stem like that, wtf. The watch does look like a VSF though, R25 serial and all. Guess I better go look at some of my VSF stems, smh.

 

[Zeta7]

If you want it right send it to a watchmaker. Otherwise remove the movement. Get an ease out screw remover set and give it a go. It should come right out. Get you a good 7mm stainless crown and tube and install them. The factory workers don’t care about anything other than the number of watches they assemble per day.

 

[FischersFritze]

Looks like the tube has snapped off, the threaded portion is still in the case.

I don't think, that is the case here. I missed posting the picture of the tube. You can see it below. The Part, that went into the case is completely smooth, not threaded and nothing seems to be snapped off the tube. I am now genuinely interested if I bought a complete shitty batch and other VSF Subs are gen spec in this area, or if VSF Subs are only great on looks and completely off when it comes to construction.

This is a sub 126610LV not 116610. Can we have a look at the movement?

No, it is a 116610LV dial might look black in some lightning, but it is green. Also, the case shape and lugs are in line with an 116610. For the movement, please see the image below.

 

[Hor-Fan]

I don't think, that is the case here. I missed posting the picture of the tube. You can see it below. The Part, that went into the case is completely smooth, not threaded and nothing seems to be snapped off the tube. I am now genuinely interested if I bought a complete shitty batch and other VSF Subs are gen spec in this area, or if VSF Subs are only great on looks and completely off when it comes to construction.


No, it is a 116610LV dial might look black in some lightning, but it is green. Also, the case shape and lugs are in line with an 116610. For the movement, please see the image below.

I think that smooth part is from the crown, it’s the barrel that houses the spring.

 

[FischersFritze]

I think that smooth part is from the crown, it’s the barrel that houses the spring.

Thank you. I think that's it.

 

[Zeta7]

Could be someone slapped a vs3135 in a pos case and sold you a Frankenstein as a VSF that was made from a shitter with a vs3135 movement.

 

[engbanna1]

No, it is a 116610LV dial might look black in some lightning, but it is green. Also, the case shape and lugs are in line with an 116610. For the movement, please see the image below.

VS3135 from VSF should have a serial number engraved, is it there? Also what is the code on the clasp? 3135 print looks shitty! Rehaut serial number starts with K25 or R25?

 

[Zeta7]

The serial number looks like it starts with k25. I wonder how many others are like this. He’s gonna need someone with some serious skills to fix that hunk of or another case.

 

[Raddave]

BP used to do that many moons ago

 

[engbanna1]

VSF Submariners are from bad to worse. I have received many with problems such as datewheel jumps two days, clasps doesn’t close/click in a good manner, bezel action clogging, etc. Not to mention the weight, a year a go, I used to get 157-159g on all VSF lines, now, I barely get 152g!

 

[roromush]

Interesting to see this, most guides will say that VSF > everything else. Is the assumption now that Clean is producing a better product on newer Subs?

 

[engbanna1]

VSF > everything else.

What does > mean?