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Still wearing the same GMT

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A member gave me that case to modify, and it was the first time I saw these markings. Does anyone knows where it comes from? 5513 or 1680 overall shape, 1665 markings between lugs but 5513 markings on the caseback, "stailess steel".... Just curious!

Ok, I will begin by saying that very few may appreciate my findings below as I'm sure it would be fairly boring for most. You have been fairly warned. So, if you have ever installed a genuine 8mm (800-0), you may agree with me that they are a $#@$^ to install. The common intel in the past has suggested to us that the correct tap for the big crown tubes are M4x0.35, The M4 designation is the diameter (in mm) and the 0.35 is the spacing of the threads. This is the tap that is recommended by Adrian for his 8mm tubes and what I always believed was the correct tap for genuine tubes. But after tapping, the 800-0 tube just doesn't seem to go in much more than a few threads... There's a couple of reasons for this. First of all, the M4 taps are not exactly 4.0mm.. they are about 3.9-3.95mm. If you measure the 800-0 tube, its about 4.0-4.1mm.. Not a big difference but it can be a pain in the ass when trying to screw it in with a triangular/square file. This is often the case with other tube like the 702-0.. A solution then is to lightly sand down the threads of tube until if fits nicely.. its a pain, but it has to be done. I know that Phong also taps his 6538 cases with M4x0.35 as well. But last week, I was browsing around and found NOS Rolex taps specifically for the 800 tubes. When I received it in the mail today (it was NOT cheap), lo and behold, i looked at the tap size etched on the side. M3.9/4.1x0.30 !! WTF? yes.. WTF. I dont have calipers with me at the office here, but I suspect the actual dimension is a touch wider than normal M4 taps. I would imagine the designation implies that the teeth width is 4.1mm and the teeth depth diameter is 3.9. Also, the pitch is different.. That too would have caused issues with instalment using an M4x0.35 tap as the threads on the tube must be a hair closer together. I will admit, there were times early on when I thought it was me.."Maybe I'm the only one that's ever had an issue with installing a gen tube".. But after having installed about a dozen now, I always suspected that there must be a proprietary tap that Rolex uses.. and now that suspicion has been confirmed. I don't believe I've every seen a M4x0.30 tap let alone a M3.9/4.1x0.30. Anyhow, just thought I'd let you know. Oh, I also pick up a proper 8mm tube wrench tip and the proper tube "reemer". No more using cylindrical files!

Beko, unless you know something that most here do not, Rolex -- the 1 in Switzerland -- never retailed a Colamariner. These are all aftermarket/fakes. They did produce alot of double-branded watches, made to order for a number of companies like Coca-Cola, but these generally had standard dials with the company name added to them.

Stay the course my friend, we are with you. The darkest is always before the dawn.

Wow! That's one heck of a watch! Great build and with a legendary caliber beating inside; much to be proud of with this one!

PAM Carbotech yoday. AJ

+1 Can anyone confirm if Ingod is, in fact, back in business?

I'm not surprised to hear that Mike, great group of selfless guys here, you included.

You know there are so many here and it is beyond my brain power to remember all the great guys here if I was asked to make a list. But when I look at my PM box it comes to me with a pride I can not describe of how many there are. Thank you all for your heart felt wishes and support for our brother Alvin.

And then there was this worn by Oliver Shepard during the Transglobe Expedition