WatchN3RD

On 6/9/2024 at 2:01 PM, Ronin said:

So here is a follow on.  (I have not seen a 1675(3/8) Rootbeer/Nipple in person).  Those were "Printed" Gilt correct, as are all the later/current Two-Tone models.  "Relief" stopped in the mid-60's all together?

 

Jumping over to Tudor.  Were those early 7922, 7923 Relief or Printed.  (Again never saw one in person) But I have always been under the impression Tudor was always Pad-Printed pseudo-Gilt.  ????

 

Yes the 1675/3s were gilt printed, not true gilt. The brass of the dial did not provide the gold lettering. The writing was screen printed with gold paint, and the indices/nipples and coronet were applied pieces of metal. 
 

I'd say you are correct with Tudor being pad printed as well, but I'm not sure about the chapter ring. The chapter rings and the writing look like a different application on most, so perhaps the ring was true gilt... and the writing was printed. It could also be they were printed at different parts in the process. I think it's safe to say the lettering is pad printed though. 

On 6/5/2024 at 8:32 PM, freddy333 said:

I believe the last gilt Subs were produced in 1966. But, as with all things Rolex, I do not think anyone (outside Rolex) knows for certain.

That sounds dead accurate. The 1675 GMTs were gilt until 1966, possibly '67, but the switch to matte printed dials was definitely in 1967.  It would make sense if the switch was company wide vs. a general transition by model. 

Wow! Those machining pictures just make your build even better. I'm extremely impressed, and maybe even more jealous. 
Now I fully understand your mention of reworking the crown guards. Excellent job, by the way. This type of work is when it switches from a replica to a piece of art. 

That looks great, and I really love the experimentation and execution. I did this exactly about a year or two ago, but I didn't complete it, as the case was too thick for me with the gen spec bezel assembly. The BP 16710 disguises it's thickness by using a thinner than genuine bezel on a thicker than genuine case. The BP 16570 case is the same thickness as the BP 16710 case, but the thicker gen spec bezel assembly seemed like I was doubling up the thicknesses by combining a thicker bezel on a case that was too thick.

-Do you mind sharing the overall thickness of your completed piece?

-Is there a known source for a thinner case back?

-Are there any workarounds for thinning cases without a lathe or milling machine?
-You mentioned a BP 1675 case could work as a base too. Isn't the rehaut too small for the dial opening and gen spec bezel assembly?
 

I'd like to revisit my own (identical) build after seeing yours. It looks great! I just want a way to thin the BP 16570 case somehow.