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Kuvarsit sells a 16610 case with lugholes, but it lacks the gen-like bezel assembly. Best bet is TC case and have the lugholes drilled. The 16800, 168000 and the 16610 are all so close- Rolex was making all three in 1988 and the parts were all the same except for the case and the movements. Same dials, hands, bezel, insert, and crowns/tube. You could build an early 16610- especially since you're using a yuki 3135. My gen 16610, R serial from 1988 also has the old style datewheel with the open 6s and 9s. I built the 16800 with a gen matte dial and put it in the ST case 3-4 years ago, but you can't do that these days ST case, gen relumed matte dial, swiss 2834-2, gen crown and gen bezel insert, 93150 with 593 ends. Another consideration might be the ST 3135 case- it'll take your yuki 3135 and got the dial. A gen DW and good insert and you're on your way- just call it an early 16610

I finally got around to uncasing the movement and dial yesterday. Dial diameter is 28mm and inside rehaut dimension is 26.95mm- so anything 5513/7928 size won't work- the 7928 dial being 26mm like the 5513 dial. And those crown guards looked so promising!

Looking at Passion Report, it appears there are two blue 5513 dials- one in blue with the minute ring a different color and one dial in blue. Like you say- prototypes. These never made it to production. Finally I can show you all the news, 2 incredible rare prototype Rolex Submariners with magical Blue dial! Only close insiders knew about the these ultimate grails, made by Singer, in magical blue! Thank YOU very much my dear friend, I waited very long to get these and i’m extremely proud I wear them now! The all blue is so intense color, it’s just impossible not to like it! The Blue Piano Sub is even more crazy! The color changes continue sly, from grey to intense vintage blue. Now enjoy my below pictures of 2 of the rarest Subs in the world, right on time for Rolex Basel big news: Blue is new green, right!

Reminds me of the Americans who go to Switzerland and buy a Rolex and wear it home- avoid the duty charges that way! It certainly seems to me like prices in the USA are less than in England and the EU.

I have yet to pick up a vintage Rolex here in Houston, and I live here! Hal Martins is a store over on Westheimer- usually their prices seem high.You can find them online at Halmartins.com. There's a guy up on North Main in a pawn shop, but he's on ebay also- Rick$Amy http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-DAytona-116523-18K-SS-Cosmograph-F-Serial-95-Timepiece-Papers-/181436606885?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2a3e76e9a5 He's had some vintage stuff from time to time, but no bargains. There's a few pawn shops down in the Montrose area that might be worth checking. I have found Bernard Watch up in Austin to be more reasonably priced. I bought my R serial 16610 from them a few years ago. I also watch VRM fairly regularly.

You might try mymanmatt- he could get the movement squared away, but it would help if you knew which movement you had- asian 21j, or eta clone. If it's an asian 21j, you just put a new movement in typically unless it's a very simple fix. With the eta clones, it might involve a servicing and that would be more- maybe around $100-125. I'm not sure about the pearls on a 116610- I don't know if watchmaterial.com has those yet- you could check. Next step might be trying to get one from china. Or check out wholesaleoutlet999 on ebay- maybe he has them.

So does that somewhat low amplitude signal a dirty hairspring?

Looks Clean, hope it's in good shape. Could this be the start of a big crown?

If you go to the smaller OD T-21, you'll need a new bezel since the bezel for the T-22 will be too big. If you could find a T-22 with the dome, you should be ok. SK or GS would likely have something.

So if it's a kit, LHOOQ, does he take the rep DJ case, drill lugholes, install a Clark's T-22 and then turn a bezel for it. Or is it something more like a rep 1016 case etc.?

I think it's sapphire (or mineral glass). JMB custom turns the bezel on a lathe to fit the crystal, or at least he did on my 1601 case

I bought a tool for removing tubes on ebay- it had 3-4 ends which you put in the handle and could then turn the tube out. It's an AF tool and I don't know how you'd ever find it again- this was 6-7 years ago. Rat tail files are good- just jam them in there and turn counterclockwise to remove a tube. Sometimes heat will help- it'll melt epoxy and other types of glue. Ofrei sells a tube wrench for installing the modern Rolex tubes- this is a handy tool to have for installing the 703 tube. The 3.0mm x .35 tap is also a good tool for cleaning the threads in the case before installing a new tube. I've even broke the rat tail file off removing the tube from my PT 1665. But after that, installing a gen-like aftermarket 703 tube was easy!

If you go to the link for onlinestoreHK and look at the last pic, you can get an idea of what the PCGs look like. They aren't as pronounced as I would like, but they're a good start- with a little more filing and polishing, you could get fairly close to an early PCG. But I do like the cgs a whole more than the cartel models with the stubby cgs

In the USA, there's JB Weld- it's a gray epoxy, it comes with various set times. Thanks for the WSO 580 info RJ! Now if I could just find that pair of 580 ends that I've had for 3-4 years. Another crystal that might work for a DJ type case is the T-29- it equates to the 135 crystal used on the 16000 DJs.

1. 702 crown and tube were in use until around 1980. 703 came after that 2. Best to just replace the cartel tube 3. Tap sizes are correct- but you may have to watch the pushers that you use- some use the 2.5mm x .20 thread pitch 4-5. I don't know but I'd figure they're similar to the 19mm Date/etc. spring bars and lugholes.were certainly smaller than the subs and GMT- moire like the 20mm Datejust 6. Clarks, G-S and Sternkruz crystals would all be good

Very nice job! I like the way the 7836 bracelet ends fit so nicely with the case.

Lume on this watch is very good. Maybe not up to the SL quality of a WM9 or TC dial, but still very good. Case size is 39.45mm w/o the crown- similar to a 7928 or a 5513 Bezel construction is unique- high dome plastic crystal sits on main case with a nylon gasket next and the bezel (two parts which I couldn't pull apart) presses on that. Bezel is bi-directional and insert is 36.5mm OD and 30.6mm ID and is glued into the bezel with that sticky glue. The pearl has a thin metal surround which I hadn't even noticed til I took the pic of the watch- it's hardly noticeable. I wouldn't think the watch is WR, unless the crystal is glued to the case. It certainly looks like a high domed T-19 and w/ an OD of 30.4 to 30.5mm may be the same size. With a Clark's 5513 bezel assembly, it might be modable, but you'd still have to drill the lugholes...

I recently picked up a Tiger 7928 and I must admit that i'm enjoying the watch. Tiger Concept has a number of watches http://www.tiger-concept.com/watch.html You might want to check it out I went for the 7928 because I liked the look of the case and the dial It's reminiscent of the early 60s Tudor with a gilt dial and hands and decent lume to boot. All in a new package, so there's no age to the watch- it's not 50 years old. It comes with the DG2813 which is doing well so far. You can also opt for a Miyota 8215 on some of their watches and even get the date feature- kind of a modern upgrade. Crystal ion the 7928 is plastic and bezel is bi-directional and a little loose. I haven't taken the bezel off yet but will do so soon. Crown guards are nice and the only drawback is no holes at the lugs. I put mine on a plain matte brown leather strap and put it thru it's paces cutting and loping mesquite this weekend. Crown is a plain unmarked one and there's no engraving between the lugs. I paid $109 for the watch and $15 for shipping from onlinestoreHK. It came with 3 NATO straps, but I like the brown leather more. .http://www.ebay.com/itm/7928-Style-Watch-with-Pointed-Crown-Guard-Matt-black-dial-3UTC-strap-7928A-/190900092089?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2c72883cb9 I'm thinking I might go with the 5508 with Miyota, Date and bracelet next. The 6538 also looks nice. I'm just hoping that lugholes haven't gone away on all of these cases. At any rate, it's still a fun beater for a decent price and I like the gilt dial- looks a lot like a Tudor!

I recently picked up a Tiger 7928 and I must admit that i'm enjoying the watch. Tiger Concept has a number of watches http://www.tiger-concept.com/watch.html You might want to check it out I went for the 7928 because I liked the look of the case and the dial It's reminiscent of the early 60s Tudor with a gilt dial and hands and decent lume to boot. All in a new package, so there's no age to the watch- it's not 50 years old. It comes with the DG2813 which is doing well so far. You can also opt for a Miyota 8215 on some of their watches and even get the date feature- kind of a modern upgrade. Crystal ion the 7928 is plastic and bezel is bi-directional and a little loose. I haven't taken the bezel off yet but will do so soon. Crown guards are nice and the only drawback is no holes at the lugs. I put mine on a plain matte brown leather strap and put it thru it's paces cutting and loping mesquite this weekend. Crown is a plain unmarked one and there's no engraving between the lugs. I paid $109 for the watch and $15 for shipping from onlinestoreHK. It came with 3 NATO straps, but I like the brown leather more. .http://www.ebay.com/itm/7928-Style-Watch-with-Pointed-Crown-Guard-Matt-black-dial-3UTC-strap-7928A-/190900092089?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2c72883cb9 I'm thinking I might go with the 5508 with Miyota, Date and bracelet next. The 6538 also looks nice. I'm just hoping that lugholes haven't gone away on all of these cases. At any rate, it's still a fun beater for a decent price and I like the gilt dial- looks a lot like a Tudor!

I agree- stay away. Maybe buy one if he just has to have a rep.

Six weeks for a service seems awfully long to me. Put in on the analyzer and adjust the baby and let her go!

It has the correct flat spot between the lugs- you could refer to it as an 18038 with the open 6 in 26 on the datewheel. As DDs go, it's a decent rep.

Looks ok to me, but that doesn't mean it's not a rep bezel- they're becoming more common these days. Buy the seller, not the part...

When you read the specs for that watch, it says sapphire crystal. I don't think a plastic crystal will work. I do think HR sells a Rolex dial, but it may even be 29mm- much bigger than a gen 6538 dial. These homage watches are nice, but not terribly accurate

16013s and 16014s are good alternatives. These two frankens have 2836-2s inside