MilSub

PT 1680 today...

I think the markers looked too white and new after my relume, so I put the dial and hands in the oven for a few minutes. I allso filed away the date magnifier, scratched the crystal up a bit and repolished it. Now it looks much better in my opinion. The markers are still white but with a slight fade to them and the partly polished out scratches in the crystal cover up my less than perfect lume job. Allso, without the date magnifier the date window looks much better. The crown guards still need some work, but they don't bother me that much so I'll do it when I have time.

Props for being bold enough to go after the date window on the dial.

Did you just use a small file?

Looks great!

The cg's could be slimmed and trimmed a smidgen more.

The bleached bezel looks great, love the look.

COngrats on a nice looking watch!

I was lucky enough to pay $150 for a brand new "NOS" vintage Rolex bezel on ebay, keep checking out the auctions from time to time.

I used a small file for the date window. I'll go after the cg's some day but for now I'm pretty pleased.

Today I did some relumeing of my 1680. I went with white lume (green glow) and I think it turned out quite well. I'm no expert in relumeing so like the date window mod, it looks good an arms length away but up close it's a pretty dirty job.

If you would like to try a beautiful folded link bracelet, I know Mary @ Watch International sells them and they fit this watch (I have one)

That would look super. How much are they?

The best place to find a fat font insert is on VRM- Vintage Rolex Market. But expect to pay over $100 and easily $200, maybe w/o a pearl.

Aren't there any aftermarket fat font inserts? In that case I think I'll stick with this one

Some new pics with the Clark 127 and the new insert. Anyone know if there's a source for "thick font" inserts?

With some more work on the crown guards I think this one will look pretty good for a low budget 1680 build.

What did you use to touch-up the bare metal of the date window after you filed it larger?

I used matte black model paint on the tip of a toothpick. It looks good if you don't inspect it up close.

Yes thats correct. The PT 1680 dial and date wheel are too far left, SO the Clark 127 is off the right. Unfortunate, really.

Thanks! It doesn't really bother me, I just wanted to know I got the right crystal. Still looks a lot better than the PT crystal.

thats looking real nice mate. what do you use to brush the rehault?

Thanks!

I put the watch case in my lathe and used a scotchbrite pad like this.

I just fitted the Clark 127 today and I'm waiting for the new insert to go with it. Is the Clark crystal supposed to line up with the date window on the PT sub? Mine is slightly off, looks like the date mag is too far out on the edge of the crystal.

I didn't have any stainless steel to make the retainer ring from so I made a spacer out of aluminum to fit between the crystal and the PT ring. Seems to work well but it took the better part of this afternoon to get it perfect.

I'll come back with new pictures as soon as the new insert is in.

About a week ago I recieved a PT 1680 red sub that I'd wanted to try for a while. I now have some parts on order and have started to modify it to more gen like specifications. It seems they have changed the stock lug holes and spring bars to gen spec ones, 1.3mm holes and 2mm spring bars so no work needed there.

Done so far:

Gen crown

Age case

Age bracelet

Age bezel insert

File crown guards

Open up the date window so the whole numbers show

Brush the rehaut to a smoother finish

Waiting for:

Clark 127 crystal

New insert to go with the new crystal

Machine crystal retaining ring for the Clark crystal

Work some more on the crown guards

Age the case/bracelet some more

Maybe add some whiter lume

Pressure test

Enjoy the watch

I really like this project and think this one might get daily beater status.

"I think I can probably reshape the PT crown to look pretty good."

Some replica crowns are made with a thin layer of steel capped over base metal. If your crown is made this way, be careful because just a few passes with a file etc may go through the cap into the base metal.

Unscrew the crown, pull it out to setting position, and look closely around the threads to see if it is a 'sandwich' or not.

Genuine submariner crowns appear to be all steel but 'gold' crowns are just a gold cap over base metal, usually nickel silver...same for 5.3mm and 6.0mm crowns.

The latest gold 'monobloc' crowns are supposed to be solid gold but I have never examined one.

Thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind and keep scouting the bay for gen crowns.

+1 ebay is usually the cheapest - just look for 7mm crowns ....

Thanks! I'll keep an eye on the bay. Until then, I think I can probably reshape the PT crown to look pretty good.

I'm trying to keep this "low budget". Any place I can find a better rep crown?

Where can I get a gen crown for this? I've been looking at Cousins but didn't find any.

Way didn't you start from 1680 MBW base?

Where can I get the MBW and what makes it a better base? Price?

Here's my plan for a low budget 1680 project...

Get a red 1680 (660ft=200m opened 6) from PureTime.

Reshape the rehaut with my lathe to make it look more like gen.

Fit a 25-39 superdome crystal with a custom retaining ring. (I know it's not accurate, but I like the look.)

Ageing case, insert and bracelet.

Ageing dial and hands.

Open up the date window to gen spec.

Reshape the crown with the lathe to make it look more like gen.

Reshape crown guards.

Drill out the lug holes to gen spec.

What do you think? What have I missed?

How accurate can I get it without investing a small fortune?

Hi All,

Had the same problem with my V2, just opened the adjuster and added

2No better springs inside (Stronger springs) so it stays in the micro

adjuster position you choose. Easy fix

Regards

RICHARD

How did you open it up? My V2 clasp doesn't loosen, but I still think it needs stronger springs.

Looking great! Don't get me hooked on an UPO too! I have ennough trouble feeding my PloProf addiction.

Here you have it guys $598 and an extra $300 if you want the gen buckle:

Omega Bracelet Ploprof Metal Mesh 98000289

Sweet! Can't wait for mine now! Is the bezel uni- or bi-directional when the button is pressed?

Congrats on you being the first with one of these on your wrist!

I just pressed in a 28.9mm crystal in my PloProf and it went in without trouble so I think 28.9 is the way to go. 28.8 would most likely be a little on the loose side.

Guys, I got an reply on RWI mentionig the following:

So this makes me wonder, is our measurement of 28.8 incorrect? Opinions please

In that case I think 28.9 is the way to go. I want to be able to use my PloProf in water!

I'm still in too.

Sorry I don't understand... what was the problem before?

When you closed the clasp it pushed on the micro adjustment so the strap loosened up when you wore it.