watcher

I wondered if someone would notice the serif fonts. The date wheel they are using on the new reps is very good. The crystal was in the same ballpark as a standard gen crystal but the difference in light and day on the cyclops.

Thought I would snap a few pics of my FrankenTC/Watcher 16610! Started with a V serial case set and V2 bracelet and began by removing the rehaut engraving which is a doddle as it is not deep at all! Then added a gen 703 Crown and Tube combo followed by a gen bezel assembly including mint conition bezel with brand new insert and crystal retaining ring. I fitted a Cousins click spring and bezel retaining washer. As you may see in the pictures that this has a Londongeorge supplied Gen 295 crystal with factory AR which is amazing! I used a Cousins 29.5 x 2.7mm gasket for perfect magnification. The movement is a brand new 2824-2 fitted with a date wheel overlay used in the latest 1:1 SD16600. It has good fonts and a lovely crisp white background(unlike TC's overlay which is a greyish off white that does not sparkle at you!) A gen dial has been fitted and at the moment I'm waiting for another hand set from TC as the hour got damaged when I was clumsy! so it has the 1:1 superlumed SD hand which always has a slight green cast to it all the time which bothers me! Bracelet is the TC V2 with softened edges and is pretty good to be honest. I will wait to see if he does a better V3 shaped end link before sourcing a gen 93250 bracelet. So there you have it, a pretty sweet loooking Sub if I say so myself!! Enjoy the pics which were taken on my Iphone so I hope they are ok. Cheers W.

Phong cases are usually very good but very pricey. The Daytona case is accurate as far as I know. I'm more interested in the 16610 case with lugholes.

Gen does not have ar but the gen crystal has superior clarity over the rep version so I have found that single ar on inside makes a big difference.

I received my crystal today as promised and well packaged and can confirm beyond any shadow of a doubt this is a gen AR 25-295! Here is a pic in my ceramic knock about watch as I'm waiting for a gen bezel assembly to arrive for my TC franken Sub before fitting it to that watch. Iphone pics but you can clearly see the effect which is even better in the flesh.

Yes they fit yacht master 16622 40mm.

The leading edge finish of the crystal must be right to make this project work.

To be fair I did not measure with a calliper, did not realise the difference was so small. All I can say is that the gen dial sits very well inside the case as it sits on top of the movement holder as it did in the wm9 v3 which the tc case is an Improvement on.

Lovely! I was going to say nothing looks fake on that! Condition looks sweet. Just love the older 801 end links that sit further into the lugs. enjoy!

Interesting as I have just fitted a gen dial in my tc case and yes I did cut the feet off!!!! My tc dial was exactly the same size as the gen dial but does have eta feet position. The dial is now for sale in parts section. Personally I think going to the expense I'd a gen 3135 is daft in this project so I prefer a strong running eta movement over the current batch of a3135's.

Yeah I fitted a gen crystal and better insert, better rep crown that was thinner in profile and reworked the CG's. Made a big difference.

Looks gen without any doubt whatsoever.

I'm in the uk so send me a crystal and I will tell you instantly gen or not! No one here will doubt my knowledge on Rolex watches especially submariners !

Good stuff!

Try gently pushing against a work top edge or something wood that will not scratch, that worked for me.

Is your insert a new one? I had an older insert to start with and it was physically bigger in diameter and would not fit! I now have the flat 4 insert I bought on eBay and it fits easier. I now have the problem that the bezel is too stiff so I may need to trim it on the back so it fits better! Good old reps!!!

A and E watches is there Ebay name!. They send new rep parts out and in my experience rubbish! I received 2 very cheap Yachtie bezels and finally got a refund from them!

Don't buy from these guys! Recognise the pics and are not what you will receive! Side pics are a yachtie bezel anyway.

Sure did, I bought it! Only really want the pearl from it. I bought one through my local Rolex dealer last year and it only cost £28!!!

Would not part with this for the world

Actually just noticed the dial is wrong I think. Would it not be tritium?

Case and bezel don't look right to me. The sides of the case look too tall and the lug holes too near the edge but hard to tell 100% from the pics. I know profiles were different in the late 90's but just not sure. See what others think.

I would say gen bezel is on the left due to the slight gap between leading edge of the bezel and insert.

I've bought one and great service and product. Looks even better now rehaut engraving has been removed.

I bought just a case set and a DWoverlay from TC but one thing I noticed which may explain the dark date is that the overlay is not white in low light. In bright daylight it is fine but in lower light and at night it appears grey. The printing is excellent but sadly not the background. I have a 3135 DW and will show the very clear difference in shade later when I get chance to photo side by side.