ubiquitous

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Unfortunately, there isn't an aftermarket clone of this tube that I'm aware of. It's a shame, as I am sure they'd sell really, really, really well.

The 1665 bezel to me has always seemed like the profile of... Well, a crown! Hence making the vintage SD, in my eyes, the king.

You can contact www.classicwatchparts.com to inquire on having a dial printed. It won't be the most accurate dial as far as details go, per se, but they're still well done.

U serial is '97 A/P serial is late '99 into '00 F serial started in Fall of '03 (iirc) and spanned into early '05 For what it's worth, there are a few fuzzy lines here... Some Y serials (late '03) may also have solid lugs; some may not.

WOW!! Looks sweet!!

Last one I had the opportunity to buy was for $700 - $800 if I recall correct; 100% genuine from my supplier, but brand new, never used and no exchange. I ended up passing on it, as from time to time you can find a used dial on eBay for $250 - $350...

'DATE' was added to the 16750, I believe, to indicate the QS Date function...

I know of a couple of matte 16800 dials for sale, though none of them are any less than $650. The REALLY difficult one to find is the 16660, but that's another story. Anyways... Regarding 16610 changes... SELs were into'd around the late A serials into the P's; Luminova dials were fully tranistioned around the same time. Lug holes went away in the F serial, closed 6/9's were introduced a bit prior to U serials. Think that about sums it up. Not sure how most people feel about dropping $800 to $1200 on a gen dial to use in a rep, but I will say this- It would be VERY unique as I have not seen this done... Yet! Would be a shame to sacrifice a genuine dial, so maybe anothr option would be to have one printed up. MY comes to mind... And at a bit less than what a gen dial would cost!

Sounds like the seller is golden. Crown is a good price; the same as what I sell them for...

Top (coronet, etc) and sides look good from pics, but I'd like to see the opening on the underside. This would work as most original crowns and tubes have been upgraded to the new 703's with outer gasket on the tube.

Yeah... The 16800 is definitely not as deep in the rehaut area... So, if you don't mind drilling lug holes on a solid lug, a noobmariner case would do the job...

You can pick a tube up on the 'Bay for a couple $$

No likey: -Color -Pearl -Fonts The '0's look too square; color doesn't look right, and the pearl... Blech.

GS Hypo Cement seems to work extremely well...

Well... You don't want to go with a 'vintage' case, as those use the acrylic/plastic crystals, and they're the wrong diameter. You definitely want to start with a TW Best case, or old MBW modern with sapphire crystal. Gen parts fit with some work. For the insert- You'll have to trim down the back so that the insert fits lower in the bezel. The dial should drop right in. For the crown and tube- The tube will most likely require you to re-tap the case, but the crown will thread onto the ETA stem no problem. For the springbars, you'll have to have the lugs drilled for 2mm bars with 1.2mm ends.

That's what I was just thinking....

The pushers in those pics definitely don't look asymmetric...

Yes you do *cough*wm3646*cough*

Pass. No good...

LOLEX

Hmmm... Sapphy crystal with tool matte dial. A fantastic combination if you ask me! Definitely as alligoat suggested- TW Best case, matte dial, gen insert, match lume the hands, add a vintage 3035 'style' (i.e. fonts) datewheel, gen crown/tube, drill the lugs, get a hollow link loose end bracelet and I think you're pretty much set! I'd suggest using a gen datewheel from a 3035, except the date rotates in the wrong direction still (CCW).

Just my very humble opinion, but vintage Rolex is held in high regard; that's no matter where you go. I see plenty of EU collectors... As well as Asia, US, etc. Modern is a different story...

Slay- I owe you a reply. I'll get back to you tomorrow...

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