Mapman57

Great work Dizzy.....looks like you have opened up the height and the width? Did you lose the bevelled edge?

Thanks Nick - KBH So if I understand, .... the Clark 127 could be a nice tight fit into the case around the rehaut without a gasket (hope so!) the retaining ring that I have might be a nice tight fit over the Clark and will be held in place by the fit of the outside of the crystal and the inside circumference of the retaining ring and the bezel will snap over the retaining ring - this is dodgy as the relationship is a little loose, the bezel can easily be popped off! I need to get a tension washer - from Clark me thinks. I expect that the tension washer was left out cos it kept popping the bezel of the reatining ring? So each element is independent to the other, like building a stack of (lego), or wall of bricks? Each piece secures the next in line? My rational is that I am only going o dig this crystal out when I have a clear view of what I miht be able to do next. As it is the watch can be salvaged and used. But if I break it all into bits and then nothing fits I am left with some spares for NIck to buy from me!!!

KBH - do you mean that the Clark crystal was a perfect fit into the case or into the plastic gasket that then sits in the case? If there is no gasket around the crystal - how does the retaining ring attch to the case? and how does bezel ring/insert assembly attach? I think I might be missing something obvious here ....but missing it I am dooohh! If it is going to be a lost cause, I will leave it as is, drop the idea of installing the Clark 127 and just continue with the rest of the mods. At least I will have a working watch that looks at least as good as it was before I started - well better, cos it will have a gen crown and bezel insert and shaved CG's.

uuuuhm........so it seems! Been researching this subject and it appears that this model is reknown for the issue/problem. Crystal swaps are not always easy or successful due to the plastic gasket that retains the crystal and also the gasket serves to locate and fix the bezel retention ring! Maybe this particular soluton of 300 gms of epoxy is a little dramatic - cheers

Frank - Alligoat - many thanks, I just knew you guys would come in........... So it is the crystal retaining ring that is missing? The aperture where it should be is filled with glue/epoxy. OR Is it the gasket that is missing and I have the retaining ring - as shown. The washer/ring that you see in the pics seems to have a rebate around its circumference, where the bezel ring pops/snaps into, but it is a loose fit? Is this THE or PART OF the original retaining ring? Seems too thick and engineered to be a tension spring washer - like I have in my PT 1665 bezel assembly? This ring does however sit inside the back of the bezel ring. It is loose, but when together and inverted it will NOT drop out everytime. I cant figure out what has been keeping the bezel ring/insert assembly on the watch whilst wearing it. It feels like ther may be something fitted around the outside of the crystal and under/inside the glue. there is a step towards the base of the vertical sidewall of he crystal. Logic now suggest the crystal is inside a gasket, that in turn is inside the case. The ring I have will snap over the gasket ring if forced down (as it was a tigh fit before I eased it off with a modelling knife/stanley knife blade). Perhaps the gasket and crystal were glued into the case to form a seal, in an effort to make it water resistant? Yep, the more I look, I guess that the crystal is in a gasket and they are glued together - so maybe I need a new gasket only, or a gasket and a ring. I plan to use a Clark Tropic 127 for sure.....so it will have to work with that. Any further thoughts and advice before I start digging????

Hi all been posting in the current 1680 threads here but thought it best to bring this out as an independent issue. I recently picked up a PT 1680 from a member that I have been ageing and modding. I knew from the sale and under a loupe there was some evidence of epoxy(?) in the crystal area. Therefore amongst other things, I was/am in process of swapping in a Clark 127, used gen insert and gen crown.............but have found this mess!? Can anyone advise what is missing, what is what and what to do next ....apart from binning it This is it before.....and it appeared to be working fine....even including the bezel rotation, I;ve been wearing it for weeks! And this is what I have found.....WTF! These are the only parts from top side and this is the rough sequence of events? I know nothing of these things, but am I missing some parts ......at least a retaining ring, a gasket and whatever??? .........and where might I get some - assuming I can dig out the crystal and clean it? Job is on stop for now Many thanks in advance..........

A litle off topic but............Theres no doubt in my mind, this is surely the BEST rep Rolex forum out there - great knowledge and sharing guys! Thanks.

Dizzy - GOOD LUCK mate - waiting to hear and see the result. Mine is stripped on the bench now and I may just find the courage to follow you, IF it works! Good luck and remember.....this is worthless without pictures

Certainly the case on the PT 1665 series, but not so much on the 1680.....but I will check again, when mine is back together? On the 1680 its as if the cyclop is a little to the right as you look at it. But again, its miniscule and not something that...........back to the anality of rep modding again, if not careful T19 option is interesting - I have a spare Clark T19 in the box, maybe I will try both, but I do like the top hat look of the 127.......

Well I've got one (see panerai153 thread on Red Sub 1680) and its true that the line up on my cartel crystal is not so great and Im told tha the Clark 127 that I am about to put in will not line up properly also......? HELP? All words of wisdom and guidance gratefully received.............

Looking good! I am in a project with one of these now. Those CG's have may been opened a little by the previous owner? but the outsides look original as previously stated. Mine is in the opposite condition just now.....outsides shaped a little, but insides to still be done.....below as is now. My piece is now in bits on the deskready for ; inner CG trim (and maybe outer a litle more now I have read this?) Clark 127 crystal swap used gen bezel insert swap used gen 703 ref crown swap PLEASE help me guys........I am quite new to all this. Case set is stripped down and movement out etc. How do I get the crystal out? Is the retainer ring around the crystal (that accepts the bezel) holding it in, or what? I know its a noob question but my first Sub strip down!! Ha ha. Personally, I believe that these are great value for money reps and an excellent base for a pretty decent build - maybe not in the league of some Frankens on here, but good enough for me. Enjoy your piece and be brave....get sanding!

Please keep us posted on how this conversion goes........ Is the bracelet really that good? Its had a lot of rave reviews........

'Marys' going to be very busy after this thread and word gets around the boards...............very good find and thanks for sharing. Its triggered lots of interesting debate

Thanks Ali - yeh I see it all now. This confirms what I was thinking. The MBW window is slightly further to the right of the dial and also a little wider. Therefore, if you overlay it onto a standard PT 2846/datewheel set up - even more numbers will be offset to the left side of the window, just like the 18 is now. So a new datewheel, slightly larger in diameter for the printed area, to offset numbers to the right of the window is the solution - but who has, or makes these? I am much like you, I dont care really, I'm just enjoying the watch as is and not trying to pass it off for a $25k gen! Need to get it watertested/proofed now so that I can have as much fun in mine, as you do in yours! Mind you thats another story................

Alli - I had always thought that there was a risk of that. It is just logical as everything is positioned off the centre, so if the window moves, or is enlarged, something has to give. But we talking <1mm and so ......the larger the numbers, the more chance of an issue - or have I got that back to front? It would be great if you could add the comparison picture cos it does not appear to be here?

Sorry guys - can't seem to get the multi quote / response working??? Dizzy - thanks for the update on the MBW/eta 2846 fit. PT dial window enlargement - with the state of my eyes and hands, its not a job for me Sometimes, the distortion from the domed crystal also effects how this looks. From some angles it looks wider! But to be honest it never bothers me - the large Rep crown that was fitted (and is on most Rep Rolex divers) - thats another story....why do they do that???? YUK.....

Thanks TeeJay - much appreciated

Wow, these 'TV style' cases are so retro and the colours are captivating - its stunning. What a great choice to add that mesh bracelet - here's to the next 40 years of enjoyment - its a heirloom for sure! I just picked up a 3570.50 from the AD this weekend - I hope it looks this good in 40 years time.....in fact I only hope I am around to care!

Thanks high... a much more sensible economic solution - do you know; does it fit the PT case? does it line up with the eta 2846 movement and especially the date wheel overlay? is a DRSD version available? looks like there could be movement/datewheel line up problems to me? thanks for your guidance

So here is a $25,000 gen .... and here is a $200 PT rep pre bezel ageing........ I guess its just a case of how anal you wish to be about a 3 x 4 mm window at 20 paces?...or 3 feet down on your wrist for that matter? Point is taken, but if its that important to the individual, then you can go spend $4-800 on an aftermarket dial ....and maybe a movement swap and overlay and hands to go with it? But, it will still be a rep. Personally speaking I would rather just have another project or franken on the go for that money.............

Based on a standard PT DRSD with low beat Swiss eta 2846, a lot of love and time has gone it to this, but not too many extra dollars, to get this look. Hope you guys like it so far?...........thanks to creation who got the project off the ground This piece has rapidly become my favourite and daily wearer. Its a vintage, much worn but much loved look! Funny thing is I wear it for all manual jobs like gardening and DIY etc on the basis that an extra ding or scratch will add to the provenance. "OK, so you wear a $10k watch to do the housework in......yeh right"!!!! Whilst this is not an in depth review of the work completed; briefly, I have tried to replicate a 1974/75 looker, based around a gen picture set that I collected (one is enclosed below for reference). The 1974 and 1975 Gens that inspired my look... My PT base DRSD has endured...... Endless ageing and softening to the case and bracelet (not too obvious on this limited picture set) CGs shaved/shaped Better shaped BK crown swapped in Insert shaved and reseated in bezel - the shadow is harsh around the insert/bezel edge in these pics from the overhead sun, but there is no gap insert lighlty aged/streaked to matt charcoal grey, in bleach Pearl aged and reseated Dial hour markers softened down a shade or two on the original PT dial to match the hands PT silver date wheel with open 6's Lug holes modded for 2mm bars Crystal swapped out to T19 Its my very first vintage project watch and I personally love it! Taking in the sun by the plunge pool.......damn I wish that I had got this water resistant in time to wear it in the water....:cool: Had to swim and beach in my Gen Breitling 300M quartz diver (1998 purchase from AD)....whilst the $200 rep got 'wined and dined' every day/evening LOL :munch:

+1 looks like a $120/140 version from elsewhere shot on a macro fish eye camera lens - looking wokky and wobby! stick with the trusted dealers?

ooooh we like a good mystery .........but please don't make us all wait that long

Wow, what a simple idea! I must try that out. Thanks.... I have a 93150 clasp that needs this treatment - been using a 93250 clasp in its place for some time now!

Things just keep gettin better and better....congratulations on a great build