btocamelo

I seem to have this habit of researching a little, then buying a watch, and then researching a lot......so I have a recent addition to the family, a 1655 from a respected member...it has an old ca. 2007 case set, which I understand can take GEN parts. So I do more research to do some upgrades and I purchase a better dial with close to GEN "T Swiss T", a GEN 6mm Twinlock crown and Clark tube.

Now the research slope gets slippery.....I decide to venture into Yuki's website and find his 1655 case set build (w/custom serial number), dial and hands.......real nice stuff right there.

Now, the reason I have stayed away from GMT Rolex watches is because of that basterdized 2836 movement. One would figure that all this time has passed and the factories will at least offer a 2893-2 version in their GMT Rolex's.....yeah, I know it's a thinner movement and would require a different movement ring and there will be problems with the case tube and stem position.......but it is not beyond their expertise custom run cases for the 2893-2

So Yuki offers this nice 1655 set up, but it will only accept a 1570(5) movement......then from further research I realize that a decent working 1570 GMT movement is close to impossible to get for less than $2000 USD....if you can find one.

So what do you guys think......what's the best approach to building a decent 1655 with a 2893-2 or a 1570? Can a 2893-2 be properly dropped into any REP 1655 case set, and is there a hand set that fits without modding?

Here's the Yuki case....

just a glitch in the matrix....I wouldn't worry about it...or would I?

I had customs seize a fully loaded swiss prohunter....they sent me cutomary letters....I never answered, no reply, I had no idea what they were talking about ...I never heard from them again...and I have ordered other watches ever since with no problems

Any watch coming from w0lf is always top notch! From his posts on this and other forums, the guy truly is a stickler for details and perfection. I would buy any watch from him with my eyes closed.

wow...crazy stuff...wonder if they can make a Terminator T-1000?

look on ebay for 2846 you will find lots of new watches from unknown brands with 2846 in them for less than a new movement like this one

Thanks....yeah, I did see that one, but skeptical it will stay at $5...let's see how it plays out.

I read some where that some of the parts are compatible....is this true and which ones? I know one is 21K and the other is a 28K beat.

This is a movement question....but since it relates to many of the 1680's coming out, I'll post it here as well for more visibility....any input from the Rolex guys would be great!

I recently purchased a used PT 1680, I knew it was not working from the seller's description, and the seller also mentioned that nothing was seen wrong with the movement.

Well, when I opened the watch yesterday....the rotor and balance/bridge assembly are all over the place...screws off...rattling around...good stuff....what do you want for $80

Anyhow, no sense in bitching at the seller....since I don't think I can put the balance bridge back on to make it work...I'm looking around for parts or a complete ETA 2846 21J movement.

I understand that maybe I could use a 2836 balance/bridge assembly in my 2846?....(I have some recent feedback that this is not possible)

Can you guys confirm or deny? Thanks in advance!!!

2846 dimensions are similar to 2836:

1.5''', Dm= 25.6mm

H= 5.2mm

17/21 jewels (2836 has a 25J)

f = 21600 A/h (2836 is 28880)

power reserve 48h (2836 has 40hr)

Ofrei does not sell 2846, Borel sells them for about $100, and Ebay has very few used not working for $30 to $60.....I don't see anyone that sells parts...I don't think PT or Trusty will provide a complete movement.

thx for the input.....Ofrei does not have, Borel has for about $95.....so 2846 new is about $100 shipped, not sure if it has the tall CP....used and not working on Ebay are very few, maybe $35

I read some where that some of the parts are compatible....is this true and which ones? I know one is 21K and the other is a 28K beat.

I recently received a watch with a 1680, I knew it was not working from the seller description, and the description stated that nothing was seen as wrong with the movement.

Well, when I opened the watch yesterday....the rotor and balance/bridge assembly are all over the place...screws off...good stuff

Anyhow....since I don't think I can put the balance bridge back on to make it work...I'm looking around for parts or a complete ETA 2846 21J movement.

I understand that maybe I could use a 2836 balance/bridge assembly in my 2846?

Can you guys confirm or deny? Thanks in advance!!!

2846 dimensions are similar to 2836:

1.5''', Dm= 25.6mm

H= 5.2mm

17/21 jewels (2836 has a 25J)

f = 21600 A/h (2836 is 28880)

power reserve 48h (2836 has 40hr)

I have done both #3 and #4 from the US....actually #4 was cheaper from my bank, but #3 was faster if you have cash in hand....though I am not sure that Moneygram is available in Holland. GL

keep in mind, there are ETA factories in Asia...and from what we have seen in the past, if you build a factory in Asia, soon enough, someone will build a clone factory close by....also, those ETA movements come out in 3 to 4 different finishes....from base to top decorative finish....most of the movements used in REPS are basically "base" finished movements.....

I would not sweat it too much, the asian Eta 2836 clone is just as good as the base swiss ETA 2836...it's all about keeping it well serviced.

sweet...I can't believe no one has been able to dup that pencil thin letter engraving?

been there twice....every guy gets suckered into going there...that place is the "original" tourist trap...try finding a cheap gondola ride, it ain't happening

it is an amazing place, hope you enjoyed it, cause it's slowly sinking into the bay

those dang frogs are the ones that keep me up all night

well to just use anabolics is the last way to get any kind of good body, you will just get fat..

he uses HGH (Human growth hormones) its amazing, and I would think he does testosterone therapy due to his age not jucing.

so his body has the levels of testosterone like a 22yr old guy and together whit HGH it will bring your body to extremes in a pretty healthy way to.

I am sure he does other peptides to but that I can say for sure..

I second Dani's comment cause I have a friend that has taken HGH for a while, and the guy is close to 50, but looks like he's 38 and ripped. HGH is not anabolic steroids, so forget about that huge muscle mass gain or fluid retention. What Dani say's about HGH and testosterone is correct....stuff is amazing...it will help burn fat and rebuild muscle faster...grow (or stop loss) of hair, improve complexion and skin tone, etc.

Sly's muscle mass is from when he was doing actual steroids....now with HGH he can maintain his muscle mass, increase his metabolism and energy to continue working out like a 30 year old. Many hollywood elite use the stuff, and some are even done under doctor supervision.

The unanswered question is....with increases in metabolism and testosterone levels....can HGH also increase the speed of abnormal cell division (aka, tumors, cancer cells, etc.) or abnormal DNA replication (mutations) that we all have in our DNA sequences? So that brain tumor that would normally take 15 years to grow, could grow in 3 years???

Anyhow...the stuff is expensive...especially the European stuff....the Chinese stuff is available and much cheaper, but QC is questionable.

At the end of it all...there is no magic pill, but that HGH sure comes close...still, Sly must work out and eat healthy to maintain that look

I'm not into much photography but from reading reviews....that mirror-less system will be the next big thing that all these companies will do....I would wait another year to see all the other guys come out with their version and prices to come down.......but are the lenses also unique for the new mount design?

Thanks for all the posts guys....I did find some threads w/comments from JMB and others regarding the bezel issue on these new cartel 1680's.........I know this issue will pop up more as this watch is sold........so we have this thread to point folks to....lots of good info here.

I will definitely be sending mine to Justin to get the custom ring made, the clark crystal and crown/tube installed.

Now that this vintage rolex bug has me.....I was contemplating ordering an MBK 1680

PM JMB, he can machine a retention ring for these to install clark or gen crystal.

Yep...I got him lined up once I get all the parts you mentioned to me, you were A+ help with that......I just wanted to post some photos to pick everyone's brain.

Are you referring to the fit of the beze/insert onto the compression ring and over the brass washer?

if this is loose, you can try to bend the bezel inward....kinda rolling the edge to tighten the circumfrence.....or you can have someone here make you the correct size rin and eliminate the nylon washer and loose fit......maybe someone who has done this before.

No...the bezel insert is fine and the bezel assembly stays together (top bezel part + inner gold flat washer + bottom bezel snap-in part)....my question is....in a normal functioning bezel assembly, is the inner gold flat washer suppose to fit tight with the crystal?....it seems that is the only part I can see that would grab the crystal, and it is free inside the bezel assembly to allow the bezel to rotate freely?

Obviously in the case of these newer 1680 REPs...the bezel assembly is too big, so they use that white plastic gasket to make the bezel a tight fit.

For what it's worth, here's a picture of mine:

Was yours the original model that came with the 2836-2 or the later one that had the older 2846-2 movement? Mine was the original and it may have been slightly different, but definitely no gasket and tight fit on the bezel retainer.

mine is the recent 2846 movement.....

so how does your bezel stay on tight?...does the flat(gold) metal washer fit tight around the crystal, and this allows the rest of the bezel assembly to turn?

here are some additional measurements REP crystal width 30.49mm to 30.51mm (wondering if GEN retaining washer will work)....and the inside of the Bezel, which obviously is larger and is why the white plastic gasket is used......but can this REP use the GEN method of retaining the bezel?

I don't know why not if it will take a gen crystal. The bezel retainer is held in place by the outside of the crystal.

I've had some comment about this....but I wanted to confirm if all the cartel 1680 use that same plastic gasket system to hold the bezel assembly in place.

Without that white plastic ring...the bezel assembly is just loose...I'm not sure a Clark crystal is any thicker....would still have to use the plastic gasket.

I'm not sure that the GEN 1680 bezel assembly works this way...anyone know?

From looking at some GEN photos....it seems there's black rubber o-ring that goes in that machined case groove that

How is this REP bezel assembly suppose to work with a GEN plexi? I understand the GEN bezel assembly is friction fit...does it also work with a plastic gasket like the REP?

Here is a recent adoption...cartel 1680 White with the 2846 movement. First, I would like to add that communication and shipment was A+ from this dealer.

His name starts with the letter "A" .....anyhow, I noticed the bezel was hard to turn and eventually noticed that I could pull the bezel assembly straight up and off. The problem I noticed was that the white plastic gasket was crushed on one side. I am not sure how this gasket is assembled, and is that all that holds the bezel in place?....also, does a rubber o-ring gasket go into that case groove at the bottom of the crystal? Without the plastic gasket, the bezel assembly just wobbles. The dealer, has been great after-sales service and offered to send me a new plastic gasket. Though I am not sure how it goes once I get it.

I contacted JMB to get some input and for future mods.........here are some photos, if you guys can comment on the gasket problem?

that's the question...since 1 year... has any of these dealer improved any of these parts?

Andy, I'm sure JMB has all of this sorted since 1) I know he can re-tap a case 2) This thread is from almost a year ago.

One quick thing. W/ the new cases, new crown and tube, you may be able to install a gen crown w/o removing the tube- the gen crown may screw down on the rep tube- I remember a few people doing that. I removed the tube to file down the cg's and trashed it out removing it, so I went back w/ an aftermarket tube. Ironically I like the wholesaleoutlet990 tube better than the Clarks Watch Supply one- but both are soft- I've snapped off three or four now! That's why you need to tap the hole all the way, go slowly and be careful. Also might need to countersink the hole w/ a larger drill bit to seat the tube all the way in the case- just don't countersink too much- it will wallow out the sides of the case.

alli...do you have any advice on my recent post on this thread, regarding case tube tool for 1680 and 1680 case tubes? thanks and sorry to bug you here....seems the RG is down, and usually I would hit you up of there