Valty

This is an awesome pair, with a great history on the little crown Congrats about it !!!

+1 Just to mention 701 crowns were quickly replaced by 702 by Rolex, because of some problems I believe. They are impossible to find cause of this (no service parts), so it's better to avoid this period, or go for a 702 instead

You are crazy, Mr. Ubi... :) I suppose the leak, if there is any, will probably comes from the plexiglass... (But, now thinking you bought a $15 crown... )

You have a large range as the 16610 was not a small production (from 1989 to 2010) Yours is a 16610 T (without lug holes) - it appears in 2003. I didn't received my Caddell Sub yet, but it seems the dial is a replica of the Mark V dial. TC is comparing it's Caddell Sub with a gen with rehaut engraving and Mark V dial (2008 - 2009). They looks the same from what I see. The problem is the TC cases does not have rehaut engraving So you have to choose : - A serial from 2008 to 2009 (M and V series), but it will be wrong because you don't have rehaut engraving - You should avoid 2006 - 2008 serials because the zeros on the dials were rounded - A serial from 2003 - 2005 without rehaut engraving, but the dial isn't exactly the same The real question is, does it worth it to make engraving if it's not 100% correct ? My personal opinion is "no", especially when you thinks it's a fantasy model And if you really wants an engraving - If it was me, I'll do a fantasy engraving... Why not after all ? Please correct me if I'm wrong on some points, I'm not an expert when we talk about 5 digits models...

You always make me laugh a lot when you are *trying* to make a gorgeous deal :D More seriously, thanks you very much for the advise, I didn't know the crown was in brass... It really looks like steel... I'll be careful with this. The cloth was only to test how much turns 1/4 of turn I can get BTW, are you looking for a gen 800 / 8000 NOS combo ? I still have one extra set... Not cheap though, but probably cheaper than VRF anyways...

I don't see any problem to don't have engravings between the lugs on a $500 replica with fantasy parts. Just remember the old days with the overpriced WM9 watches... TC Subs are very cheap considering the level of replication. And it's not all the days you will see the engraving anyways. If it's really bothering you, you always can send your case to Phong to have a good engraving.

@Ubi, I can screw 1/2 of a turn with my fingers, but not that much more. This is probably because the crown and the inner gasket are new. With a piece of cloth to don't hurt my fingers, I can get 3/4 of a turn, but it become nearly impossible to unscrew with naked fingers at this point... I think it's impossible to go more than 3/4 of a turn without reducing the thickness of the crown inner gasket.

Just got an answer from TC - mine in on it's way to UK !

This makes me even more impatient to finish my BC... Very nice build Ubi !!! And thumbs up for @cc33 for his knowledge and as always very precious help...!!! He really deserve the "Mr. BC" title Or should I say, Mr. Bond ? @freddy, about the insert, the first shown is the Phong insert that comes with the case. Like Ubi, I also think it's better to use a genuine later MKIII FF insert rather than a "rep" insert, even if it is wrong talking about the period. On my side, I prefer to use a ghost insert - this way the fonts are less visible, and it's harder to check the period of it Needless to say the original period correct inserts are extremely expensive, impossible to find, etc...

Thanks for the explaination mate !!! :-) I always forget there is multiple layouts on the 7750 based movements ! About the 7760 I always seen Spinmaster talk about his "conversion" between 7750 to 7760 - so I suppose it's correct

I'll ask my watchmaker when I'll see him !

- Phong pushers are not gen spec - this means that if I want to swap for gen pushers later, they will not fit. Pushers holes are not easy to retap due to the very thin threading. I didn't know this until my watchmaker told me he can't do anything with gen P302 pushers So I will do the same operation on my 6265 later... - Phong "MK0" pushers are only standard pushers reshaped and polished on the teeth. The number of the teeth and the global shape are not the same at all. To be honest, Phong "MK0" pushers just looks wrong. That is not something I can do considering all my other parts are gen. However, I have to say standard Phong pushers looks quite good. It's visually quite similar to the P302. I'll do a photo comparison later. - I did have the opportunity to catch prototype "MK0" (P300) pushers in good conditions at a fair price (1,8K€), but I didn't pulled the trigger. It's maybe a mistake... I'll see later for this, it's not a hurry, P302 pushers looks good. I still don't know if it worth the cost to do this on a replica. That's a real question The other problem is I will feel stupid to have a service bezel (MKIV) with prototype pushers. It just don't make any sense. MKI bezel will be a must at this moment. Endless game if you ask me... Quick correction: 6240 had prototype pushers MK0 (P300). From 1970 (6263/5 production begin) to 1975, it is MKI (P301). Then, from 1975 to the end of the production, MKII (P302) pushers are used. Phong is doing a replication of MK0 pushers. At least, he tried

I only use NOS / packaged crowns & tube to avoid buying damaged parts. I seen to many damaged threads / gaskets by the past. If you have gasket problem, I suppose any good watchmaker have gaskets for replacement ? At least, my watchmaker have these

:D You made me laugh during a family meal !!! Having said, I agree with Ubi it's quite irritating to have a big crown that screw so badly... I don't understand why the inner crown gasket is so thick. I suppose this can explain why they quickly give up the 8mm crowns... The "price" of the vintage I guess I suppose this is different on the 8mm BC. On my side, the inner tube diameter looks fine. No stem on it. I think the limiting factor is the inner gasket into the crown. I barely see 1 1/2 thread in it.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but manual 7750 is 7760, I believe 7753 is 7750 w/ date complication Just for your knowledge

This is indeed a very nice DW - it's kinda rare to see gen P302 pushers on DW case ! Just a side note, it's 7750 to 7760 (manual winding) - and not 727 Wear it well !

The 6538 case is from Phong, vintagized, with gen 800 crown, 8000 tube, and gen fat font MKIII ghost insert (damn fine !). The 6240 case is by far the most perfect vintage Daytona case I have seen so far. I almost can't find differences with a gen case. Case back engraving is just outstanding. There is gen 700 crown and 7000 tube fitted, with gen P302 pushers. All the work done by Phong again ! The 6538 will be fitted with gen pristine conditions 1030, and one of the best 4 lines gilt dial I have seen so far. And the 6240 will be fitted with a silver "big Daytona" non-oyster dial, genuine original hands, fully serviced / repaired Valjoux 72, and MKIV NOS black bezel. Once the 2 builds will be completed, I'll take some hours to make a precise review of all my watches : DD 6611 (if not sold at this moment), DJ 1601, SD 1665 GW, Daytona 16520, Daytona 6265, Daytona 6240, and BC 6538 All are gen-specs... Except the cases from most of them, and obviously the movements for the Daytonas. Will take a lot of time to make these reviews... But I think it will be very nice at the end [ Side note, but now you maybe understand why I can't keep them all... this is why I decided to sell the 6611 ]

Very well said ! But as I said, I'm not worried, I know he is a good guy with the same passion that we have

I don't think TC will do that. I remember he previously stated if you want classic look, but with the new "like gen" dial, you will have to wait. Another option is to buy the Caddell Sub, and a classic DWO, then ask your watchmaker to swap it. Just ask TC about this, we'll never know what he will answer

So it's older than mine - this may explain it EDIT: Problem resolved, after a bit of manipulating with a cloth, I can close the crown near to 3/4 of a turn. It looks just like an original watch once it's closed this way. The crown was probably "too much new". I suppose the gasket will settle down a little with the time... Anyways, this is very disturbing when you never touched a 8mm before... Lesson learned !

That explain a lot of things ! Thanks a lot again for the information !! The crown pictured is original, right ? It seems I have a little less space on my service crown. But I suppose all is normal, and the gasket will flattening a little. I just checked and I can screw exactly 1/2 turn, not more.

Thanks for your answer Mr. BC I was starting to be a bit worried about it... Anyways, that's a very strange feeling, I always been used to turn 3 times on all my 7mm crowns...! So all is fine ! :)

Link about the discussion on VRF for 800 / 8000 fitting, from 2009 : http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/thread/1248010167/Need+help+on+correct+ref.numbers+for+BC+tube+and+crown After looking my installed tube (Phong did it), it seems he already drilled out the tube threads. I'm looking to another 8000 tube I have, and the thread are here. EDIT: I finally managed to put the crown into the tube. I guess I badly tried the first time. The only weird thing is I can't screw the crown more that 1/2 turn. It seems the gasket inside the crown is very thick. Strange... cc33, what do you think about it ?

This is very concerning - I don't think my parts are replica, at least, I hope. BTW, I think it's very unlikely some parts like that will be replicated so greatly... but will have fitting problems. This does not make sense if we consider the cheapest replica will fit without problems. Some another stories about crown / tube fitting will be welcome guys !

Thanks freddy The parts directly comes from Rolex Service, I have no doubts about their originality. I have note the problem with at least 4 different sources for the 702 / 7020 combo. They never fit About the 800 / 8000, this has been discussed on VRF, so I suppose the problem is common. I just don't see why this is happening.