correctime

Yup. You're right. But I had a choice....buy a gen watch or build "The Ultimate Build".....so I thought about, decided which would be more fun...and away I went

Well...from a market value point of view it doesn't. (I'm not having an aftermarket replacement case engraved to fool anyone and I certainly didn't buy the gen boxes/punched paper to make a "forgery" of my case and try to play it off as a genuine. Granted no one but me see's what's between the lugs, inside the SEL or even what mvt is in it...but I'll know And when selling a watch on the boards, if you list it as "swiss eta" you're required to "show" it. So if I have to "show" my gen 3035 there's a 1400.00 increase right there.(serviced mvt.) Taking a build this far isn't likely something many would even consider doing....but I considered it...and had hours of enjoyment searching/sourcing everything needed TO do it. It's about the feat and accomplishment for me. Many would say I accomplished nothing more than wasting alot of money on a replica Submariner. And that's fine. I didn't accomplish this for anyone BUT me. Lose money on the deal....I won't . If it ever came to that I can easily disassemble the watch and sell all the parts back to the gen world...and likely at a profit But what exactly are you reffering to when you mention 2 serial numbers ?? Were they putting the case serial on the mvt. back then ??

Very cool (and interesting) story. Thanks for sharing. wanna find the "really good stuff" that doesn't make it's way to the Malls of such....go look around in Vietnam and Taiwan (you may or may not be able to find it...but it's there.....somewhere)

...now you're talking Brother. If I were building a 16610 I'd jump all over the dial LondonGeorge has....Beautiful patina'd...it's SUH-WEEEEET I'm just into the 16800 series at the moment. But regarding the initial topic of the Thread....it's all about what you want Brother. No doubt in my mind that once the case on mine is engraved I could send it to RSC for a work-over and they'd never even bat an eye at it (THAT'S the fun and enjoyment I get out of it...taking it all the way to be all it can be . I coulda bought a gen...but I coulda hadda V-8 too )

+1 Gen is the only way to go on crystals and inserts.

WOW....THAT'S a sweet looking dial Brother.

I agree....but the Noob Exp.II isn't using a 1655 looking dial either

A nice Cellini with Tuxedo dial would be awesome to see

I agree...a rep is always a rep. I just have to queston when does a gen become "not" gen. Take a gen 16610 for example...it's all original but somewhere along the way it's had an aftermarket bracelet, crystal, crown and insert installed on it. Is it still a gen having those aftermarket parts on it ?? (many would answer yes.....but why is that??) My viewpoint on that is................... What's the difference in adding a bunch of aftermarket parts to a genuine case or adding a bunch of genuine parts to an aftermarket case I personally don't see the difference.

If you're taking your watch off and handing to others for close appraisal you'll do better getting a gen Brother. Again...check with TC....he has dial and hands still available....I think.

Yes. The gen 3035 progresses the date and the time by turning the crown CCW. I was referring to the direction the DW turns when date avances....and that CCW too. So a 2824-2 wouldn't be "acurrate" in a 16800 3035 build. In a 16610...yes..it would be coorect.

The BK WM9 v2....something about it made it my long time favorite.

I've recently taken an interest in the 1655. Would an older BK Noob Exp.II be an acceptable case to start with ? Would a gen 16570 case work better if using a gen 1570 mvt., maybe NDT bezel, dial, and hands be a nice build or is using rep cases the way to go ?? (the gen 16570 has luig holes already) I've always loved the look of the "McQueens" but would rather a sapphire....I'd end up scrathing up a plexi pretty fast I thing. Opinions....suggestions....experienced advice....all greatly appreciated

Steinhart GMT Vintage has always held my interest. Ginault is making a Base Module One that looks nice too...but of course based on a Sub, not a 1655.

Harbor Freight crystal press.....it'll do the job as well as give a gen insert that little extra "umph" needed to snap into the TC bezel ring. At least it worked for me.

I didn't know the TC v3 weighed more. What makes it the "best available" is the width of SEL...slightly oversized and leaving option to fit the TC case (and others) better all others available. Put a TC v2 clasp on the v3 bracelet and you're all set......the v2 clasp is better than the v3

Well...the 1655's and 16550/16570 were advertised as 40mm....(actually measure 39mm) This one is sorta like a hybrid. The dial and GMT hand may resemble the 1655 "McQueen" (sort of) but the 42mm case, sapphire crystal, bezel, font and maxi-setup size hands incorporate the 216570 Exp.II IMO this still looks really cool......maybe a matching SL job and it'd be a great daily beater. And ifya hurry there's one listed at just over half the price.....as we speak http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Wancher-Oyster-Perpetual-Explorer-Ranger-Bezel-GMT-Mechanical-Watch-/170995069046?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item27d019b076

Stumbled acrossed this looking around as I'm considering a 1655 build on a BK Noob Exp.II case and thought I'd share. Pretty cool if you ask me....may have potential. http://wancher.ocnk.biz/product/923

Go to TC's Blog or TC parts category. I believe he's still offering them but they all have tiny blemishes so you should be able to land one cheap

To me the TC dial in mine had a daytime color "pretty darn close" to the gen dial. ( the gen dial was from a 2006 Z series)

MD2020......AWESOME looking pieces Brother

It all boils down to what you really want and are prepared to spend. Like many of you, I could likely have purchased 3 or 4 gens with what's been shelled out for this and that along the way. I'm not ashamed in the least to say I have over 3k invested in the 16800 build (gen 1986 bezel assemblies, tritium hands and original boxes/paper/tags/accessories aren't cheap) For another 1k or so I could have easily purchased a nice preowned gen...but even being an aftermarket replacement case I'm certain I'm much happier with and prouder of this build than I would have been with buying a gen....for the simple fact of being able to say I built this one myself....and the searching/sourcing the right date era correct parts is what I enjoy. The only one that really knows the mvt. and case back is gen is me. And to me that's all that matters. There's plenty of rep/aftermarket cases and parts that can be used to easily prevent being "called out"...but preventing being called out isn't why I do what I do. If a case will allow going full-blown, all-out gen parts usage I'm going to do just that...regardless of how acurrate the rep/aftermarket parts look. But that's just the fun of it for me. A wise investment ??.....probably not....but I doubt I'd lose any money on it if I ever decided or was forced to have to part with it. (but if I were considering purchasing wathes as an investment it's not likely the 16800 Submariner would be on the list as a "money-maker) Fidhle: I "did" start with a case....then the dial....then gen 16800 bezel assembly...then gen mvt,...then gen trit hands...and so on and so on.And I specifically purchased a gen mvt FOR this case...... there's nothing backwards about the hand setting direction with the gen 3035 mvt in a replacement case designed for the 3035 . But there would be using an eta 2824-2. That and the clockwise date progression are opposite of the gen 3035 mvt.

+1 fredfree +1 JoeyB

Compare the brightness of the TC dial font to the gen dials of that era

A build with an aftermarket case wouldn't give you the same thrill and gratitude (and the same smooth, precision movement and bezel action) as a genuine piece would ?? It is of course all about what a person really wants but I myself find it "more" rewarding and gratifying for the sake of it.