devilseam

Base watch is from Trusty, but its a clarks superdome crystal

Im looking to get a new bezel assembly for my franken 1665, I see that Yuki had one for sale but its now sold out, what would be a good alternative?

Looking for the best available quality and the ability to fit a gen insert.

Thanks,

My new DW 6239

Looks gen, I had a 16713 a couple of years ago. As others have said the hand stack is correct.

Hi guys,

I just picked up one of andrews 1665's. Its brilliant, better than expected.

I have got a yuki dial, gen crown/tube and a clarks crystal ready to install.

One thing that is a dissapointment is the caseback, very poor engraving thats nowhere near deep enough, I was wondering what my options were? I have seen some of the MBW casebacks that look brilliant, also Yuki has one for $200 that looks much better than mine. Has anyone got any other solutions?

Is it possible to have the original caseback better engraved? If so who could do that?

Thanks in advance,

Sinn U2, new to me as of yesterday.

Loving it.

"Not sure about whatever case you have but with the original mbw case you also had to drill some metal out between the lugs in order for the tube to seat properly. The gen tube has a diagonal edge where it sits in the case and most cases are flat. So drilling that part, as well as the retap, is necessary in order for the tube to screw in all the way and the crown to sit flush with the case."

 

I have one of the later MBK L342301 '1680' cases and it is bored to accept a genuine or genuine spec case tube and gasket (the gasket between the case tube and case). The case threads were A-Ok and I cleaned the glue residue out with a pipe cleaner dipped in acetone...taps are too risky when the threads are Ok.  

I was really surprised because this is the first replica case I have owned that would accept a genspec case tube and gasket. I had a Yuki 1680 case a couple years ago but I got it from a member and it already had the case tube in it so I do not know how it was machined.

 

I have a couple DW cases and they will not accept a genspec ct/gskt combo because the relief for the ct O ring is a bit small but you can use a smaller rubber O ring between a 'TC' type case tube and case for a fair seal. Be sure to lube the O ring with silicone grease so it will slip into the recess in the case and watch closely when turning the case tube into the case to make sure the O ring does not get cut. You can poke it with a toothpick to keep it 'in the groove'.

'TC' type case tube = case tube with flat surface where it goes up against the case, no shoulder or tapered area on the case tube.

I bought a miniature carbide cutter to make the relief for a genspec gasket in this type of case but have not tried it yet. The catch to this is mounting the case solidly and lined up precisely with the cutter bit.

 

The genuine spec case tubes I use are 'Tech Swiss' brand and are exactly the same as oem. I got them from J. Borel a few years back and they have a full set of threads where they screw into the case same as oem where some other brands may fewer threads. I noticed some of the short thread case tubes did not have exact oem spec threads and they would bind and break off in the case.

Otoh they seemed to work Ok on cases with sloppy threads. 

 

old info:

Submariner type 7.0mm case threads are the same as regular DJ etc 6.0mm case threads...3.0mm x .35mm and the installation tool is the same.

Thanks for this info. 

Due to the variability & lack of manufacturing QC on rep watches/cases, it is impossible to predict what you will need to do to fit a gen crown or tube to a given rep case. However, with a bit of work, they can usually be made to fit. Similarly, it is impossible to predict whether a gen crown will fit your aftermarket tube. It is always best to replace with gen parts whenever possible. To be safe, get a tap. To remove the old tube, insert a small, 3-sided hobby file (most hardware & hobby stores sell them) into the tube & wedge it inside so you can unscrew the tube by turning the file. Once the tube is removed, apply a bit of oil into the existing hole & slowly screw the tap in. Go in a bit, then unscrew the tap a bit to allow the bits of metal to be expelled. Repeat until the tap is all the way through. You now have a fresh set of threads the correct size to fit a genuine tube. There are tutorials in the Watchmaking forum, but, basically, you can either use the same file again to install the tube or use the proper Rolex tool (the inside of the new tube will have splines that interlock with the Rolex tool, which makes installation very easy).

(click pic for link)

 

 

Whichever way you go, apply a bit of semi-permanent Loctite to the threads of the tube & then screw it in gently. It is difficult to explain how tight to make the tube (this is 1 of those things that require some experience), but screw the tube in until it seats. Then just snug it up using finger pressure. You are not torquing the thing down! Just snug. Then you can insert the stem into the movement & screw the (gen) crown onto the tube (again, just snug, not tight).

Wow, thanks so much. Its a lot clearer now.

For the gen tube you will need to retap the case for the correct thread/pitch. If you're not reusing the old tube in the case you don't need to worry about destroying it.

Is there any information on retapping?

If I leave the tube in place will the gen crown fit on the old tube?

Hi Guys,

New to this game so please be patient!

I have a trusty time 1665 that I what to mod, firstly I would like to change the crown. I have read the tutorials re shaving the crown guards which im going to do. However I cant find tips on removing the tube and replacing it.

Im thinking about getting a gen tube so firstly will it fit the case? Do I need to modify it in anyway?

Also whats the best way to remove the old tube?

Thanks!

Cheers! Thank god for you guys.

Hi Guys,

I think I have sourced a gen insert for my 1665, but the insert originally came froma 16800, will it fit the 1665?

Thanks,

I got a response from Yuki and they confirmed the dial is interchangeable. 

After lots of deliberating, I have placed an order with Andrew for a 1665. The movement is a swiss eta 2836.

I want to change the dial and hands to a Yuki dial - http://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/7518423/9554165.htm

He says the dial is made for an eta 2824, will it fit the 2836? What about the hands.

From what I can gather they are the same, but Im concerned about the dial feet and the hand fitment.

Thanks,!

Hi guys,

I have decided on a 5512/13.

I have bought a gen 5512 dial and wondered which rep case would take the gen dial? I know I will have to remove the dial feet but I dont mind doing that.

I have read that josh's 5512 case is good but I really want this gen dial to work. If its not possible without modification can anyone point me in the right direction?

Hands won't fit and you will have to cut the dial feets and glue it in order to fit. I'm not sure if the diameter of the gen dial will fit the case anyway

no, they won't fit. Gen Rolex hands have different diameter than ETA hands.

It depends on the movement in the watch, suffice to say if it is an ETA movement and the dial and hands match, ie are for an ETA movement you're good to go, however, having just finished a Rolex 6538 Bond Sub Vinatge build, I would imagine the original movement in the rep might not be an ETA. Get the dial and the handset to go with the 2836 ETA would b emy advice.     Astonjenks

Hello everyone, I fairly new here and a recent convert to the world of reps. I have to say this place has some of the most knowledgable people I have read on any fora.

I'm just about to get one of trusty's 5513's - ROLSUB067

It says on the description that all parts are interchangeable with gen parts, my question is does this include the hands? I'm upgrading to the Swiss eta 2836 movement.

The reason I ask is that I have the chance to buy a gen dial and hand set for bargain price.

Thanks for your help in advance,

James