gavidoc

I've used the bottle technique. Some bezels have a larger lip then others. My 1680 is like that. as a result you have to make the outer diameter slightly smaller. I couldn't get a modern replacement or the my gen blue nisert to fit without decreasing the size of it with a bottle. Once I did that, it went on with no problems. Have never had the issue with my 16800 or the extra bezel I have for it.

It didn't. I moved after sending it to you across the country so if it did, it's gone.

You will need to use the Clark retaining ring with his bezel.

I don't see why it wouldn't be. My 93250 sits just below the edge of the lugs which is the same as my 593's. the 501 and 593 fit the same case profile which is also the same case profile as the 93250 endlink. Gen 16800's even have the slots cut in them for the SEL found on the 93250 even though it wasn't offered when the 16800 was in production.

Really? I always get them confused. Now that you mention it though that makes sense.

Thanks man. I always get it confused.

IIRC the rehaut on a 16800 case is higher then that of a 16610 case. Another thing to consider is that: 1. If you use a 2mm crystal on a 16800 case you must use a 2.7mm gasket for the correct magnification. 2. If you use a 1.8mm crystal on a 16800 case you must use a 2.5mm gasket for the correct magnification. I don't know what it would be on a 16610 case but will assume that it is the same.

93250 will fit the 16800. The 16610 and the 16800 are the same profile. I have a 93250 on my 16800. 580 will also fit but not well. They sit above the lugs near the bezel.

Been a few years since I built my franken but IIRC, it was quite pricey with gen bracelet. You might want to reconsider doing this build. MBW Case: $200 (?) ETA 2783 movement You need a 2824 for a 79090. $100 (?) Gen 25-19 crystal $100 hands (if going Gen) $300 crown and tube $150 spring bars 93150 bracelet & 580 end links $800 Dial: $350 insert: $400 Total: $2400 with bracelet. $1600 without bracelet. Roughly 72% of a Gen with no bracelet. And I think i'm being conservative on some of the numbers (gen parts are fairly accurate in price if bought on the gen forums). That's a "Sorry Ghost Rider, the pattern is full." to me. I know Red likes to build but to me a price delta of roughly 30% is not worth it. When the delta is closer to 50% is when I would consider a build with rep parts.

you will like it. Have londongeorge's on my 16800. Huge difference compared to my 16700.

There isn't that much variance in the case profiles so you should be ok. I had a 7 million 16800, a 16800 case with no serial that was damaged, have a 8 million 16800 and a E serial 16700. All 4 had/have the same case profile. Many times variance is due to polishing over the years but the overall curve and profile is similar. There was a change when they went away from lug holes but not much.

Got my retainers confused. 1680 is in the case. 16800 in the retainer. Doh.

Depends on the age of the 16610 and the crystal thickness 2 mm crystals use the 2.7 1.8mm use the 2.5 You need the 2.5 on the 1.8 crystal to have the same magnification as the 2mm crystal. I discovered this when I used a 2.7 on a 1.8 crystal and saw the difference. I then measured the gaskets and found they were different. Both crystals and gaskets were gen

Correct on all counts. Pic is of a 16700. Last of the original GmT master. 16700 came with 501 end links but 593 also work if with the 93150.

TeeJay, A big misconception by some is that Rolex made a matte dial with white gold surrounds. Reports on the Gen forums would lean towards that not being correct. When Rolex released the first run of glossy dials with the white gold surrounds, the lacquer had a tendency to age strangely. In some cases the lacquer cracked and the result are the spider web dials you see from time to time. Rolex views them as a failure while some collectors view them as collectible. The 2nd thing that could have happened was that the lacquer eventually turned dull, resulting in a matte dial with the white gold surrounds. Thus the reason some believe Rolex issued the matte dial with white gold surrounds. In either case, there was never a GMT Master issued with the dial you asked about. Is it possible to find a matte dialed/ white gold surround GMT Master? Possible. Was it from the factory like this? More then likely no. If you could find it you would have to look for one of the following: late serial 16750, 16760 (fat lady), early 16700, or an early 16710.

That's an interesting hybrid case. The lugs appear to have the 1680 profile and not a 16800/168000/16610 profile. Too thick. Yet take a sapphire crystal and have a modern case crown guard profile. The 16800 profile is slimmer. Same profile as the 16700 and 16710. It's also missing the gasket groove under the retainer. It is a nice case though.

Received my Clarks 16610 and 1680 set today. Note: Neither will work on a gen retaining ring. I asked Gary that specific question when I bought them and he said they would fit. the 1680/5513 is too big for a gen retaining ring and the 16610 is too small. Also, a gen insert would not fit in the 16610. I wasn't going to try my gen blue insert in the 1680/5513 bezel. Back they go.

Which means just buying Gen as that is what they cost (4-500).

To back up red the hands will be at least 3-4 hundred if not more. A lot harder to find 16800/16610 tritium hands compared to 1680.

Gen movement is the way to go

You left out two entire references..... The 16750 which replaced the 1675 with the new 3075 movement but with plastic crystal and bi-directional bezel. Added quickset date feature. The last of the GMT Masters. The 16700. Just like the 16750 but with a bi-directional click bezel, sapphire crystal, and the 3175 movement. The 16700 was also available with the reference 93150 bracelet with diver's extension clasp.

I own a 1680 white, a 16800 matte, and a 16700

Gary said that his bezels will fit gen retaining rings so I got a 1680 and. 16610 (gotta love eBay bucks). Should arrive soon and I'll try them out on my gens.

Dial is at PBdad right now.

Correct. Your matte dial with gold surrounds was originally glossy. Some cracked, some went matte, some stayed glossy. Depended on the batch. The only true matte dials were the old style matte dials with the maxi plots. Let me know on the crystal. I sent it the day after I got your address. Hopefully it arrived. Figures as I sent it plain jane 1st class. Good luck finding an open 6 and 9 3135 date wheel. Very difficult to find. I really lucked into mine. Best to just do an overlay. It'd be a shame to destroy a gen open 6 and 9 3135 datewheel if you find one for use in a rep.