gavidoc

What Alligoat said. Also, how'd that crystal I sent work out? Never heard how it went.

Yep. A gmt click spring works fine. I've had one on all my gen subs as I love bidirectional bezels. Clark's are not as stiff as a gen which makes turning in both directions easier.

Lug hole cases. Folded end links.

You also might have issues fitting the insert once it is on the TC retainer if the retainer profile is off.

Believe it or not but the first blue inserts did actually have silver numbers. That's the one I had on the 16800 pictured. I did have to install a silver pearl though.

Mint condition LV's range 400-450. I picked up mine for 325. It was mint but the rsc had put a small dent in it. It isn't visible once installed but it wasn't perfect.

First chance I get I'm zipping up to Montreal to get a black bay. I like it more then the Pelagos.

I have a gen 2 mm Pre lec crystal. It has a few marks but still good. Can't see the marks except in certain light if interested. I don't have a gasket. The dial looks fine. The early gloss dials did one of 3 things. 1: nothing 2. Turn matte 3. Crack like redwatch's dial Just be aware that they never did a matte dial with white gold surrounds.

Good advice on the 16800 in this thread. Yes tritium from that time period will still glow. My 1680 from 1976 sill glows as does my 16800 from 1983. Also, the silver date wheels for the 16800 have flat 3's (or the 3 I own, owned do). Also all the 6 and 9's are open. M 16800 has a silver date wheel and a newer AR 295 crystal which I believe is 1.8mm. The difference in date size is minimal with the cyclops vs a 2 mm. The dial you purchased ( from eBay as I've seen it before) was originally glossy that went matte. They are cool but I prefer the matte dials myself. 703 crowns are normal for later 16800's so go with one of those and you'll be fine.

If you have the original dial and hands (I didn't notice it was a replacement) I say mod away, just don't do the fixed bars. As for the sapphire to acrylic, it won't work. Best bet is to do the mods to the 79090 and leave the 79190 alone. Not certain but I'm not even sure a plastic sub insert will work on the 79190 bezel.

By what The Zigmeister is saying is you wrecked the dial. There are service dials for a reason. The "normal" rule of thumb is not to mess with an original dial unless you have a backup. If you do, mess with one. if you don't, why destroy it? I for example have an extra 16800 matte dial that has had the tritium washed off. that's being lumed to match the luminova service hands. When done, it will work but I will put the originals away and not touch them. I did the same for my 1680. Wealth or not, it doesn't make financial sense why you would mess with a gen even to the extent you did .

Are the endlnks loose? if so, you might not have the spring bars engaged on both sides. Give it a good wiggle back and forth to lock them in. As for Gen inserts, NEVER pay more then $150 for a modern sub insert new. If you are you are being ripped off. You CAN find them in brand new condition, and 90%+ condition if you spend a few weeks looking. They come and go pretty fast but if you scan rolexforums.com, ebay, and WUS they pop up. Reason? Inserts are easy replacements. MOst guys who buy them already have a real Rolex and to replace an insert is as simple as dropping into an AD and asking them to do it. If your AD likes you, 20 mins. later and around $125 poorer you have a new insert. Then normally these guys turn around and try and sell the old ones.

I was actually referring to the base of the crownguard where the tube sits. on a gen like FixAndy's and mine, the spot where the crown tube sits is even or just slightly hidden by the edge of the bezel. This is a tell on some reps IMO. To fix this, the tube needs to be removed and this area taken down for the proper look. The crown shouldn't bottom out on the case. Yes, there should be a slight gap. Very small but evident. FxrAndy's is greater then mine. I wouldn't care for the one on Andy's watch personally. Too big for my tastes. FxrAndy, how does your crown line up? Is the rolex crown straight up and down or off? I was lucky in that both my 16800 and my 1680 are properly lined up.

That I agree. Needs to have some shaved off on the base of the crownguard so the crown fits flush with the bezel.

I purchased it from this guy. http://stores.ebay.com/GoodCheapMan-Watch-Concept?_trksid=p4340.l2563 It's canvas, not nylon which is what I was looking for. Not bad for the price. The insert looks blue because it is. It's a Tudor insert. I took the original fat font faded/dial/hands off and put this insert (I have a black one too) and a service dial and hands on it. Thanks. It hasn't. Just a light polishing. The bevels are still visible.

To me klocklind1's crownguards look ok. Here's my gen from 76.

Good luck on finding tritium 16800 hands. Same as the 16610 for hole size if that helps. I posted a WTB on VRF last week and it was crickets. for some reason it's hard to find them. I'll check to see if I still have a luminova set when I get home tonight.

I'm with FxrAndy on that post by Rolexaddict. No make no sense.

I also have a 93150 for sale with 593 end links. These also fit the 16610 and the precursor to the 501

Also first run 16610's had open 6 and 9 date wheels. There really isn't any significant difference between a post gloss dial 16800 and a 16610.

For a 16800 build you need 593 end links. 501 end links will also work but 580's will not fit. As for gen parts, if you have a chance and are interested shoot me a PM. I have some gen 16800 parts for your build.

FxrAndy, Why would he? He's being an a$$hat for no reason. To Watch4King: "Rebuy" the watch? Really? What kind of idiotic reasoning is this? You might want to be a bit more subtle next time or just tell the seller: "You send me money as I don't like the watch and then I'll just keep the watch." Paypal has a "refund" button for a REASON.

Contact local vinyl printing shops. What you need my friend is a simple print of a circle T as a vinyl decal. Once installed all that is left is the vinyl letter. I get them made for my work all the time at an R&D facility I use.

Nanuq is right about the bezel and the retaining ring. A 1665 retaining ring is thicker. You can use it on a 5513 but you need both bezel and retaining ring.