itreeman

Thanks very much for the replies. I DO want the date in the Gen spec position (not the ETA position). I was hoping there were some nice 1680 dial options that had the ETA feet but still had correct Gen date position. So I will have to get a dial with Gen spec and cut the feet off. I was thinking to get a Yuki dial. Can anyone refer me to a place to get a similar or better than Yuki dial in that price range or less? Regarding the datewheel overlay, I already have a few incoming 🙂

Thanks for the reply. Are there Vietnam dials that have the dial feet for ETA movement and datewheel opening in general position? Where can I get a Vietnam dial? Thanks!

Hey all, Starting a 1680 build and I have been accumulating parts for a few months. 1680 is a grail watch for me so I am really excited about getting this done. I've owned a few massaged cartel 1680's and though they were really nice daily watches I could not get over the low crown position. I picked up a new gen spec case. I figured I could use this thread to log the build but also if I run into issues so that I can ask questions for the masters and experts! First issue I am having is deciding on dial and DWO. I am going to be using an ETA movement. I was originally planning to use a Yuki ETA dial and DWO I ordered on the bay. But now I'm not so sure. Does Yuki ETA dial have the date window in the Gen spec location? What other dial options do I have that are for ETA movt but will line up date with gen cyclop position? Planned build parts. 1680 Gen Spec Case (purchased already) Athaya 702 crown and tube (purchased already) Clarks 25-127 Crystal (purchased already) Ebay Silver DWO (purchased already) ETA movement (purchased already) Question parts: Dial - was planning Yuki ETA dial but unsure of date wheel position Hands - Yuki as well Going to try and add some pics here... (first pic is with clark crystal already installed, perfect fit)...crown is a random rep crown not athaya)

Is the Startime 18k bezel better? How does it compare to gen?

Asking this because I have a gen 16613 that the original bezel is pretty well worn in a section and I'd like to get a new one. How does the WSO on the bay (for 5 hundred bux) compare to Gen? Anyone done a side by side? Any better options/sources for an 18k bezel replacement? Also, if anyone knows what would Rolex charge me to replace the bezel? Thanksin advance!

+1 ?

WOW...Looks awesome!! 1680 is my next watch and I am going old case MBW for that one. I will mod it over time.....a long time

Thanks again guys! I will start getting the parts/tools together.

Ok, so I bought one of the new all white 1665's from Trusty and I want to lightly mod it. I know there are mixed views about this watch as some don't like it but others think it's a great value at $200. I have been wearing it for about a week now and I actually like the watch...PLUS I got the $98 version so I think it's an AMAZING value. Anyway, I am getting ready to send the watch to have the lugholes enlarged by another member and I have a couple questions. 1) What diameter are the lug holes supposed to be? and are they the SAME diameter on the vintage 1665, 1680, etc AND the newer 16610 (with lug holes) and 14060 (with lug holes)?? etc... 2) What size / model number spring bars do I need to source? and are they the SAME diameter on the vintage 1665, 1680, etc AND the newer 16610 (with lug holes) and 14060 (with lug holes)?? etc... 3) The inside of the end links that came with my watch have 2 small rings soldered to them (see pic below)...is this something that the gens have? The reason I ask is because the small rings are the exact diameter of the included springbars and if the new/gen springbars are larger diameter they will not fit these rings. (the rings are paper thin so I don't think they could be opened up) I'm wondering if I could just do away with them all together. Couple more shots of the watch... Thanks in advance for all input!

jmb, was it a direct fit...you wouldn't happen to have the part number from ofrei? Thanks!!!

I saw a thread at RG that gave a simple way to age the dials. Basically hang the dial upside down (face down) and blow cigar smoke up onto it....showed pics and all...looked great (I will try and find the thread).

How about using a black nato strap instead of the TT bracelet...might make the wifey happier

Looks good to me! +1 on drsd being a little over the top and hoping for the other versions as well. and another BIG +1 for a good 1675 rep...I would love to see that!

Thanks for the VERY informative replies guys...I really appreciate it. jmb, do his crowns/tubes come with all the seals? Do his tubes have the teeth inside for screwing them in with the special tool? alligoat, where can I find that tool for screwing the tubes in? Best I have found is about $35.00 Thanks again guys.

I want to upgrade a crown on a pair of noob cased subs to gen(or aftermarket). I have seen the generic crown tubes at Ofrei...once I remove the original noob crown tube are the threads in the case correct for the gen tube? Will the ETA and/or a21j stem screw right into the new crown? Also, is there anywhere I can get the complete crown tube with the seals as well as the crown for a good price? What part numbers am I looking for? This would be for a 16610 and maybe 14060 no date project (I assume 16610 and 14060 subs use the same crowns/tubes)? Thanks in advance!

jmb, you mention that you installed a thicker crystal...where did you source that? Thanks!

Very good idea...nice little project. I have a bunch of noob subs from over the years and have always wanted to do something like this. Don't the gen no date subs have slightly less deep rehaut more like the noob case...if so this would be great!

Thanks for the reply kbh, very much appreciated. Is that the bezel insert it came with the watch or did you swap that for a different one? Looks like you had space for the larger lug holes without any issues...what is the procedure (drill bit size, etc..) for the lug holes? Sorry for such basic questions but I am very new to the vintage models and I recently picked up one of these. Thank you in advance!

Which crystal is correct for 1665? Is it Tropic 39? Someone mentioned the Clark crystal was only 1/4mm taller? Does the Clark not have the higher sidewall when used on this watch like gen? Thanks

Thanks for the reply...I keep hearing that the it's possible gen parts do not fit the newer MBW's but I am suprised no one with a new one has confirmed this for sure??? Does the yuki case crown guards still have to be modded or are they correct? Thanks

Very nice!! How old is your mbw? is that the "new" case? Thanks

Hey guys... So I am thinking about getting a 1680 (White) and I am trying to decide whether doing a Yuki case/project will be worth it for me OR if I should just grab a MBW 1680 do some minor mods and call it a day. Keeping in mind that I have no desire nor intention of getting a GEN movement OR a GEN Bracelet... (If I go with the yuki I would be using a spacer with a 2824 eta) What does the yuki case have that the MBW does not? Are the crown guards on the yuki 100% like gen, very close, or do they still need work? Does gen crown fit both cases (mbw and yuki) without mods? What about gen crystal, bezel assembly? Any other reasons I should spend probably twice the money (in not more) on a yuki project over the mbw? How does the yuki dial compare to the mbw dial? Thanks in advance for any guidance!

I am thinking about doing a "mild" 1680 project (originally I was thinking of going with a yuki case but I don't think I want to spend that much $). Basically I want to buy a new MBW/MBK 1680 and aging it and adding a few gen parts, reshaping CG's. I have read several posts where it says only the "older" MBW/MBK watches accept gen parts? is this true? Do any gen parts fit the current MBW/MBK 1680's??? Thanks for any guidance!

I bought the generic bezel remover (the one that's about $175) and I had no luck with it. Knife works better for me. I think the expensive Burgeon might actually be the best bezel remover but it's expensive. Quick video of the remover... [url="http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z150/gophaster/?action=view

I could not agree more. I have a modern "polex" MBW/MBK 16610 from TTK as well as some cn subs and the rehaut on the MBW/MBK can't be beat. Below are a couple pics of mine with a watchmaterial insert and the dial/hands/datewheel from a noob sub...