TheSociety

Hey guys I did NOT build this watch. I bought it from a Member in the UK ages ago BEFORE I started building. I don’t remember all the details except that it was an awesome watch and I paid around $850 or $900 for it. The builder / original owner spent $1200 or so on the build. Sorry I can’t be more helpful but it’s been three years. I would remember more if I had built it but I didn’t. That being said it is a great watch and I do remember that the ad says it was an ETA with verification photo.

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Here the are some 1680 from different period:
http://www.vetroplastica.it/Rolex-referenza-1680-55.html
For you the 74' and the two 78' are all 3D or flat ?

Around the turn of the 70?

So not from the 80' :-(

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure it was done in the 70s because a lot of early 1680 Red has flat hands still. So my guess is that the Rolex certified watchsmith I spoke to is correct that in early 70s Rolex switched to Curved hands.

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I was told by a Rolex watchsmith that Rolex changed their handset to curved around the turn of the 70s. So it would be correct that some 1680 might have come with flat hands.

I have both flat and curved gen hands and normally chose to build 1680s with curved hands and save the flat hands for early 5512 and 5513

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I can get you the whole case but not just the bezel

"I'm still amazed that the outdated or patent ended old Rolex or Tudor cases are not officially made by third parties.   It sure would simplify things."
 
They are  being made...Yuki, Phong, MBK, cartel etc.  They are illegal only because they have trademarks.  Remove the trademarks and they are 100% legal.
Otoh...if you send a 100% genuine 5513/1680 etc to RSC and it needs a mid case, they will sell you one for $2500+/-.  What is the real world difference between this $2500 mid case and a Phong mid case for $900, both with genuine case backs?  Nothing. 
If you had the original serial number engraved on the Phong case, the watch would be worth quite a bit more 'out in the wilds' than the same watch with a genuine RSC '444' case...until you tell the truth about it.  A '444' case will probably never be worth as much as an original case...or a Phong etc case after the second or third owner.  It's a fact of life. 
No telling how many aftmkt cased watches are out there being 'innocently' sold as genuine every day.
 
Back 25 years ago when a 5513 or 1680 went for $1500 or so, I used to see 'dealers' buying them at watch shows by the dozen.  They would take them home and make 'premium' watches using the 'best of the best' cases/dials/movements/bracelets, have them professionally detailed, and sell them as 'mint' or 'near mint' for a LOT of $$ to 'serious' collectors.  Then they would put what was left together in ascending order and sell the best examples on mail order lists sent out to regular collectors.  The worst examples usually ended up for sale back at watch shows or parted out.
 
If you have a 'vintage' rolex and you did not buy it new...you might have a Frankenstein.
If Ya can't get married to yer sweetheart cause there is a law against  it...you might be a redneck.

20 hours ago, RickFlorida said:

I think it depends on what you want.    I'm sure it matters what model you want but generally speaking.... I see nothing wrong with using Cartel cases and paying gifted and experienced people to hand shape them.    It's way more economical to me.    But someone has a lot of cash and want a case that takes gen. Specific movements then I can see why the Phongs and other crazy expensive cases are worth it too.

 

I'm still amazed that the outdated or patent ended old Rolex or Tudor cases are not officially made by third parties.   It sure would simplify things.  

I agree with you thats what I said it depends on your skillset, and available time. We know these builds can take 3 months or 3 years depending on the build and specs. I think that Phong offers a solid option for those without the patience or the skills needed. I personally take my time and collect the parts for my own builds. I don't end up saving much but I do get the right look that I want. 

I will say that 99% of the time the headache and time you save over finding the parts, putting it together, not fitting and finding new parts etc - is totally worth the extra $ spent. In some cases I've seen people pay more than what they would a completed watch built by phong or anyone else.

Not all the time but for most people it makes more sense to buy a completed watch. For the more experienced members with tools (expensive) and knowledge then building their own is the obvious choice.

Amazing build Brother! I love your attention to detail and using genuine movement. I am a firm believer in that!

Whatever you build should compliment your existing collection. I think a Monte Carlo is one of my fav chronograph designs. The other being it's brother the 62xx Daytonas. But I'm a sucker for a good chronograph


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@YoDog on RWI is a lume master


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I've done quite a few builds by now and I always insist on getting a few key parts that are Gen

Movement
Crown
Crystal
Hands

I think the hands makes the watch. For some reason I can pick out gen hands more than anything else. They really ad to the feel of the watch. But that being said, prices are ridiculous now so it doesn't make as much sense anymore.

One of my favorite is set of hands are gen hands on my BC 6538 (darker tropical dial)




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Cartel with non oyster pushers? Nice! I didn't know there was one as as far I could see the only available case made by the cartel is a 6263. Could we see more please? Especially the pushers side!

Just completed Valjoux 72 fully converted to Rolex Caliber 727





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Wow now THIS is dope!


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HR has the best 5517 cases


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Thank you Alligoat, slay and TheSociety.
I would love to get to the bottom of whether or not calendar derivatives of the V72 fit in a V72 case.
I will talk to one of my watchmaker friends who works on Daytonas often enough and see if he has any input on the topic.
 
It would be amazing if we had community resources/funds to put towards getting answers like this. A knowledge slush fund so to speak
 
edit: just scrolled up a bit and saw that we already have a confirmation that those movements fit. That's sweet! 
 
What's the best current-market option for a Daytona case? phong?

Rolex modified the Base valjoux 72 heavily.
Technics:
They changed the Amplitude to 21600bph (from 18000), which makes the watch more accurate. They also used KIF shock protection
Optics:
Rolex Hand finiahed each Individual part of the movement, they beveled & polished the edges of even the smallest parts and finished the top side of all bridges with grooves.
Sometimes the sellers scam members here who don't know any better and just swap out the bridge and call it converted. The finish of the movement is usually the easiest tell. I posted some pictures of my 727 a couple of weeks ago in this thread, if you compare them to a regular v72 you will see the difference immediately.
Below is a schma I made that will give you a good idea how much work such a conversion is:

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I need a 72c movement, where did you see them for 500?


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Im sorry but I don't get it why a 72c will not fit a gen-size case like the phong one once having removed the calendar parts as it's exactly the same size.
Could you teach me why?
Thx

19 minutes ago, Carlytoss said:

 

What do you mean by not compatible?

 

I mean exactly that -  not comparable.

They don't fit the Daytona cases.

Can anyone advise as to what the differences are between the 727 and 72, and how that might affect a 62XX series build?

46 minutes ago, slay said:

 

I hope you didn't pay too much more than 1600$ for this movement, because the only thing that has been changed vs. any generic valjoux 72 is the chronograph bridge! It's not converted to a 727. I hope he didn't tell you otherwise.

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Don't worry, I know that. I've looked at tons of movements and studied them and a fully converted 727 would be way out of my range. The bridge alone is $450 from Phong. I was offered a fully converted 727 and rejected it because it's not worth it to me. I have a non-converted serviced Certina v72 I'm completely happy with. This just happens to already come serviced with the bridge too. It is a fully built complete with a Phong case, yuki dial, and hands. I'm swapping out for an MQ dial I have incoming

Did you buy the whole movement like this or just the Rolex bridge?

Newest acquisition !




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