Justasgood Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Hmmm. That's odd. I've seen numerous 16600, 16610, 16520, 116520s, etc, etc. that have the crown without crimps. It is as you said "the only consistent thing about Rolex is their inconsitency" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Hmmm. That's odd. I've seen numerous 16600, 16610, 16520, 116520s, etc, etc. that have the crown without crimps. Ditto. I just went through my Triplocks & this is what I found As you can see, the 702s are threaded right up to the opening & the edge is crimped. Meanwhile, the threading in the 703s begins half way down the length of the cap & the edge is solid. Width of 702 caps Width of 703 caps Very odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justasgood Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Ditto. I just went through my Triplocks & this is what I found As you can see, the 702s are threaded right up to the opening & the edge is crimped. Meanwhile, the threading in the 703s begins half way down the length of the cap & the edge is solid. Very odd. Odd indeed. How is it that every 703 crown I have (New from my watchmaker in sealed packages) have Crimped edges and the Aftermarket 703 crowns (Bought as such) have solid construction? I swear, my head and the room are spinning I'll compile some pics tonight. The 24-704 surprised me as it looks like the crown in question: single piece construction, same insignia design, but to my knowledge, it is labeled application is for Daytona's and Yachtmaster's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 I believe Rolex has been retro-fitting 704s in place of 703s for the past few years. Unfortunately, I have neither an official memo from Rolex instructing their ADs & service network to do this, nor do I have a sealed 704 to verify the differences between it & the 703. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justasgood Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 I believe Rolex has been retro-fitting 704s in place of 703s for the past few years. Unfortunately, I have neither an official memo from Rolex instructing their ADs & service network to do this, nor do I have a sealed 704 to verify the differences between it & the 703. My watchmaker is certified by Rolex and has a parts account. The only crowns he places on Subs are 703's bought direct from Rolex and they are all crimped. I have a sealed 704 and will take some pics to compare.....stay tuned... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 My watchmaker is certified by Rolex and has a parts account. The only crowns he places on Subs are 703's bought direct from Rolex and they are all crimped. I have seen some 702s packaged as 703s, which might explain this. But, otherwise, I am at a loss since 703s have been the staple for most of Rolex's sports lineup for at least the past decade & a half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justasgood Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 I have seen some 702s packaged as 703s, which might explain this. But, otherwise, I am at a loss since 703s have been the staple for most of Rolex's sports lineup for at least the past decade & a half. But 702 crowns won't fit on 703 tubes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 But 702 crowns won't fit on 703 tubes Correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 While doing some research on an unrelated crown matter, I stumbled across something in 1 of my old Rolex parts books that I think solves The Great Triplock - Crimped vs Solid - Mystery You will notice that both the 703 & 704 have the same relief, which makes them, at least from their cap sides, indistinguishable from each other. However, Rolex added the designation, MONOBLOC, & displays the 704 (as well as the 604, 531 & 480 Twinlocks) with an all-green pic. Meanwhile, the 703 (& 603 & 530 Twinlocks) is pictured as having a yellow core with an outer green cap (which is no doubt secured or crimped around the inner core along its outer skirt). I have viewed these pages many times, but for some reason never made the connection at any time during this controversy. The bottom line is that Justasgood is correct that the 704 appears solid when viewed from its underside & the 703 is crimped. Otherwise, externally, they look the same. And unless anyone has any other new insights to add, I think we can consider another Rolex case closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Good find Freddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Hi Freddy- great work! Quick question- what's the difference between the -530 and the -531? Are they interchangeable? I'm thinking about my 1002 and the parts I rec'd... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Quick question- what's the difference between the -530 and the -531? Are they interchangeable? I'm thinking about my 1002 and the parts I rec'd... Since they have the same relief & use the same tube, they should be interchangeable. Like the 703 & 704, The main difference appears to be the monobloc construction of the 531 (see charts). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosnik Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Thank you Freddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 All makes sense to me, good job, Freddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Since they have the same relief & use the same tube, they should be interchangeable. Like the 703 & 704, The main difference appears to be the monobloc construction of the 531 (see charts). Ah very interesting- had no idea! Those charts are a great resource- thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
concepta Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Using this thread and the GREAT knowledge of you guys to figure out the correct crown and tube for the 116710 (GMTIIC) What should i look for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justasgood Posted November 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Using this thread and the GREAT knowledge of you guys to figure out the correct crown and tube for the 116710 (GMTIIC) What should i look for? I would guess it is the 24-704 monocoque Crown with the 24-7030 tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsupilami Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 hi, just want to inform you about my latest project described here: http://cgi.ebay.de/Generic-case-tube-for-702-triplock-crown_W0QQitemZ230397209844QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDE_Kleidung_Schmuck_Accessoires_Uhren_Armbanduhren?hash=item35a4be6cf4 special offer to all rwg members. more later in the sales corner. micha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Learn something new every day! BTW, M- Those are some nice looking tubes! I can see a 702 style tube coming in handy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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