Linder Posted September 14, 2006 Report Posted September 14, 2006 Hi all, I have been working to make some replacement Helium Escape Valves to upgrade the 16600 Sea-Dwellers with an accurate looking valve made of genuine Titanium. We're shooting for $35 per valve. Anyone interested? ORDER LIST: 01. DLY 02. cskent69 03. nonskeder 04. scooter14 05. swemoose 06. x86uops 07. bkdc
cskent69 Posted September 14, 2006 Report Posted September 14, 2006 If you can really make this - please make many!
bruce79 Posted September 14, 2006 Report Posted September 14, 2006 Have you been successful in removing the existing hev yet? Once you're sure it can be removed without destroying the case, you should measure the existing hev valve because that's what the case can hold. The rep case is not as thick as the gen so the rep hev is probably smaller than the gen too.
Linder Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Posted September 14, 2006 I have been milling a hole through the existing area and installing a 3mm titanium valve look-alike "button" to fill in where the valve area once was. Which would be most preferred, a correct size replacement valve or a correct proportioned replacement valve?
Linder Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Posted September 14, 2006 From using Pete's comparison photos from his excellent review: http://petemillar.com/rolex/rolex.htm The rep valve initially looks to be ~2.2% smaller. Assuming a genuine size of 3mm, that would be an approximate difference of 0.0026 inches or 0.065mm.
cskent69 Posted September 15, 2006 Report Posted September 15, 2006 I am not sure about everyone else - but I would recommend making real sized ones - that way - when they inevitable make the right size case, you will have the right part to put in. It is always better to make a gen-replacement part
Linder Posted September 15, 2006 Author Report Posted September 15, 2006 I agree, if there is only a 2% possible difference in size, on that small of a part, it should not be a noticable difference on the wrist. Pete has graciously agreed to take some measurements for me.
bruce79 Posted September 15, 2006 Report Posted September 15, 2006 I say go for the quick fix now with as little case modding as possible.
DLY Posted September 16, 2006 Report Posted September 16, 2006 I agree, if there is only a 2% possible difference in size, on that small of a part, it should not be a noticable difference on the wrist. Pete has graciously agreed to take some measurements for me. Do we have 20 people who would be interested at $35 per? Count me in! I have not posted a lot here but am very interested. I have not taken the back off of my SD to look but how is the valve attached? Is it removed from the inside? Thanks for any help
Linder Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Posted September 16, 2006 It will vary by the case; worse scenario, the old one can be removed with a drill bit.
Tribal Posted September 16, 2006 Report Posted September 16, 2006 Nice idea ! But wait a little bit more... Next time i can show you a Seadweller with right dimensions... Fat case and bezel and good He Valve.... But it takes time... RG Tribal
nonskeder Posted September 16, 2006 Report Posted September 16, 2006 (edited) I agree, if there is only a 2% possible difference in size, on that small of a part, it should not be a noticable difference on the wrist. Pete has graciously agreed to take some measurements for me. Do we have 20 people who would be interested at $35 per? Nice idea ! But wait a little bit more... Next time i can show you a Seadweller with right dimensions... Fat case and bezel and good He Valve.... But it takes time... RG Tribal @Linder--Im in! @Tribal-- Was not aware that there was a rep made that had all the "right stuff" would love to see a pic and know who sells it. Thanks in advance, John. PS: I should have asked this first. Is this a watch that is for sale from one of our dealers or something that you did a custom job on? Edited September 16, 2006 by nonskeder
scooter14 Posted September 28, 2006 Report Posted September 28, 2006 (edited) @ Linder... This would be a great standard MOD! Would this be a complete installation of a valve, or a "plug" fitted into a milled port in the case. Either one would be fine by me! Count me in for either one! Edited September 28, 2006 by scooter14
Linder Posted September 28, 2006 Author Report Posted September 28, 2006 I believe we have completed measuring the genuine valve. Pete sent me some extremely high res photos of his valve. I was able to measure pixels and compare the number of pixels to known measurement values to extrapolate measurements of the valve. I then sent these values back to Pete to compare to his gen. He has confirmed these numbers look good. Now to start on a new prototype with the new measurements.
x86uops Posted September 29, 2006 Report Posted September 29, 2006 If it's still not too late - please count me in. Thanks! --x86
x86uops Posted October 3, 2006 Report Posted October 3, 2006 If it's still not too late - please count me in. Thanks! --x86 Will this fit Josh's perfect SD? http://perfect-clones.com/rlsd10002-perfec...362-p-1062.html
Linder Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Posted October 3, 2006 We're doing our best to make the replacement valves the size of the genuine valves. While I'm not aware of the measurements of the existing rep valves, I imagine any existing valve could either be removed or drilled out. Hope this helps!
bkdc Posted October 4, 2006 Report Posted October 4, 2006 I'd love to hear from someone who has Joshua's "perfect" SD to see how it is attached. Whether it's a "button" that is placed after milling or a true valve, it doesn't matter. I think a button would be easier to install with a little glue.
Linder Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Posted October 12, 2006 Ran out of funding so everything is on hold a few weeks.. Encourage everyone to buy my stuff in the Trading Zone and I'll have them made and shipped in 2 weeks!
scooter14 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Posted October 13, 2006 I'd love to hear from someone who has Joshua's "perfect" SD to see how it is attached. Whether it's a "button" that is placed after milling or a true valve, it doesn't matter. I think a button would be easier to install with a little glue. I have Josh's SD, and while I haven't opened it up it looks like the "HE Valve" is a plug that is set into the case. My guess would be that it is screwed in from the inside in some way. I'm about to have the tube and crown replaced with GEN, so I should have more info soon.
Watchmeister Posted October 13, 2006 Report Posted October 13, 2006 Is it only the contemporary SD's that have titanium valve? Do the vintages use SS or titanium?
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