Please critique my 1655 build sheet before I begin

[crockey]

I have been inspired to build a 1655 since Josh finally improved his dial offering. This should be a good base to start with. Here is what I am looking at so far:

Josh 1665 with white indices: http://www.1-pc8838.com/00rlex00103-vintage-explorer-1655-ssss-swiss-2836-p-9162.html

Omega Flightmaster hour and minute hands #HAN-2418: http://www.ofrei.com/page944.html

I plan on using the bracelet that Josh has on the watch, but might consider a gen 7836 with 380 links.

Rolex 6mm Twinlock crown 24-600

Rolex/Clark 24-6020 tube

Rolex/Clark 116 crystal

Here is where I have questions:

1. I would like a straight second hand since Josh's is inaccurate. CWP has a set, but I am not sure if it fits the 2836-2. Can anyone chime in? http://www.classicwatchparts.com/catpart/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=62&osCsid=dr6t3rdf82trcntr3uukrrppu2

2. Josh's bezel is not very accurate either (the top of the 4s are not flat enough...........it is hard to tell how thick the numbers are by the pics, so I can't comment on that. Can someone recommend a more accurate bezel?

3. Josh's dial is an improvement, but I may like Yuki's rail dial better: http://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/6380817/8082301.htm What does everyone else think? Can anyone comment if the Vietnam dials will fit in Josh's case? I believe I read a post where someone used an ND Trading dial in his case.

Thanks in advance for your help. Looking forward to getting this off the ground

BTW, here is a great read for anyone considering the 1655: http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/vintage-rolex-forum/12963.htm

[JohnCocktosten]

I have been inspired to build a 1655 since Josh finally improved his dial offering. This should be a good base to start with. Here is what I am looking at so far:

Josh 1665 with white indices: http://www.1-pc8838.com/00rlex00103-vintage-explorer-1655-ssss-swiss-2836-p-9162.html

Omega Flightmaster hour and minute hands #HAN-2418: http://www.ofrei.com/page944.html

I plan on using the bracelet that Josh has on the watch, but might consider a gen 7836 with 380 links.

Rolex 6mm Twinlock crown 24-600

Rolex/Clark 24-6020 tube

Rolex/Clark 116 crystal

Here is where I have questions:

1. I would like a straight second hand since Josh's is inaccurate. CWP has a set, but I am not sure if it fits the 2836-2. Can anyone chime in? http://www.classicwatchparts.com/catpart/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=62&osCsid=dr6t3rdf82trcntr3uukrrppu2

2. Josh's bezel is not very accurate either (the top of the 4s are not flat enough...........it is hard to tell how thick the numbers are by the pics, so I can't comment on that. Can someone recommend a more accurate bezel?

3. Josh's dial is an improvement, but I may like Yuki's rail dial better: http://www.yukiwatch.com/catalog/item/6380817/8082301.htm What does everyone else think? Can anyone comment if the Vietnam dials will fit in Josh's case? I believe I read a post where someone used an ND Trading dial in his case.

Thanks in advance for your help. Looking forward to getting this off the ground

BTW, here is a great read for anyone considering the 1655: http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/vintage-rolex-forum/12963.htm

1. I went with this ETA sweep second hand from Ofrei and shaved a bit off of the short end to make the hand universal thickness. HAN-6463. Looks pretty close to the gens I've seen with stick second hands.

2. Phong bezel. Pricey, but the best in my opinion.

3. I found a guy on the Bay (many members have bought various goods from) that has some really nice quality aftermarket dials from a pretty darned reasonable price. The Mark II I purchased from him has some absolutely amazing fonts and a nice frog's foot coronet. I was able to get him down from the prices listed on the Bay. EMS'ed from Asia and had the dial in under a week. INGOD44

For what it is worth, once the Josh case lugs were drilled to accept gen springbars my NDT 7206 riveted bracelet looked amazing with the case. I've seen differences in the current holes on the lugs, though. One I saw had the existing holes way too near the end to drill. The case I ended up working over had them in just the right spot for drilling and matching the bracelet up.

Everything else should work like a champ.

[crockey]

Thanks for the tip on the straight hand. Just ordered one. Can you post a pic of your dial?

[JohnCocktosten]

Thanks for the tip on the straight hand. Just ordered one. Can you post a pic of your dial?

Below is an old pic. I'm a very dreadful photographer and that's why I'm trying to learn how to take decent shots before writing up my build.

Here's the ebay listing, his pics are much better than mine. Note, I didn't pay the price listed there but I dealt with him outside of Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-EXPLORER-MC-QUEEN-MATTE-DIAL-REF-1655-MARK-2-/250670089952?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5d1a06e0#ht_2500wt_1114

[crockey]

Only thing that really sticks out is the 15 marker is too big.

[crockey]

Only thing that really sticks out is the 15 marker is too big.

[chiman12]

The Yuki dial has way more problems than the InGod dial...IMO the InGod dial is more accurate in many respects...

[JohnCocktosten]

Yeah, it was one of those things that I just liked which is all that really mattered to me. There are obvious accuracy problems. The fonts on most dials are just absolute garbage. Not that these are really any more accurate, but they don't look like my son wrote it on the face with his crayons.

[crockey]

I agree with you. That was the only thing that jumped out at me. I think this is the way to go.

[JohnCocktosten]

I agree with you. That was the only thing that jumped out at me. I think this is the way to go.

I PM'ed you with some details.