1570 GMT Engine....What to build?

[btocamelo]

I've had a few free days at home to recover from this flu that just beat the crap out of me....so I figure I'd post some premature photos of a project I decided to embark upon....probably the most expensive one for me to date (hopefully the wife doesn't find out )........this means, I will probably be getting rid of some of the collection to cover costs for this project ..........

I picked up this 1570(5) GMT movement off of Ebay at a good price......before I start the project, I'm thinking of taking to a proper local certified Rolex watch smith and get it completely overhauled?

There's this local place by my house that seems like a service center where other jewelry stores send their high end watches to get serviced.....it's probably expensive, but I would like to be sure it's done right.

What do you guys thinks?...and what's a decent price for overhaul, timing, regulating?

NOW for the fun......What should I drop this into? Phong caseset? Phong dial & hands.... or ...... RSC Service Dial & Hands (like Stilty)?...I do like a well lit dial?

Edited September 29, 2010 by btocamelo

[redwatch]

Wow that looks clean!!! Nice pick up! Ziggy might be a good choice for a service too.

What were you thinking of for a project? 1655 I would assume? A service dial would be a really nice compliment for this movement (assuming one can be found at a reasonable price)

Looking forward to seeing your progression with this project

[wiesn089]

I think getting the movement checked prior to buying the other parts seems like a good idea. This sounds like an amazing project, be sure to post your progress. Do you have a reliable source for service dials?

[btocamelo]

I think getting the movement checked prior to buying the other parts seems like a good idea. This sounds like an amazing project, be sure to post your progress. Do you have a reliable source for service dials?

Thanks....I have only come across one seller of New 1655 Genuine Service dial and hand set...the guys is asking $1800

If anyone has any leads, let me know.

[btocamelo]

Wow that looks clean!!! Nice pick up! The Zigmeister might be a good choice for a service too.

What were you thinking of for a project? 1655 I would assume? A service dial would be a really nice compliment for this movement (assuming one can be found at a reasonable price)

Looking forward to seeing your progression with this project

Thanks Red....but from what I gather, The Zigmeister is a very wanted man with a long wait list.......and I'm down in Florida....there are some local guys I believe.

The place I was going to take it to supposedly gives a free evaluation and they provide photos and history write up of the service....I'm not sure if it's more gimmick than anything, but I do know they provide watch service to many high end jewelry stores in the city.

[freddy333]

Nice find. The 157x is a very reliable & relatively simple movement to overhaul. Just be sure the watchmaker you select has a Rolex parts account (which infers that he meets Rolex's experience/workmanship standards).

[JoJo35]

I would definitely recommend finding a gen case, gen dial, gen crystal, etc...

IMO, you might as well build the real thing

[stilty]

Nice find! post a WTB on the gen boards. Dial and hand set will run you about $800-$900. Depending on how patient you are... can cost you more.

One thing I notice with your movement. The date disc seat looks wrong. It should have 3 rubies on top. It could be a standard seat that has been shimmed. The date disc seat is a very hard part to find. I found a NOS from a seller in HK, but it cost me $300. I could have just shimmed it, but I wanted it to be proper. The difference between the two is 0.20mm in thickness. The taller seat is required for the date disc to clear the extra 24H gears. You won't know until it is removed, but from the pictures, it looks as if the date disc is sitting high enough to not interfere with the gears.

The other thing that I notice, is that the screw that holds down the date driver does not look to be screwed down very far. This could be a problem if it pops off. There is a stud on the mainplate that needs to be replaced in order for the screw to catch and secure the driver properly. check out this picture to see what I mean.

[freddy333]

The 1575gmt uses a different date indicator seat (calendar ring - part 7965) than other 157x calibers & it may have only 1 ruby.

[btocamelo]

The 1575gmt uses a different date indicator seater (calendar ring - part 7965) than other 157x calibers & it may have only 1 ruby.

Thanks Freddy.....I'm trying to determine now whether Ingod44 dial (26.5mm wide) will look correct inside a Phong case (I emailed him).......I know that Phong & NDT dials run a little wider, 27.3mm....and they have a little more space between the markers and the dial edge compared to Ingod's.

But Indog's the only one that has that cool Mark 2 dial.

Are the GEN dials 26.5mm, like Ingod's?

[stilty]

the GMT calendar seat has 3 rubies... while the others only have 1 ruby. 7965 is also 27.2mm in diameter and 1mm thick. The regular seat is 26.6m in diameter and 0.80mm thick. Phong uses the standard seat and installs a shim to raise up the date disc in order to clear the gears.

As for the dial, the gen diameter is 27.3mm.

If you go with a genuine dial and handset, be sure to let Phong know. I received one case from him where the rehaut diameter was slightly too small and the rehaut just covered the dial markers. Also, the genuine orange hand is long and nearly touches the rehaut. So you have to make sure he gets the rehaut correct, or you will run into big problems with the orange hand.

[kent2]

Nice find! post a WTB on the gen boards. Dial and hand set will run you about $800-$900. Depending on how patient you are... can cost you more.

One thing I notice with your movement. The date disc seat looks wrong. It should have 3 rubies on top. It could be a standard seat that has been shimmed. The date disc seat is a very hard part to find. I found a NOS from a seller in HK, but it cost me $300. I could have just shimmed it, but I wanted it to be proper. The difference between the two is 0.20mm in thickness. The taller seat is required for the date disc to clear the extra 24H gears. You won't know until it is removed, but from the pictures, it looks as if the date disc is sitting high enough to not interfere with the gears.

The other thing that I notice, is that the screw that holds down the date driver does not look to be screwed down very far. This could be a problem if it pops off. There is a stud on the mainplate that needs to be replaced in order for the screw to catch and secure the driver properly. check out this picture to see what I mean.

[kent2]

I happen to have a nos correct date seat...for the gmt

[btocamelo]

I happen to have a nos correct date seat...for the gmt

You have a photo?....from what I understand from Stilty....there is a date seat that has 3 rubies?

[kent2]

three rubies and one date seating rivet

[btocamelo]

thanks Kent.......I'm kinda learning as I go about Rolex movement, so obviously I'm going to assume that more rubies are better?...what's the benefit to gain over my current single rubie disc seat?

is there a model number on yours like 7963 or 7956?...like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250656055078&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

what are you asking for it?

three rubies and one date seating rivet

[Rolexaddict]

I would definitely recommend finding a gen case, gen dial, gen crystal, etc...

IMO, you might as well build the real thing

I agree,

At this level, I dont understand the Phong or other fake/[censored] sellers option.

Stop with reps, buy gen stuff.

Just kill the shitty Chinese dictature

[btocamelo]

I already have given my contribution to Rolex in the form of GEN Explorer II and Gold Bubble Back..plus a number of other GEN Breitlings and UN watches.

This one is for myself...and honestly I don't wanted to spend $10K on a vintage GEN1655.....when I can get a respectable similar for a 1/4 of the price...and it does have a Rolex movement....which is the most important part to me....AND...I can say that I had some part in putting the thing together.

Try building a used '66 Corvette without using any aftermarket replica parts.....

Edited September 30, 2010 by btocamelo

[Rolexaddict]

I already have given my contribution to Rolex in the form of GEN Explorer II and Gold Bubble Back..plus a number of other GEN Breitlings and UN watches.

This one is for myself...and honestly I don't wanted to spend $10K on a vintage GEN1655.....when I can get a respectable similar for a 1/4 of the price...and it does have a Rolex movement....which is the most important part to me....AND...I can say that I had some part in putting the thing together.

Try building a used '66 Corvette without using any aftermarket replica parts.....

o.k

[btocamelo]

the GMT calendar seat has 3 rubies... while the others only have 1 ruby. 7965 is also 27.2mm in diameter and 1mm thick. The regular seat is 26.6m in diameter and 0.80mm thick. Phong uses the standard seat and installs a shim to raise up the date disc in order to clear the gears.

As for the dial, the gen diameter is 27.3mm.

If you go with a genuine dial and handset, be sure to let Phong know. I received one case from him where the rehaut diameter was slightly too small and the rehaut just covered the dial markers. Also, the genuine orange hand is long and nearly touches the rehaut. So you have to make sure he gets the rehaut correct, or you will run into big problems with the orange hand.

Thanks for all your info.....I think I'm going to stay away from GEN 1655 Vintage dials, only because of the cost and some of the ones I have seen look like crap.....and the new 1655 service dial and hands looks nice....but also expensive....maybe a future add-on?

Stilty,...I'm a bit hesitant about the information you posted regarding Phong's case and the dial rehaut......I just picked up a Mark 2 (frog foot) dial from Ingod44 which he lists as being 26.5mm in diameter...it seems to be printed on a "Beyeler Geneve" dial which is an authorized maker of GEN Rolex dials....so is the GEN 1655 dial 27.3mm or can it also be 26.5mm as Ingod lists?

I do have a Phong dial to compare, and it measures 27.4mm diameter...you say the GEN 1655 dial is 27.3mm diameter..or this can vary?

So, when I asked Phong....he only says the his 1655 case fits all 100% GEN parts and dials.....and when I asked Ingod, he says that his dials should fit Phong's case with no problem.

Is everyone right?....and will Ingod's dial present in Phong's case with no problem?.....or should I contact Phong for better case measurement?

I want to thank everyone for all your help with this!

JD