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Vintage Rolex tube refernce pics


usmctowgnr

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A little while ago I had asked a question about vintage tube and crown combinations. I appreciate all the help I got and have now aquired what I was looking for. Since I have all three tubes I mentioned I thought I would post a few side by side comparison photos.

2011-03-16_13-25-11_968.jpg

2011-03-16_13-25-56_61.jpg

2011-03-16_13-25-40_616.jpg

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Notice the course threads and flatter bottom of the 702. This must be what the new 5512/5513/1680 cases are tapped for. I knew I had to countersink the case for the gen tube, but the 703 tube I got doesn't go in beyond a turn or two, have to re-tap the case. . . no wonder.

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All the rep 5512, 5513, 1680 etc are tapped for the replica tubes they build the watch with. The Rolex 702 tubes havent been used in 25+ years.

Well duh. . . ;) but when the latest enumerations are touted as "All Parts Interchangeable with the Genuine . . ." One would figure at least somthing besides the crystal and bezel insert would fit :g:

Then again. . . . :D

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As requested I will shown which crowns go with each tube. I am sure there are models that each crown will work for that I left out but for now I am only using 5512/3 and 1665 as examples of use. Hopes this answers any questions and as always please correct me if anything is incorrect.

24-700

This crown as you will see in the photos has no triplock "dots". This crown to my knowledge is for any of the earlier subs. 5512/5513

_KGrHqZ_hYE1fq8ePqqBNZFgpqvW__3.jpg

24-702

This crown is the first version of the triplock that we all know being used on current subs. This crown is essentially not as wide and does not have as large a space between the crown and the "dots" on the face of the crown. This would be used on a 1665 and also later 5512/5513.

702crown.jpg

24-703

Lastly, this crown is what we all see on the reps. It is the on the 16610 subs and can also be seen on vintage rollies as it is used as a service replacment. So while the 24-702 is actually correct for an earlier build this one could also be used. You will notice the larger spacing below the crown on the face verses the 702 pictured above.

2011-02-04_11-59-19_783.jpg

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Here is some random info from an old rolex service manual:

Tubes no. 703 are fitted with plastic washer no. 06011.

Interchangability...tubes no. 7000, respectively no. 7002, by the tube no. 7030 for as much as the crown no. 700, respectively no.702, be also replaced by the crown no. 703.

(??, you can decipher it)

Grease slightly the thread of the tube with silicone grease rolex ref. 2909 or grease KT22, rolex ref. 2907.

The tubes stand a screwing torque of about 4kg-cm.

The latest 'Triplock' crowns are used on rolex:

5512-5513

1680

1655

6263

6265

The latest 'Triplock' crowns are used on tudor:

7016

7021

7031, 7032

7149, 7159, 7169

9401

9411

9420, 9421

9430

(the crowns pictured do not have gaskets on the outside of the case tube...this was all before they came out)

I bought some aft/mkt triplock tubes with the outside gasket groove from a supply house a few years ago and they broke off when screwed into cases...replica and genuine.

I looked at them just now and they are shorter where they screw into the case compared to oem and oem spec aft/mkt triplock tubes but I can not tell any difference in the threads by eyeballing them...they just bind up and break off in the case.

They measure 2.97mm OD and genuine measures 3.0mm so it must be a slightly different thread pitch

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So which tube for which models?

I think this info would make this thread even more valuable...

According to 'Rolex Daytona, a legend is born', the 700 tube and crown was used up until 1972 when it was replaced by the 701 triplock crown and tube.

The 702 assembly came into use in the second half of the 70's and the 703 assembly came into use in 1982.

So it's really not a question of which model, but what timeframe your watch dates from and if it's original. Certainly any sub serviced in the last 30 years by Rolex would have the 703 crown and tube assembly.

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