Jump to content
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  • Current Donation Goals

TC Submariner Housing Gen 3135 & Gen Parts (Part I)


tc670207

Recommended Posts

Part I

A member asked me if the TC Submariner watchcase can take gen parts. I didn't know what does that mean at first. After massively reading and researching the forums, I conclude "taking gen parts" by strict definition, means the watchcase should be able to

1. house gen 3135 movement without any modification, that is to say the gen dial should flush into the watchcase opening without any modifcation as well.

2. take gen 2.5 mm gasket and gen 25-295-c crystal and the magnification should still reads at 2.5x.

3. tube takes gen crown with no problem.

4. bezel assembly takes gen bezel insert.

5. take gen caseback.

So I'm determined to make an experiment on the TC Sub watchcase I brought back. An experiment that may damage my gen Submariner - I am going to swap the gen guts into the TC Sub watchcase, and see if all these gen parts could fit on it.

Let's take a final good look at the gen Submariner one last time.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Here is the TC Submariner watchcase that is ready to receive transplant. Note that the laser etching "X" is aligned to the tube. This is a good sign of attending to details.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Gen Submariner 16610 crown guard shape:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

TC Submariner crown guard shape:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Ok, let's open the gen Sub caseback:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Gen Rolex 3135 movement. It is beautiful!

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Note the screws on the sides of the 3135 movement. This is how Rolex mounts its movement to the watchcase.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Let's then check the crown and tube:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

There are 2 O-rings within the tube:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Let's make a side by side comparison of gen caseback (to the left) and TC Submariner caseback (to the right). The diameters of the two casebacks are the same. So I assume gen caseback could fit on TC Sub watchcase and vise versa. Finish of the gen caseback looks better though.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Then the lugs shape:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcasehou.jpg

Other observations:

I noticed my gen Submariner's 25-295-c crystal has an AR coating applied underneath the cyclops. I looked my other gen, a 2002 k-series Yacht-Master, a 2006 z-series two-tone Submariner, and found there's no AR coating applied underneath the cyclops. I don't know if it is a new upgrade, but it does make easier to read the date through cyclops.

Here's one thing I found TC Sub watchcase is different from the gen. This is gen movement receiving hole:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Here's TC Sub watchcase movement receiving hole. Note the gen receiving hole is located at 8 o'clock with a slightly bigger R curve. TC Sub watchcase has a smaller R curve receiving hole located at 9 o'clock.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Nonetheless the gen dial and 3135 movement flushes into TC Sub watchcase smoothly.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Placing a silicone oil greased O-ring:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Unscrewing the screws until they touches the watchcase chapter and fastened the movement to the watchcase:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Let's see how gen caseback fits on TC Sub watchcase. Fits perfectly.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

Let's see how the laser engravings aligns with gen dial minute lines:

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcasehoc.jpg

Let's see how a gen 25-295-c crystal with a 2.5mm gasket fits. This is taken from my gen Sub LV.

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcaseho.jpg

tcsubmarinerwatchcasehoh.jpg

Other observations:

My gen Sub LV is of m-series. The crystal does not have AR applied underneath the cyclops, so I believe it must be an upgraded feature since v-series. My gen Sub 16610 is v-series.

End of Part I

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One note.

A Lot of members here are Sub freaks like me for a long time.

Now you come to RWG and take the"who has the best Sub" to a new Level.

That's the first time that a member comes with his own sourced Sub in parts.

Simply amazing.

Thanks for that.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a v serial 16610 with ar on the cyclops. It seems to be something that Rolex introduced on the v and random serial subs. It has a slight blue colour at certain angles.

This case does look interesting but is the bezel as good as the rest I wonder.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the blog post you can see the bezel teeth do not seem as deep as the gen.

So it seems we have a great case, but I still wonder two things are the lugs actually 20mm. And what about a rep dial? Not complaining at all, this is a huge leap forward for the community. Just sparking further discussion :).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah the bezel is below par yet again. Why do they never get the teeth good!

The case is great apart from the rehaut engraving. Puzzled as to why they overcomplicate the process of coying the case by wanting to add this feature as many would never want it and also many do not like it on gen Rolex either! me included!!

Great work TC so get ready to sell many of these!!

I have a suspicion though that we will see completed watches soon using this case and the updated 2nd generatoin of the 3135 so called clone movement!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Who sells this case?

I bought this case in HK.

One note.

A Lot of members here are Sub freaks like me for a long time.

Now you come to RWG and take the"who has the best Sub" to a new Level.

That's the first time that a member comes with his own sourced Sub in parts.

Simply amazing.

Thanks for that.

Thanks for compliment, Tribal.

TC,

I am in awe. thank you for the amazing work.

question for you, is the tc case actually 20mm at the lugs? or 20.13ish like the sean case?

and can you get a rep dial that fits in the case and is accurate!

M

I did a quick measurement using my caliber, it is 20.17 mm

Are you selling these "TC" cases? If so, you better be getting thousands of them! Every Sub fan and his brother will want one! HaHa

Excellent write up, looking forward to more!

I'll consider it.

I would love to know, as I am sure everyone would, where you can get one of these and how much they are?

The watchcase kit is one of the 3 things I think expansive but its quality made me believe I could build a very good Sub rep base on it.

I brought back 5 in my last trip. It is $180 each but there are 3 of m-series and only 2 of v-series. I thought they were the same at first but later I found v-series have better crown guard shape than m-series. I don't know if I'm being had or this is just a business trick my seller played on me.

http://tc-submariner.blogspot.com/?m=0

More news soon i guess?

Just as long he dosent call himself wm10 or somthing with wm in the future ;)

What is wm10?

Yeah the bezel is below par yet again. Why do they never get the teeth good!

The case is great apart from the rehaut engraving. Puzzled as to why they overcomplicate the process of coying the case by wanting to add this feature as many would never want it and also many do not like it on gen Rolex either! me included!!

Great work TC so get ready to sell many of these!!

I have a suspicion though that we will see completed watches soon using this case and the updated 2nd generatoin of the 3135 so called clone movement!

I'll check that with the N-factory owner during my CNY visit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The WM10 comment is referring to the now ceased WM9(watchmaker9) from Taiwan and wondering if this is where WM9 left off I guess.

You say the case came from HK, looking at the case it shouts Taiwan made rather than mainland China. There were connections of sorts between George(WM9) and the Noob factory so it could be something on the horizon and maybe from the same factory that WM9's came out of in the good old days.

I think this thread needs pinning admin as it's a big development for the Sub fans!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The WM10 comment is referring to the now ceased WM9(watchmaker9) from Taiwan and wondering if this is where WM9 left off I guess.

You say the case came from HK, looking at the case it shouts Taiwan made rather than mainland China. There were connections of sorts between George(WM9) and the Noob factory so it could be something on the horizon and maybe from the same factory that WM9's came out of in the good old days.

I think this thread needs pinning admin as it's a big development for the Sub fans!

+1 P, I've a bunch of ideas about this cases ;)

Let's organize a group buy pals !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest zeleni kukuruz

+1 P, I've a bunch of ideas about this cases ;)

Let's organize a group buy pals !

Group buy???? Are you sure??? After all that in the past???

TC, you dont know what you have started!!! Your sitting on a golden egg here!!! Now the ball is with you, play safe and smart, deliver in time and you will be a millioner in 6monthes :)

And i guess just put BK out of the sub game fir sure!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up