monkeypunch Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) I recently purchased a 5506 Air-King case and dial and am getting prepped for a franken build. I ran into a problem with the crown. According to my research the 5506 takes a 5.3mm crown, but my crown wouldn't fit. It seems the crown tube is smaller and won't allow either of my 5.3mm crowns to fit. I tried a 5.3mm crown tube I had that was too big in diameter to fit inside the case. The crown tube that came with the case is considerably smaller to boot. I'm stumped...any ideas? Edited August 8, 2012 by monkeypunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Are you sure the parts you have are 5.3mm and not 6mm parts? Your case tube that's too big is probably 6mm which takes a 3.0mm x .35 tap and the 5.3 tube takes a 2.5mm x .25 tap. A set of taps would be a good purchase. Also, if you're buying used crown on ebay, you have to realize that some sellers have no clue what they're selling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I just measured the threads that screw into the case, both top and bottom. The crown tube that came with the case measures 2.43mm on the bottom, and the top thread measures 3.94mm. The other tube I have that was purchased off of the bay measured 2.84mm on the bottom and 4.33mm on the top. Now I measured the top threads in my 1603 DJ franken, and my 1500 cased 5500 explorer, both measured the same 4.33mm... does this mean that both of those cases are housing 6mm tubes??? I'm amazed with what should be such a simple issue is confusing me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 The case tube that measures 2.43 on the bottom can only go in a 2.5mm hole, so it's a 5.3mm case tube. The tube with the 2.84mm bottom can only go in the 3.0mm hole, so it's a 6mm case tube A 1603 does take a 6mm case tube and crown- crown would be the 24-600-0. Case tube is 243-6000-0. Last 0 denotes stainless steel. On a 1500, I'm not sure, but it appears you have a 6mm assembly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thank You, Alligoat! It certainly does appear that my 1500 case has a 6mm assembly, between that and the ebay crown and tube no wonder I was all messed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 To make it worse, the 6mm have an "old" and "new" style. The "new" style tube fits a 3mm hole while the "old" style fits the smaller hole... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 To make it worse, the 6mm have an "old" and "new" style. The "new" style tube fits a 3mm hole while the "old" style fits the smaller hole... ...........which TOTALLY hosed me when I bought a very expensive "Brevet" 6mm crown for my 6536. Live and learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) That settles it, next time I buy a case, i'm making sure it has a crown. I just bought a gold 5.3mm crown to match the case. Now I have to figure out a way to age the crown...I hope the damn thing fits! Edited August 8, 2012 by monkeypunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Such is the fun of watch building! Or, maybe I should say integrating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Maybe this will help: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted August 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2012 Well, I was bored today and did a beta build. I had a spare 2813 movement, sub hands, and an old gold crown that matched the case. I removed the crown tube to make it fit. This is only temporary until I get a gen crown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billiards74 Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 I know I'm bringing up an old topic but..... Does anyone happen to know Rolex's part number for the "new" type case tube for the 1601/1603? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeypunch Posted January 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 Isn't it 24-600? For those interested this is how the 5506 ended up looking: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue. Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 Thank is a great 5506, monkeypunch! Congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 For those interested this is how the 5506 ended up looking: Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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