tc670207 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 TC 93250 V5 bracelet on Caddell 25-295-C Rouge Gen 93250 (LT3) bracelet on Gen 16610 V-series sans insert. I visited TC 93250 V3 bracelet maker several times from last December until early this month for the development of TC 93250 V5 bracelet and clasp. Members have reported TC 93250 V4 maker were able to make the improvement on the coronet stamp on the clasp but did not possess the quality and skill for the bracelet portion as the TC 93250 V3 maker from China. I was able to persuade the V3 bracelet maker to make proper improvement on the coronet, marrying the merits of V3's SEL and bracelet workmanship with V4's coronet. However, the bracelet maker still wouldn't make the engravings in the SEL trench. Sterile SEL doesn't bother me too much. On a gen it wasn't meant to be seen anyway. The SEL fitment with the Sub mid case, build quality of the bracelet, and cost are my major concerns. Before the review, I want members to acknowledge that TC 93250 V5 (PJ4) has 3 places different from the gen V-series 93250 (LT3) I used as datum. Those differences are not flaws. 1. The stamp on the V5 clasp PJ4 is not as vivid or profound as Gen LT3. When comparing to V4 PJ4 clasp, the stamp is not as vivid or profound either. Apparently the Thai wins at cosmetic and the Chinese wins at overall build quality and cost. The V5 PJ4 clasp stamp still beats V2 DE6 and V3 PJ4 clasp nonetheless. 2. akron on RG reported TC 93250 V4 bracelet first link does not fold all the way like it is supposed to be. Apparently it never is a problem to the Chinese maker. TC 93250 V5 bracelet first link folds all the way as to gen. Now, noticed the mid link on the SEL of V5 is a tad thicker than gen LT3? The gen sample the Chinese maker used has this very feature. What I'm trying to say here? I want members to acknowledge even gen Rolex makes different variations from each production batch. Left: TC 93250 V5. Right: Gen LT3 93250. 3. Some members complained that TC 93250 bracelets do not have the same smoothness when folding as the gen 93250 does. I want members to know gen 93250 bracelet costs USD $1,000 at Rolex service center. TC 93250 V5 costs CNY $350. That's roughly USD $57. Both are made of 316L stainless steel. Both shared the same design, same engineering construction. It's the after process that makes gen 93250 bracelet folds and feels butter smooth. Some modders on the forums have their own in-house lubricating formula. If you are looking for that gen's smooth hand feel, I would recommend members to seek a trusted modder's help for lubricating the bracelet to gen like silk smoothness. The Solid End Link (SEL) on TC 93250 V5 has continued the lineage of the V3 and craftsmanship. The edge of the SEL is a sharp 90° angel cut as how gen is. The thickness of the SEL is also Gen like. This means TC 93250 V5 can fit TC V-series Sub mid case, Factory Direct M-series Sub mid case (AKA WM9 Sub mid case), BK's TW mid case, and most importantly a gen Sub case (with some minor sanding needed 0.02 mm-0.04 mm)。 Gen to the left. TC 93250 V5 to the right. This is TC 93250 V5 on a Factory Direct M-series mid case AKA WM9 V2 mid case. Check out the hairline brush and finish. Can you tell which one is gen? Diver's extension. SEL Fitment: Some members reported there may be gap between SEL and watch lugs. This is one of the issues I want to solve during the development of TC 93250 V5. First let me clarify one thing, that is even Gen has a tiny gap. That gap is 0.02 mm. An average male's hair is 0.08 mm. The bracelet maker can not guarantee 0.02 mm (+/- 0.01) variance on SEL width. His best effort was 0.05 mm (+/- 0.02). This is how 0.05 mm gap looks like. Since the time I received KH 16610 dials, I felt the drive to push the bar for quality a step forward. I started to use a caliper to measure mid case lugs distance. Then I found out TC Sub mid cases lugs distances have variances, and the variances may be dramatically big. So I placed an order of 2 different SEL specs from the bracelet maker this time to solve the problem once for all. The specs are 20.10 (+/- 0.02) mm and 20.15 (+/- 0.02) mm. Before each assembly, I measure the lugs both the 6 and 12'clock sides. Then I can simply decide which spec bracelets to use to make that perfect gen like fitment. Caddell 25-295-C Rouge to the left. Gen V-series to the right. Thanks for reading. TC 3/6/14 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 If you build it, they will come. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemark Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Wow really nice T! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slied013 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Looks great T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netniet Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Very nice T, maybe I need to buy one someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_rolex Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Very nice and beautiful lov it . Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccardorolex Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKTime Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Going to be really difficult for me not to buy your next sub. Will we ever see a sub no date TC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcher Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 This still has a chunky centre peice Thomas. V3 was better on this respect. Did they not use original drawings? This difference still shouts rep regardless of tight lug fit. Look at the difference to the smooth gen next to it. Stops me buying a tc watch again :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcher Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) Actually looking at my pic I can see the reason why sel will not be perfect. The lug profile is very different to the gen lug profile. Not really noticed before Edited March 6, 2014 by watcher 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_rolex Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 I want a sub no date too .if you get it T Sir I would be the first one Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 Well I have this one on the way with a V3 in reserve JIC , we shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmond Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 Awesome piece! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markiemark Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 I think I'll go for a v5 bracelet with a gen clasp. That Coronet has to be perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmj Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 This looks great.well done tc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 That is a nice bracelet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eduardor Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 Great work TC, as usual. Thanks for your efforts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 They are outstanding! ...and I am a vintage watch guy. Sure would be nice to have a 93150 with this attention to detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 You know R, I was thinking the same thing about the 93150! I was even thinking of getting the TC V5 bracelet so that I could take the clasp off of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexfx71 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 great work TC . continue on this road for perfection!!!!!!! alex, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jroll Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I hate being someone with just one post count, but could someone please tell me where I can pick up three of these bracelets? I have been looking for ages to find one to fit my 16610 (my father had the bracelet fall off during an accident). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) You buy them directly. Clearly your one post message is just an excuse for you not wanting to bother to search, because he has an entire section here, which you would have found if you looked around. http://www.rwgforum.net/forum/280-tc-submariner/ Edited February 23, 2015 by tomhorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jroll Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 You buy them directly. Clearly your one post message is just an excuse for you not wanting to bother to search, because he has an entire section here, which you would have found if you looked around. http://www.rwgforum.net/forum/280-tc-submariner/ Ouch, but thank you. The link didn't work, but I'll try and take another look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rillz Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Ouch, but thank you. The link didn't work, but I'll try and take another look. link works perfectly fine for me Check this out: http://tinyurl.com/oolyfq7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jroll Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 Ha ha, I love the sense of humor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.