TC 16610 Sub V6 Review

[tc670207]

 

About this time last year, TC Sub club faced a huge challenge. I was running out of usable TC 16610 and TC 16610LV dials. The dial supplier, due to China's crack down on counterfeits, stopped the rep dial production. The only thing I could do back then was to build each TC 16610 Sub and TC 16610LV Sub from the pile of dials which were taken out from QC issues. I had to first choose a dial with no scratch on the surface and then piece by piece re do the indices to the dial.

 

During that time I wrote a short intro for TC Sub LV Type 3 but skipped the review on the TC Sub V5. I spent most of my time on piecing together the dials. Hence, many new members who did not follow my blog from the beginning were probably confused. If you do not know the story, please read Bumps in the road - 16610 dial maker and the following TC Sub LV Type 3.

 

 

OK, let begin.

 

A Submariner 16610 watch consists of 7 major parts or part assemblies. They are "watch case set", "bezel insert", "dial", "hands set", "crystal", "bracelet", and a power engine, the "movement"; To make a proper Submariner 16610 rep watch, we have to add on 2 more important parts. They are "date wheel overlay a.k.a DWO" and "movement holder".

 

 

Watch Case Set

 

TC Sub V6 is based on the tried and true TC Sub Watch Case Set. This is actually the second case set I picked up. It's a keeper because it has all the aesthetically gen features and constructions. That is to say, crown height at gen position, gen construction bezel assembly that houses gen insert without modding or sanding. The mid case could also house any other gen bezel assembly, gen case back, or even gen dial and movement.

 

I wrote a blog entry to review this watch case set shortly after I picked up this hobby. If you're interested, please take a look at TC Sub Housing Gen 3135 & Gen Parts.

 

 

Bezel Insert

Following the Caddell Vintage Insert.

 

It took me over an year to develop this bezel insert. If you're interested, I documented the first received batch of sapphire crystal pearl in TC Gen Spec Bezel Insert & Pearl - Project Update. 

 

I then found Rolex's secret in luming the sapphire crystal pearl in TC's Pursuit of the Perfect Sub - Progress Update.

 

Caddell Vintage Insert is not a 1:1 to gen bezel insert. It has a curved or rounded look surface while gen is flat.

 

However, when installed to the TC Sub V6, it provides some what of a vintage effect like those of Vintage Omega Seamaster or Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Therefore, I throw in a Caddell Vintage Insert free of charge for each TC Sub V6 members ordered.

 

 

Dial

 

If it is not the Kensington High 16610 dial, I would not give this timepiece its designation: TC Submariner Version 6.

 

The dial and indices looked very simple; however, I learned that the KH 16610 dial is in fact extremely complicated and troublesome to manufacture. It really tested the producer's craftsmanship and capabilities. I never knew such complicated production process were originated in the old kingdom then brought to Switzerland by Rolex. Nowadays, this progress of dial making is used only by Rolex. In my opinion, most other Swiss watch power houses cheapped out on the indices if an indices dial is used at all.

 

Ever since the possession of these KH 16610 dial, I became addicted to these dials. I don't think I could ever go back to the old TC 16610 dials anymore. The problem is, supply of KH 16610 dial is limited and slow.

 

The lume job was done magnificently!

 

 

Hands Set

 

The next thing I would like to talk about is, TC 16610 Hands Set V2.

 

I have been putting the new TC 16610 Hands Set V2 on members' TC Sub V6 for a while. A forum member who's also active on gen watch forums introduced me the V2 hands set maker early this year.

 

He bought a TC Sub V5 with KH 16610 dial and told me everything on the TC Sub is great but something is a bit off. That was the hands.

 

Gen Rolex Submariner's hands set are a tad thicker in comparison to the old TC 16610 hands and provides more of visual 3D effect. V2 hands set is improved upon by this gen feature. The effect of the hands set along with the craftsmanship on the KH 16610's indices reaches true harmony when light shines on the dial creating the ambiance of perfection. That's something only the best craftsman in Europe can produce. That's also something we can only see in genuine Rolex watches.

 

Gentleman, may I present TC 16610 Hands Set V2.

 

 

Bracelet

In my pursuit of the perfect Submariner, a good, tight, and gapless solid end link is as important as a good, clean, shiny dial.

 

The Chinese TC 93250 V3 bracelet maker had done a great job eliminating the ugly gap whenever matching a bracelet to a TC or other rep sub mid case.

 

The Thai TC 93250 V4 bracelet maker pushed that bar higher in making the very best coronet stamp on the clasp. However, members have reported the V4 bracelet art not as good in detail finishings. Besides, the first link of the V4 bracelet does not fold all the way in as gen does.

 

So here it is, the TC 93250 V5 bracelet. I documented the details in TC 93250 V5 Review.

 

 

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 before matching bracelets. 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. Here's the detailed explanation: $59 TC 93250 V5.

 

 

Movement

The powertrain inside TC Sub V6 is TC 2824.

 

Right after I picked up this hobby, I knew I had to find an alternative movement source other than ETA. I've tried Sellita and the Chinese but those didn't pan out. I documented the journey in TC 2824 - An ETA 2824 Super Clone Part I.

 

Luckily I met TC 2824 maker at EPHJ, an fair that my line of trade would pay visit every year. I have only two requirements to the movement I should use. One being to perform on par with ETA standard grade ebauche. Two, it has to have H4 cannon pinion.

 

Why it has to have H4 cannon pinion? Because an H2 would make the hands stack sitting too close to the dial when fully assembled. That is UGLY!

 

TC 2824 maker is the only movement maker I reached out who's capable and willing to make me H4 cannon pinion 2824 movement. I dissected a TC 2824 and an ETA 2824, and made a side by side review in TC 2824 - An ETA 2824 Super Clone Part II.

 

 

Date Wheel Overlay

The Date Wheel Overlay is a thin stainless steel overlay with gen or gen like font dates printed on it. It has to be manually attached or glued to the 2824 movement's original date wheel in order to display dates in the right position of a gen Rolex 3135 movement in a rep watch.

 

I hated doing so in the beginning because it is damn difficult to get it right. But there is no other way around if a 2824 movement is to be used in building the rep. I learned to appreciate doing it a little while later because it requires me to fully focus with no fuzz in mind in order to execute the task correctly. I realized in doing so, it really provided me a peace of mind. This is exactly the reason I picked up this hobby after an ugly divorce. I needed peace in mind.

 

DWO in TC Sub V6 is the 4th version I cooked up along the journey. The first and second version were supplied by the TC Sub Watch Case Set maker, in plain English, the original rep 16610 maker. TC DWO V1 and TC DWO V2 does not transcript gen Rolex date font 100%. Thus I took a detour to Japan during a business trip to Asia and made TC DWO V3.

 

Although TC DWO V3 is a direct transcript of gen 3135 date wheel, font and position. It often sits left justified in the dial's date window when fully assembled. To correct this issue, I made another detour to Japan and made TC DWO V4.

 

TC DWO V4 has the correct white base color. The font is genuine Rolex. The date print is raised in high gloss. And the best thing is, it sit spot on the center in the dial's date window.

 

 

 

 

That's about as detailed and thorough review covering all the latest parts or part assemblies of a TC Sub V6 can get for now. Some more V6 shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

 

TC

 

8/24/14

 

[dbane883]

Congrats Thomas. You keep raising the bar. Well done.

[Ezio]

Nice writing Always enjoy Your blog and this also

Great reading keep moving and raising the bar for the perfect Sub

Regards Simon

[coffindodger]

Yes thanks to Thomas i have these 2 babies

[Dhistory]

We definitely admire your patience and skills necessary for the ultimate sub. Can't wait to get mine.

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[alligoat]

Nice job and great write-up. I just marvel at how beautiful these TC subs are!

[seafoam]

You never disappoint TC. Nice work. I've got an order TC franken but might need to add this to my collection.

[jcrystal23]

Love my V6!!!! I'm in for a LV if start producing them again.

[pam 816]

Great read. good job and thanks for this review. 

[sputim]

Great job Thomas. Also the v5 93250 bracelet is a huge step forward keep it up

[GenTLe]

Great and interesting reading Thomas.

If I'll ever buy a Submariner I'll do that from you

 

By the way and probably an idiotic question... You are located in China, aren't you? 

[Rosco350]

Where does everyone buy thier genuine inserts from? I'm having a hard time finding a good one myself.

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Edited August 26, 2014 by Rosco350

[coffindodger]

TC is in conus

There are 2 members selling gen inserts now take a look in the parts section

[Dhistory]

Where does everyone buy thier genuine inserts from? I'm having a hard time finding a good one myself.

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Alberto86 and others sell them on Rolex Forum and RWG.bz

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[Rosco350]

Thanks coffindodger and Dhistory!

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[highoeyazmuhudee]

these subs have set the standard that all other rep subs are measure against, thats for sure.

[panerai153]

That is as close to genuine as you can get without buying one at a Rolex AD!! Beautiful watch.

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[ExtraExtra]

After reading this thread, I've been converted.  The detail and incessant pursuit for perfection is admirable Thomas.  Good job.

[508-Fanatic]

Genuinely the finest I've ever seen - congratulations! I would love to buy one.

[GenTLe]

TC is in conus

 

Thanks

Reading his blog I've seen he does transhipping for EU, so I'll think about it (when I'll have enough funds).

And, it's a sin he's not doing (or his nice assistant) that amazing YachtMaster...

[time4watches]

Ready to place my order.

[Repfreak83]

Finally ready to order!

[Bc1221]

my fav watch in the collection imo.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Bc1221

[ArnaudParis]

Hello from Paris France Thomas,

 

Honestly I am impressed by your hard work, dedication and passion to achieve the best possible sub. I can't wait to order one later in june 2015. I hope it's still possible.

 

Congratulations.