phwtan Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Hi all! Took delivery of this a while back...haven't had a chance to type this up. TC was very responsive from the start and after 7 weeks of anxious waiting, it finally got delivered to my office. I was like a kid on Christmas day! I requested for the insert to be left unmounted as I was planning on sourcing a gen insert. The TC 16610 insert came packaged separately and looks like quite an improvement from the previous version. Although side-by-side with a gen, there's some scope for improvement with the pearl. Not criticising TC's efforts whatsoever as I can see why it's such a challenge as the gen is truly remarkable. TC is a true artist and gentleman in every sense. I'd been studying these at second hand watch shops throughout London for months prior to receiving the watch and was very impressed by it. A common comment that's made about the TC bracelet is that the first link is stamped with 93250, but in my "research", I was surprised that I encountered quite a few re-conditioned 16610s did not have it. Apparently Rolex stopped doing it in later versions and in later phases of production. Out of the box, the bracelet was a little stiff compared to the gens, but as TC has pointed out in his blog, this is a CNY350 vs a USD1000 gen. A very resourceful member posted about a bracelet "spa" treatment, which involves soaking the bracelet overnight in Johnson's baby oil, which worked like a charm. Feels fantastic now. I must admit, the middle section of the SEL appears to be raised higher than the gens I've seen, so I'm a bit unsure about that. TC reckons that the sample used as datum had such raised middle sections, but I am yet to encounter one. Has anyone out there? The crown stamp on the buckle is not quite as clearly defined as a gen, but is far better than any other rep I've encountered. The bezel click is fairly close to a gen too, although is not quite as smooth. The KH dial is a work of art and is what carries this tightly executed package. The lacquered sheen on the dial, the silver surrounding the dials, the print on the dial is executed to an incredibly high standard and is what sets the TC v6 in a different league from the others. The lume is perfectly applied and glows in the same colour and intensity as the gen insert! That cannot be easy to do! The latest DWO is also fantastic, being slightly raised, and with a slight gloss, it really does "scream gen"! The crown is excellent too, as well the CGs. Difficult to distinguish from a gen, even when placed side by side due to the variances between the gen production series'. I have felt compelled to wear it every day since I received it and can't stop looking at it. It's like wearing a piece of art on my wrist. Oh and lastly, it keeps great time too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droptopman Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Nice review and piece. Sent from my droptop using telepathy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted November 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 pics didn't work properly first time around.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcher Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Yes the sel is wrong. It is too thick but also has the wrong shape which makes the first part of the bracelet stick out further than it should. The sel should curve more downward instead of outward if you know what I mean. Still a great watch though, slap a gen crystal on and you're set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cambridgerwg Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Nice watch! Did not know Thomas adds that card now. Nice touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbobdobalina Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Nice review and watch. Thank for the write up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted November 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Thanks for clarifying , watcher... I had a feeling that was the case. I'm quite keen on getting a gen crystal. Any recommendations on the best way to procure a gen crystal at a reasonable price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbari Posted November 27, 2014 Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 Wear it in good health. Mine says hello Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted November 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2014 Nice piece, Mbari...I never get sick of seeing others' subs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcher Posted November 28, 2014 Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 Best place for crystals are rolex forums or vrf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted November 28, 2014 Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 nice one ! congrats ! cheers, Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbari Posted November 28, 2014 Report Share Posted November 28, 2014 Best place for crystals are rolex forums or vrf.got mine from rolex forums Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted November 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 What's the market price for a crystal nowadays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bc1221 Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 $200/$250 for non ar. $300/$350 for ar is what I see them usually posted for. Not service crystals too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted November 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 watcher, what's vrf? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Vintage Rolex Forum: http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 can anyone recommend an experienced modder in the UK (preferably London) that can install a gen crystal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrickvilleboy Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 You should have told me, I could have mounted the crystal for you. Though shipping a TC case might have been an customs issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapman57 Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 With gen crystal, insert and crown V3 TC SEL and v4 TC clasp finished mine off Sent from my iPhone using Tipitapitalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Very nice! I just found a gen crystal and also getting a gen 93250 bracelet restored ATM...will be a few weeks before it's ready! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cib0rgman Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 if you are just sending the case there is no custom issues, I believe that TC cases have no marking on the lugs anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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