Guess it's a 6536/1 or 5508 project then...

[mir36]

I've always been amazed by the vintage builds here, especially the big crown projects, so I picked up a 6536 dial from our Bay seller of the moment.

The 6536 dial was advertised with a diameter of 27.8mm.  I don't have a digital caliper so I hope it's about right:

 

After doing more research post-facto (thank you VRF/Rolexforums), I realize with this dial, I won't get a to do a big crown project after all: 

1. 5510 – 26,96mm circa cal.1030 deep 200/660
2. 6536 – 26,98mm circa cal. 1030 deep 100/330 
3. 6538 – 27,00mm circa cal 1030 deep 200/660 
4. 6536/1 – 27,68mm circa cal 1030 deep 100/330 
5. 5508 – 27,69mm circa cal 1530 deep 100/330 

 

So I guess my options are 6536/1 or 5508.  

Now a question for our experts - Are there other builds possible with this dial?

 

[Mendota Explorer]

Actually, the 5510 used the new (at the time)1530 movement, not the 1030. Just wanted to clarify that. Nice looking dial, by the way! Is that Tonneywatches?

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[mir36]

Thanks for the clarification on the 5510. Yup it's from Tonney  

 

Searching for for other member's 5508 projects here, I realize dial diameter has been an issue on some builds. I plan to eventually get a case from Tonny as well, and hope I won't have to shave down the edges. 

Edited July 4, 2016 by mir36

[alligoat]

Eight years ago I built a 5508. Case and dial was from NDTrading- Natalie who is no longer around. I put a 1520 movement in there which isn't correct- should be a 1530, but it fit and of course they're basically the same except for the beat rate- 18k vs 19.8.

This build ran me around $2,500. The only thing I need to do is maybe have some bevels put on the case and maybe then soften them to give the case some age.

You don't say where the dial feet are on your dial- 1030 dial feet are different from the 1530 dial feet. If you go with the 6536-1, you might try to put a 2846-2 in there- parts for 1030s are getting scarce and it's a 60 year old movement. Even the 1520 parts are getting hard to come by- Rolex hasn't made that movement in 26 years.

Also, I don't think I've ever seen a 5508 watch with the red depth rating.

[mir36]

Thanks for the tips alligoat!  

 

14 minutes ago, alligoat said:

Also, I don't think I've ever seen a 5508 watch with the red depth rating.

 

 

You just reminded me, this is what I was going for originally... I need the face palm emoticon:

 

[mir36]

 

3 hours ago, alligoat said:

You don't say where the dial feet are on your dial- 1030 dial feet are different from the 1530 dial feet. If you go with the 6536-1, you might try to put a 2846-2 in there- parts for 1030s are getting scarce and it's a 60 year old movement. Even the 1520 parts are getting hard to come by- Rolex hasn't made that movement in 26 years.

The dial feet are for a 1030 btw.