5500 AK/Explorer project tips...

[Drummania]

"How thick is the 1002 case from case back to crystal top? I have the same project in mind but I have a 15000 case instead."
 
The 1002 OP and 5500 AK cases are thinner and made for no date movements where the 1500 and 15000 OPD cases are a hair thicker and made for date movements.  A cal 3035 date mvt/OPD dial will fit into a 1500 case and a cal 1575 date mvt/OPD dial will fit into a 15000 case, they are basically the same internally.  Neither one will fit into a 15200 case properly.  Same goes for DJ cases of the same eras...DJ dials are just bigger.
A rolex 15xx movement made for a no date 1002/5500 no date case will not fit properly into a 1500/15000 date case, the movement will mount too far toward the front and the stem will not line up in the case tube.  Whew!
A 5512/13 case is the same internally as a 1002/5500 and a 1680 case is the same internally as a 1500/15000. 
 
If the 15000 OPD project is using a genuine 15xx rolex movement, you will need to use a no date movement with date calendar spacer/center wheel/canon pinion/hour wheel and all the other date parts removed. 
If the 15000 OPD project is using an ETA movement, a 2836/46 may work but 2824 probably will not for the same reason as above...mounts too far to the front.  Whew again!
 
When putting an ETA 28xx movement into a rolex 1002/5500/5512/5513/1680 etc case you will need a special spacer because the ETA movements are 11.5 ligne size (26.0mm) and rolex is 12.5 ligne size (28.2mm)...1 ligne = 2.256mm.  Btw, it's sorta hit or miss on actual ligne sizes stated for movements...they sometimes round it off. 
 
Now that you are thoroughly confused, maybe someone who has put ETA movements in a 1002/5500 will chime in. 

Thanks. There is a wealth of info here!


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