Jump to content
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  • Current Donation Goals

Finally decided to do things myself!


azbank

Recommended Posts

Gentlemen! 

After disappointment of someone doing the mods for me, I have decided to take the matters into my own hands and doing all the screwing up by myself :))  In helping me to do so, could you be so kind to assist me with the following: 

1. What kind and what size of the drill(s) I need to order for drilling the lug holes for 5513.  I am in Austria so if you have some sources or can point me out to some ebay examples in German language would be great. Otherwise, searches in English will also work just great! 

2. What kind, type, size of a tap I need to make a new thread in the case for 703,700 tube/crowns. I read that the tubes for these crowns are the same, if not maybe I can get different size taps just in case. 

3. To recess the crown deeper into the case I saw in one of the posts that someone was using a round tip drill, if you know the type and size would be great to know. 

4. The bezel on the cartel vintage sub cases is normally very loose, did anyone used Clark's spring, or any other remedy besides glue-freezing the bezel? :) I don't want to purchase the aftermarket bezel construction. 

5. I saw in one of the posts fat cartel crown was filed thinned to look vintaged, was really nice, however I would assume the inner thread would be damaged. What are the tools to open the new thread inside the crown, if such thing is at all possible. 

Thank you!   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Happy to provide help, but please confirm that what I uses is correct with others as well. These work for me.

 

Lugholes - 1.4 mm, #55 US

Gen tube or Athaya? Athaya takes a M3 x 0.35mm tap size.

Recess - less precise. Slighlty larger than tube threads so it sits down a bit.

Bezel - there is a tension ring that you just put some kinks or bends in to make it firmer.

Address the inner crown guards when you replace the crown tube.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Happy to provide help, but please confirm that what I uses is correct with others as well. These work for me.  

Lugholes - 1.4 mm, #55 US

Gen tube or Athaya? Athaya takes a M3 x 0.35mm tap size.

Recess - less precise. Slighlty larger than tube threads so it sits down a bit.

Bezel - there is a tension ring that you just put some kinks or bends in to make it firmer.

Address the inner crown guards when you replace the crown tube.

Clear and concise

I thought lugholes are 1.25mm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would suggest smaller than the above 1.4 mm for lug holes.   You can always go bigger but if you drill too big you are buggered!
 
Most of the builds people drill 1.2mm.   
 

1.2mm is too straight for the 1.2mm bars pivot. That why 1.25mm holes are necessary.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

I meant in terms of purchasing a drill bit.    With a 1.2 mm you can drill once, test fit and will probably be too small, and then drill again with a slight twist of the wrist.

But I agree, if he can find one with a 1.25mm it will simplify.   I do see 1.25mm bits for sale in U.S. but are they in Australia?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I meant in terms of purchasing a drill bit.    With a 1.2 mm you can drill once, test fit and will probably be too small, and then drill again with a slight twist of the wrist.
But I agree, if he can find one with a 1.25mm it will simplify.   I do see 1.25mm bits for sale in U.S. but are they in Australia?

Never find 1.25 in France. I use 1.3. The difference can't be seen


Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use #55 (1.3mm) because replica bracelets are usually out of spec and need the extra wiggle room.  Putting a slight bevel on the inside of each lug hole also helps guide the spring bar.  No bevels on the outside of the lugs.  Not ever.  Putting a couple layers of masking tape over the lug holes before drilling may keep shavings from scratching the lugs.  Poke a hole in the tape to make it easier to center the drill.  When a drill bit stops cutting, change the bit, do not force it. 

"For replacing the loose as hell cartel bezel, you can buy a Swiss made bezel and retaining ring combo on eBay.   I think it's the same as Clark's because you have to polish it."

Clark, watchman408 on eBay and ST are all the same.  I have had much better luck with these bezel kits than MBK, various cartel etc. 

watchman408 has one now, item number  122299989474  $79.00 free delivery

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's strange that the neck size of the cartel case is so near gen. But their bezel is so off and loose that they have to glue the insert.

My guess is that they make the midcase but purchase the bezel from someone? Or....... It's faster and easier to fit the bezel parts if they are too big.

 

At any rate, you have to spend 80 bucks to replace the bezel but it's worth it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"It's strange that the neck size of the cartel case is so near gen.  But their bezel is so off and loose that they have to glue the insert.  My guess is that they make the midcase but purchase the bezel from someone?"

I know what you mean.  Genuine case necks are 28.2mm as are my MBK/Yuki/IG44 and cartel cases from 'Paul' (Abay) but some others are off.  DW is 28.1 to 28.15 making oem spec crystals and bezels too loose.  GS has 3 or 4 different T19 crystals and you can swap them around and sometimes get a good fit.

"Or....... It's faster and easier to fit the bezel parts if they are too big."

They might do this so they can slam them together by hand without a press...who knows?  My guess is they buy parts from various sources and do not care if they fit properly as long as they do not fall apart.  One run of 5513/1680 from Abay had the right size 28.2mm case neck with a 'short skirt' crystal glued to the case neck and they pushed a 'spring wire' type rotating bezel down over the crystal and the spring wire caught in the space below the crystal skirt and held the rotating bezel on...for a while.  I have about 10 like this from around 2005.  Other than the goofy bezels and the case back gasket groove cut in the case, they are pretty good.  For some reason they mounted the case back gaskets in the case like a vintage SD instead of the case back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, automatico said:

cartel cases from 'Paul' (Abay)

Thank you for all your valuable comments! Who is the seller above? "Paul" 

Regarding the bezel system, can the cartel bezel be tightened by replacing the inner bezel spring with the Clark's? or whole system needs to be changed? 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LOL, Paul was one of the early dealers around 2005-6 - he'd have crazy sales- that was back when you could get a DRSD for $139 with a swiss eta and it even had a working HE valve. The bracelet was hollow link and pretty nice- had the clasp with the Rolex crown on the side like this one

5513natationgeneva1.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"...$139 with a swiss eta and it even had a working HE valve. The bracelet was hollow link and pretty nice - had the clasp with the Rolex crown on the side like this one."

A genuine example cost a little bit more but flyin' down the road with your arm out the window...they look exactly the same to me.   :pimp:     I got robbed!  I paid $159!                      

eBay item number:  221920434323

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, azbank said:

Thank you for all your valuable comments! Who is the seller above? "Paul" 

Regarding the bezel system, can the cartel bezel be tightened by replacing the inner bezel spring with the Clark's? or whole system needs to be changed? 

 

Unfortunately, the only way to properly get a bezel assembly to fit correctly on the new cartels is to buy an entire bezel assembly.   You need a new retainer ring, the bezel, and maybe a better tension ring and then I got a new insert for 1 to 1 pearl.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You always knew when your in-box sounded funny before you clicked on it.  Hysterical-like, and everything was in CAPS and spelled wrong.

One of his $138 Sea Dwellers was the piece I chucked out into the ocean on that day cruise with my brother.

CARZY!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up