5513 Experts

[azbank]

Gentlemen,

Here is the thing, I have 5513 case from Joshua (latest) and 1680 from
PT - pure-time. Josh's 5513 is a bigger case, with fatter lugs, CGs
and overall it is a bigger fatter case. Does this mean that the case
for 5513 is originally bigger than 1680 or I am just better of using
1680 case from PT to build 5513 and save myself a lot of time grinding and trimming
the metal?

Interestingly enough, Josh's 1680 case is also thinner than his 5513 but is a
bit fatter than PT's 1680.

On another point, my 1680 case from PT did not have enough thread -
metal to install Athaya tube! so go figure which one to order in the
future.

Thank you.
Hagan

[jackflash]

The newer Cartel 5513 midcase is actually what they use for the 1665, hence the extra thickness. You can check out some comparison shots in my 5513 build thread:
https://rwg.cc/topic/181702-the-updated-cartel-5513/#comment-1447801
Be wary of the 1680 cases you may find it requires a slightly larger dial 26.5 - 27mm rather than the 26mm of the 5513.
Here are my Cartel builds, the newer version on the wrist, older in the hand.

[azbank]

Thank you Jack,

 

Thank you for the link, great build!

So I take it if 1680 requires a larger dial then it is not an appropriate case for a 5513 build. Dial fitment is a big deal afterall.  Given the size, i thought that 5513 dial would be big for 1680 or at least a tight fit, turns out the opposite. The gen 5513 pictures however, feature a slimmer case more like cartel 1680.  

 

What is a source of your bracelets? they look good.

 

thanks. 

[Sogeha]

The dial opening on the gen is bigger on the 1680, that I know. On the reps it is confusing because they often use one case to cover both models. My advice would be to measure the dial opening or seek advise from those who have for the particular case you are interested in.

[RickFlorida]

In respect to your bracelet search, I recently learned that you can hide the incorrect line on the final midlinks when you expand and fold them over to fit 2mm bars.   So in other words, I'm just gonna soften the edges and use the cartel bracelet.    You don't have much options without a 900 dollar gen. bracelet.

[jackflash]

 

What is a source of your bracelets? they look good.

There are also solid midlink bracelets available without the line on the last link. WSO has them, you will just need to swop out the fliplock with the rep version as the WSO version is unmarked. WSO also sell the gen spec 580 endlinks and 2mm spring bars with rounded ends:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/SOLID-OYSTER-BAND-BRACELET-FOR-ROLEX-SUBMARINER-FAT-SPRING-BAR-20MM-93150-F-LOCK-/310586969327?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE

[RickFlorida]

Ahhh, that is way easier, thanks, Jack.

[azbank]

On 3/6/2017 at 6:56 AM, jackflash said:

There are also solid midlink bracelets available without the line on the last link. WSO has them, you will just need to swop out the fliplock with the rep version as the WSO version is unmarked. WSO also sell the gen spec 580 endlinks and 2mm spring bars with rounded ends:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/SOLID-OYSTER-BAND-BRACELET-FOR-ROLEX-SUBMARINER-FAT-SPRING-BAR-20MM-93150-F-LOCK-/310586969327?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE

Thank you Jack, read your 5513 build blog, very informative. I also have Clark plexi installed and it does indeed make the rehalt ring fatter like a loop distortion, will change it to SK and see how that looks. Very good tip about the bracelet!   All those good parts and things in the US and we cannot get them in EU all gets stopped by the customs those blockade rules man, same goes for things from China. 

 

IF SOMEONE HAS 5513/12 BUILD OUT OF 1680 CASE, PLEASE POST THEM  HERE !  THANK YOU! 

[automatico]

"IF SOMEONE HAS 5513/12 BUILD OUT OF 1680 CASE, PLEASE POST THEM  HERE !  THANK YOU!"

 

You may not be able to tell by looking.

For instance, I have an MBK '5512' made out of an MBK '5512' case that is exactly the same as an MBK '1680' case.  Also have an MBK '5513' in an MBK '5513' case that is also identical to the MBK '1680' and '5512' case in every way.  They are exactly alike but you must use a thicker 1680 date movement to make a '5512/13' out of one.  They are basically oem 1680 spec with a dial window/dial seat cut for a 26.0mm 5512/13 dial.

Have a few old (15 year old) Abay 1680 cases (close to the same as many of today's cartel cases) and they all had swiss eta 2836 no matter if the watch was a 5513/14, 1680, or 1665.  Only difference was the He valve and bezel.  All are made for a 26.5mm to 28.0mm dial because they have a 26.0mm dial window with an oversize 28.0mm dial seat.  The He valves are oem spec and the case back gasket groove is cut in the case like a 1665.  The point is they all look exactly alike but may be 5513/14/1680, or 1665 with only a thicker bezel.

 

There are 4 basic types of 1680 cases:

1...Genuine.  A 1680 mvt/dial combo will not work in a 5512/13 case and 5512/13 mvt/dial combo will not work in a 1680 case.

2...Yuki, Phong etc.  High grade cases made to oem specs.  The 1680 and 55xx cases are different, (internally at least) with different dial seats/dial windows/location of case tube center (maybe).  Do not know if the movement/dial combo thickness difference is made up in the front of the case or the back side. 

3...Cartel.  Not 100% accurate to genuine and not always the same from one order to the next from the same dealer or between dealers.  May use the same case for 1680 date watches and no date 5512/13 watches by using the same basic movement with or without the date works and same diameter dials.  Swiss or clone Eta 2836 for instance.

4...Specialty.  'Out of oem spec' cases such as DW, MBK etc.  See the sticky above.

[azbank]

automatico, thank you for the detailed explanation! i thought someone has adopted 1680 cartel case perhaps for 5513

[jackflash]

You'll find info on my 1680 case to 5513 PCG escapade here:

https://rwg.cc/topic/169433-5513-pcg-odyssey/#comment-1330780