Rolex Submariner 16610 - Z serial.

[Stephane]

Rolex Submariner 16610: My WatchMaker9 Tribalised one.

 

 

Dear All,

 

Here is my testimonial of another Submariner: the WM9 one.

When I first posted a photo of this watch, a lot of member said it's gen.

I'm sure these comments made Tribal very happy. 

 

Please note this watch is NOT finished.

It will have a genuine crystal and maybe a genuine bezel one day.

 

Preambule

 

We've been numerous to look for the "best sub" isn't it.

Despite the fact that a lot of members of this community must be fed up with our Sub's, my opinion is that the watch is my favourite (without cyclop though, the SeaDweller this is) and as it is the most popular one on our planet, it is thus the most exiting one to try to replicate.

Like many others I have owned several Subs.

Why change again?

Because it's fun!

 

 

That said, I recently had an opportunity to see several highly modified Subs side by side.

The conclusion is that it is very very difficult to decide which is the best.

I guess we all have different tastes and opinions, and that is great!

 

Tribal

 

He is probably the one who handled all the Sub reps possible for years now among this community.

I had the chance to meet him in the flesh in Köln lately and that was the icing on the cake for sure.

I can only say that he is a sweet person.

 

When I started to look for members to modify my watches a year ago I sent PMs to Tribal, MM (sorry, it means Mystery Modder) and to a third member who I prefer to not even mention.

Tribal was very nice and agreed to help me on my first "high end" watch, a 16610 MBW that I bought from TTK's group buy.

It turned out very nice of course.

 

The MBW is sold to another great member of our community as I felt like having a new Sub project with Tribal.

 

WM9

 

 

My experience with these guys is very nice, though very special.

I mean buying from them is funny: pre-order, order, payment, confirmation eMails, shipping inquiry, phone number needed, then shipping details, and finally a first pack arrives.

 

The first pack contained a bracelet and a birthday greeting card!

So Tribal and I started to sweat a bit.

WM9 confirmed they ship in two packs.

A week later the second pack arrived with the watch.

 

 

The watch

 

According to Tribal, the base is the same case as the MBK one.

I have no reason to doubt about that, but I still have to see a "new" MBK in the flesh to make myself a final opinion on this.

As far as I know, the serials and various engravings on the Rolex reps are very different from one source to the other these days.

That doesn't make sense to me.

I doubt a single factory would go for different serials and engravings between the lugs or in the case back.

Apparently the engravings have always been the same on every Noob or every MBK/MBW for years, like a signature.

 

I will not comment the watch further as I didn't see it out of the box.

There is a link to a great review from W.Genzo later in this thread.

Let's only remember Tribal's comments about the WM9 Sub: construction is like genuine and will thus accept a gen crystal, a gen bezel, a gen dial and all this without any mod.

That was the main point for me to jump on this as I really want a "fully modded Sub".

 

 

My Tribalised WM9

 

The bezel, insert & pearl

 

We went for a genuine insert and pearl of course.

 

 

The bezel is different from what I saw so far.

Some member told me they don't like it.

I agree it is not as close to the genuine one as other ones, like MBKs, but I like it.

And, the genuine insert fits perfectly.

I'm not yet sure if I'll go for a genuine bezel…but maybe I will in the end.

 

 

The crystal, date and magnification

 

It's a little premature to talk about this as the crystal is going to be changed for a genuine one.

The Edged Crown is too visible on WM9's crystal.

 

 

But, out of the box, there is no reason to complain about mag and date: it is very good in my humble opinion.

 

 

The Dial

 

I was lucky to pick up a genuine one from a member here.

It has a ding in the O of Oyster but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

 

 

Nothing replaces a gen dial.

Not even the best rep one.

Hour markers, lume, everything is much better "finished" on a gen.

 

 

Have a closer look at how "crispy" the lume is. Seems to come out of a freezer.

 

The Crown and tube, the crown guards

 

Here, honestly, you could keep the crown and tube that are delivered with the watch. They are very good.

You can check the photos on their web site by the way.

But, as it is not that expensive, I choose to put genuine ones too.

 

 

 

Of course, the CGs have been shaved by Tribal, that's why they look so close.

 

 

The rehaut

 

Can see anything wrong to say about it.

Looks almost gen to me, including the height.

No wok effect at all.

And the rehaut tickness is there too.

 

 

The only thing needed is little polishing and Tribal always does that.

 

 

The bracelet

 

Oh, my god.

It's a solid mid link one again. Not that it does really disturb me as I like it when it's 5 grams heavier. 8P

But…there is no 93250 stamped on the last link and that is really stupid!

The clasp is very good though.

 

 

 

 

Serials and engravings

 

That is where I'm confused about the case.

This is what I see and still didn't see on any MBK as serial.

If your MBK, new, old, very old, carries the same, pls let us know.

 

 

Lume and hands.

 

As this watch features a genuine dial, and that the lume is of course perfect, we know the hands will be poor.

Tribal decided to change the hands for "Tudor ones" to be "closer" to the Rolex original lumi dial.

I think it's the best option as we know genuine hands won't fit unfortunately.

 

 

No PhotoShop, not special exposure.

 

The end

 

Hope you enjoyed this thread.

It will be updated with more mods as soon as they happen.

 

Thanks for looking and reading.

 

 

Cheers

 

Stephane

 

Visit W.Genzo's one!

W.Genzo's

 

 

Bonus photos, courtesy of Tribal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note the sticker has been removed

 

[w.genzo]

Beautiful watch..

Are you saying there is no 93250 engraved on the last links?

Mine came with engraved links, and that's WRONG for a Z serieal Sub.. so it could be a nice upgrade.

I'm thinking of adding a gen dial too, it really makes the difference.

Nice work Tribal, good choice Stephane, enjoy it

[Tribal]

Great Review as allways

And many thanks for your warm words.

W.Genzo is right about the bracelet on a Z- Serial.

there are no engravings on the last link.

Thanks my friend.

[Mickey Padge]

Fantastic watch indeed! A masterpiece, wear it well

[By-Tor]

This review should be titled "Review of the Best Sub".

This really is the best rep Sub I have seen. Congrats, and wear it well my friend!

[ubiquitous]

Great looking Sub, Stephane!!

You oughta toss a 3135 inside for good measure

[TANFOGLIO]

nice Watch verry nice !

[cschenone]

Very nice indeed. Looks like mine Thank you for sharing.

-Chris

Edited June 22, 2008 by cschenone

[EuroTimez]

Beautiful watch Stephane, Tribal really knows what he's doing

Shoot me a PM, and I will let you in on this part.... I believe both are from the same factory... I have some insight that will make sense why the serials are different.

" QUOTE STEPHANE"

As far as I know, the serials and various engravings on the Rolex reps are very different from one source to the other these days.

That doesn't make sense to me. sly.gif

I doubt a single factory would go for different serials and engravings between the lugs or in the case back.

Apparently the engravings have always been the same on every Noob or every MBK/MBW for years, like a signature."

Edited June 23, 2008 by EuroTimez

[Stephane]

@all: thanks for your words!

Beautiful watch..

Are you saying there is no 93250 engraved on the last links?

Mine came with engraved links, and that's WRONG for a Z serieal Sub.. so it could be a nice upgrade.

I'm thinking of adding a gen dial too, it really makes the difference.

Nice work Tribal, good choice Stephane, enjoy it

Well, sometimes I prefer an inaccurate watch.

I love the engraving on the last link, but I can live without it of course, like I can live with the solid midlink I guess

Great Review as allways

And many thanks for your warm words.

W.Genzo is right about the bracelet on a Z- Serial.

there are no engravings on the last link.

Thanks my friend.

Tribal, it's you who deserve the "thanks"

This review should be titled "Review of the Best Sub".

This really is the best rep Sub I have seen. Congrats, and wear it well my friend!

Thank you By-Tor. It's probably the best untill ...the next one

Great looking Sub, Stephane!!

You oughta toss a 3135 inside for good measure

Merci Ubi. I'm not yet a full franken man but your example might push me to the limit one of these days.

I already narrowed my collection following your saying "QOQ"

nice Watch verry nice !

Coming from you my friend, it's a true compliment. Thanks Tanfo.

Very nice indeed. Looks like mine Thank you for sharing.

-Chris

Congrats to you, now that is is on my wrist, I know how much you must love yours!

[Stephane]

Beautiful watch Stephane, Tribal really knows what he's doing

Shoot me a PM, and I will let you in on this part.... I believe both are from the same factory... I have some insight that will make sense why the serials are different.

I will shoot you a PM for sure Chris.

I love to learn the details around our hobby

[elprimerozen]

I have ey'es and see... this is NOT a MBW.

Beautifullllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[By-Tor]

This has deep rehaut and Noobmariner's excellent rehaut thickness. MBW is not as good in that department. Perhaps the case is the same, but somehow the crystal and rehaut merge better with eachother, and makes it look more like the gen.

I'd say the rehaut is perfect on this one. From the sideview and the front. See the red marked area. Maybe it's the installed crystal that makes the difference, but this watch certainly has the unique gen look.

[Stephane]

This has deep rehaut and Noobmariner's excellent rehaut thickness. MBW is not as good in that department. Perhaps the case is the same, but somehow the crystal and rehaut merge better with eachother, and makes it look more like the gen.

I'd say the rehaut is perfect on this one. From the sideview and the front. See the red marked area. Maybe it's the installed crystal that makes the difference, but this watch certainly has the unique gen look.

I certainly agree with you BT. We both like Rehaut Tickness

I can't wait to get a genuine crystal installed on the WM9.

When I finally get my Sea Dweller back I'll check the gen bezel compared to this bezel of course.

[bklm1234]

I don't feel the M serial MBW/MBK has the same rehaut and crystal construction as the wm9 sub. They just look different. What By-Tor highlights is exactly what I mean. I don't see that on the M serial sub (Chris' sub).

-bk

[silvio]

Great review, Stephane.

Overall it looks real great but just my opinion is: the inside part of the crownguard could use some rework... the gen ones are really spread apart. But not that everybody will notice this one...except you really look closely of course and that's 1 out of 100 people I think :-)

An additional note, is that on the Z-series no hole lug subs and SDs the bracelet end doesn't have any reference number engraving on them so it's correct this way (unmarked bracelet).

Thanks for sharing.

[Tribal]

I don't feel the M serial MBW/MBK has the same rehaut and crystal construction as the wm9 sub. They just look different. What By-Tor highlights is exactly what I mean. I don't see that on the M serial sub (Chris' sub).

-bk

I don't agree BK,

I handeld both Cases there are no differences

in shape and construction (expect Rehaut engravings

and engravings on the Lugs,Caseback)

All looks the same.

[dalayclass]

I have a gen 16610 LV and there is no 93250 written on the last link...

[Stephane]

Pfff!

They are so cheap the Rolex guys.

For such a price they could at least give us some engravings on our bracelets

I'm happy that my gen 16600 has all this

Anyway, good news for the WM9 Sub latest edition then, they are even more accurate now!

[P4GTR]

One of, if not my most favorite 16610. That watch has "it".

[EuroTimez]

QUOTE (bklm1234 @ Jun 25 2008, 01:41 AM) *

I don't feel the M serial MBW/MBK has the same rehaut and crystal construction as the wm9 sub. They just look different. What By-Tor highlights is exactly what I mean. I don't see that on the M serial sub (Chris' sub).

-bk

I don't agree BK,

I handeld both Cases there are no differences

in shape and construction (expect Rehaut engravings

and engravings on the Lugs,Caseback)

All looks the same.

I think I have to agree with Tribal. I strongly believe that the WM9 and MBK case ARE the Same.

Maybe it just the shots that doesn't come out the same as WM9 pictures, but when looking at the real deal the rehaut thickness is what I think the same IMHO (but I'm no rehaut thickness expert )

And "If you knew, what I know" in regards to the orgins of the watch that MBK MBW personally shared with me in private, there won't be a doubt that "the case etc" comes from the same factory.

Cheers

Edited June 28, 2008 by EuroTimez

[Guest Vddubgrub]

This is the first WM9 I have seen with only a gen insert that looked so good. People posted that this watch has a distinct look of gen. I really think besides that beautiful dial, its all about the insert and how recessed it is into the bezel. As BK has stated, this has always been a tell tale sign just as much as the cg problem.

Tribal, how did you get it to look so gen in a rep bezel? Was this the one that seemed to just fit perfectly and snap in place?

[Ray T]

can't wait for this to arrive from stephane =)

[Stephane]

can't wait for this to arrive from stephane =)

So do I.

As said numerous times, I hate the "in transit" status for these kind of piece

If only I had taken it with me in NYC

[ubiquitous]

Again, a great looking piece! Ray T- You're going to be the recipient of one beautiful Sub!

Cheers,

R