Stephane Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Rolex Submariner 16800/168000 Project Dear All, Here is my funniest project so far: a rep of a transitional Rolex Submariner. Preambule I have no intention to pretend this is a 1:1 rep as it is totally impossible to build such a watch yet. Let's say this is my attempt to create a different Sub with the help of MM. The final goal is to wear a heavily scratched and beaten watch. A watch that would have been abused for almost 20 years, since 1989! 16800, 168000, 16610, transitions… Once upon a time, there was a Submariner 1680 with a plexi glass and a slow beat movement (Movement ref: 1575). We all know the watch don't we? The date cycloped Sub mother. My understanding is that the 1680 migrated to the 16610. That is true of course, but didn't happen in one step though. In 1977, for the 16800, Rolex introduced a sapphire crystal, a higher beat movement with quick set date (Caliber 3035 which was said to be worse than a 1575 according to MM). The dept rating on the dial changed from 660 to 1000 feet. A star is born (I mean the 16610 is on it's way). On the above photo, we see a 16800. It has a sapphire crystal and a mate dial, without white gold surrounded hour markers thus. Around 1985, the dial changed for a glossy one with lume markers surrounded by white gold circles (see photo here under). The movement was still the same, the 3035, and so was the date wheel. 1989: from what I found, there is one more variation before the 16610 birth: the 168000! This one carries white gold surrounded hour markers too but a different steel quality (904 instead of 316). (EDIT: and date wheel (like on the 16610) as the movement is now the great 3135! According to Alligoat, that is not true Thanks for the update ). It was produced during less than a year and was replaced by the 16610 with the same steel grade and movement. My Noobmariner The project started with a Noobmariner that I got from TTK. It's a 70€ watch! My NoobMariner testimonial is here The LugHoles The first step to build a "transitional" is of course to get a lugholed case. As I had no TW Best, I decided to go for the Noobmariner and find a way to have lug holes drilled. Unfortunately, it was not easy to find a member here to help a few weeks ago. After Omega's thread, we know it is possible. (Good luck with the 1.000 PMs Bobby!) Anyway, my friend Rosnik helped me and sent me back My Noob with "pre-drilled holes" for the Noob bracelet that is. The next step was to drill them a bit more to accept gen springbars. That is what MM did. Now that it is done, the watch accepts genuine 501b end links …and a genuine 93150 The dial That is the dial I was offered by a guy on eBay. It's not in perfect state of course, but I like it very much. Bear in mind this project is about a beater. Now, it is installed on the watch and looks much better. The insert We went for a genuine insert and pearl of course that I bought on R-L-X.de. It is the most expensive part of the watch and it looks great too, isn't it Beautifully cracked pearl! The Crown and tube, the crown guards I've been fortunate to find a matching old genuine crown. It is a 24-703-0 but the older one. The coronet is higher and thinner, and the cutout at the base is more elliptic than round. The tube is a Clark one though. The CGs have NOT been shaved as how they look out of the box is closer to how they looked on the 16800/0. I am following my friend MM's advice here and agree. Hands, Lume and Crystal. The Noob hands needed to be aged so they match the dial colour. No PhotoShop, not special exposure, this is a genuine dial...remember? As you can see, the hands and markers match…and have no lume anymore I have a Clark crystal ready to install as this one is not accurate at all Movement. The movement is the original Asian one, from the Noobmariner, and honestly, I like the look of it very much. The end The Jury says: because of the "modern" date wheel, despite the movement is the slower beat one, the here above modded watch is now a 168000. Yippeee Hope you enjoyed this nice little project. Thanks for looking and reading. Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Padge Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Wow very creative and a really fantastic result Not many, if any, of these around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonSlayer Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 You're officially Sub nuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilty Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Nice! I like it a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce79 Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Beautiful write up Stephane...this is one of my favorite threads of all time. You have done amazing work. Puts my 16800 to shame...well sort of That insert is better than mine. Love it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carlsbadrolex Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Interesting watch, there is one very simple change that I would make. Have the tube removed again and bevel the case so that it sits flush. Please dont ask me why, but seeing the beveled edge on tubes drives me crazy. Especially when so much care was taken with everything else. Besides that one issue (which doesnt seem to bother most people) the watch is incredible! I LOVE the insert and pearl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Another star for your box Stephane!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 wow - what a crazy project you kept the asian movement and put a gen bracelet on the watch ? that's the spirit ! thanks for sharing ! Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delicious Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce79 Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Great project... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Very nice watch, Stephane! You know how to stand out from the crowd with your projects...that's great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 What a great project. You forgot to mention one thing though... 16800 and 168000 have shallower rehauts, so the Noobmariner case is excellent base for that reason too. I'd love to get a no-date Sub built around the Noob case. It has shallower rehaut as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir-Lancelot Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Nice time piece and a very well written and entertaining post. Great job and thank you for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller4000 Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Awesome mate! Really enjoyed this. Thanks for educating us and for these beautiful pictures. PS: I just luv those frickin lugholes. So cool. This is how a Rolex toolwatch's supposed to be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrgod Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Impressive work! You must soon run out of Sub/SD models to replicate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlydog Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Superb once again Stephane! I can't wait for the world GTG so I can meet "the man" and the watches in person. Your collection serves as inspiration to us all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elprimerozen Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 You are "sick"!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted July 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 You are "sick"!!! Wow, guys, thanks so much for your nice words and comments. I was about to quote all of you and reply to each one. But I think ElPrimero sums it up Seriously, I would like to say the following: - I have been a Rolex fan for a long long time but I didn't have any knowledge about these babies. - I learned every day because I once became a member of this community where I met some great friends and some great artists. I won't name them all, you know who you are. Some sent me a part really difficult to find, some sent valuable information and some took the time to work on my watches (Thanks Tribal for your patience ). - BUT I have to add that I met a very nice person here, a "Rolex Living Bible", Monsieur MM (MM = Mystery Modder). Not only he can put these projects togheter which is trully wonderfull but also he did educate me and still is educating me about the history of Rolex. Some of you know who I am talking about. For those who don't, sorry to say that I cannot share the information on who is MM as I promised I never would say it. We put togheter a lot of watches and accomplished some crazy projects like the 1665 Trilogy, or the (soon to be published finally) 1680 Couple. I am the one who goes "on stage" and collect the congrats. I think that today it's fair to say that if my sick mind envisions the projects, none of them would ever have been come to reality without my friend MM. Cheers and thanks to all of you. A special thank to MM: you rock Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Don't worry Steph, we're all sick. But I don't mind this sickness. Everybody have their weird obsessions and dirty little secrets. Watches aren't among the dirtiest ones, imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted July 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Don't worry Steph, we're all sick. But I don't mind this sickness. Everybody have their weird obsessions and dirty little secrets. Watches aren't among the dirtiest ones, imho. That is so true BT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrandazzo Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Stephane has a horrible disease (RDD) and I think I have it too now Problem is: 1) does the noob accept gen/aftermarket crystal? 2) Wouldn't be a better to use a new mbw with lugholes? Anyway, congrats man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Nice project Stephane, looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 AAAAAAAAAAARGHHHH, you kill me Fantastic project I like it a lot.... I want to build the same one but still waiting for the right Case.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted July 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 I have no idea if another crystal would fit Mrandazzo We'll see. The one I have is not the Clark that is usually used on genuine, but the other one. @ Tribal : What would the right case be in your opinion? Cheers & thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Stephane has a horrible disease (RDD) and I think I have it too now Problem is: 1) does the noob accept gen/aftermarket crystal? NO 2) Wouldn't be a better to use a new mbw with lugholes? YES Anyway, congrats man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.