Taking on the 6542 GMT Master

[freddy333]

I am doing some preliminary research for a 6542 project & could use some input.

This is 1 of the gens I am using as a guide

Some info about the gen 6542 that I have found so far (please offer corrections if you have factual evidence to the contrary)......

• Bezel originally made of brass, but Rolex later began fitting steel replacement bezels because the brass often cracked or broke
  
• Bezel insert is Perspex (bakelite, an early plastic-resin material) with 24-hour markers painted (with tritium) on its underside
  
• Crystal is T116 (Plexiglas)
  
• Case dimensions are 39mm x 13mm
  
• Calibres are either 1036GMT (1954-1959), 1065GMT (1957-1959) or 1066GMT (1957-1959)
  
• Originally fitted with a 'roulette' (dates alternating in red (even numbers) & black (odd numbers)) datewheel (though Rolex often changed this to the standard black datewheel during servicing)
  
• Correct handstack order for this model is (from bottom to top) - GMT/hour/minute/seconds
  

My plan is to power the initial project watch with an ETA 2836-x, but this will likely be swapped out for a gen movement eventually, so the case would need to fit either movement. I am also trying to keep the total parts cost (excluding a gen movement) to below $600 (+/-), which leaves out any of the Vietnamese (NDTrading) cases.

So 1 of the things I would like to know is whether any of the CG-less vintage GMT or Sub reps sold by our collectors will accept a bezel that measures 38mm across (OD) (the insert is 4mm across, so I would estimate the required case opening to be 28-30mm (OD))

Ideally, I would like the case to be engraved with the correct '6542' model number between the lugs (the number inside the caseback is irrelevant). All of the rep cases I have seen measure either 38mm x 12mm (Silix Sub) or 40mm x 12.5mm (Josh/Andrew GMT with CGs that would need to be ground off), but I am willing to live with a case dimension inaccuracy of .5mm - 1mm if it will fit the bezel.

Any ideas?

[hiker01]

Good luck with the project and keep us posted! This is something I'd like to see done!

[freddy333]

Thanks Hike. I am quite surprised no one has done 1 of these recently since pretty much all the needed parts can be had except for the case (again, excluding the Vietnamese cases). And I find it hard to believe that none of our collectors sells (or cannot source) a GMT with a serviceable case. And I think that once the hands & dial are relumed to match the gen model, it should be a nice piece.

[hiker01]

Thanks Hike. I am quite surprised no one has done 1 of these recently since pretty much all the needed parts can be had except for the case (again, excluding the Vietnamese cases). And I find it hard to believe that 1 of our collectors do not have (or cannot source) a usable GMT case. And I think that once the hands & dial are relumed to match the gen model, it should be a nice piece.

Your welcome! If the collectors can't source it for you, then hopefully one of our members might have it just laying around in their bins! I wish I could help you, but being in this hobby just about a year and a-half, I don't have much in my collectors bin yet! Specially the vintage type!

Edited to add this little piece of History about this particular model: http://www.ukwatches.com/Notes/6542.htm

another link: http://www.fiftyfathoms.net/Rolex/6542.html

and another: http://doubleredseadweller.com/gmt.htm

[alligoat]

G-S Supplies up in Rochester NY sells a plastic aftermarket crystal for the 6542- PA-462-17E, OD of 30.1. They also sell a Rolex T-116 Cyclop PA-462-19K, OD 30.28. SternKreuz (from the Cousins catalog) has two T-116 crystals- XS 300.158 and XS 302.450. But none of this may be any good if you're using a rep case!

I guess you already have a dial which would be the biggest hurdle- but is it a 6542, or a 1675? I would think either one would work, if the diameters are close. And it fits in a rep case, but the problem with a rep case is it usually take a bigger dial than the corresponding gen!

Today I'm wearing my 5508 (NDT) and I often wonder if the two cases aren't the same- 6542 and 5508, but it looks like the NDT 5508 case is closer to 38mm (I don't really trust my Harbor Freight $5 calipers here at work). But I wouldn't be surprised if Rolex used the same case.

[Guest carlsbadrolex]

I wonder if the GMT module for a 2836-2 would fit on a slow beat 2846-2??? It would be nice to have the slow beat movement in there!

[freddy333]

G-S Supplies up in Rochester NY sells a plastic aftermarket crystal for the 6542- PA-462-17E, OD of 30.1. They also sell a Rolex T-116 Cyclop PA-462-19K, OD 30.28. SternKreuz (from the Cousins catalog) has two T-116 crystals- XS 300.158 and XS 302.450. But none of this may be any good if you're using a rep case!

Is this the same G-S that supplies (no pun intended) the numerous watchmakers & jewelers cements?

Good info to know, but I will not be able to make use of it until I hone in onto a final case.

I guess you already have a dial which would be the biggest hurdle- but is it a 6542, or a 1675? I would think either one would work, if the diameters are close. And it fits in a rep case, but the problem with a rep case is it usually take a bigger dial than the corresponding gen!

No dial yet. I am considering a couple, but the NDTrading seems to be the best so far. Just a bit pricey. But, again, the key is finding a case to match the bezel. Once I have that hurdle behind me, the rest will just take time (& a bit of money).

Today I'm wearing my 5508 (NDT) and I often wonder if the two cases aren't the same- 6542 and 5508, but it looks like the NDT 5508 case is closer to 38mm (I don't really trust my Harbor Freight $5 calipers here at work). But I wouldn't be surprised if Rolex used the same case.

I really do not want to have to spend $1,000 (or thereabouts) on a case (& I like the bezel I found much better than the bezel that comes with the NDT case), so the NDT 5508 case is probably out. And, anyway, for NDT prices, having the correct case engraving ('6542') would be a must, which would eliminate the 5508 anyway.

But I appreciate the suggestions. Please keep them coming.

[vlydog]

[*]Crystal is T116 (Plexiglas)

freddy,

I have a spare Clarks T-116 you can have if you are interested.

[alligoat]

Yeh, and NDT has the 6542 case, but at $1350, it's like ouch! The dial is $600, ouch again!

[freddy333]

I wonder if the GMT module for a 2836-2 would fit on a slow beat 2846-2??? It would be nice to have the slow beat movement in there!

That was my initial plan & I still might go that route. But since the ultimate goal is to switch over to a gen movement, I can 'suffer' with a 28.8 bph movement just to get the basic watch put together. Along those lines, I am also considering using whatever dial comes in the rep case, until I locate a gen movement, assuming it is a vintage GMT dial.

[freddy333]

Yeh, and NDT has the 6542 case, but at $1350, it's like ouch! The dial is $600, ouch again!

Exactly. I am assuming I will have to dig deep for that dial since I have not found anything better (yet), but I think I can probably do much better on the case.

[freddy333]

freddy,

I have a spare Clarks T-116 you can have if you are interested.

I will definitely take you up on that as long as the T116 fits whatever case I end up with (I usually go with Clark's crystals if the gen is not an option).

Thank you!

[mastergod]

Wow - what an amazing watch!!!! Good luck, can

Edited July 20, 2008 by mastergod

[By-Tor]

Looks like an interesting project!!!

Good luck Freddy, and keep us updated!

PS: If you want to keep the budget as low as possible, why don't you just use a standard cheapo Asian 21J as a substitute for the low-beat movement?

[freddy333]

PS: If you want to keep the budget as low as possible, why don't you just use a standard cheapo Asian 21J as a substitute for the low-beat movement?

That is a good idea, but I will probably end up using whatever movement comes in whichever GMT rep I get (for the case).

[StormTooper4]

Freddy

I knew there was something I had to do to this case.

I got it from toomuchgear who said he got from Silix, it came with a rivited oyster but when I removed it to put on a nato, the number to my surprise was 6452, I was thinking it may have been for an old turnograph, but GMT makes more sense, ( sorry I dont have a picture yet) it may be worth checking with Silix to see if he cant get hold of these still. $150-190 eta movement.

I've been thinking I need to experiment with a cheap of 21j gmt movement

I'm looking to get insert from the bay, Im sorry I dont have the size of the bezel for you

Not sure if this will help but good luck with your project

ST4

[freddy333]

Freddy

I knew there was something I had to do to this case.

I got it from toomuchgear who said he got from Silix, it came with a rivited oyster but when I removed it to put on a nato, the number to my surprise was 6452, I was thinking it may have been for an old turnograph, but GMT makes more sense, ( sorry I dont have a picture yet) it may be worth checking with Silix to see if he cant get hold of these still. $150-190 eta movement.

Close, but no cigar.

I think that particular case may be too thick for my purposes (all but 1 of Silix's CG-less Sub cases look like yours) & the '6452' engraving (unless you mistakenly juxtaposed the 4 & 5) is not the correct model number anyway.

The gen 6542's case is relatively thin (low profile)

But 1 of Silix's CG-less Subs is definitely 1 of the options I am considering. The profile size & shape of his rols176 case looks pretty close

However, all 6 or 7 of his CG-less Subs are listed as being the same size (38mm x 48mm x 12mm), which cannot be correct since rols176 clearly has a lower profile case than any of the others. So either that picture is wrong (always a 50/50 chance with drop-shippers), or his stated case dimensions are wrong.

Either way, the key to whichever case I use is whether it will fit the bezel I pictured in my original post. Until I find a case which fits that bezel, there is no project.

[Guest carlsbadrolex]

Freddy, I am quite confident that if ANYONE can put this project together it is YOU.

Good look and happy hunting!

If you decide to go the 2846-2 with GMT module, I have a fresh one that I would be willing to donate to this project.

T

[freddy333]

If you decide to go the 2846-2 with GMT module, I have a fresh one that I would be willing to donate to this project.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Does your 2846-2 already have the GMT module fitted?

[Guest carlsbadrolex]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Does your 2846-2 already have the GMT module fitted?

Thats a negative, you would need to get that from one of the 2836-2's.

[freddy333]

Thats a negative, you would need to get that from one of the 2836-2's.

You had me going there for a minute. I was hoping you had the whole shebang. I already have a 2846, but not the GMT parts (or a spare 2836-2).

However, my experience with Asian 21J movements has actually been quite good, so By-Tor's suggestion of using that may be a good stop-gap solution.

I also just received (preliminary) word that the bezel may actually fit the Silix case without modification to either part. If that information proves to be correct, this project is a GO.

[StormTooper4]

Close, but no cigar.

I think that particular case may be too thick for my purposes (all but 1 of Silix's CG-less Sub cases look like yours) & the '6452' engraving (unless you mistakenly juxtaposed the 4 & 5) is not the correct model number anyway.

The gen 6542's case is relatively thin (low profile)

.

Wow that is one super slim case there , I quickly took some extra shot during breakfast this morning before I left for work

[freddy333]

Wow that is one super slim case there , I quickly took some extra shot during breakfast this morning before I left for work

st4 -- Thank you for those new pics. Very helpful.

Unfortunately, although your case DOES have the correct model number, it is not the right size or shape for the 6542. And if I have to choose between a properly engraved case over a properly sized/shaped case, the size/shape gets the job since the engraving will never been seen (since it is hidden under the end links).

I am still waiting for info on a couple of other cases that look promising, but the Silix case I posted above is looking better & better.

[Guest carlsbadrolex]

And I have a master jeweler here in SoCal that can either laser engrave or hand engrave whatever is wanted/needed on a case.

So if you find the case you need and want it engraved to your specs, let me know. Ive had two done already and another one going in next week.

[tmg]

Wow that is one super slim case there , I quickly took some extra shot during breakfast this morning before I left for work

ST4, that watch looks familar

Freddy, I also tried my CWP bond sub bezel on this later version Silix bond sub case and it was the same issue as the older thin case sub -the case was wider than the bezel.

Check with Saabin and see what he did with his 6542, his sure looks like the same case as the Silix 1675 I have. Which is the correct thin case.