Kahn Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I'm slowly warming up to Rolex Reps, my question to all you "professional" modders is: Some reps seem to offer easily the ability to accept Gen parts..some don't. Is there a definative list of what works? Would it be too time consuming or difficult to compile such a list? I know from dealer to dealer the reps are different in some reguard, how about we use a standard spec sheet: REP:_____________ Dealer(s):_____________ (all) Case Size:_____mm Movement: _____________ NO MODS and Swapable: Crystal (YES/NO) Bezel (YES/NO) Bezel Insert (YES/NO) Hands (YES/NO) Dial (YES/NO) Crown (YES/NO) Crown Tube (YES/NO) Braclet/strap (YES/NO) Clasp (YES/NO) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fauxlex Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Well, that'd be a fairly short list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 A few to start... REP: WM9 16610 Dealer(s): Case Size: 40mm Movement: ETA 2836-2 NO MODS and Swapable: Crystal: Yes Bezel: Yes Bezel Insert: Yes Hands: No Dial: Yes Crown: Yes Crown Tube: Yes Braclet/strap: No (not a perfect fit) REP: MBK 1680 Dealer(s): Case Size: 40mm Movement: ETA 2836-2 NO MODS and Swapable: Crystal: Yes Bezel: Yes Bezel Insert: Yes Hands: No Dial: Not a direct fit; modification required Crown: Yes; with genuine or aftermarket tube Crown Tube: Yes Braclet/strap: Yes; with the correct end links REP: MBK 1665 Dealer(s): Case Size: 40mm Movement: ETA 2836-2 NO MODS and Swapable: Crystal: Yes Bezel: Yes Bezel Insert: Yes Hands: No Dial: Yes Crown: Yes; with genuine or aftermarket tube Crown Tube: Yes Braclet/strap: Yes; with the correct end links REP: DW 6263/5 Dealer(s): Case Size: 37mm Movement: Mystery Movement; swappable to Swiss V23 NO MODS and Swapable: Crystal: Yes Bezel: Yes Bezel Insert: Yes Hands: Yes and no; only with the Swiss movement installed and only certain hands will fit (you have to use a combination of different hands) Dial: Yes Crown: Yes; with genuine or aftermarket tube Crown Tube: Yes Braclet/strap: Yes; with the correct end links ***Valjoux 72 is also possible with the correct V72 specific case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahn Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 AWESOME! That's EXACTLY what I expected from this board! Thanks so much for showing the light! Ubiquitous, I appreciate you very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I'm sure there are others out there with specific experience with some of the other pieces (like the Euromariners, SSD's etc.) and hopefully they'll post as well. The list I posted is a very small list of some of the most recent/up to date examples off the top of my head that I have had specific experience with; I didn't bother listing older variations (i.e. like the 16610) in which parts swapping wasn't quite as compatible. If I think of any others, I'll be sure to add those as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 My Noobfactory ExpII has a genuine dial. Gen crown and tube are easily swappable as well. Bracelet... I don't know, but my rep ExpII SELs are so good that I don't think it's even worth it. 16710 from the same factory has the same specs. With some mods it's very close. See Stephane's franken here. Among the best & closest Rolex reps (with some mods) imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahn Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Ubiquitous - again, your very much appreciated! I will compile this into a spreadsheet (screenshot) for everyone to share. I'll keep it updated as I see more results come across! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyd3 Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Ubiquitous - again, your very much appreciated! I will compile this into a spreadsheet (screenshot) for everyone to share. I'll keep it updated as I see more results come across! I think it is worth mentioning that with the MBW's, some parts are not a direct drop in. Like the crown tube, which needs to be tapped to the correct size (and sometimes drilled) first. I have also seen where inserts do not just pop in like they should (although most of the time they do). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Yes, though generally speaking, those parts will fit just fine as a 1:1 replacement. The only reason why I've ever had threads tapped prior to installing a gen tube was to clean the old debris out. It should be known (and perhaps expected), however that there are always exceptions to every rule as differences in tolerances in production are a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triosLescano Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 A few to start... REP: MBK 1680 Dealer(s): Case Size: 40mm Movement: ETA 2836-2 NO MODS and Swapable: Crystal: Yes Bezel: Yes Bezel Insert: Yes Hands: No Dial: Not a direct fit; modification required Crown: Yes; with genuine or aftermarket tube Crown Tube: Yes Braclet/strap: Yes; with the correct end links Sir I am very intrested to this question about dial aftermerket on 1680 I desire to buy a dial similar to this photo for my Sub red writing, but I dont know because aftermarket dial is good for DRSD and not for 168 Please explain to my what is the modification required, thanks for help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 If you want to build an accurate 1680, stay the hell away from the red dials. The red SUBMARINER font/appearance is blatantly wrong on every single one of them, and every Rolex WIS will call it out in 0.05 seconds. They literally SCREAM fake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Genuine dials won't fit into the 1680 without trimming; gen dials are roughly 1mm too large in diameter which prevents proper fitting (specifically, the dial is too large to allow correct seating to the case behind the rehaut). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triosLescano Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 If you want to build an accurate 1680, stay the hell away from the red dials. The red SUBMARINER font/appearance is blatantly wrong on every single one of them, and every Rolex WIS will call it out in 0.05 seconds. They literally SCREAM fake. Thanks, sir in your opinion for realize a nice 1680 is impossible to use a replacement dial. But the standard MBW dial is nice but is not very very good. How is possible to realize a good 1680 if is impossible to replace dial ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triosLescano Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Genuine dials won't fit into the 1680 without trimming; gen dials are roughly 1mm too large in diameter which prevents proper fitting (specifically, the dial is too large to allow correct seating to the case behind the rehaut). Thanks. In your experience YES replacement dials are for vintage seadweller, sub no data and Exp II Mc Queen, NO for Sub date. Have I know correct ? Thanks for your patience in answer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Personally, I would go for the white dial MBW 1680. The dial isn't perfect, but it's much more difficult to "call out" because there's more variation. Those red watches are highly collectible and all Rolex WIS are well aware of them. I doubt any rep dials would survive the hardcore "Rolex WIS tests" but at least the whites aren't blatantly obvious. I'm actually amazed how half-assed all the aftermarket red dials are... I haven't seen even a SINGLE one that looks even remotely correct. Strange, because there is a huge market for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triosLescano Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Personally, I would go for the white dial MBW 1680. The dial isn't perfect, but it's much more difficult to "call out" because there's more variation. Those red watches are highly collectible and all Rolex WIS are well aware of them. I doubt any rep dials would survive the hardcore "Rolex WIS tests" but at least the whites aren't blatantly obvious. I'm actually amazed how half-assed all the aftermarket red dials are... I haven't seen even a SINGLE one that looks even remotely correct. Strange, because there is a huge market for them. Thanks for your opinion. I am not enthusiat for red writing sub, but also the white writing dial has the problems of installation , Ubi docet. I am not very expert, I dont know that I am able to shrink the replacement dial I do not want to ruin everything, .....dammn also the white dials replacement are very nice....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Great discussion...and great info from Ubi and BT of course. Now, if anyone can provide info on what replacement movements would work in either the Explorer II, GMT II, GMT, GMTIIc, etc...essentially anything GMT related...that would be interesting. I'm still afraid to jump on the GMT band wagon without either having somebody willing to work on a modded movement with the 4th hand...or a better quality replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle_lex Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 by-tor, your EXP is gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Great discussion...and great info from Ubi and BT of course. Now, if anyone can provide info on what replacement movements would work in either the Explorer II, GMT II, GMT, GMTIIc, etc...essentially anything GMT related...that would be interesting. I'm still afraid to jump on the GMT band wagon without either having somebody willing to work on a modded movement with the 4th hand...or a better quality replacement. For GMT... go for the wrong hand stack genuine ETA. I seriously doubt it will have any issues. Not visually correct of course, but I have never experienced any problems with them. And even the visual flaw is greatly exaggerated (just imho). Well, it doesn't bother me at all. Ironically, the CHS movement in my franken-ExpII is working perfectly after 3 years. I just won't touch the hour hand setup. The replacement for the CHS is 2893-2. According to my watch guy even the hands fit, but then the hour hand and 24h hand order would be reversed of course. It's a bit weird solution, yes, but it's the only one (if you want to keep the hand stack order correct). But like I said, the gen ETA 2836-2 "faux GMT" have all been bullet proof for me. @eagle_lex: Thanks, I love my ExpII too. You can read more about it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlaletom Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 You have to take into account that even for the same dealer the production may vary. for example the MBK 1665 i have DID NOT swap the tube without drilling, tapping and countersink while other are just an easy swap. The tube hole was way to small to fit a 24-7030 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahn Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 vlaletom - point well made.....part of the list would include dealer. KEEP 'EM COMIN GUYS! Here's what I have just from this thread alone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Slick. This is looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 my Exp.: SSD (i had 3 pieces) gen crown : yes gen insert : on 1 of 3 without mods gen dial : yes gen bezel : no gen crystal : no Noob GMT II (had 3) gen crown : on 2 of 3 gen dial : yes gen insert : no (has to be modified) gen bezel : no gen crystal : no Euromariner : gen crown : yes gen dial : yes gen insert : yes gen bezel : ? gen crystal : yes Tudor Viet Case : gen insert : yes gen dial : yes gen hands : yes Noobmariner : gen crown : no gen dial : yes gen insert : no (mods possible) gen bezel : no gen crystal : no cheers, Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kahn Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 kelster - THANKS! I added to the database! Help me fill in the ?????? (blanks) guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I'm no expert and don't do any moddings myself so sorry i can't heelp you. But this is one of the most valuable posts from a "new" guy i have seen since a long time. Good initiative and very informative Carpe Diem Cats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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