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24-7030 tube does not fit a freshly tapped case


freddy333

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Has anyone ever run into a gen 24-7030 Triplock tube that does not have standard threading at the case end (the crown fits fine)?

I just finished tapping a case using my standard Rolex case tube tap (for you newbies - I have done this many times), but the gen 7030 tube only screws in 1-2 turns (barely 1/4 of the way) & then stops firm

casetubethreading0071.jpg

The thread type or count on the tube is obviously different, which I have never run into before (the threads, both in the case & on the tube, are perfect & there are no obstructions (the tap runs through the case hole easily).

Anyone ever run into this before?

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Yes back in replicacollector.com days there were a bunch of tubes available that were over sized. I forget the name of the guy selling them but lots of us brought them via ebay. This is probably 4 years back I guess. Apparently there were made over size for Rolex service centers during service. It seems they had an oversize tap to do this with.

I still have a couple here somewhere.

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Ok, just did some measuring of the tubes I have here. The regular tube has a 2.95mm size thread, the oversize has a 3.01mm thread. I don't have anything to measure the exact thread pitch, but from memory the regular tap size is a 3mm x 3.5mm pitch.

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Apparently there were made over size for Rolex service centers during service. It seems they had an oversize tap to do this with.

I still have a couple here somewhere.

Strange, in all my years I have never heard of oversized gen tubes or Rolex ordering something like that for service centers. But I am glad to hear it is not me & that there is a good, rational reason for why it does not fit into the freshly tapped case. I was going :wacko: trying to figure it out. I guess I need to get more tubes.....

Too bad, because I wanted to wrap this project up tonight.

Thanks.

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Maybe you could find the old posts on Replicacollector.. but as best I remember: Yes they are genuine, and yes they are for replacement on older cases to ensure a tight fit if the threads get a bit worn. I'm guessing Rolex tap the threads out each time to remove old thread lock etc.

The source on ebay was a seller called Ponycar350 (I think..) and he had a whole load of these and a few other genuine Rolex spares brought as a batch from somewhere.

It was posted at the time that Rolex have several graduations of tube, and taps to match, depending on the case condition.

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Interesting. You'd think Rolex would have some sort of system for denoting these oversized case tubes. The markings on Freddy's package are fairly standard- the only one in question is the one at the bottom- X03. I put a gen tube in my 16800 a couple of months ago, but I threw the package away. It fit fine, although somewhat tight, as is usually the case on these babies.

I guess at this point, Freddy, you're only option is to get another case tube- maybe a Clark's, or Helfand's or another gen and see what happens.

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The source on ebay was a seller called Ponycar350 (I think..) and he had a whole load of these and a few other genuine Rolex spares brought as a batch from somewhere.

That is who I got this 1 from, so that explains it.

It was posted at the time that Rolex have several graduations of tube, and taps to match, depending on the case condition.

That makes sense, but I am VERY surprised, as Alligoat likewise mused, that the packaging does not indicate this tube being 'oversized' or non-standard? I have a feeling it was re-packaged & not by Rolex, if you get my drift. :g:

But, as always, thanks to everyone for the input.

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