Rolex 1680 Project (yuki)

[DVS]

I've decided to build a 1680 project. I just love the crystal and I've wanted a vintage Rollie from the day I found out watches are cool In fact, my first rep was a 5517.

Two things in this, and probably every project, that were very important: what do I want and how much do I want to spend..

1. I want a vintage 1680 that looks and feels authentic and looks and feels like it is older than me

2. Max $1,000.-

But I wanted a case that could fit a gen Rolex movement, just in case I wanted to upgrade. And I found Yuki. His service is excellent and his prices are good too!

I have ordered a complete case set, Rolex and Tudor hands and a dial. And two Nato's from Panatime (also excellent service and price).

I'm still waiting for an adaptor to fit an ETA inside this case and for an ETA 2846 and ETA 2824-2. I (or the modder) will transplant the 2846 on the 2824 mainplate, so it will have a slow beat movement.

I'm also searching for a good datewheel

On to the pics!

The case (I have no idea if this is in fact a 1:1 case, experts, please chime in):

Case with straps:

Side:

Pearl:

CG's and crown:

Lugs:

Between lugs:

Dial (The dial is wrong.. The triangle on 12 is too short.. that really bugs me. I can't find a good red dial.. and the serial on this case belongs to the red dial.. If anyone knows where to find a good dial, please let me know.):

Tudor Hands:

[ubiquitous]

Looks like a great start to the project! Should turn out nicely, especially with a 1570 inside!

[DVS]

Looks like a great start to the project! Should turn out nicely, especially with a 1570 inside!

Thanks

I will start with an ETA, but I would love a Rolex motor

I have searched on this forum, but I can't seem to find Phong... who is he and where can I find his products?

[ubiquitous]

PM sent...

[tmg]

DVS,

Looking like a nice start.

You may have stem alignment issues with an ETA movement, not 100% sure about that as the question remains if this is the same case as sold by Jewelry & Watch (Phong) or NDT. I had that issue using a 2846 in my Phong 5517 case which in the end I had to disassemble -too much stress on the stem/crown due to the uneven alignment of the mvmt to the stem hole.

There are not many good Red 1680 dials out there, believe me I've been waiting. The ones out of Vietnam all have the wrong fonts and spacing on the print. I think this one is a little better but not by much.

Please let us know how your project progresses!

-TMG

[ubiquitous]

I agree, TMG. The VN and HK dials have a lot to be desired- Wrong fonts, spacing, etc. Personally, I think the MBK dial actually looks better than either the HK or the VN...

[alligoat]

The case looks very nice, IMO. The crown guards could use a little inside trimming, but that's no big deal. Pearl looks decent- all acrylic.

It'll be interesting to see what you have to do movement wise. We know that a 2824-2 approximates a 3135 and that a 2836-2 works in place of a 3035 in terms of crown/stem positioning. I'd love to know what works in place of a 1570(5). Good luck.

[DVS]

DVS,

Looking like a nice start.

You may have stem alignment issues with an ETA movement, not 100% sure about that as the question remains if this is the same case as sold by Jewelry & Watch (Phong) or NDT. I had that issue using a 2846 in my Phong 5517 case which in the end I had to disassemble -too much stress on the stem/crown due to the uneven alignment of the mvmt to the stem hole.

There are not many good Red 1680 dials out there, believe me I've been waiting. The ones out of Vietnam all have the wrong fonts and spacing on the print. I think this one is a little better but not by much.

Please let us know how your project progresses!

-TMG

I can buy an adapter from a member here, this should solve the movement problem. If not, I will have to go gen

What do you think of my dial, in comparison with the better dials? Imo the triangle on 12 is a dead giveaway.

I agree, TMG. The VN and HK dials have a lot to be desired- Wrong fonts, spacing, etc. Personally, I think the MBK dial actually looks better than either the HK or the VN...

I've read that the MBK/MBW doesn't accept a gen dial. Will an MBK dial fit this case?

[alligoat]

What do you think of my dial, in comparison with the better dials? Imo the triangle on 12 is a dead giveaway.

I've read that the MBK/MBW doesn't accept a gen dial. Will an MBK dial fit this case?

I ran across TMG's dial from Indonesia today:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...bayphotohosting

DVS, what you have to realize is that all of these aftermarket dials have shortcomings and would never fool a WIS. So you pretty much just have to make a decision and go with it. Your dial isn't too bad, maybe TMG's is a little better, but there's not that much difference, IMO.

An MBK dial should fit in a Yuki case, it's slightly smaller (c.26.5mm) than a gen dial (c.27mm) but shouldn't be a problem. Even tho I have an MBW red sub, the dial is not my favorite. But I can't fit a gen dial in an MBW, so I'm stuck.