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TxRub779

1601 Datejust Genken (99% gen) Build Sheet

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TxRub779

1601 Datejust *Genken (99% Gen/Franken) Build

 

This is one way to build this franken datejust. Thanks to Wiz, KBH and jmb for the help with this build data.

**special thanks to my friend and fellow FtWorth, Texas resident jmb for the build.

 

The Parts List

 

gen 1601 case * * * **

gen acrlyic cryatal * * * $200 ebay

gen bezel * * * * * * * * * * * **

*engine cut (turned SS) $50 *ebay

gen dial * * * * * * * * * * * * * **

slate gray tapestry * * * $120 ebay

gen crown/tube 6mm * $30 ebay (ended up not being gen or worked for the build)

ETA2824-2 * * * * * * * *$100 SubDude (ty David bfore he was BLUE)

*DWO (jmb custom)

Oyster Bracelet * * * * * * *$20 jmb

misc stuff $120

2824 date disc * * * * * * *$12 Ofrei\WSO

** * * * * * * * * * total * * * * * * * *$652

 

19a41f7b.jpg

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b602a662.jpg

003-3.jpg

004-3.jpg

002-3.jpg

 

 

The Build-The Blueprint

 

gen 1600 series case like a 1601,1603,1625 case or 16000 series (both will work and are dementionally identical) my 1601 case is serial # 5,2xx,xxx year 1977

*Gen SS Engine Turned Bezel or Fluted both will work but as far as I could tell in reseach the SS bezel on 1600's was engine turned and the fluted was WG only. If you spot this engine turned bezel in the wild its most likely a 1601.

Gen Acrylic Crystal for 1601 or 16000 (can use sapphire if wanted) as far as I could tell in my research the arylic crsytal was in use until the mid 90's, about the same time Rolex in general developed the saphire crystal for all models...the 1600, 16000 series both had acrylics and drilled lug cases untill mid or late 90's (edit if needed) I based this detail on the fact that I had a gen 16013 DJ, the quentisential DJ, tt jube bracelet, YG bezel/crown, chanpagne dial, drilled lugs, acrylic crystal, 3035 and a 1991 model serial.

gen 6mm twin lock crown and tube

** (special info read) ETA 2824-2, after test fiting the 2824 in the gen 1601 case it fit almost perfect BUT jmb thought he was going to need a 2836-2's Date Disc w\that step up disc design to work properly. He ended up customizing a 2824 Date Disc buy grinding all the teeth off the inside of that date disc and gluing it to the bottom the the existing date disc to basically use as a spacer to lift the 2824-2's date wheel up high enough. This did put the 2824's stem at a slight downward angle, however there is *not enough stress on the stem to cause any problems other that having to find the sweet spot" to spin the crown into the tub to seat the crown tight...if you did anymore spacing than this, *jmb said you will need a taller cannon pinion and gears to work (prolly the same mods required if you use a PiePan dial as well) so its not a big deal for me, might be for some of you guys though so I mentioned 'it.

DWO with appropriate vintage font mine had flat 3 open 6&9's (jmb custom DWO)

*Oyster or Jubilee or rep bracelet.... the ELs will need to be tweaked to match the vintage case or you can source a gen bracelet but be prepared to spend $$$

** * * * * * * * * **

The gen *1575 movement is 19,800bph, non quickset date version of the 1570....used in Rolex models for about 25 years as far as I can tell until the 3035 was introduced about 1978....

 

The Dial (Very Important)

** I used was a 16000 series dial, slate grey tapesty...the 1600 serie dials are called a PiePan and they have a very specific purpose and look , however for an ETA swap it really doesnt matter..however the PiePan will prolly take some movement mods like taller cannon pinion and gearing..the flat design of the gen 16000 series dial works perfect for my\our build.

 

Pie Pan Non Quickset Dial

f55ba081.jpg

Flat Quick Set Dial

 

Specifcations on Genuine parts

 

1575 vs. 3035 dementions

** *The diameters are the same, but the heights of the 2 movements are different -

1570 - 5.75mm *No Date

1575-6.30mm Date*

3035 - 6.35mm Date

 

Rolex Case - Case Size/Lug Width- Model - Dial Size - Notes

**1600- 36mm/20mm - DateJust - 28mm - pie-pan dial non quick set

**16000- 36mm/20mm - DateJust - 28mm -flat dial quick set

**16200 Series * *36mm

 

**The *1601 has a 1575 (not a 1570), which has a height of 6.30mm, so it may be an even swap. I have never done this, so I cannot guarantee you will not run into stem alignment issues or problems fitting the movement into the case.*

 

Case and movement comparision (read close)

http://www.rwg.cc/to...ith-a-3035-fit/

 

Member Posts (various fourm boards)

 

I'd like to change the look of my 1601 and the range of available dials is greater with the later datejusts. Can the quickset dials like the 16xxx series be adapted to 1601's?

Answer:

...dials, means cutting the feet off, and repositioning them. Not something I would advise. But people do it all the time.

Answer:

For one, the dial plate is of a different fitment size on a QS Datejust verses a 1601 non Quick set. Even if you reposition the dial feet, the case lip line up with the dial is off and the design depthness for the thicker 3035 movement only works for a QS dial. A gap will remain around the case inter rim.*

Also one other big problem to add to the rest is, that the center hole on the QS Datejust dial is cut out is of a larger diameter in order to fit the thicker canon pinion which supports the minute, hour and second hands of the caliber. A 1601 dial has a smaller whole cut out in order to support the thinner 1570 cannon pinion.*

 

 

1601 Non QuickSet DIAL w/2824

** Datejust Pie Pan Dial

** * Rolex *Oyster Perpetual DateJust ref# 1570 Diam. 27.3mm

** * http://forums.watchu...iex-629612.html

** *Pie Pan-"pie-pan" the definition is a dial that has the hour/minute markers placed in a concentric ring that slopes down at a constant angle (ie, not rounded) from a raised flat center, and that the center is often a contrasting color or tone

and

To me a pie pan dial

1) Has a crisp fold between the center and outer region

2) Has the minute marks inside the metal markers

3) Has straight edges, that is the inner part is a dodecagon.

4) Has the same shade and color on the inner and outer parts.

 

When it comes to Datejust dials there are basically only two kinds of dials: quick-set and non-quick.1

**Remember, there is always a possibility for your watch to be vintage model 1601 and quick-set dial will not fit it in. Or your watch can be counterfeit – in this case out dial will be absolutely useless to you.

 

Bracelet

*Is the bezel smooth, or fluted? If smooth, it most likely had an Oyster bracelet.

Jubilee with D links, USA made, and with the clasp/crown combo described above. Very vintage look

What's likely "correct" though, would be the USA oval link (solid) or the swiss made oval link (not solid

1972 the folded link oyster bracelet is introduced

In 1976 Rolex creates the Solid link, manufactured in just one piece. The last links had screws to take out and fasten the bracelet to the wrist. This bracelet was manufactured until 2005

 

Rolex Clasp numbers for reference

1977 B (VB

oyster bracelet

93150th oyster mesh solid 1975 2007

78360th oyster mesh solid 1975 1994

78350th oyster mesh solid 1975 2007

96660th oyster mesh solid 1975 1977

78363rd oyster mesh solid 1975 1994

9290 / 8 full mesh oyster 1975 1979

78351st oyster mesh solid 1975 1985

78353rd oyster mesh solid 1975 2007

17000th oyster mesh solid 1977 2001

 

 

1600 Series Specs*

 

*Men's Oyster Perpetual Date Just 36mm Plastic Crystal Non Quick

It was manufactured approximately from 1960 until 1983.

The characteristics for this model are: plastic crystal with 26 jewels; the case measures 36 x 12.3 mm with holes on the sides for the pins; the bands are New Style or Old style, oyster or jubilee with 20 mm at the lugs.

**The materials from manufacturing for this model can be stainless steel, stainless steel and 14KT gold with yellow, white or pink gold bezel or the whole watch is 14 KT or 18KT pink or yellow gold.

**The movements for this model are 1565/1575, can come with no hack or with hack (stop second feature), depending on the year of manufacturing.

The dials always say DATE-JUST and the cases come with holes for pins on the lugs.*

1600 S.S, Smooth bezel

1601 S.S. O S.S and with white, yellow or pink gold fluted bezel.

1603 S.S. With fluted Bezel

1625 S.S., S.S. & gold, gold with bezel (Turn 'O Graph)** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **

The 2836-2 might be a option if you use a piepan dial, but it has not been tested of which I am aware. The movement of choice, in the ETA line, for a 1601 case, would be the 2824-2. It is about .5mm(?) thinner than its counterpart. You can use a movement ring from rafflestime (see link below) and it will work perfectly. I have done it and the only modification to be made is on the ring where the case clamps cross it. It is too high and needs to be milled down just in those two spots. I used a Dreml tool with a cutoff wheel. Could be done with a file.

 

http://stores.ebay.c...22&_sid=5404262

 

P. S. I believe that you need the #2 ring.*

Although my build was a little different, I used a 1601 case to build an Explorer I, I did use a 2824-2, but I had a stilty ring which I used as a spacer. But everything went together smoothly. I also picked up a NOS 24-600-0 crown which fit the tube perfectly

replica 1601

http://www.warwatche...79-watches.html

 

16000 Series

**Men's Oyster Perpetual Date Just 36mm Plastic Crystal Quick Set

It was manufactured approximately from 1977 until 1989

The characteristic for this model are the same as the previous model. The only difference would be the Quick Set function.

It has a plastic crystal with 27 jewels, the case measures 36 x 12.3 mm and with holes on the sides of the lugs for the pins. The bands are New Style, oyster or jubilee with 20 mm wide at the lugs.

 

Rolex Datejust 16014. It has a 34mm Steel case (measured across its width, excluding crown

Men's Plastic Crystal Datejust

circa 1985*

Model # -16014

16014

Case Size -36 mm

 

Model no: 16013

Circa: Manufactured in late 1987.

Case size: 36 mm (outer case dimensions -- not including crown).

 

16200 Series * *36mm

 

Men's Oyster Perpetual Date Just 36mm Sapphire Crystal Quick Set

It was manufactured approximately starting for the year 1987.

The characteristics for this model are the same as the previous. The only difference would be that they are all DATE JUST.

It comes with sapphire crystal with 31 jewels, the caliber is 3135; the case measures 34 x 12.3 mm with holes on the sides for the pins. The band is New Style, oyster or jubilee band , 19mm at the lugs.

The materials from manufacturing for this model can be stainless steel only, stainless steel and 18KT gold with yellow or white gold bezel, or the whole watch in 18KT solid yellow gold.

 

If you made it this far you are serious about this thread man and GOOD LUCK,

  • Like 1

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g.man

Excellent work mate!

 

stunning

 

g.man

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dalboy

Your research, attention to detail and build are mind boggling.as someone who would not have the mindset to do this i still appreciate all the background research you have put into gathering all the nercassary component parts to complete the build.

 

One very nice time piece you have there, along with the plearsure of completing it all yourself.

 

Very impressive indeed

 

Dal...............................

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Amit

That is an lovely build and great info on the details and how you went round purchasing parts.

Enjoy that one forever

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TxRub779

I did NOT build this watch, jmb did so let me clarify that. jmb is a Jedi Master modder. I did however, do the due diligence, research and parts sourcing so all jmb had to do was his thing, build it. I am NOT the builder guy, I would end up breaking shit lol..I am capable of doing what I did, gather all the stuff to do it, that way I feel involved and its a very personal experiance for me.

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Member X

Someone give that man a Sticky! :thumbsup:

 

 

I've wanted to do this for ages but it's a minefield working out what you need, so I am going to bookmark this thread and get searching for parts, I think... ;)

 

That dial is farking lovely though :wub: The worst part is I missed a gen Textile dial that went for $15! Noooooo!!! :facepalm:

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solkryssare

Cant believe I haven't seen this before! GREAT POST!!! Get the pic's back up and I'll sticky it Rob. This is a topic which is of a returning interest to many.

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TxRub779

hey Uri, I cantedit the post..maybe we can get together and I can send you the links for the pics again....lemme know it you will help.

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James.

Yeah "rub" id love to see the pics again.

 

 

 

Very interesting read, sounds lilike waaaaay tto much effort I could ever muster

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Arism

Nice one Rob. Was following this over on RWI.

Just a quick question, do you know if Justin used a movement adapter to secure the movement in the 1601 case?

I'm trying to figure out whether I need one to fit a ETA2472 into my 1601 case.

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seclark007
:clap: well done!

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DeLaForce

I found the pics, awesome!

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TxRub779
Nice one Rob. Was following this over on RWI.

Just a quick question, do you know if Justin used a movement adapter to secure the movement in the 1601 case?

I'm trying to figure out whether I need one to fit a ETA2472 into my 1601 case.

 

 

It was a 2824 ETA and yes he made 1 spacer/shim but I dont believe he needed a movement spacer in the normal sense... he used a 2824 date disc and ground the teeth off the one date disk and used it as a shim to shim the spacing of the existing DW (I believe thats correct) to align the ETA stem to the gens tube and crown and I am pretty sure the 2824 fit the gen 1601 almost perfect...but I may need to freshen my memory up on that..

 

When we mocked up the case, movement and dial..it was almost a perfect fit sans that one shim he needed to faricate

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solkryssare

Just send me the links and I'll edit it Rob :)

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solkryssare

Pinned it is now :) Great source of information this is.................

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gB.

Very nice. Enjoy!

 

:)

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ferreseft

that is great work. I had no idea something like this was possible.

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Datlore001

Absolutely gorgeous! Definitely going to try one of these.

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Sam007

wow a very nice watch and a very good idea to build a own gen :-) thx for the detailed infos

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trumpet39

Great work. I would say that that is not a rep. Maybe to a purist its a Frankenwatch, but, to me, just a regualr guy, its a Gen.

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lightnoise

Very nice!!

 

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Henry J. Miller

Outstanding.

As a very new member here, trying to gather info on a DJII piece, this just impresses the pecans outta my pie.

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Mcco

whoa! thats incredible!!!

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johnl

You have inspired me to start my own build in the future. Great Job!!!!

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quaresma7

nice work, well done!

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