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Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 05:15 AM

Hi Fellow Vintage Obsessives!

I'm thinking of perhaps using a super-dome plexi that I have lying around on my 1680, for a while, and for a change, to enjoy the dial without the 'cyclope' magnifier over the date window.

I have also acquired spare NOS Tropic 127 'top-hat' crystal for it (as I showed in my last thread) so I may go with that one, but I'm tempted by the dome as an interim set-up.

I haven't quite made my mind up yet, but in the meantime I thought I'd share some quick photos I took of the dial/hands/date-window (26 yay!) - sans plexi-crystal - for posterity, and in case anyone who hasn't, wants to see one up close. Nice to see the top of the case, and the unpolished chamfers unobstructed by the bezel, too.

It's an honest face. And flawless. I love this early MKIV dial, with its no-nonsense matte finish and sweet cream patina. And of course that dash of red text. Great to see and appreciate the raised print of the hour plots and the script, unencumbered by plastic and reflected light!

That's it really, just indulging in some photos, for the sake of it. Hope you enjoy too.

jdmi32 · 27 May 2014, 05:25 AM

Looking forward to pics after the conversion as I love how dials photograph behind a dome. I bet it's going to look gorgeous. But seeing that beautiful dial uncovered/unprotected makes me a bit nervous.

s4dan · 27 May 2014, 05:50 AM

Very cool mate (as always)!

Didn't realise you had an open six on 26 as well...even sweeter

How difficult was it to remove the plexi - bet that was some scary stuff??

You could just pop the dome on as a temporary measure for a few quick shots...go on, you know you want to

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4dan

Very cool mate (as always)!

Didn't realise you had an open six on 26 as well...even sweeter

How difficult was it to remove the plexi - bet that was some scary stuff??

You could just pop the dome on as a temporary measure for a few quick shots...go on, you know you want to

Thanks Danny - yes, the date discs on both my 1680 and 1675 have all open 6s and 9s, including the 26.

Retaining ring and plexi came off without a problem, carefully, with a knife.

JohnBaker3 · 27 May 2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4dan

How difficult was it to remove the plexi - bet that was some scary stuff??

Not so scary if you go slow and watch the video !

Good job so far, Vincent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hupGQ1Xjks

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

Not so scary if you go slow and watch the video !

Good job so far, Vincent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hupGQ1Xjks

I didn't take the case-back off, or the movement out!

Also, notice that 5513 has a gasket seal on the top side of the case, under the retaining ring; not present on my 1680

JohnBaker3 · 27 May 2014, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Also, notice that 5513 has a gasket seal on the top side of the case, under the retaining ring; not present on my 1680

The 5513 in the video is a later date model; there were no O-rings under the crystal retaining ring on the early ones...

I liked the video because it shows how simple it is to strip down the watch and take off the crystal.

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdmi32

Looking forward to pics after the conversion as I love how dials photograph behind a dome. I bet it's going to look gorgeous. But seeing that beautiful dial uncovered/unprotected makes me a bit nervous.

Yes, I think I might try the dome for a short spell, but I'm not certain yet.

Don't worry, the crystal was only off for a few minutes, and I was extremely careful. All protected again now, and off to my watch-maker tomorrow!

nsumner · 27 May 2014, 06:29 AM

Yes!!! I love your pics of your beautiful pieces taken all apart. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your 1680 is truly outstanding

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsumner

Yes!!! I love your pics of your beautiful pieces taken all apart. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your 1680 is truly outstanding

Glad you like the pics, thanks Nathaniel!

crowncollection · 27 May 2014, 06:32 AM

A fine example you have their, thanks for sharing

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowncollection

A fine example you have their, thanks for sharing

Thanks David - my pleasure!

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 08:06 AM

ss5422 · 27 May 2014, 08:17 AM

Mark IV is my favorite too. So I spent some time to capture the writings to use it as a wallpaper.

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss5422

Mark IV is my favorite too. So I spent some time to capture the writings to use it as a wallpaper.

I can't see it, sorry...

SkooterNB · 27 May 2014, 08:55 AM

Absolutely beautiful dial!

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkooterNB

Absolutely beautiful dial!

many thanks!

Ben39 · 27 May 2014, 12:39 PM

Wow! Farm fresh and crisp bro:) flawless dial!

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben39

Wow! Farm fresh and crisp bro:) flawless dial!

Cheers Bro!

skprd13 · 27 May 2014, 03:42 PM

Now that is a naked watch! Put your clothes back on and show that dome!

Pete17 · 27 May 2014, 07:37 PM

Amazing the difference a bezel makes to a watch.

Try the dome mate for a change but the original top hat is best IMHO. Gotta love the height of the 127

Sent from my iPhone.

Vincent65 · 27 May 2014, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete17

Amazing the difference a bezel makes to a watch.

Try the dome mate for a change but the original top hat is best IMHO. Gotta love the height of the 127

Sent from my iPhone.

Hi Pete - we'll see, maybe the dome for a while. I do like the 127 very much, too - it's the original and best. Cheers mate, K

mluther · 27 May 2014, 07:58 PM

Fantastic view of the watch. I would try the dome, think it will look great

SkooterNB · 27 May 2014, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluther

Fantastic view of the watch. I would try the dome, think it will look great

The dome will make that dial visible in all it's glory.

Vincent65 · 28 May 2014, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkooterNB

The dome will make that dial visible in all it's glory.

thanks, we'll see… !

Vincent65 · 28 May 2014, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mluther

Fantastic view of the watch. I would try the dome, think it will look great

watchcrank · 27 May 2014, 10:21 PM

nice watch :-)

Vincent65 · 28 May 2014, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watchcrank

nice watch :-)

thank you!

CrownMe · 28 May 2014, 12:44 AM

I would be scared $hitless to take the plexi off my red. Bezel and bracelet yes....plexi and caseback I will let someone else do lol Beautiful Red karl. Perfect

Vincent65 · 28 May 2014, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownMe

I would be scared $hitless to take the plexi off my red. Bezel and bracelet yes....plexi and caseback I will let someone else do lol Beautiful Red karl. Perfect

Thanks mate - I have a pretty steady hand, and it was fine. I enjoyed seeing the dial like that. I did a bit of work on watches a few years ago, but nothing too involved.

I have never taken the case-back off any of my Rolex watches, but other makes, I have.

27 May 2014, 05:15 AM	#1
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	I680 'RED' SUBMARINER - MKIV Dial Laid Bare! Hi Fellow Vintage Obsessives! I'm thinking of perhaps using a super-dome plexi that I have lying around on my 1680, for a while, and for a change, to enjoy the dial without the 'cyclope' magnifier over the date window. I have also acquired spare NOS Tropic 127 'top-hat' crystal for it (as I showed in my last thread) so I may go with that one, but I'm tempted by the dome as an interim set-up. I haven't quite made my mind up yet, but in the meantime I thought I'd share some quick photos I took of the dial/hands/date-window (26 yay!) - sans plexi-crystal - for posterity, and in case anyone who hasn't, wants to see one up close. Nice to see the top of the case, and the unpolished chamfers unobstructed by the bezel, too. It's an honest face. And flawless. I love this early MKIV dial, with its no-nonsense matte finish and sweet cream patina. And of course that dash of red text. Great to see and appreciate the raised print of the hour plots and the script, unencumbered by plastic and reflected light! That's it really, just indulging in some photos, for the sake of it. Hope you enjoy too. Attached Images

27 May 2014, 06:32 AM	#11
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,216	A fine example you have their, thanks for sharing __________________ watches many

27 May 2014, 07:37 PM	#21
Pete17 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Pete Location: Base Camp Posts: 628	Amazing the difference a bezel makes to a watch. Try the dome mate for a change but the original top hat is best IMHO. Gotta love the height of the 127 Sent from my iPhone. __________________ Take care Pete

27 May 2014, 05:25 AM	#2
jdmi32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Real Name: Ky Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: 16570 Posts: 2,362	Looking forward to pics after the conversion as I love how dials photograph behind a dome. I bet it's going to look gorgeous. But seeing that beautiful dial uncovered/unprotected makes me a bit nervous.

27 May 2014, 05:50 AM	#3
s4dan Banned Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: USA Watch: 1680 Red Posts: 694	Very cool mate (as always)! Didn't realise you had an open six on 26 as well...even sweeter How difficult was it to remove the plexi - bet that was some scary stuff?? You could just pop the dome on as a temporary measure for a few quick shots...go on, you know you want to

27 May 2014, 06:29 AM	#9
nsumner "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Real Name: Nathaniel Location: Wisconsin Watch: 5513 Posts: 1,991	Yes!!! I love your pics of your beautiful pieces taken all apart. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your 1680 is truly outstanding

27 May 2014, 08:06 AM	#13
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298

27 May 2014, 08:17 AM	#14
ss5422 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New York, NY Watch: Red 1680, 114060 Posts: 24	Mark IV is my favorite too. So I spent some time to capture the writings to use it as a wallpaper.

27 May 2014, 08:55 AM	#16
SkooterNB "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Nate Location: NM Posts: 167	Absolutely beautiful dial!

27 May 2014, 12:39 PM	#18
Ben39 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Real Name: Ben Location: Asia Watch: Gilt sub Posts: 1,669	Wow! Farm fresh and crisp bro:) flawless dial!

27 May 2014, 03:42 PM	#20
skprd13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Tom Location: Kauai Watch: 1675-1680-16750 Posts: 3,346	Now that is a naked watch! Put your clothes back on and show that dome!

27 May 2014, 07:58 PM	#23
mluther "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: Michael Location: Brussels Watch: aholic Posts: 1,108	Fantastic view of the watch. I would try the dome, think it will look great

27 May 2014, 10:21 PM	#27
watchcrank "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: michael Location: Florida Watch: explorer II cream Posts: 1,664	nice watch :-)

28 May 2014, 12:44 AM	#29
CrownMe "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maryland Watch: My Open 6 Posts: 3,433	I would be scared $hitless to take the plexi off my red. Bezel and bracelet yes....plexi and caseback I will let someone else do lol Beautiful Red karl. Perfect

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