Installing Red Date Disk on my SD4000

[sheldonsmith]

It seems that every Rolex that has some color in it increases its value, as well as just looking cool. The Explorer II 216570 has an orange 24-hour hand, and the red Submariners are grail watches to many collectors. I was able to source from Ommsen on the Sales Forum here an all red genuine, still in Rolex parts package date disk for the 3135 movement in my Rolex 116600 which is a spare part for most likely for the 2002 Turn-O-Graph 116264 that possessed an all red date disk.

Below are some images of the transformation with the help of my local Rolex certified/CW21 watchmaker. These photos were taken with iOS app Hydra on an iPhone 6+. Hydra takes 50 to 60 images per shot, then combines them together for incredibly hi-res photos.

Hi-Res photos are posted at http://www.minus4plus6.com/SD4000.htm#red


Removing the caseback


Caseback removed. Thick gasket and full balance bridge with the balance wheel running on this Rolex 3135 movement. See my website here to see the high res image showing the main plate serial number. You can see the serial number of the main place which is different from the serial number located on the rehaut of the watch. Despite the different serial numbers, when a Rolex Service Center takes in a watch, they verify the authenticity of the watch by matching the case/rehaut serial number located under the crystal at the 6:00 o'clock with the main plate number.


SeaDweller 4000 case with movement removed.


Ahh, the movement with original date wheel. Apparently there is a weak spot in the dial which my watchmaker had to reference in a book only available to certified Rolex watchmakers. Subsequently, he had to remove the dial very gingerly. There is a thin spot in the dial that will cause an indentation if the dial is removed by a gorilla.


Here's the dial side of the SD4000 - 116600 with both the original black and red date disks.


Red date disk installed. Notice the blued screws holding the date mechanism plate to the main plate of the Rolex 3135 movement. Even with blued screws, this is not your grandpa's watch.


With the face reinstalled. The red contrast is perfect!!! -subtle but distinctive.


Here's a better look


With the hands installed.


Here it is in the wild. I tried to capture the laser etched crown in the crystal but did not quite catch it. The slight touch of red makes the Rolex 116600 SD4000 perfect. The blur in the image is the second traveling while the image is captured.

[707soldier]

Inspiring work, thank you for sharing.
Great Job!!!

[Chewbacca]

looks great!

[badass09]

Awesome mod man..

[luvsub]

Looks great! Nice job.

[lodewijk]

Very cool!

[ssultan]

Man I enjoyed this. Thanks for posting.

[sleddog]

Looks good Sheldon. Surprised you didn't go all out and place the YM red second hand on it also....that would have set it all off IMO.

Good job none the less, and thanks for sharing with the community!

[Speed]

Quite the Moderate Mod.

And I mean that in the best way possible. Just enough extra personality - but not over the top.

Well done Sheldon!

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by sleddog

Looks good Sheldon. Surprised you didn't go all out and place the YM red second hand on it also....that would have set it all off IMO.

Good job none the less, and thanks for sharing with the community!

Thought about the red second hand, but thought it would be too much. I wanted color accents, not a red watch. The red second hand worked on my DSSD (when I owned it) because there is a bit of depth between the crystal and the second hand that worked, but on the SD4000 the second hand is much closer to the crystal making it too visible and too much of a distraction.


(FWIW, the second hand project is chronicled here)

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

Thought about the red second hand, but thought it would be too much. I wanted color accents, not a red watch. The red second hand worked on my DSSD (when I owned it) because there is a bit of depth between the crystal and the second hand that worked, but on the SD4000 the second hand is much closer to the crystal making it too visible and to much of a distraction.


(FWIW, the second hand project is chronicled here)

Perfect reasoning Sheldon, enjoy the SDc!

[AS1]

Great stuff Sheldon! I really enjoyed your review of the SD4000 and now this is an excellent write-up and great mod. Thanks for sharing.

[rollee1]

Beautiful touch of red, well done

[sigguy]

Watch looks great with the new dial.

The image quality is spectacular too. Will check out hydra.

Interesting you mentioning the 'weak spot' on the dial. I recall a posting within the
last few months where someone had their dial dented during service by an independent.
The owner was having trouble getting the watchmaker to acknowledge that he/she had
damaged the dial and remedy it. There was some skepticism on the forums that a
dial could be dented simply removing the hands.

[c41006]

Looks good. Nice work.

[sheldonsmith]

Originally Posted by sigguy

Watch looks great with the new dial.

The image quality is spectacular too. Will check out hydra.

Interesting you mentioning the 'weak spot' on the dial. I recall a posting within the
last few months where someone had their dial dented during service by an independent.
The owner was having trouble getting the watchmaker to acknowledge that he/she had
damaged the dial and remedy it. There was some skepticism on the forums that a
dial could be dented simply removing the hands.

Yes, and the reason why I use a Rolex Certified/CW21 watchmaker. The book he referenced is only available to Rolex Certified technicians. I too was wondering why he consulted a small manual for something that seemed as simple as removing a dial, but he pointed it out. I too recall a discussion here on the forums about a botched vintage dial by an RSC. The dials are not completely the same thickness on the back to make room for gear movement under the dial.

[sea-dweller]

Looks great!

[kilyung]

Pretty cool

[rollee1]

Originally Posted by sheldonsmith

Yes, and the reason why I use a Rolex Certified/CW21 watchmaker. The book he referenced is only available to Rolex Certified technicians. I too was wondering why he consulted a small manual for something that seemed as simple as removing a dial, but he pointed it out. I too recall a discussion here on the forums about a botched vintage dial by an RSC.

*The dials are not completely the same thickness on the back to make room for gear movement under the dial.

* This detail is mesmerizing!
The reason I am into intricate engineering, I love to comb details.

[Andad]

Nice mod Sheldon.

[Brian Page]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing with us!!

[swatty]

Nice upgrade Sheldon

[Laszlo]

Love it. Nice.

[EricM]

That turned out well!! Thanks for sharing!

[Marvoon]

great one,thank for sharing...

[B.B.B.]

Awesome!

[Danny83]

Well done

[joli160]

Very nice Sheldon, I like these subtle mods

[travisb]

Nice work, Sheldon and thanks for the detailed pics!

[PanosI]

Great mod, Sheldon ! Thanks for sharing