I have been researching parts to use for my 1665 Great White build for a while now. I sourced a good number of gen parts including a luminova service dial, service crystal, service insert, and luminova hands. Accuracy is a big concern of mine with this project because I'm basically building my grail from scratch. My goal is to build a 1665 that looks like it just came back from the service center.
1. The most pressing question at the moment is what case to get. Currently I am trying to source a gen 1665 case which is proving to be quite difficult, people don't just have spares sitting around. So unless one of these pops up out of nowhere it's looking like I need to get a rep case. I've narrowed it down to these choices...
old MBW- this is what I am really trying to find right now. I've heard that the old ones have the correct HE valve placement but I haven't seen any with this so far and have seen multiple "old mbw cases" with centered HE valves. This is a defining characteristic of my project because the Great Whites feature the slightly raised HE valve. However, in my "serviced look" case it is possible that a DRSD dial could have been swapped out with my white service dial (not really the best idea but it has potential). Also, apparently the mbw can take a 1570 but the movement must be filed down (something I'd hesitate to do)
yuki- a good bit more expensive than the mbw, and I'm not sure if the additional costs is justified. Pros- can take a 1570 (which is an option on the table) and I can create my own serial number. Cons- same HE valve issue. I'm not sure that this puts me in much of a better position than having the mbw, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
ndt- $1050, ouch. Comes with "rolex" crown, any idea if that's actually the case? Can engrave customer serial. CGs need to be shaved and lug holes modded . I can't find any pictures of the HE valve but at $1050 it better be correct. I don't even know if I'd consider this option unless it's literally 99% the same as gen after modding.
2. My second issue will depend on which case/movement I use. If I get a 1570 I'll just use my hands but if I use an eta what hands should I get for it? Yuki's look great, mbws seem a bit off and so do clarks. I have heard of tudor hands being used on an eta, would that be worth my time over yuki/other source?
Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate any advice offered.