Jetsons

My pleasure, Stephane. If you change your mind, just drop me a line. Waiting is an unfortunate part of this little hobby. Cheers, J

Stephane if you would like, I'll be glad to order the inserts and send them your way via Global Priority mail. Since I'm in the US, shipping time from this chap shouldn't take too long. Using an expedited mail service (which is inexpensive), it shouldn't take more than 5 business days to get to you. I suspect the seller used regular post which can take a while to get to the EU (perhaps 30 plus days). I hope he bothered to fill out the customs form properly.

This is the best gen/MBW comparison ever but how may folks on the planet own a gen RR 1665 and a modded MBW? Interesting how close they are. I've seen posts picking apart the MBW but at the end of the day, it's one fine piece of work. Many thanks for taking the time & sharing. PS: My suggestion would be to travel due east to have your crystal installed.

Great vintage thread & awesome watches! No dates are so much easier. I need to get the Ubi date wheel installed on this one. I just noticed this one doesn't have the flat tops.

Excellent photos indeed & thanks for the link. If I lived in the UK, I'd be tempted to get a second on the house and snag this beauty.

Anton, big difference between the two as you know. LeCoultre was a necessity for Jaeger to reduce taxes which at the time, were considerably higher on imported finished watches into the US. To save on cost, Jaeger shipped the movements to US based LeCoultre which would case the watches here. Interestingly, all the 14K and 18K solid gold cases during the period were Jaeger and the far more common 10K plated cases (not of great quality IMO) were of LeCoultre origins. JLC is a very interesting company. This is one clone I would never touch as the movements, fit and finish of their time pieces are just too darn good to replicate. Their parts are also very difficult to source and can only be done if the watch is sent to them for repair/service.

Anton, you didn't allow the quiz to go long enough. Of course it's Jaeger. Vacheron has used JLC movements, mostly in the 40s & 50s if memory serve me. . Not sure about Patek but they may have at some point. IMO, JLCs represent the best value in the high end specially as they are easy to find brand spankin' new for around 30% off.

Best idea I've heard all week! Second the VIP Section motion.

The easiest way is to remove your insert and shave a bit off the bottom as I stated above. Judging from your photos, the MBW's insert is not properly seated against the bezel. Remove it (soaking the bezel with insert in warm soapy water for approximately one hour will make this very easy to do) and remove the double sided tape which you may have. That alone will help gain additional clearance. If you need more clearance, you can remove material from the back-side of the insert which you would also have to do with an OEM insert. I would not recommend spending a ton of cash on OEM parts that are NOT designed to fit the MBW. The MBW 16610 is not a 1:1 case plus it is not assembled as the gen is. A couple of photos that may be of help: MBW/TW with OEM bezel and insert temporarily attached: Identical watch with the standard bezel and OEM insert-sanded so it is very thin: See any huge differences?

Excellent story, Nanuq! If I were a rlx sales person and someone walked in sporting a RR 1665, I would wet my pants as well. Glad to see that your enjoying that beauty and not locking it up in a safe.

Awesome review and photos, bklm! That's a darn nice looking watch! If the clone manufactures could only get the crown to be nicely centered in the case and it would be near perfect. Thank you very much for taking the time and sharing.

rosnik I would not bet on it. Once upon a time Maria offered the MBW 16610 with what he stated was an OEM service crystal and the crystal was accurately stamped with an "S". These cases have changed over the years and the only way to know is to try. I believe that you would gain additional crystal height by removing the insert and shaving the back side a bit. If it's installed with double sided tape, remove it and use an appropriate glue/adhesive which would provide additional crystal clearance. You should be happy as it is a great watch for the cost. The alternative would to invest around $4K for a second hand 16610 which is considerably more $s.

Your 16610 has the identical bezel assembly of the TW case and it is correct for the MBW. I have the same and tried to install a gen bezel assembly and it did not work for me. I believe others have tried with the same results. The MBW 16610 is not built exactly as the gen so OEM parts will not just drop in. Only the MBW vintage sport models ( 1665 & 1680) will accept OEM parts with little or no mods. Having said this, the TW's bezel assembly has the correct 120 clicks and feels very close to the real deal in terms of functionality. I installed a gen insert and it looks terrific. Enjoy the new toy! It's a darn nice watch.

The one you pointed out is probably the new flatter top T-39 and not the old style superdome. I've seen those for around $100 so this one appears to be on the high side. If you're looking for the original T-39 Superdome, this chap on TZ has it but only 2. Price is reasonable considering the rarity of this crystal. http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tre...35778&rid=0 I have the gen T-39 sd on my 1665 and it is awesome. I've seen the Clark installed in a few watches and it appeared quite good specially for the price. I haven't compared them personally to the real deal.

lukes, great decision and one that you will not regret. I remember when I received the first MBW 1665 and was totally blown away. Another plus of the MBK is that TTK personally inspects these watches before sending them your way. That is a huge plus in this hobby and easily worth a few extra bucks. With very few exceptions, dealers drop ship and you can never be sure of the quality/functionality of what arrives. Second & third what Stephane stated.

The price difference between the CN and the MBK/MBW isn't as much as you might think when you add the $30 shipping for the former. The MBK has the correct thick case which is the hall mark of the 1665. The CN's is too thin and is closer to that of the 1680. The dial is also considerably better on the MBW specially the white. I have held both of these and there really isn't much comparison between the two. Even in stock form, the MBW is a gorgeous watch with correct dimensions & assembly that can be taken to another level as funds allows should you decide to travel down that road. It all depends on what you want.

Me too! Where in the hell is it, Nanuq? This must be the economy Fed-Ex service. An early ongrats!

Thanks, Stephane! As you mentioned, it's not entirely accurate (specially under magnification) but it looks fantastic on the wrist. It has a heft and feel to it that doesn't say reproduction. Someday, I may install a gen T-dial but I've always enjoyed the heck out of it as is. I installed the OEM bars and insert which were the two issues that truly bothered me. It's one of those pending projects which will have to wait a bit until I get around to completing the also terrific 2893-2 TW GMT. elprimero, great looking TT! A gen insert would make it a total stunner.

For another bump to this great thread, I almost forgot this one. One of my oldest reps; the old, old style TW best 16610. This guy is built like an anvil and has been a flawless operator.

Looks good BT but judging from your excellent photo, the side case holes appear to be located a tad too far towards the lug ends. This reminds me of a late model TW 16610 I had with the same issue and the holes would have been very difficult to drill to 1.2mm. The older style TW cases by comparison, had the side case holes properly positioned so drilling them was not an issue other than it being a total PIA. This is the old style GMT TW/MBW case with the lugs drilled for comparison:

This is true for new movements which are properly lubricated, clean & ready to go. My reading of The Zigmeister's posts and our conversations indicates that the ETA movements in reps (with the exception being the 7753 & 2893-2) are generally poorly oiled and not exactly assembled in a clean room. Some have been surplus worn movements that were not worth fixing and had to be replaced. It's often luck of the draw with the ETA movements in these watches & most require a service which adds to the cost. TTK, I clearly remember your post. I agreed with you then decided to pick up a few as a result.

Eddie Lee was terrific terrific in his day and carried the TW line. Order a watch, and you would receive it in 4 days. River is certainly not as active as he once was and an excellent source for the TWs. Homer. Was at one point very active on our forums. King is now via email only. She used to flood this place with attractive offerings and specials. I'm sure I'll think of others.

I've noticed this price escalation as well and it's happened rather quickly. Let's not forget the ever popular $30 shipping cost which used to be included in the price. I also sense reading posts that quality has not been the greatest either & customer service has taken a turn for the worse in some cases. When I see Hamilton chronos with a genuine 7753 offered second hand for around $700, it makes it difficult to swallow the new prices. Add the cost a few mods and movement service (almost a requirement for the Asia 7750) and one is immediately in the ball park of quality used gens. I agree with you, Joe. We shouldn't just keep buying over priced watches. It certainly takes the fun out collecting. We have also lost some very reputable sources in the past year or so & this certainly has not helped the issue.

Great work and awesome 1665, Lonnie! White or red, I'm very partial to the T39 superdome. Nothing else remotely looks like it plus looks amazing on the SD. Enjoy!

Stephane, if the crown on your case is centered, then I suspect you have the correct thick MBW 1665 type case. On every other thinner case that I've seen (MBW, MBK or otherwise), the crown would be a tad low. BTW, I am far from an expert but own several of these & have noticed a thing or two. Cheers, J