bklm1234

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visually this one is the best. It's the correct hand stack version (hour-gmt-minute-second). I did mod the CGs (shaved the inside). The dial, the rehaut thickness (not depth) - I mean there should be some distance, about the width of the six o'clock indice marker, from the insert to the edge of the dial - are perfect. Correct crystal height and bevel. Date window correctly placed (not too far to the right like many versions) and correct cyclop mag.

Mechanically, it's suspect. Some people are luckier than me. Mine had the slipping hour hand. I took it to a watchsmith to reset the hour/minute hand relationshiop. So far so good. This version comes in the wrong hand stack as well, more reliable, only sacrificing the look on the hand stack a little.

Josh's expensive version has a 2893-2 movement but visually much inferior and has wrong hand stack too.

-bk

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Great review BK. I am still waiting on my LV MBW from TTK.

Is it a norm that the MBW's are NOT waterproof? All my other reps have gone swimming right out of the box with no problems whatsoever?

TTK said he pressure tests his MBWs to 2 ATM.

-bk

caseback pics added.

-bk

Great review! Very informative with wonderful pictures.

You are doing a buyers guide? So the noobmariner may be the one all Rolex lovers should have ($99.00) ?

noobmariner is a great starter sub, no doubt.

-bk

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might be a gen, only way to tell is clearer pics and closeup on the pearl.

-bk

Thanks. I actually attempted to make the bezel teeth pointier. I experimented on an old bezel. I ran a round file between the teeth. You can actually get the teeth pointier rather easily. But you can also screw up easily too.

-bk

can't be too perfect for "fair" quality. as pointed out already, there's no rep bezel with no-date specs

pointier bezel teeth on no-date:

date:

How about this one? Built from a VIPmariner (I paid $65), rep dial from Paul $8, an old ETA movement, watchmaterial insert pearl $32. No lug holes and has SELs though:

-bk

it's the correct hand stack exp2, right? it's a common problem. I have 2 such movements, both have problems. I think it's ok to reveal the dealer like you said it's not his fault and that was excellent service.

by the way, if you don't want the watch and consider selling it, let me know. Thanks.

-bk

Dont know if others have faced a similar issue ...... burt here is mine.

I am nuts for GMT watches and the top of my list is the RX EXP II white.

Finally managed to get one with correct bezel , good date font, long GMT hand, correct GMT hand stack .... and most important , "blackish" rings around the (white) hour dots.

Too good to be true.

..... the movemnt inside , is a 2836-2 modified.

First watch comes and after few dates of testing , the resuls are:

- very hard winding

- GMT hand and hour hand not synchronized (no way to get them synchronized).

- when 12 o'clock or 6:30 where the hour and min hand should completely overlap ... they do not. Hour hand always points few mins before (as an example: when X o'clock the hour hand does not point right on the dot .... it points a 2mm distance before !!!)

That's because the whole damn movement is geared based on the GMT hand and the hour hand acts as a secondary one.

..... any way , watch goes back to the dealer for fixing and servicing (free of charge).

Watch comes back ..... same problems again. Waist of money (shipping cost) and time.

Dealer sends a brand new watch.

New Watch received yesterday.

..... exactly the same problems again.

Watch will go back again.

Dont know if its only me having that great luck ..., cant tell if the problem is due to the "correct stack up" of the GMT hand , or is the modified movement by itself or all the three things together ..... but,

I AM DONE WITH THE 2836-2 MODIFIED !!!!!! :bann:

Note: I will not reveal the dealer .... in any case is not his fault (2836-2 mod is just a crappy movement).

As you can see, his whole attitude, service and after sales support was really great.

Nope -- I had a pair and let one go once. I thought I'd never be able to find another.

The 2836's can be decent watches - MBW GMTs are 2836's, although I wouldn't recommend the vintage MBW GMT. The GMT Master II by MBW is a much better watch.

When you consider that the 2893 movement costs more than $200, you can expect to pay a lot more for a watch with it. I have four of them (or I will have when number four gets back from The Zigmeister) and I also have the Explorer II with a 2893. If you read the reviews about the 2893 movement, it compares very favorably with anything out there - including gen Rolex.

That's the way to go in my view.

Bill

Bill,

Do you know if the 2893 has the same stem hole position as the 2836? I wonder if I can swap in a 2893 into my GMT which has a modified 2836. Will the crown tube line up with the stem hole of the 2893? I will love for that to work. The reason is the correct hand stack GMT visuals are dead-on perfect. Check out these pics:

gen:

my correct hand stack gmt:

Near perfect visuals.

If 2893 fits, I will transfer the datewheel. Oh, I need to get a set of hands. Any idea where to get them?

- BK

- Bert

i sold the watch already but i did some CG mod

insert sanded thin, pretty flush with bezel lip, the lip was enhanced a bit (lightly sanded to make more defined)

superlumed (i keep the dial+hands+movement myself)

cyclop replaced to one with correct mag, noobmariner dial and a longer second hand

-bk

top one is better (i think it's a noobmariner dial), shorter markers, less gap between markers and rehaut, skinnier font

elprimerozen, i got the same watch and a gen insert too. The gen insert has a larger circumference. Did you sand the perimeter as well? I did which I regret because I could have pushed in the insert. Anyway, I sanded it so thin that it sits recessed in the bezel so no harm done sanding the perimeter 'cause it's not showing at all.

-bk

Hmm, where would I find that, FleBay, or, ....? If that would make it look better I wouldn't mind doing it. I appreciate that info. Tim

Try Angus (PureTime) or Ruby and they carry the 16613 having the same window position on the dial as yours. I see carry different rollie dials.

-bk

the biggest flaw is the oversized markers. look for a better dial. pretty good looking rep over all.

-bk

no, it's not a tw best. EL has offered that for a long while. It's a ETA noobmariner.

-bk

read this gen vs rep http://www.rwg.cc/members/New-Lv-t15483.html

relaxman said the gen's insert has a darker green than his rep's. But that's an other rep from King. So don't know how gen's compared to today's reps'.

-bk

the bezel construction is the same as that of the mbw, i.e. bezel with a rubber gasket (same size as the caseback gasket), a ring plate with 3 thorns sticking out for clicking. This click mechanism is buttery soft and feels like the gen's. The bezel is nice and thick. Other than the teeth slightly rounded (mbw's are sharp, which I like better), the bezel profile is closer to gen's than the mbw's. The crystal is high and has near-gen bevel, but different from MBW's bevel (less slanted), both are close but not 100% like gen, good enough though. The rehaut is the same as my mbw's. My bracelet sucks, not only solid mid-links but big gaps. All in all a great foundation for mod. I bought mine from River for $250 shipped. Is Josh's the same price?

my tw best pics:

-bk

i put the crystal with the cyclop touching the heating element on an electric range. simply push away the cyclop. also no residue.

-bk