how to identify a new or old MBW 1665 case?

[scooterboy]

hi,

i read a many about the new 1680er MBW case with his problems, what about the 1665 DRSD? i bought a MBW with ser. nr. 5790188. the watch is according to the seller about 2 years old. the watch comes first from neil. the lume dot have a metall surround, the bracelet is very funny, one side stamp with 93150, other side and clasp are stamp with 93153 it have hollow mid links and 503B endlinks. the bezel dont turn perhaps it is full dirt.

are several variants of the MBW 1665 out there?

thanks for helping

servus from austria

[Cats]

Hi Scooterboy,

my MBW which came from Narikaa had a solid midlink bracelet with 16520 markings on the bracelet and 93250 on the clasp.

The end links have 503B. The insert didn't have a metal ring around the pearl.

I know that Neil supplied the real MBW's so i can't imagine that it was shipped with a metal roudn around the pearl.

Maybe it was changed afterwards.

BTW my MBW was purchased 2 years ago.

Show us some pics and we can tell you more about your MBW..

Carpe Diem

Cats

[scooterboy]

hi, in the meantime i removed the bezel, the construction is like gen., the insert snap in the bezel like gen.

there was some glue between the bezel washer, case and insert, i cleaned all parts, now the bezel turn easy with a little pressure at the bezel.

please see my photos and confirm it as MBW :-)

[scooterboy]

where are the mbw gods?

[alligoat]

Well, I'm not an MBW expert, but the first thing I don't like is the laser etching. I have a Watchmaster 1680 which is basically the same as a MBW 1680 and the inscription between the lugs is much cleaner more like a real Rolex than the laser crap you have. But Cats would know more, because his is more recent. Maybe MBW/MBK has changed- cheapened up their cases, used laser etching, or maybe you just have the standard CN DRSD. You do have a thicker bezel, that's a plus. But remember, the CN group has copied the MBW DRSD also... Your insert is obviously not MBW- looks like the typical CN insert. You could buy a PMWF 5513 insert (or other 5513 insert for less on ebay)and see if it's a direct swap- that would indicate the correct bezel size. Same with the T-19- if aftermarket parts fit, that's good. BTW, MBW's have a non-functioning HE valve. If you remove your movement and find a functioning HE valve, it's definitely CN!

[scooterboy]

Well, I'm not an MBW expert, but the first thing I don't like is the laser etching. I have a Watchmaster 1680 which is basically the same as a MBW 1680 and the inscription between the lugs is much cleaner more like a real Rolex than the laser crap you have. But Cats would know more, because his is more recent. Maybe MBW/MBK has changed- cheapened up their cases, used laser etching, or maybe you just have the standard CN DRSD. You do have a thicker bezel, that's a plus. But remember, the CN group has copied the MBW DRSD also... Your insert is obviously not MBW- looks like the typical CN insert. You could buy a PMWF 5513 insert (or other 5513 insert for less on ebay)and see if it's a direct swap- that would indicate the correct bezel size. Same with the T-19- if aftermarket parts fit, that's good. BTW, MBW's have a non-functioning HE valve. If you remove your movement and find a functioning HE valve, it's definitely CN!

my 1665 has a gen like bezel construction, i dont hear from cn copies with this,

the serial is 5790188 and the same as on stephanes mbw

[Cats]

I'm in the office right now so i can't/won't dismount my bracelet.

Give me untill to night to check it.

Carpe Diem

Cats

[scooterboy]

i went today to my watchsmith, he confirm there is an gen. ETA 2834-2 installed.

nice weekend

[Cats]

Hi Scooterby that's nice info.

At least you got a MBW with a gen ETA , mine had a cheap copy even with a case clamp missing when it got delivered.

Still haven't had time to make some pictures of the engraving between the lugs.

But i will make time for it this weekend.

Carpe Diem

Cats

[alligoat]

Congrats Scooter, you have a new MBW! Now it's time to get on with the modding

1. drill the lugholes

2. reshape the crown guards

3. install a better bezel insert- I don't know if you could pop out your pearl and put an all acrylic pearl like the ones from Ofrei in there...

4. install a gen crown and tube

5. put the new DW from ETZ in with the correct flat top 3's, open 6's and 9's

6. 93150 bracelet with 585 end pieces or 580's if you can't find the 585's, 2mm springbars, also

7. Age the case, dial, etc.

With the gen ETA in there, you in good shape for years of trouble free service. Good luck.

[Nanuq]

MBW's have a non-functioning HE valve. If you remove your movement and find a functioning HE valve, it's definitely CN!

My MBW from 13 years ago has a functional HE valve. Another way to identify a vintage MBW is to see if the case side opposite the crown slopes in toward the top. A gen 1665 case is vertical but a gen 1680 case is sloped. Apparently the early MBWs were modeled, sorta, after the 1680.

[alligoat]

I actually thought about your MBW when I made that statement Nanuq! But jeez, I didn't realize you actually owned the first dinosaur. 13 years old, wow! It also has a 2824-2 as I recall, which is another anomaly. Indyberretta is another antique MBW collector, he was picking them up about the same time you got your 1665, he showed me a Rolex GMT a few years ago which he had picked up before the dawn of the internet.

We sure have come a long way baby!