dbutlerman Posted July 3, 2010 Report Posted July 3, 2010 I just finished this up about 15 minutes ago and I thought that I'd post it. It's the first project that I've built from scratch - that is, I didn't start with a whole watch. I bought each component separately and from across the globe. - The case is an MBW 1665 sourced from Canada - The movement is a new 2846 slow beat from California - The datewheel is from FxrAndy in Germany (dial needs to be adjusted a little to be centered) - The dial is a MBW DRSD from Colorado - and The hands are from Wholesale Outlet in Texas. Here is a cappy cell phone pic. I'll post some more tomorrow after I get out the DSLR.
ShawnBeever Posted July 3, 2010 Report Posted July 3, 2010 Nice, needs a Yuki or similar pear. I would also swap the the hands next time you have it apart, these look like cheep rep hands they are flat and the edges are quite rough. The better rep hands are nicely polished on the edges and seem to have a thicker chrome plating. But very nice none the less.
Nanuq Posted July 3, 2010 Report Posted July 3, 2010 Boy that's a great build! Are you sure that's an MBW dial? A couple of details look a little different. But what a killer build! Let's see a profile shot of that big lurid domed crystal!
Ronin Posted July 3, 2010 Report Posted July 3, 2010 Looking good. Nanuq here is the dial in question. It came from ETZ as a MBW, Singer Backed. It looks good in its new home :
dbutlerman Posted July 3, 2010 Author Report Posted July 3, 2010 Thanks guys! I really did enjoy putting this piece together. I will have a GW dial in it's way to me soon. I'll have to decide between the two of them. May be a hard decision.
dbutlerman Posted July 3, 2010 Author Report Posted July 3, 2010 BTW thanks to all the sellers: FxrAndy - great transaction not a glitch. Ronin - same thing....great guy to deal with. highoeyazmuhudee - thanks for all your help and great transaction.
ThinkBachs Posted July 3, 2010 Report Posted July 3, 2010 I have to agree about the hands. Wondering if it has gen spring bars? Polishing the bar ends looks really good adding yet another finishing touch that so many overlook.
dbutlerman Posted July 3, 2010 Author Report Posted July 3, 2010 They Aren't gen bars but the holes have been drilled to acomodate. I may pick some up. Anybody have a source for the better hands?
freddy333 Posted July 3, 2010 Report Posted July 3, 2010 db2 - Your hard work definitely shows in this piece. I agree with the others' comments about the hands. I think Tudors, which are made to fit ETA pinions, are your best bet. After that, try Clarks (ebay). I am not too sure that the misaligned date is due to a misaligned dial (unless you removed the dial feet). Most likely, the number overlay was either printed incorrectly or placed incorrectly on the date wheel (both are very common problems). If the former is the problem, your only option is to replace the overlay (though you could also replace the entire datewheel/overlay with another MBW or similar). If the latter is the case, you would need to separate the overlay from the date wheel (try a razor blade to pry them apart) & then reglue them using slow-drying epoxy (slow dry gives you time to position/test the overlay a couple of times in the watch before the cement dries).
dbutlerman Posted July 3, 2010 Author Report Posted July 3, 2010 Thanks Freddy! I will try and hunt down some Tudor hands...maybe some vintagy ones ... The dial do have the feet removed, I did that exact trick (slow dry epoxy) when setting it up, but the dial turned a little when doing the final attachment. The 3:00 market is slightly off from stem center, so I am just going to re-align the dial to the stem and I should be good to go! I am about the decase it, spin the dial a hair and put it back together...I'll post some more pics when done!
vlydog Posted July 3, 2010 Report Posted July 3, 2010 Beautiful build db2; I love it. Member JoJo did have a set of Tudor hands for sale.
dbutlerman Posted July 3, 2010 Author Report Posted July 3, 2010 I am going to have to send JoJo an PM I just de-cased, adjusted the dial, and now I am all centered up.... I also broke out the DSLR, here are some Pics:
dbutlerman Posted July 4, 2010 Author Report Posted July 4, 2010 On the advice given here, I am after some better hands, what's the going opinion on Yuki white Tudor hands?
Ronin Posted July 4, 2010 Report Posted July 4, 2010 The new photos and everything looks great. If you are going to be dealing with Yuki, see if he has anymore vintage pearls, or one of his inserts. +1 on the Tudor hands. I also like that NATO strap color combo.
ubiquitous Posted July 6, 2010 Report Posted July 6, 2010 Looks great! Nice build, and job well done! The DRSD dial you have has several characteristics that I would correlate to an NDT dial. Very interesting With the right hand set installed, you'll see a very big change to the overall picture... Keep up the great work!
modelizer Posted July 8, 2010 Report Posted July 8, 2010 WOW! Great piece and awesome work carried out there my friend! I think it is time for me to take a plunge for one of those vintage dwellers..
dbutlerman Posted July 8, 2010 Author Report Posted July 8, 2010 @replcafan the Sea-Dweller does not have a maginfier. I believe it is the only Rolex model that doesn't. @Modelizer thanks! And yes, you should get one. It's about the same size as the 3717 on the wrist, just slightly smaller in diameter.
coolfire Posted July 8, 2010 Report Posted July 8, 2010 Sweet build, mate! Itching to build one too...
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