wiesn089 Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 With my DW 6263 entering its finishing stage (waiting for a gen bracelet which should arrive soon and then its off to Domi ), I'm planning my next project, an El Primero 16520 franken with black dial. I love the El Primero Movement, especially its 36.000 beat rate and really like the fact that this would stay unchanged in "my" Daytona. I read every single thread on the few which are floating around here and to me it seems that the most critical part is acquiring a case (apart from hands issues later). Precisely because of that my plan is to get the case set first. Doing so won't leave me stuck with all other parts without the chance of finishing the project up in the end. As far as I understand there are three ways to go: 1) Get a gen case set 2) Get an NDT case set 3) MBW/MBK Case Set I don't want to go the gen route because, a) prices seem to be heading through the roof b ) they rarely pop up (at least I couldn't find many) c) I'm not shelling out 3000+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolexmaniac88 Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 I can't be sure about which route to go since i'm no expert on the 16520 but there is one thing where you are absolutely right: you need Ubi's advice. He is known for his 16520 el primero twins so he'll be the one able to point you in the right direction. Ubi, someone needs your guidance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 wonder if its possible to use the newer daytonas like the sec@6 made in the Noobfactory. Its thicker than gen, but i wonder if a proper flatter caseback would help? Or perhaps one of the thinner cases floating around from one of the better faux subdial daytonas. Some of these cases are fairly accurate and can be modded with gen pushers, crown/tube beze etc etc Just an idea Dizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 I think the MBK does not sell 16520 case-set anymore. Here are my two franken. One is with gen case and the other one is Phong with gen bezel, crown, and crystal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr.101 Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 is the price difference between a modded phong case and a gen case set steep? gru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiesn089 Posted July 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Thanks for the input so far, guys. All offerings I found so far were in about the same price range ($100-200 give or take). NDT and a dealer from Vietnam seem to offer the same cases (at least they provided me with the same pictures). Is Phong's the same? Felix, I only found two gen cases and both were 3000€ and up that's still three times more than a modded aftermarket case (excl. bezel). For this difference you can almost get all other parts, for me that's simply not worth it. P.S. Wow flex, your Daytonas are amazing! Is the black one the gen case? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcoxxx1984 Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Why don't we ask David Wong to made a 16520 case?? It could be an amazing business for him!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Being pressed for time, let me cut to the chase and simply say the NDT case is crap. Look elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 However, I don't really see a point in having to spend 1300$ on something on which I probably have to change crown, pushers and bezel to genuine anyway either. Gen midcase if and when you find one, will be pushing $2k. That's just the midcase. I'd go with an older MBW case set over NDT. The MBW, while definitely not perfect, is a decent starting point. Hard to find these days. But I do think Greece George can still get them... as of 6 months ago he could anyhow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 River has a nice Daytona MBW case with gen dial and hands and an Ebel el primero movement that he's just getting ready to put up for sale. Saw a post today on RG about it. It might save you a lot of time and effort. white daytona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flex Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 wiesn089 , yes the black one is the gen case with paper... you got that right.. Flex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiesn089 Posted August 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2010 Sooooo, I was offered/found a case and am in contact with the seller. Is this it look MBW or something worthwhile at least? I had a look at Phong's/NDT's and came to the conclusion that when you compare the bezel (thicker numbers on Phong's) and caseback (no engraving) these definitely aren't the same. My main concern are the CGs which don't look very gen, but then again comparing these to other MBWs posted here there are similarities. I'll probably be able to get a Dial from the same seller (with pictures later on if everything works out). I'd appreciate your expert opinion very much, especially of the 16520 guys and case experts on here (hi Ubi, Flex, Freddy etc. ). BTW: 6263 still not finished and about to throw it out of the window, but review of bracelet options in the making (incl. gen 78350 with gen endlinks). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted August 31, 2010 Report Share Posted August 31, 2010 That case is good. The CGs are pretty good for an older serial number case. I agree they're slightly off, primarily at the case edge where the crown tube is, or that could be due to the bezel being slightly too small. But it doesn't look like a sharp straight cut there. On the underside, I'd have to double check some of the details. The caseback diameter looks off, but I'll have to double check mine to verify. Here's a pic of my "A serial" 16520. Some of the details here are different than on the older serials. These things did evolve/change over time. I hope to be able to take some nice pics of it soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickdick Posted August 31, 2010 Report Share Posted August 31, 2010 Sooooo, I was offered/found a case and am in contact with the seller. Is this it look MBW or something worthwhile at least? I had a look at Phong's/NDT's and came to the conclusion that when you compare the bezel (thicker numbers on Phong's) and caseback (no engraving) these definitely aren't the same. My main concern are the CGs which don't look very gen, but then again comparing these to other MBWs posted here there are similarities. I'll probably be able to get a Dial from the same seller (with pictures later on if everything works out). I'd appreciate your expert opinion very much, especially of the 16520 guys and case experts on here (hi Ubi, Flex, Freddy etc. ). BTW: 6263 still not finished and about to throw it out of the window, but review of bracelet options in the making (incl. gen 78350 with gen endlinks). This looks identical to MBW case, considering the tell tale sine of the pushers on the caseback side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted August 31, 2010 Report Share Posted August 31, 2010 Yep. That curvature where the crown meets the side of the case between the CGs is telltale also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiesn089 Posted August 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2010 Great news, thanks for your input so far guys! Does someone remember how much these were when they were available for the first time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted September 1, 2010 Report Share Posted September 1, 2010 I want to say they were $1200ish from George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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