Prsist Posted October 8, 2010 Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 I've have been waiting for the infamous bklm1234 Seadweller for going on 20 months and bought a deepsea till bk's was ready. The Deepsea is just too big on my wrist. Thinking of going vintage, either Great White, COMEX, or double red. I'd like to here from owners of vintage and current 16600 SD owners. Jackjo over at repgeek supposedly makes a pretty good SD 16600 with a gen Swiss ETA option. Trying to decide which way to go. One worry about a vintage SD I have is the height. I can pull off no more than a 15mm height. Any larger Is a bit much. I wonder how tall the crystal is on the vintage pieces. I have seen some pics where it sit rather high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 8, 2010 Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 I had 2 a red and a white but i sold them, i liked them but as you say the height is an issue, the 1680 and 5512 sits a little lower and lighter, why not get a cartel 1665 and try it, if it does not suit sell it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 8, 2010 Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 height was the exact reason i sold mine. the watch looked absolutely beautiful in every sense, i admired it endlessly, but once on the wrist it felt just too tall and cumbersome, i was always conscious of its presence. opted for a 5513 instead, feels perfect to me, no date complication and an understated elegance. given its not as cool or as high tech as the dweller its still a tool watch. only one way to really tell if the 1665 is for you, can always break close to even if its not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 8, 2010 Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 My guess is that once you get 1 you are happy with, you will love the 1665. I never liked the 1665 until I completed mine. It has since become my (almost) daily beater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted October 8, 2010 Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 I've certainly enjoyed my GWSD 1665. It's a PT case w/ the 2846-2 slow beat movement and an MBW dial. Put on a gen crown and an aftermarket T-39 superdome. It's WR so I swim and wadefish with it. Great beater for $400. Here's a side shot of the domed crystal- it doesn't bother me. I also think the SSD V2 is a good rep to get and Jackjo's mods would make it even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted October 8, 2010 Report Share Posted October 8, 2010 I think the 1665 is the nicest Rolex ever made. I love those side shots Alligoat. The thickness of the case and bezel and those lugholes... mmmmm dreamy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapman57 Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 I think the 1665 is the nicest Rolex ever made. I love those side shots Alligoat. The thickness of the case and bezel and those lugholes... mmmmm dreamy +1 on that one...............I have a Jan 2009 pre order for a WM9 SD as well. Just go get a DRSD or GWSD 1665, you will love it for sure! Dont get anal at the outset ....go to a PT for $200........always will sell on if you do not like? I'll by it myself if you do not like or want it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 Hey Banned Man, I think you will love the 1665. it's the iconic Rolex dive watch in my opinion. I don't currently have one, but I have had a couple of genuines as well as 2 old MBW's a DRSD and a great white. The crystal height bothered me a little at first, but I soon got used to it.I think that if you're not sure, buy a PT with the slow beat and try it out. If you like it, you can always move up to a little nicer vintage. I would love to have one of my old MBW's back. I have a trusty 16660 that I bought to use while I wait for my WM9 SD, but it looks like that may be a "Forever project" Enjoyed your posts about your banning on WUS. i couldn't agree more with the majority here. Most of the mods take themselves a lot too seriously, and the Draconian rules are their enforcement have turned what was once a fairly good forum into a sterile wasteland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 I love the 1665 and think you ought to just go for it. Am MBW with a slowbeat movement, clarks T39 and a flat top datwheel is a great watch and virtually indestinguishable from the gen. To me the dome of the glass is a reminder of the fact that the watch is also a serious tool for divers and I like that - even though I have never even seen scuba equipment let alone used it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I love the 1665 and think you ought to just go for it. Am MBW with a slowbeat movement, clarks T39 and a flat top datwheel is a great watch and virtually indestinguishable from the gen. To me the dome of the glass is a reminder of the fact that the watch is also a serious tool for divers and I like that - even though I have never even seen scuba equipment let alone used it Ok, please give me a little more info on the following: - slowbeat movement. You talking ETA movement? Which movt? Where is a good place to buy one? - clarks T39. That is the crystal. Is it a gen or a quality aftermarket? - flat top datewheel. i get it's a date wheel but tell me more. You got me thinking of going the vintage route. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I love the 1665 and think you ought to just go for it. Am MBW with a slowbeat movement, clarks T39 and a flat top datwheel is a great watch and virtually indestinguishable from the gen. To me the dome of the glass is a reminder of the fact that the watch is also a serious tool for divers and I like that - even though I have never even seen scuba equipment let alone used it Who sells the MBW? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donerix Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Just picked this up at MBK and had my gen T-39 service crystal installed: Still needs some work, but the watch feels very solid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 How is the t-39 different from with what comes on the watch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donerix Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Here is a pic of the watch with the regular crystal which is more domed but sits lower: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 The replica crystals that come on the watches just dont look the same as a quality aftermarket or gen. Its just something you have to see to understand. A gen plexi just sparkles and looks really CLEAR compared to the 75 cent plastic that comes with the watch. I never believed there was that much of a difference until i put a gen t-39 superdome on my MBW 1665. Now swapping the crystal is the first mod I do when i receive a watch. Even the clarks brand crystals look 10x better than the stock ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 The 1665 is definitely a thick watch, but it's hefty proportions are what I like about it. The 40mm diameter case helps keep the size of the case in check; it's got a bit more presence than a 5513 or 1680, but keep in mind that a lot of the perceived height is with the crystal and thicker bezel. On the wrist it wears quite nicely, but whether it works for you is one of those things that can't be easily determined until you try one on. If possible... Go for one of the MBWs if you're going to test drive one. Preferrably modded with gen crystal and insert, drilled lugs and crown/tube if you can find one. Not only will that be a good basis for deciding whether the 1665 is suited to your tastes, it will also give you a good platform for resale if it doesn't strike your fancy. Best of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 OK Prsist, I am by no means an expert on these things. There are many other members who put my knowledge to shame but for what it's worth here is what I think is a good course of action for you. Firstly buy an MBW 1665 (either double red or great white ). Do nothing to it. Wear it. If you like it then start some modifications, the watch is basically sound but if you decide to keep it ie you like the style, then you have the beginnings of a really decent rep. If you dont like it then just sell it here and you've probably only lost a few dollars. By the way - I can virtually guarantee you won't sell it and will fall in love with it! Lets assume you like it and want it to get better: Use the search engine on this forum and learn lots more about the watch. You need to find out what the differences are between the standard MBW and the gen piece. When you have learned that, only you can decide which inaccuracies you can live with and which ones you can't. A brief run down of the main things that are wrong with the MBW: The lug holes are too thin. The bezel insert and dot are wrong. The movement beats at a higher rate than the gen. The hands are wrong. The datewheel has curved top 3's (the original has flat tops). The crown guards are too thick. The glass is totally different to a gen T39. There are other differences but the above are the main things that most people sort out for starters. I hasten to add that all of the above can be rectified by a decent watchsmith/modder and there are plenty on this forum. So get searching, get learning and get building. I can assure you the work you put in will be well worth it and the knowledge found on these pages is second to none. It will take a while but the watch you end up with will fool all but the most expert of eyes if that is your aim. Personally I'm not bothered about fooling people I just want a piece that I am happy with but either way. Put in a bit of research yourself and you will not regret it. Welcome to the wonderful world of RWG and watch modifying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 whats wrong with the MBW hands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 whats wrong with the MBW hands? i find the wish bone in the the hour hand too thick compared to gen, and the minute hand luminous part is too thin. mbk hands are on par with the noobmariner, but i find clarks more accurate. theyre good hands but to me theyre a tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 glad you said clarks are better as those are what i have been using in my last few Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 do it ! go vintage ! cheers, Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 Is it possible to put a SEL bracelet on the 1665? Anyone have problems with the end links making noise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted October 11, 2010 Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 why would you put a sel on a 1665, its like a model T ford with spinners, just dont go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted October 11, 2010 Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 I agree with the remark that a 1665 wears a bit thicker then the other gen subs like a 1680. But i still love mine Carpe Diem Cats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prsist Posted October 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 @Cats: is yours sporting a flat or dome top? Where did you buy yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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