ubiquitous Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Just thought I'd share a little MBW transformation I did for my friend Gabus. He had sent me this 5513 back in Nov, along with a bunch of parts for it; I didn't really have much time to do anything on it until the New Year's weekend, 2am when everyone in the house was asleep There were a few tricky issues with the watch from the start; notably a caseback that had a ding on the inner lip that kept it from wanting to unthread along with a stem that didn't want to release from the keyless works, the result of a prior repair he had done, along with the stock MBW spacer ring that came stock with the watch (which needed some notches filed into it as the ring was too tall, thus placing too much pressure/tension inside the case and causing the movement to sit a little too far inboard towards the caseback). I didn't take as many pics as I would have liked, but here's what I have I started off by tearing this one down to just the mid case. The MBW tube is removed, and the threads re-tapped. This is why I re-tap the threads... Looks at how much metal was actually removed from the threads. Even after tapping, the tube was still a little snug, but fit much better than before the tap was run through: Clean threads: Next is to address those CGs. Stock guards: In prog: Finished: And Triplock tube installed: Gilt dial goes on next... But I had to modify the stock MBW hands to match the gilt look. Overall, not too shabby: Case it up: And ready to go: The only thing I would suggest doing at this point is fitting a gen 703: The crown that's on there is an improvement over the MBW crown, but still a little too tall. A gen Triplock would suit this one nicely. Thanks for looking, and thanks to Gabus for the privilege and pleasure on working on his watch. Cheers and best, //ubi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiesn089 Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Beautiful, the CGs look great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messenius Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 That's a beautiful looking piece Would you mind sharing the dial source Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Beautiful work, maestro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eton Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Another masterpiece Ubi and amazing as always!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Someday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiman12 Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Very nice Ubi! Love the PCG's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Beautiful diary of the work performed & the end result shows the talent/labor involved. I think the CGs could use a bit more rounding. They look a bit too squarish for a 5513, at least, 1 that has not spent its entire life in an AD's showcase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ylfig Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Very nice indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cib0rgman Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Looks Fantastic as always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmctowgnr Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Truly a perfect piece of work. Gabus is a lucky man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 UBI does it again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donerix Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 May I ask what size tap you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmj Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelizer Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Simply stunning.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabus Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Ubi, I just got home to find a package in the mail. Since I hadn't heard from you since our last email I figured you just sent the watch back..I was bummed but understood your reluctance. You can't believe how surprised I was when I opened the package. The watch looks great and I don't know how to express my appreciation adequately. Many Thanks my friend. Gen insert, tritium pearl and a NDT gilt dial..and of course all the love and attention from the Master. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Beautiful job RS! I'd love to hear how you got the gold hands, or what you did to them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Don't forget- Gen service 25-19 as well! There were plenty of hiccups along the way, but what can I say? I didn't feel right about not giving it a go... And I like to surprise my friends with such things when I can. Just wish I had more time to do these... Glad you like it! Thanks for letting me be a part of your project! Cheers and best, //ubi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Beautiful job RS! I'd love to hear how you got the gold hands, or what you did to them.... Thanks, sir. The hands were originally the stock MBW silver tone hands. I gave them a quick mod to achieve the gilt look (similar to these I did on this old 5500 I built): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Came out fantastic - not a surprise given Ubi was involved I love my Gilt 5513 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Very nice! I see you took some metal off the case under the crown, to bring the crown closer to the bezel. Thats the ONE thing bugging me about my MBW is that the case is too wide and you get that weird "gap" of too much metal between the base of the crown and the bezel. Anyone who has an old skool MBW will know what i mean. I'm going to try filing mine a bit next time I pull it apart. Same issue on my 1665 too. dizz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolfire Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Speechless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 BTW, thanks all for the kind words... Much appreciated! These are always fun... But I think I need to move on from 5513/4/7's, as it seems they are all I have done for 2010! Wonder what 2011 will bring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 But I think I need to move on from 5513/4/7's, as it seems they are all I have done for 2010! Wonder what 2011 will bring? MY 5513 it'll be different I swear! for instance mines a mid 80s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 MY 5513 it'll be different I swear! for instance mines a mid 80s Well, I do suppose I could fit one more into the 2011 schedule! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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