explor_er Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Well I've been bitten by the vintage bug big time! Picked up this MBW red 1680 beauty last week from a fellow member(omgiv) and it already had a couple nice mods already completed a gen crystal - gen crown - gen tube. About to do my first mod with a gen insert that arrived yesterday along with a lightly aged MBW insert. So here's my dilema I can't decide whether to age the gen insert or not and if I did I don't want to over do it - just a light aging. Or leave it and let it age on it's own. Here's a pic with the aged rep insert installed and then with the gen insert placed on top. Next up will be dropping in a better dial. Can't believe I waited so long to go vintage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geof3 Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Leave it alone. Looks perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillycheez Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 I'd leave as is. It's a service insert, those rarely if ever fade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Don't age it, you will regret it, nice looking watch! Real aged ones only have the fading on the front half, the backs are usually unfaded. Just wear it everywhere you go, it will lightly fade on it's own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 leave the insert alone, but change those hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netniet Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 leave the insert alone, but change those hands +1 You should match the lume color of the hands to the color of the markers. And maybe you could change the wrist. This watch would stand out more on a wrist with blonde hair (mine) GLWS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
explor_er Posted September 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Thanks for all the great advice - I'm going to leave it untouched and just wear it to create its own natural character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 The problem with the MBW red sub dial is that the red 'Submariner' print is too tall/large, as is the 660ft=200m. And the dial is 26.2mm so fitting a gen or a good aftermarket dial like an Ingod in there, which is 26.5mm, requires some work. Either trim the new dial down or enlarge the dial seat in the case, maybe with a dremel tool.But the MBW 1680s are nice, back in 2006 they were the best thing going, and even now they're still good- make a great beater. Wear it, age it naturally and enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irolexu Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Don't age a gen insert that's new ever ever! Just fade a cheapy in case it doesn't come out right you didn't ruin a part that you worked so hard to get. I love the faded look so ill just buy a pack of 3-5 inserts and age them all differently so you can see which looks best for you. Trust me I know how the vintage bug is. It lives inside me and is dormant ATM but I know it's gonna unleash one day! Beautiful watch and please share with us how your fading turned out and how you got it to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
explor_er Posted September 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 @alligoat Thanks for the advice - I agree the dial will be a challenge. I contacted Whoop about one of his new mk3 red 1680 dials and he offered to trim it down to 26.2 I'll probably go that route - his fonts look pretty good for aftermarket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceocorona Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Leave it alone. Looks perfect. +1, looks great. Love the texture on the dial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 I have a 1680 with a gen dial, and the route mymanmatt took was to enlarge the dial seat. This works very well, however you still have a slight problem, as the minute markers extend out almost to the edge of the dial, so when you put the dial in place, it fits, but the dial opening is still too small, which makes the Rehaut cover part of the minute markers. This would be unnoticeable by about 99.9% of the folks that see the watch, but the other .1% would notice it. We have a fair number of Rolex guys here, that fall into that .1%, so they would notice it. Certainly much more evident with dial on photos enlarged 10x like we have here!!! Here is mine, can you tell the tell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
explor_er Posted September 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 (edited) Here is mine, can you tell the tell?When you point it out and enlarge the photo you can see it but on the wrist 99.9% won't see it or know the difference. I guess there is negatives and positives to both options - trim the dial or enlarge the dial seat. I'm leaning toward trimming the dial but still undecided. Great looking 1680 btw I really like the all white dial. Edited September 21, 2013 by explor_er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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