dieselpower Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Along time ago with a modder far far away....... I sent my old school MBW DR1665 to BigRedJoe (remember him?) and he actually did quite a good job. Shaved the cg's fitted a gen tube and crown I was happy. Then about two years later I wanted to move up a level and Tribal (again - remember him?) was my modder of choice to fit clarks (I think) hands, a clarks superdome, age the case and fit a 2846 slow beat movement and an Ubi datewheel overlay. This he did with aplomb and again, I was happy. Recently I started to reassess the daily beater and having acquired a gen T39 plexi I thought it was time to raise the bar again. I contacted a modder and put forward my proposals. Improve the He valve, relume the dial and hands and fit the gen T39. He was happy to do this and the watch was duly despatched. First the He valve issue. Rather than go to expense of a functional He vale we agreed to go with a visually accurate 'plug' that did not involve compromising the case but looked the part to the naked eye. As I am no deep sea diver I would never actually use the He valve function anyway so again, I was happy. Here is a photo of the metal plug used to replicate the valve: My friend then pointed out a couple of issues with the dial that I had supplied with the watch (flaking of the markers etc) and he offered to fit a lightly aged ingod GW rail dial, replace the Ubi DWO with a brushed steel flat top 3 DW. I agreed happily with his suggestions and he kindly sent me some photos: I didn't want to be a total pain in the a**e but I told him that one of my pet hates is when the dial markers, hands and bezel pearl do not match colourwise. He very kindly took my comments on board and set to work. Here is the result: Now to the movement. I had fitted a slow beat eta but this had been running slow and caused me some stress. I'm not a mad Japanese style stickler for punctuality but I do like to know what time it actually is rather than what time it roughly is so I had asked my modder to address this. He pointed out that he could fit a replacement slow beat movement for less money than the cost of paying for a full service on my slow running engine. Brilliant, we agreed a movement swap: So, now we have the following specs: Old schoold MBW case - CG's shaved, gen tube, gen 703 crown, lug holes drilled, He valve 'plug' added and overall case aged. Gen T39 superdome fitted. Ingod rail dial re-lumed and aged with brushed steel open 6 and 9 flat top 3 datewheel. PMWF bezel insert with yuki pearl painted to match hands/dial. Slow beat ETA 2846 fitted. Clarks hands re-lumed to match dial. I think that's about it. I have to say I've really enjoyed the whole development of this watch and it has re-kindled my passion for our hobby. Here's a photo of the finished product. The only thing I have to think about now is the bracelet. I have the original MBW riveted one that I am happy with but I'm wondering if I should shell out on a gen or at least one of the highly recommended Yuki offerings? Anyway here is a shot of the 'finished' product: The watch is still with my modder and these are his photos (used with kind permission). I can't wait to finalise the deal and strap that baby on my wrist. I think it will be sitting there for a long while....... Then there's the 1016 to think about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davids100 Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Great evolution, deserves a side pic to see the T39 profile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopy12 Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 "Pet hates " I always thought the phrase "Pet Peeves" came from the UK? Either way, beautiful build! Always love seeing the progress pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 That's really handsome. Great result! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted October 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Cheers chaps. A thumbs up from 'Nook - praise indeed! Do you reckon when I shuffle off this mortal coil I could sell it to God himself? As we already know, he wears a 1665, but he could need a decent rep in reserve - just in case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Upped the bar again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Roger that, only God would know it's a Franken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertk Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Absolutely love it. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Great job!! That's what so nice about starting with a good case set, you can raise the bar as quickly or as slowly as you want, and always have a good base to build on.Ziggy did the same HE valve mod on my 1665, and I have been very happy with it. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieUK Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 SHows what a great base and platform the MBW is, you can keep on improving it over time. Here's mine, sime similar parts I also enjoyed this build the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Thanks for kind comments people. Now - bracelet suggestions? Come on, let's argue it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highoeyazmuhudee Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 nice build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Folded oyster all the way. I found a 9315 on the 'bay with engraving on the clasp for $400, 5 minutes with a sander mostly removed the lettering, good result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted October 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2014 Here's a piccy of the valve mod and the T39 fitted: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted November 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 And here she is on my wrist. I've fallen in love all over again Specs: Old school MBW case shaved CG's drilled lugs, case aged and He valve mod. Slow beat ETA. MBW rivetted 7206 bracelet with 503B end links gen 2mm springbars. Ingod44 great white rail dial aged and re-lumed. Clarks hands lumed to match. PMWF bezel insert with ofrei illumes dot lumed to match. Brushed steel DW with flat top 3's. Gen tube and gen tall coronet 703 crown. Gen T39 superdome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denimhead Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Lovely Mate, on with a 1680 Red build myself at the moment. Funny how you always seem to go back to the models that started the obsession in the first place DH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck P Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Very nice lume work! Did you have to modify the crystal any to fit the retaining ring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted November 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Sorry for late response, but no idea! I don't think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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