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Rolex 1665 'The Great White'. Stephane's ongoing project - 2015 update


Stephane

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Dear All,

My Great White has been an ongoing project and here starts a new phase.
After sourcing some very unusual rare parts, it's back in my watch box.

 

Previously on RWG

You can find the previous review Click here

 

Here is a summary:

 

- Original case was highly reworked by MM and smooth like a genuine would be 30 years after and the crown guards were shaved by the previous owner.

But it turned out that the lugholes where to large.

So this is a “new” MBW case (old school!) with nicely drilled lugholes for genuine spring bars.

 

- A new case back generously offered by a great member of our community, Yellowmen, replaced the out of the box one which was beautifully aged by MM but correct for a Double Red, not a late 1665.

So, the new correct case back pictured here has of course been aged by MM back then.

 

- Movement has been changed for a low beat 2846, serviced completely with a new date wheel as Ubi’s date wheel overlay has been destroyed by the watchmaker in the process of changing the movement unfortunately. The current date wheel is very nice, but could be improved probably.

 

- The dial has been changed too.
I found a rail dial, sold as gen, but not expensive.

There are some scratches on the dial, but that really make it like an old one, doesn’t it?
Is it gen or from Vietnam? No idea but under the loupe it looks stunning.

 

Here are some pictures taken today for you as a teasing!

Will get back once it's finished.

 

Thanks for looking,

Cheers,

Stephane

 

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Hey Stephan, great to see you still have passion for this watch 8 years later!

Buils like this inspired me to build my own, thanks!

 

Am I not seeing pictures of the dial? very curious to see it.

 

Here is some pics of my rail dial for you to compare.

 

m8bbT5I.jpg

 

an older pic with the same dial, but old mbw hands and the 703 crown.

 

PN2YU2R.jpg

 

 

recent pic with 702 crown and tube with better handset.

 

yR94XEh.jpg

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Going to be great S. I'm drooling already. Will be interested to see which datewheel route you go. They're the bane of my life (and many others') as far as I can see if you're using an ETA movement you're only option is a polexpete silver one. Unless of course you know different?

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So, it has been around 2 years I didn't see this dial in the flesh.  :bangin:

I'm very happy with it and will keep it and use it.

Is it gen, redialed, fake, ...I have no idea.
All I can say is that I can see feet that were cut of it.

That of course doesn't really mean anything.  :g:

 

So, lads, every input is welcome 

 

Here it is.

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well.. unusual back on that dial.. possibly a gen plate.. but looks to me like its a re-dial.  someone oversprayed what I imagine is supposed to be a matte/satin lacquer...  then was pad printed on top. 

 

Thanks for the comment Dbane.

Interesting ;-)

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