Stephane Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 Dear All, Here is a pictorial of my second trade with Phoband. About the deal This time I tried to negotiate the price but, no way, Phoband is a good negotiator So, once we agreed on the price, the watch was send to FlavorFav to align the dial. Then, it was shipped to me and landed safely, although I feared it would be held at customs as I received a letter at the same time the watch was shipped back. About the current mods This Sea Dweller is an MBW and the current mods that were done are a Clark 39 crystal and a Ubi datewheel. Phoband also included a gen crown. (If you have a gen tube, feel free to PM me) Isn't it a very very good start ? What is going to happen next Well, I have a project with these Sea Dwellers, and, currently, the watch is packed again and will travel tomorrow to one of our great members to continue the modding process. Conclusion It's not my first deal with Phoband and once again I'm happy with the deal and do recommend him. Thanks for reading, and now here are the pics. Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotoman Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 Stunning- Look at that DOME SHINE It just wasn't my style - but its a great piece. Defiantly has a gen "feel" to it. Solid sharp. I suppose your doing the other "must do" mods to it. - If your into the SD's this is a keeper I'm looking at my watches now and there is something i want to buy and i'm trying to figure out what to sell to go get it - and i just can't seem to part with them - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted June 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 I suppose your doing the other "must do" mods to it. - If your into the SD's this is a keeper Well, some tips : - I have a Great White, I received your Single Red now and a Double Red is on it's way from TTK. - The Great White is being modded right now. - Yours is travelling tomorrow to our mysterious modder - The DR will travel too soon Yes, you guessed. The trilogy, with all possible mods done including aging of course . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brook0 Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 You really love those vintage! Looking forword to some of your great shots of the whole family. I have a TTK Great White and it is my all time fav Rollie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 You really love those vintage! Looking forword to some of your great shots of the whole family. I have a TTK Great White and it is my all time fav Rollie. You're damn right ! I didn't expect to love them so much a year ago. And you're right again: the Great White is the best one, my favourite. If only Euno didn't post a 5513... I guess I'll end up with one too Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Great watch! The date wheel & T-39 look great. An acrylic pearl would be a very nice finishing touch. I don't know if this will save you some trouble but a gen 5513 is considerably smaller & lighter than the 1665 & again smaller compared (slimmer case) to the 1680. Sometimes, size does matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Sometimes, size does matter. Sometimes According to a majority of women, feelings too Thanks for the advice. Maybe I should check that out in one of the second hand stores down here before commiting to buy one. Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayiiimd Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 You may want to consider looking at that SD a bit closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 You may want to consider looking at that SD a bit closer. I did ... and ? Nice addition to ure collection S. Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted August 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 I did ... and ? Nice addition to ure collection S. Laz Thanks Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POTR Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Not accurate, but NICE. One of the Rarest of the Rare. I hope to see it again once it is correct, perhaps a whole series of photos documenting it's transformation... What would be the things I would most expect to see on a rare SRSD, of which there are only a small handfull of known Gens to compare against? TWIN-LOCK CROWN... A more "even" and severe curve to the sides of the case, especially from the CG to Lugs that makes the case seem to disappear behind the bezel and the Lugs more "fine"... Submariner Back with "OYSTER GAS ESCAPE VALVE" and "Patent Pending" engraved around the outside edge, not the more familiar engraving in the center... Smaller Escape Valve at 9. A PROPER VINTAGE BRACELET!!! Your dial, hands and crystal however are almostperfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted August 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Hi Guys, Thanks for looking at this thread but please note we're nowhere close to the end of the changes. HEV drilling and dummy install Dial and hands aging Case smoothing Caseback "MM" CG Shaved Genuine Crown Install Genuine Doomed Tropic 39 Drilling LugHoles Genuine SpringBars Ubi DateWheel Mystery Bezel To give you a sneak peak, here is an attachment of the state right now... Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 As Phantom says, the SRSD is not really believable but significanlty less so if it's not in a 1680 case (not the all-round thicker 1665) with HeV and the PP caseback engraving. Triplock crown IS accurate though. Since it sounds like you're planning some hard core mods, and investing some hard core cash I'd take a look and search to see if you can find Saabin's SRSD or PM him since he's now back amongst us - he created a stunning prototype 1665 a couple of years back on old RWG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POTR Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Hmmm, 1972~3 Triplock on "1967" watch.... don't think so doc. Yeah, I know the Triplocks were in experimental use barely before the birth of this watch, but definitely not sold then. Yeah, I know you'll find the Triplocks on COMEX's earlier than 1972~3, but those were all serviced and upgraded continually by Rolex (probably what happened to quite a lot of those very early "Single Red" 500-1650 dials, and why there are so few now) Triplock on a "IV 67 - 1665" ... may as well weld CG's to a 6202 or cut a date window in the dial of 6541. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rckh Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Absolutely stunning! Very Beautiful!!!! Nice job Stepane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POTR Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Stephane, not criticizing the unfinished watch or your "network's" work at all, I hope you realize that. Just pointing out what I would like to see remedied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Hmmm, 1972~3 Triplock on "1967" watch.... don't think so doc. Yeah, I know the Triplocks were in experimental use barely before the birth of this watch, but definitely not sold then. Yeah, I know you'll find the Triplocks on COMEX's earlier than 1972~3, but those were all serviced and upgraded continually by Rolex (probably what happened to quite a lot of those very early "Single Red" 500-1650 dials, and why there are so few now) Triplock on a "IV 67 - 1665" ... may as well weld CG's to a 6202 or cut a date window in the dial of 6541. Actually Triplock is accurate/realistic for just that reason. All SRSDs (a prototype available only to a selected few) were recalled to the RSCs every few months or so for upgrades during this assessment period. A triplock crown/tube assembly would have been installed without fail in the late 60s/early 70s prior to the release of the DRSD - as you say yourself, Trips were in experimental use earlier, and the 1665 was the actual testbed model that drove the development of them in the firstplace. I don't believe there is a SRSD in existence that is in original twinlock spec. Regardless, aside from "accuracy to original" (a somewhat redundant notion on a prototype model), the Triplock confers much greater protection on such a rare and valuable watch so it would have been done at some point anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted August 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Hey guys, No problems, shoot. I love to learn and read. In fact I do thank you for your precious input. Keep posting, it's for the community good health Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POTR Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 Actually Triplock is accurate/realistic for just that reason. All SRSDs (a prototype available only to a selected few) were recalled to the RSCs every few months or so for upgrades during this assessment period. A triplock crown/tube assembly would have been installed without fail in the late 60s/early 70s prior to the release of the DRSD - as you say yourself, Trips were in experimental use earlier, and the 1665 was the actual testbed model that drove the development of them in the firstplace. I don't believe there is a SRSD in existence that is in original twinlock spec. Regardless, aside from "accuracy to original" (a somewhat redundant notion on a prototype model), the Triplock confers much greater protection on such a rare and valuable watch so it would have been done at some point anyway. Actually, with that damn nice 'original' looking SRSD (which is now aged a bit too much - only MHO) it is INACCURATE for that reason. The original SRSD 500-1650 were changed out with the crowns and tubes during service, Triplock means deeper, so, new dial... those with Trips are now sporting COMEX, "GW" and, occasionally correctly, the sometime later the "RED OVER GW" which are usually PINK or completely faded now, with those neat little aggravatingly complicated to duplicate serifs we all know and love that the 'original' or REAL, if you will, SRSD dial (the one replicated here) didn't have... And there is at LEAST 1 that survived without "over-mauling", er over-hauling at the spa. (basically any NON-COMEX stood half a chance of surviving unscathed, there are probably a few more in forgotten footlockers, sea bags and wardrobes somewhere in Australia, Italy, France and elsewhere ...) I can even give you the name of the original owner of at least one that survived... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 This is your 1665? wow thats incredible I think i just came in my pants... please post more pictures as soon as you can Lonnie Hi Guys, Thanks for looking at this thread but please note we're nowhere close to the end of the changes. HEV drilling and dummy install Dial and hands aging Case smoothing Caseback "MM" CG Shaved Genuine Crown Install Genuine Doomed Tropic 39 Drilling LugHoles Genuine SpringBars Ubi DateWheel Mystery Bezel To give you a sneak peak, here is an attachment of the state right now... Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted August 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 This is your 1665? wow thats incredible I think i just came in my pants... please post more pictures as soon as you can Lonnie Hi Lonnie, It's my single red...MM I will make a separate thread, and try to post some nice story and pics for sure. Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 nice one, keep us updated my friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellomen Posted September 9, 2007 Report Share Posted September 9, 2007 Nice one Stephane... hope to be able to join you in a similar project When i'm correct this 500m single red SD is no MBW... the case seems slightly thiner. Very good as well for a 5514 project i assume, but correct me if i'm wrong... i'm no expert like you. I'm looking forward to more pictures of the work done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted September 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2007 Hi YelloM I wish I was an expert but I'll let the real expert coment on this. To my opinion, this is a MBW. But, recently, say in the last couple of months, I've discovered some precious information: MBW/MBW/...are not always the exact same all the time. See, when buying from a "regular" collector, the watches are completely made in series in the same factory, from part 1 to the last one. MBW/MBK are assembled in Bangkok from parts coming from various sources. Of course, the MBW/MBK cases are the ones that accept gen parts and probably never varies, but the rest (dials, crowns,...) might be different one from the other. Now, if you think this case is thiner, it might be the picture which shows a different angle. Anyway, we'll soon have the finished product so stay tuned. Cheers Stephane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted September 9, 2007 Report Share Posted September 9, 2007 Stephane, if the crown on your case is centered, then I suspect you have the correct thick MBW 1665 type case. On every other thinner case that I've seen (MBW, MBK or otherwise), the crown would be a tad low. BTW, I am far from an expert but own several of these & have noticed a thing or two. Cheers, J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.