beautifying current MBW 16610

[bklm1234]

I found out I can't post to the Knowledge Base. Admin, pls move this tutorial there. Thanks.

"They don't make it like they used to" definitely applies to the new MBW. Sure it has a deeper rehaut but the rest has fallen behind the noobmariner. The old case MBW sub is really the best sub. Besides the deeper rehaut, the bezel is the main reason. I was so lucky to acquire one a while ago (which I haven't finished modding) and it's one of my most priced possession, next to my 2 correct hand stacks (GMT2 and EXP2). Look at the old case MBW sub bezel. The bezel lip, teeth shape, angle, and definition are dead on accurate.

But no more. They don't make them like that anymore.

The current MBW has teeth that are a little too long. The factory cut the teeth so deep they cut into the bezel lip. The lip became thin and uneven. Out of the factory, the bezel insert is often floating, not fully residing in the bezel bay. This tutorial is about how to improve and correct the look of a current MBW.

Before pictures. This MBW bezel insert was worked on but sloppily. Look the insert is floating. Besides you can observe the teeth cuts being deep into the bezel lip. Quite ugly.

I wrap 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper on a nail file to bring out the lip and sand down the teeth a little to reduce the deep cut

After sanding with the 600 grit wet/dry sand paper, I polish the teeth and lip using 30, 15, 9, 3, 2, 1 micron sandpaper and cap cod cloth. The result:

Put a insert on to give some contrast to illustrate how the lip looks after the sanding.

The CGs also need work. The current MBW has uneven CGs, the top one is larger and longer, the bottom one is smaller and shorter. Besides trimming the inside (which is only needed for noobmariner), I have to do the outside of the top CG. Doing the outside is rather hard. You have to have very good eyes, let alone the skills to re-polish the outside to a mirror finish. Practise that on some cheap subs first.

Since I posted how to combine a JeweleryOutlet insert with a watchmaterial pearl, I'm not covering that here. One note to why JewelryOutlet insert? Because not only it has good numbers and shine, it's also thinner than for example the watchmaterial insert. So it's faster to thin it out.

The finished watch. CGs are trimmed and look pretty correct now.

watchmaterial pearl is always good and nearly as good as gen

Insert is now recessed in the bezel. A must for a rollie. You can run your finger over the bezel lip and can feel it's higher than the insert.

Under real lighting condition, the bezel lips stand out like they are on the gen.

-bk

[cskent69]

Very very impressive BK. Great tutorial and fantastic results. I also love your work on the Noobs. I had an MBW, and while it is nice - it was a little too wokky for me. I hope that the new SD that comes out is worthy of this type of treatment and attention.

Thanks for the inspiring pictures.

[By-Tor]

Once again, thanks for posting this here, much appreciated. These kind of do-it-yourself tutorials are excellent and valuable.

The dial looks fantastic, is it a Noobmariner dial?

[yt74]

Nice tutorial, thanks!

[Greystash]

Very nice work BK, nice looking Sub. But even better is the effort it takes to create a post like this...well done mate.

[bklm1234]

Once again, thanks for posting this here, much appreciated. These kind of do-it-yourself tutorials are excellent and valuable.

The dial looks fantastic, is it a Noobmariner dial?

Yes, it's a noob dial actually a movement swap altogether from a ETA noobmariner.

-bk

[Stephane]

Once again a nice review BK.

Thanks for your time.

Cheers

Stephane