Identifying A Vintage 1680 MBW ***Photos Added***

[manny816]

I have read the following thread over at RWG and found it to be very informative.

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=107

Should all MBW's 1680 have the characteristics mentioned? Have you ever seen a MBW 1680 with different engravings such as REGISTERED DESIGN 1680 and STAINLESS STEEL with a completely different serial#? The crystal seems to be glued to the case.

 

[Warrcraft]

Hi Manny,

All genuine MBW vintage 1680's I have purchased had "ORIG POLEX DESIGN" written between the lugs. The MBW 1680 I have also has the same serial number as in the link you provided. So, I can only assume (but may be wrong) that all MBW 1680's have that same serial number as well. If you have a watch without those characteristics it probably is not an MBW. Now, while "REGISTERED DESIGN 1680" is correct for a gen, I have only seen the "ORIG POLEX DESIGN" on the MBW 1680's. I have had non-MBW 1680's with the "Registered Design 1680" as such, you may have something from Josh or Andrew perhaps? Post some picts of the watch and between the lugs if you can.

 

[manny816]

I really need everyone's help with this one. The reason that I asked was because I paid a substantial amount of money for a watch that was supposed to be an MBW with MODS. When I received it this was the first thing that I noticed. I am trying to work with the seller on a solution. I really think that he was not aware of the fact. The person he purchased it from keeps telling him it is an MBW and that I am wrong. I would really appreciate any feedback.

 

[mojo2001]

Does your watch have the bezel construction illustrated in the link you provided?

The bezel should pop off fairly easily for inspection when pried off gently with a knife.

As far as I know, no other reps have this arrangement.

Pics would help.

 

[manny816]

Pictures added

 

[pugwash]

This is an MBW 1680:

The bezel construction is like the original 1680 with a compression ring that holds the crystal in:

The Compression Ring is visible at the back, under the packaged crystal. Note the groove for the rubber o-ring. My watch didn't come with an o-ring, but it still had the groove. I fitted an o-ring for waterproofing and accuracy.

If your watch has a spring holding the bezel in, like it appears to have, it's not the good kind of vintage 1680 rep.

 

[mojo2001]

MBWs have a flat washer-like bezel spring as pictured in you link, not a wire spring like in your pictures.

Could it be a replacement spring in an MBW? H'mm... not sure if that would work or not, but I'm inclined to think it wouldn't because there is nothing for the wire spring to grab onto on an MBW crystal retaining ring.

Bezel teeth on yours are also way different from the bezel teeth on my MBW 1680. Yours are sharper, closer together.

Your dial is also slightly different from my MBW 1680, but there were probably different dials over the years. I like the lume on yours BTW

I'm not an expert by any means but what I see here leads me to be somewhat suspicious--no "Polex" + dubious bezel arrangement.

 

[mojo2001]

What Pugwash said...

 

[Hambone]

[smilie=occasion18.gif]

 

[fredderf1]

great looking watch anyway

yeah but what a nice looking watch...about 1/50th of 1% of people will be able to point out the discrepencies...love your watch dude...its cool

 

[Rollex]

ohhh I must have one :shock:

 

[brook0]

Anyone notice that the new batch of red sub MBW 1680 the 12 o'clock marker is a little short? Most of the ones I see the marker almost touches the crown. The one I just got the marker is very short of touching. Is it the difference between a great white and a red? Sorry no camera.

 

[007]

Pug is 100% right. I almost said it is a TW 1680 case, because that has a bezel with a bezel spring pictured and a retaining ring that holds the crystal. However, your bezel has a wide inside lip, that is not correct even for the TW case, and I don't see the retaining ring on the picture.
The case looks almost good. It's a strange mix, you have there. Someone must have modified it from..? Who knows now TW case or might even be from MBW. But why would someone do that, if MBW is like the original?