Ok....... Does EVERY 1655 rep have to SUCK? *rant*

[leatherback]

Ok I have three 1655 in front of me.

My daughter just handed me a package that came today.

OMG OMG OMG OMG.........Damnit..........not the watch I was hoping would arrive.

But, it is a 1655 that I ordered last Friday.

Again, overseas shipping is again fast as hell.

I have been collecting (or trying to) parts to build a 1655.

I had hopes that SOME thing on this watch would be usable..............OH WAIT!!!


Nope, it ALL sucks.

AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

I have ordered from all the dealers who offer one I think. They all are terrible.

BUT TO BE FAIR THE WATCHES ARE EXACTLY WHAT IS PICUTRED ON THEIR SITES.

I just thought I might be able to combine parts.

No luck, NOTHING fits and or inacurate. NOT ONE CASE out of the bunch is usable, or at least up to my standards.

The only 1655 I haven't be able to get yet is a MBW.

George said the 1655 is not fromt he same manufacturer as the 1680 and not as good. So he does not like to sell them.


Oh well, I am going to give these three to my buddies. I know they will love them.

 

[evildee]

Those thailand watches are the best ones to get. These will accept aftermarket and OEM parts.

Paso is selling these in his dealer section. I got mine from TTK. Long wait but good stuff.

 

[leatherback]

I HAD a MBW 1680 (before I got scammed out of it) and a MBW 16610, MBW 16610 lv,(not to mention 16610 noob, Ferrrai chrono) all from TTK.

The first time I ordered it took w e e k s. . . . .

But every other order has been 7 days average.


I really like the possiblilties the MBW cases have. I have had a few subs through my hands and I like thier quality the best.

I hadn't thought to ask TTK about a 1655.


I think I need to ring him on skype and ask! If anything, he will tell me if the "MBW" 1655 is worth it or not.

ANYONE out there have or modded a MBW 1655 and have opinions?

 

[sub4me]

Wow that DRSD looks great, very nice my friend. 8)

 

[Dizzy]

The MBW is the ONLY option for building a proper 1665. No other manufacturer makes a proper thickness case. Other manufacturers just use thin subamariner cases with helium escape valves and thats totally incorrect. Sell all those 1665's you have and order a MBW from TTK and you wont regret it i guarantee. The MBW accepts gen parts like the crystal and crowntube and if you really wanna go crazy, then a gen 1570cal rolex movement drops right in

Heres a link to my little review of my MBW Franken 1665 that i just finished.

http://forum.replica-watch.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31606

 

[Stingray]

Are we talking 1655 or 1655 :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[fakemaster]

No were talking about a 1655/1680 MBW-TTK/DRSD noob.

Seriously all these abbreviations are killing me. I need to find Paso.

 

[leatherback]

I also have to make the point that there are no less than 10 variations that I know of myself. Colors, marker shape, date font nuances all can differ from watch to watch. BUT there are certain key characteristics that every one has. I am simply trying to put together a rep with as many of these distingishing marks as possible.

THIS would be my holy grail (otherwise known as the 1655) in which we speak of:

Shot at 2007-09-13

 

[BlueFin]

Those thailand watches are the best ones to get. These will accept aftermarket and OEM parts.

Paso is selling these in his dealer section. I got mine from TTK. Long wait but good stuff.

Is it just me,,,or there is no 1655 in this pic.

 

[leatherback]

Here are my problems and or questions. I post these in hopes some one will be able to give some direction of ideas. I am pretty good at modifying the metal if I have an idea of what to do.

*1* case- each of the cases I have are not "up to snuff" This is my largest problem as you to a great fondation to build a beautiful house.

A.One has case holes that are waaayyy off and are almost trhough the leg. This is not salvageable. Which sucks as this is the most viable candidate.

B. other will fit only tha saphire crystal. The area under the crystal (rehaut and surrounding metal) is already too thin in diameter to support a tropic crystal as the dial is too large. If machine away the metal lip that houses the saphire a tropic still wont fit. I can't sleave it and I can't use an omega style gasket (like for the speedmasters) for various reasons.

c. This case is just wrong all around as it is for a totally modern explorer. The dimensions are just all around wrong. Again, no case holes but I can drill those with minimal effort.

-------- Idea 1: MBW case from 1680 - crown is too big and therefore crown gaurds too wide. This may still be the only case I can use if I can't get a MBW 1655 case.

-------- Idea 2: make my own case from bar stock. Uh....hell no, I have a life besides watches and this would take TIME.



*2* dial - Not TOO ifficult to find a nice one, but is TIME consuming. There are lots of redials and fakes out there. As long as the date placement is correct and Corronet/ROLEX script is formed correctly and correctly placed. I can make or modify everythign else to work.



*3* hands - not a problem, got a great pair sourced already. Great length, color, and texture

*4* datewheel - Got this solved already to.........at least I think I do. If it works, I will post the DIY instructions and all will be happy as this is an easy project.

*5* bracelet and clasp. Bah!!! Again, easy fix but it is time consuming to dismantle the different bands as reasseble them into the proper bracelt..... Or at least one of the versions of the proper bracelet.


Usually I just surf and surf and surf doing research on the watch I want to build. This time, I need the help of the tribe on this one. So please forgive the long posts.

 

[southcoast68]

@leatherback

You probably already know, but parts for these are skyrocketing like the rest. Just the day before yesterday, a gen, unrefinished dial like in the example you pictured above sold for just over $1,000 US. I was going to try and snipe it, but.... I also am looking for at least a close rep of this model. I currently have the watchsilix version (nice watch, but no where near where it needs to be), and a version I got from Belial2k (a former dealer here) last year. The B2k version is better, but still is far away from the gen.

Here is one thought, ever try to get a GMT Master case and mod it to what you need? CG profile is similar in these two models, and the GMT is a more popular model in the rep industry so a case with better CG's and no holes (or at lease holes in a better postion) may be easier to get. Just an idea.

 

[evildee]

Is it just me,,,or there is no 1655 in this pic.

My bad. I misread the post. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

[arty909]

leatherback- Is mine any better? Seller out of biz...

...and my personal pics...

It's just for fun, and I know there are many flaws- but overall it's one of my faves for sheer head-turning; caught many people trying to sneek a peek...

Best, arty

 

[leatherback]

Well Arty909,


I would change out that closed 6 and 9 datewheel, spend some time CARFULLY aging it, clean up the bezel engraiving, and call it about as perfect as it gets for this rep.

As far as reps go, the dial is quite nice and the case would be a great base.


I WISH I could find a 1655 like that!

wear it in good health!