14700 Correct Dial Diameter? 27.5 or 29.5mm

I recently picked up a 14700-1-SC for a project watch with a heavily damaged dial. I'm on the hunt for a replacement before I send this to my watchmaker for a service, but I'm not sure what size dial I should be after.

I thought these watches were front loaders which would use a 29.5mm dial and require the bezel and crystal be removed to take the movement out through the front of the watch. The dial that came on this watch was 27.5 which allowed the movement to be removed from the back.

Any help on which size Dial I should be tracking down would be much appreciated. Thanks OF!

The watch in question:

Thanks much. I really like the case design on this reference. What is the difference between the earlier and later cases?