<PAGE>
File No. 333-42461
Filer: DEAN WITTER SELECT EQUITY TRUST
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER COMPETITIVE EDGE BEST IDEAS JANUARY
1998
Investment Company Act No. 811-5065
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-6
For Registration Under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities
of Unit Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2.
A. Exact name of Trust:
DEAN WITTER SELECT EQUITY TRUST,
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER COMPETITIVE EDGE BEST IDEAS
JANUARY 1998*
B. Name of Depositor:
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
C. Complete address of Depositor's principal executive office:
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
* Formerly "DEAN WITTER SELECT EQUITY TRUST, MORGAN STANLEY
DEAN WITTER COMPETITIVE EDGE BEST IDEAS OCTOBER 1997
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D. Name and complete address of agents for service:
MR. MICHAEL D. BROWNE
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
Unit Trust Department
Two World Trade Center - 59th Floor
New York, New York 10048
Copy to:
KENNETH W. ORCE, ESQ.
CAHILL GORDON & REINDEL
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
E. Total and amount of securities being registered:
An indefinite number of Units of Beneficial Interest pursu-
ant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended
F. Proposed maximum offering price to the public of the
securities being registered:
Indefinite
G. Amount of filing fee:
N/A
H. Approximate date of proposed sale to public:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effec-
tive date until the registrant shall file a further amend-
ment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance
with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until
the Registration Statement shall become effective on such
date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section
8(a), may determine.
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DEAN WITTER SELECT EQUITY TRUST,
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER COMPETITIVE EDGE BEST IDEAS JANUARY
1998
Cross Reference Sheet
Pursuant to Rule 404(c) of Regulation C
under the Securities Act of 1933
(Form N-8B-2 Items required by Instruction 1
as to Prospectus on Form S-6)
Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. (a) Name of Trust ) Front Cover
(b) Title of securities issued )
2. Name and address of Depositor ) Table of Contents
3. Name and address of Trustee ) Table of Contents
4. Name and address of principal ) Table of Contents
Underwriter )
5. Organization of Trust ) Introduction
6. Execution and termination of ) Introduction; Amendment
Indenture ) and Termination of the
) Indenture
7. Changes of name ) Included in Form
N-8B-2
8. Fiscal Year ) Included in Form
N-8B-2
9. Litigation ) *
II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST
10. General Information regarding )
Trust's Securities and Rights )
of Holders )
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Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
(a) Type of Securities ) Rights of Unit Holders
(Registered or Bearer) )
(b) Type of Securities ) Administration of the
(Cumulative or Distribu- ) Trust - Distribution
tive) )
(c) Rights of Holders as to ) Redemption; Public Offer-
withdrawal or redemption ) ing of Units -Secondary
) Market
(d) Rights of Holders as to ) Public Offering of Units
conversion, transfer, par- ) - Secondary Market; Ex-
tial redemption and simi- ) change Option; Redemp-
lar matters ) tion; Rights of Unit
) Holders -Certificates
)
(e) Lapses or defaults with ) *
respect to periodic pay- )
ment plan certificates )
(f) Voting rights as to Secu- ) Rights of Unit Holders -
rities under the Indenture ) Certain Limitations;
) Amendment and Termination
) of the Indenture
(g) Notice to Holders as to )
change in: )
(1) Composition of assets ) Administration of the
of Trust ) Trust - Reports to Unit
) Holders; The Trust - Sum-
) mary Description of the
) Portfolios
(2) Terms and Conditions ) Amendment and Termination
of Trust's Securities ) of the Indenture
(3) Provisions of Inden- ) Amendment and Termination
ture ) of the Indenture
(4) Identity of Depositor ) Sponsor; Trustee
and Trustee )
)
(h) Security Holders Consent )
required to change:
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Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
(1) Composition of assets ) Amendment and Termination
of Trust ) of the Indenture
(2) Terms and conditions ) Amendment and Termination
of Trust's Securities ) of the Indenture
(3) Provisions of Inden- ) Amendment and Termination
ture ) of the Indenture
(4) Identity of Depositor ) *
and Trustee )
(i) Other principal features ) Cover of Prospectus; Tax
of the Trust's Securities ) Status
11. Type of securities comprising ) The Trust - Summary De-
units ) scription of the Portfo-
) lios; Objectives and Se-
) curities Selection; The
) Trust - Special Consid-
) erations
12. Type of securities comprising ) *
periodic payment certificates )
7
13. (a) Load, fees, expenses, etc. ) Summary of Essential In-
) formation; Public Offer-
) ing of Units - Public Of-
) fering Price; - Profit of
) Sponsor;
) - Volume Discount; Ex-
) penses and Charges
(b) Certain information re- ) *
garding periodic payment )
certificates )
(c) Certain percentages ) Summary of Essential In-
) formation; Public Offer-
) ing of Units - Public Of-
) fering Price; - Profit of
) Sponsor; - Volume Dis-
) count
(d) Price differentials ) Public Offering of Units
) - Public Offering Price
)
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Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
(e) Certain other loads, fees, ) Rights of Unit Holders -
expenses, etc. payable by ) Certificates
holders
(f) Certain profits receivable ) Redemption - Purchase by
by depositor, principal ) the Sponsors of Units
underwriters, trustee or ) Tendered for Redemption
affiliated persons )
(g) Ratio of annual charges to ) *
income )
14. Issuance of trust's securities ) Introduction; Rights of
) Unit Holders - Certifi-
) cates
15. Receipt and handling of pay- ) Public Offering of Units
ments from purchasers ) - Profit of Sponsor
)
16. Acquisition and disposition of ) Introduction; Amendment
underlying securities ) and Termination of the
) Indenture; Objectives and
) Securities Selection; The
) Trust - Summary Descrip-
) tion of the Portfolio;
) Sponsor - Responsibility
)
)
17. Withdrawal or redemption ) Redemption; Public Offer-
) ing of Units - Secondary
) Market
18. (a) Receipt and disposition of ) Administration of the
income ) Trust; Reinvestment Pro-
) grams
(b) Reinvestment of distribu- ) Reinvestment Programs
tions )
(c) Reserves or special fund ) Administration of the
) Trust - Distribution
(d) Schedule of distribution ) *
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Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
19. Records, accounts and report ) Administration of the
) Trust - Records and Ac-
) counts; - Reports to Unit
) Holders
20. Certain miscellaneous provi- ) Amendment and Termination
sions of the trust agreement ) of the Indenture; Sponsor
) - Limitation on Liability
) - Resignation; Trustee
) - Limitation on Liability
) - Resignation
21. Loans to security holders ) *
22. Limitations on liability of de- ) Sponsor, Trustee; Evalua-
positor, trustee, custodian, ) tor - Limitation on Li-
etc. ) ability
23. Bonding arrangements ) Included on Form
) N-8B-2
24. Other material provisions of ) *
the trust agreement )
III. ORGANIZATION PERSONNEL AND
AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR
25. Organization of Depositor ) Sponsor
26. Fees received by Depositor ) Expenses and Charges -
) fees; Public Offering of
) Units - Profit of Sponsor
)
27. Business of Depositor ) Sponsor and Included in
) Form N-8B-2
28. Certain information as to offi- ) Included in Form
cials and affiliated persons of ) N-8B-2
Depositor )
29. Voting securities of Depositor ) Included in Form
) N-8B-2
30. Persons controlling Depositor ) *
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Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
31. Compensation of Officers and ) *
Directors of Depositor )
32. Compensation of Directors of ) *
Depositor )
33. Compensation of employees of ) *
Depositor )
34. Remuneration of other persons ) *
for certain services rendered )
to trust )
IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
35. Distribution of trust's securi- ) Public Offering of Units
ties by states ) - Public Distribution
36. Suspension of sales of trust's ) *
securities )
37. Revocation of authority to dis- ) *
tribute )
38. (a) Method of distribution ) Public Offering of Units
(b) Underwriting agreements )
(c) Selling agreements )
39. (a) Organization of principal ) Sponsor
underwriter )
(b) N.A.S.D. membership of )
principal underwriter )
40. Certain fees received by prin- ) Public Offering of Units
cipal underwriter ) - Profit of Sponsor
)
41. (a) Business of principal un- ) Sponsor
derwriter )
(b) Branch offices of princi- ) *
pal underwriter )
(c) Salesman of principal un- ) *
derwriter )
<PAGE>
Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
42. Ownership of trust's securities ) *
by certain persons )
43. Certain brokerage commissions ) *
received by principal under- )
writer )
44. (a) Method of valuation ) Public Offering of Units
(b) Schedule as to offering ) *
price )
(c) Variation in offering ) Public Offering of Units
price to certain persons ) - Volume Discount; Ex-
) change Option
45. Suspension of redemption rights ) *
46. (a) Redemption valuation ) Public Offering of Units
) - Secondary Market; Re-
) demption
(b) Schedule as to redemption ) *
price )
47. Maintenance of position in un- ) See items 10(d), 44 and
derlying securities ) 46
V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN
48. Organization and regulation of ) Trustee
Trustee )
49. Fees and expenses of Trustee ) Expenses and Charges
50. Trustee's lien ) Expenses and Charges
VI. INFORMATION CONCERNING INSURANCE
OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
51. (a) Name and address of Insur- ) *
ance Company )
(b) Type of policies ) *
(c) Type of risks insured and ) *
excluded )
(d) Coverage of policies ) *
(e) Beneficiaries of policies ) *
(f) Terms and manner of can- ) *
cellation )
<PAGE>
Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
(g) Method of determining pre- ) *
miums )
(h) Amount of aggregate premi- ) *
ums paid )
(i) Persons receiving any part ) *
of premiums )
(j) Other material provisions ) *
of the Trust relating to )
insurance )
VII. POLICY OF REGISTRANT
52. (a) Method of selecting and ) Introduction; Objectives
eliminating securities ) and Securities Selection;
from the Trust ) The Trust - Summary De-
) scription of the Portfo-
) lio; Sponsor - Responsi-
) bility
(b) Elimination of securities ) *
from the Trust )
(c) Substitution and elimina- ) Introduction; Objectives
tion of securities from ) and Securities Selection;
the Trust ) Sponsor - Responsibility
(d) Description of any funda- ) *
mental policy of the Trust )
53. Taxable status of the Trust ) Cover of Prospectus; Tax
) Status
VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION
54. Information regarding the ) *
Trust's past ten fiscal years )
55. Certain information regarding ) *
periodic payment plan certifi- )
cates )
56. Certain information regarding ) *
periodic payment plan certifi- )
cates )
57. Certain information regarding ) *
periodic payment plan certifi- )
cates )
<PAGE>
Form N-8B-2 Form S-6
Item Number Heading in Prospectus
58. Certain information regarding ) *
periodic payment plan certifi- )
cates )
59. Financial statements ) Statement of Financial
(Instruction 1(c) to Form S-6) ) Condition
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DECEMBER 18, 1997
DEAN WITTER SELECT EQUITY TRUST
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER COMPETITIVE EDGE BEST IDEAS JANUARY
1998
A "UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST"
The attached final prospectus for Dean Witter Select
Equity Trust, Dean Witter Competitive Edge Best Ideas October
1997 is hereby used as a preliminary prospectus for Dean Witter
Competitive Edge Best Ideas January 1998. The narrative infor-
mation relating to the operation of this Series and the struc-
ture of the final prospectus for this Series will be substan-
tially the same as that set forth in the attached prospectus.
Information with respect to pricing, the number of units, dates
and summary information regarding the characteristics of secu-
rities to be deposited in this Series is not now available and
will be different from that included in the attached final pro-
spectus since each Series has a unique Portfolio. Accordingly,
the information contained herein with regard to the previous
Series should be considered as being included for informational
purposes only.
Investors should contact account executives of the
Sponsor who will be informed of the expected effective date of
this Series and who will be supplied with complete information
with respect to such Series on the date of the effectiveness of
the registration statement relating to Units of this Series.
OFFERS TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF ORDERS TO BUY
MAY ONLY BE MADE IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH THE SECURITIES
OF A TRUST HAVE BEEN REGISTERED. INVESTORS SHOULD CONTACT
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES OF THE SPONSOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE
SECURITIES OF A PARTICULAR TRUST HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE
IN THE STATE IN WHICH THEY RESIDE.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE
SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO
BUY THEM BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY
STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER SELECT EQUITY TRUST,
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER COMPETITIVE EDGE BEST IDEAS OCTOBER
1997
The prospectus dated October 3, 1997, File No. 333-
34661, is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
<PAGE>
PART II. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This registration statement on Form S-6 comprises the fol-
lowing documents:
The facing sheet.
The Cross Reference Sheet.
The Prospectus.
The signatures.
Written consents of the following persons:
. Cahill Gordon & Reindel (included in Exhibit 5)
. Deloitte & Touche LLP
The following Exhibits:
***EX-3(i) Certificate of Incorporation of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc.
***EX-3(ii) By-Laws of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
*EX-4.1 Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated Sep-
tember 30, 1993.
**EX-4.2 Draft of Reference Trust Agreement.
****EX-5 Opinion of counsel as to the legality of
the securities being registered.
****EX-23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors.
****EX-23.2 Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel
(included in Exhibit 5).
___________________________
* The Trust Indenture and Agreement is incorporated by refer-
ence to exhibit of same designation filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of Dean Witter Select Equity Trust, Selected Oppor-
tunities Series 18, Registration number 33-50105.
** Previously filed.
*** Incorporated by reference to exhibit of same designation
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an ex-
hibit to the Registration Statement of Sears Tax-Exempt In-
vestment Trust, Insured Long Term Series 33 and Long Term Mu-
nicipal Portfolio Series 106, Registration numbers 33-38086
and 33-37629, respectively.
**** To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the registrant, Dean Witter Select Equity Trust, Morgan
Stanley Competitive Edge Best Ideas January 1998, has duly
caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly author-
ized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the
18th day of December, 1997.
DEAN WITTER SELECT EQUITY TRUST,
MORGAN STANLEY COMPETITIVE EDGE
BEST IDEAS JANUARY 1998
(Registrant)
By: Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
(Depositor)
Thomas Hines
Thomas Hines
Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>
-2-
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has
been signed on behalf of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., the Deposi-
tor, by the following person in the following capacities and by
the following persons who constitute a majority of the Deposi-
tor's Board of Directors in the City of New York, and State of
New York, on this 18th day of December, 1997.
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
Name Office
Philip J. Purcell Chairman & Chief )
Executive Officer )
and Director*** )
Richard M. DeMartini Director***
Robert J. Dwyer Director***
Christine A. Edwards Director***
Charles A. Fiumefreddo Director**
James F. Higgins Director***
Mitchell M. Merin Director*
Stephen R. Miller Director***
Richard F. Powers III Director*
Philip J. Purcell Director***
Thomas C. Schneider Director**
William B. Smith Director**
By: Thomas Hines_____________
Thomas Hines
Attorney-in-fact*, **, ***
__________________________
* Executed copies of the Powers of Attorney have been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form
S-6 for Dean Witter Select Equity Trust, Select 10 Indus-
trial Portfolio 97-1, File No. 333-16839.
** Executed copies of Powers of Attorney have been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6
for Dean Witter Select Equity Trust, Select 10 Industrial
Portfolio 96-4, File No. 333-10499.
*** Executed copies of Powers of Attorney have been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with
the Registration Statement on Form S-6 for Dean Witter Se-
lect Equity Trust, Select 10 International Series 95-1,
File No. 33-56389.
<PAGE>
-3-
Exhibit Index
To
Form S-6
Registration Statement
Under the Securities Act of 1933
Exhibit No. Document
***EX-3(i) Certificate of Incorporation of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc.
***EX-3(ii) By-Laws of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
*EX-4.1 Trust Indenture and Agreement, dated Sep-
tember 30, 1993.
**EX-4.2 Draft of Reference Trust Agreement.
****EX-5 Opinion of counsel as to the legality of
the securities being registered.
****EX-23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors.
****EX-23.2 Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel
(included in Exhibit 5).
___________________________
* The Trust Indenture and Agreement is incorporated by ref-
erence to exhibit of same designation filed with the Secu-
rities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Regis-
tration Statement of Dean Witter Select Equity Trust, Se-
lected Opportunities Series 18, Registration number 33-
50105.
** Previously filed.
*** Incorporated by reference to exhibit of same designation
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of Sears Tax-Exempt
Investment Trust, Insured Long Term Series 33 and Long
Term Municipal Portfolio Series 106, Registration numbers
33-38086 and 33-37629, respectively.
**** To be filed by amendment.
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