starman351

Did you get the version with the swiss movement or a clone? I got the clone movement and the datewheel was nearly perfect. The reason I ask is I have a 4th gen with swiss movement and the datewheel is as you describe (shiny silver). My guess is wherever they are getting these swiss movements from they just use the datewheel they get on the movement (if it's close). As to the dial. I would say it is slightly off on the color tone and thickness of the print. The green hue you are seeing is from the light passing through the green gasket. My gen has that too in certain light (the gen has a green gasket as well). This a a gen 45.5.

It was a clone. Not too sure of the quality of the gen ETA's from the dealers so I tend to save the money and buy a clone. I figure if it gives me trouble down the road I can swap in a guaranteed ETA from Ofrei. Strap fits just fine. You have to use the right spring bars, and may have to fiddle with it a bit to get them to engage, but the gaps around the case etc. are good.

I didn't even bother to change it. It looks very close to the gen. Your's is the 4th gen (I have on of those as well) so I can see why you'd change it. That one is further off. On the 5th it's not bad at all.

I know what you mean. It is close in price to a older used gen. The cheapest I have seen a decent one for is $1700, and that was even no box no papers, so who knows... When this is done it is on par (visually) with a brand new gen. No fading of the dial, fresh lume dings scratches etc. On top of that there is the ticking time bomb of the coaxial in the 2500 movement. My first gen stopped at 1 day old. I didn't even have it on for 2 hours. Luckily my AD did right and swapped the watch. With this one I can replace the entire movement for less than half the cost of an Omega service. Honestly the rep bezel was really good. I probably wouldn't have swapped it if I didn't already have this one lying around. So really I think all you need are the dial, hands, crown and tube. I used the 4th gen He valve but perhaps one from a UPO would work. As for the crytal I would just get the 2geek coating. It is easily as good as the gen, if not a little better. So I think you could have a REALLY nice piece for $700 or so. You can't touch a used SMP quartz for that.

Pics can be found HERE

As requested here are some pics of my modded 5th gen PO It has the following: 4th gen crystal with 2geek AR 4th gen He valve GEN dial, hands, bezel and strap All that is needed is a GEN crown and tube, and on the wrist it would be indistinguishable from the gen. I am holding off on that mod until I replace the crystal with the one that came from the watch (after I get it coated). The one in it now has a couple minor flaws in the AR. I believe I marred it slightly installing it. This was my first (major) watch project (usually it's cars), so I think I may have been a bit overzealous. A cheap Harbor Freight case press didn't help much either. On to the pics: The last pic shows how good the hand stack/projection is. Spot on in comparison with the GEN. On my UPO the hour hand hugs the dial. Not so here. It may be a minor thing but the hand projection is what tends to nag at me the most when comparing my VAC modded UPO (gen dial hands etc) with my GEN 42 PO. Now that I have built this one I am tempted to sell the UPO. The fact that the Chief AR seems to scratch of you look at it funny doesn't help much either. The GEN AR holds up really well, and the 2geek seems to as well. Anybody looking for a nice BOND (black/white on gen rubber) UPO.....

Pics on the way. I will start a new thread with pics.

I thought he asked for right now not ever... You can't order the old SMP Chrono right now.

Mine rotates nice and smooth just like the gen. I did grease the clickspring to make certain it would. It fits nice and tight. Just like the gen. I use a swiss army knife to remove the bezel from the PO. Start prying with the small blade, once you have a decent gap switch to the big blade. The rep bezel removes easily. The gen will not. Be sure you have it just like you want it before the final install. Test fit it without the lockspring in place.

It does indeed. Just installed one on mine last night (along with a gen dial and hands). Be sure to use the springs from the rep when fitting it.

The planet ocean is the best replicated Seamaster right now. The new 5th gen 42mm I picked up has a bezel clickspring for pete's sake. The PO chrono has similar issues to the SMP. Bad HE valve and chrono pusher placement, recessed datewheel, happy feet, etc. If you want the best out of the box, get the new UPO (updated logo) or the 5th gen 42mm PO.