danielv2000

J, thanks. It was more out of curiosity. I had assumed these all came with a certain standard. Either way, no one can see the numbers. I currently have 3 with the following: 6789 sub 16520 SD 93250 SD All look pretty decent. The worst of the bunch is the 93250.

Over time I've acquired a few MBW subs and SDs. I've noticed that the markings on the bracelets are always different and never match what should be a 93150 . Have you experienced the same? Thanks

I'm curious! I've used a few modders in the past and have generally been pleased. Good luck!

A modder using a rubber ball? No tools? The scratches and dings I can always live with as the watch is used. The should have been done better, IMHO.

Great post! Very Useful. I feel a little smarter now that some of the basic questions i had have been answered!

Love the paperclip! I just don't think it should take me more than 5mins to put a bracelet back on! I always thought the fork-type tool was a great idea. I guess not.

Assuming I take a chance here, who can I outsource the build too? I prefer Canada but can do Conus? Does The Zigmeister take new clients? Friendly referrals, perhaps? Thanks

Is he not out of business? I keep reading different things!

I constantly struggle to remove and, even more so , to reinstall spring bars. Any home-made tool I can use? Thanks

Any updates on the day-dates?

Sneed, nice write-up. I agree that BK's transformer is quite nice. I've been looking for just the Coke insert/bezel/wire set. I have have the black and the pepsi but would love to complete the set. I never wear the black since I have all these Subs! Let me know if you want to part with the Coke or trade for the black!

Great job Sneed. Wear it well

Yes, that silver dial is something else! And btw, I stay away from those types of vans! I zip through the city streets on my Vespa! I haven't taken off the watch since I got it. It is truly stunning and the dial shows it's age which I absolutely love. As for the write-up, glad to take a bit of time and do it. As I mentioned earlier, it's a little bit of give-back to such an extraordinary community.

Olivier, very impressive!

Once again, I am humbled by the knowledge here. Thanks

I agree, when you look real close, you see every flaw. I still don't understand how they can keep getting these things wrong. Every improvement is matched by a step backwards. I never imagined myself to be this nit picky but the madness had now consumed me!

50% increase in 3-4 years for Rolex parts. Sounds about right!

Lots of Daytona love these days. Olivier, what are the specs of each?

I have a v72. I have a Spinmaster built Daytona. With DW sets unavailable, can I just swap movements and get a new dial? Thanks

Thanks guys! Valty, I remember when you assembled all the parts at lightning speed, I was thinking, this guy is nuts!now I get it...

I've been looking at some datejusts on eBay. I had the same thought about buying a complete gen and keeping the movement. Figured I wasn't the only one!

Is your insert a bluish grey? The color is growing on me.

OKay, as I mentionned earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to pick up a Super Franken Vintage Daytona from a terrific fellow member who was extremely patient with me in answering all my questions and request for pictures, pictures and more pictures! Since I already had the exact version of the watch built by Spinmaster, I thought I would a quick comparative photo shoot of the 2 before I list it for sale. I know many have done these and they have been extremely useful to me but let me consider this as my contribution for all the newbies out there with my own personal reflection on the watches. My new Franken will always be first. Spinmaster version has the red DAYTONA on the dial. Here are the specs of my Franken: - J&W 6265 case with custom engravings (ca. 1974 serial matching the dial) - Serviced Valjoux 726 movement (correct base caliber Rolex used for their 727 - with correct 21600 bph) - CousinsUK pushers (supposedly the same Rolex currently uses at service) - Genuine 703 crown and tube NOS - Genuine MKII 6265 bezel NOS - Genuine black rare "step-down" Sigma dial - Genuine handset NOS - Genuine Tropic 21 service crystal - Genuine 78350 bracelet with genuine 571 endlinks First up is front view of both watches. The first thing that struck me is how cripser everything is on the gen dial. The finishing is really nich and smooth - obiously, at higher magnification, you tend to see every little flaw in both watches. Overall, the DW holds up extremely well compared to a gen dial. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Bezel The engravings on the gen bezel appear slightly lighter and more delicate than the stock DW. I also notice the detail in some of the numbers are different - the usual tells with the 2's and 3's. Again, I impressed with the stock DW. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Dial As I mentionner earlier, the dial makes a huge difference. My stock DW dial was not vintagized and I always found it too clean and crisp looking. I always like the effect of the subdials but after seeing it next to a gen dial, it appears overly exagerated. Some numbers are slightly off in their shape and some are positions in the inner circle of the subdials. Small details, but if you're into them, they are important. Overall, impressed with the DW crown. I really think the one on this watch is identical (experts, please chime in) to the crown on the gen dial. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Case / Crown I am no expert here so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Please remember that my Spinmaster has a gen crown and crystal. Also, the stock DW pushers are brushed and the Cousins on the phong case are polished. Which is right? Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Bracelet / Clasp We are all familiar with this. A gen bracelet makes a huge difference. I was expecting a visual difference - people always comment on the "whiteness" of the gen. Looks the same to me. Feels very different. It's smooth as silk. Also, the markings on the gen are crisp as you can see. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us The clasp. Enough said. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us SEL fit Another complaint with the DW stock bracelet is the end link fit and I can certainly attest to that. Compared with the gen bracelet on the phong case, it looks like I have a mismatched end-link. While I would ghave hesitated in the past to say this, a gen bracelet is a worthwhile investment. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Well, that's pretty much it. As i said, I am extremely pleased with my new acquisition. I debated long and hard about putting that kind of cash in a franken. When I look at the pictures today, I am extremely satisfied but at the same time, amazed at the quality of the reps out there. The big difference for me has always been the dial. The dial is the most important part of the watch. With that said, I can never be truely happy with anything other than a gen dial in there. Everything else is just gravy on top! As I said, I will be listing the Spinmaster Daytona shortly along with the other watches I already listed earlier today. Thanks

Congrats! I know the feeling.

This is my dilemma. I am on the fence. I appreciate all the input. A franken will always be a franken and to have a complete gen less the case is fine with me. The point raised on parts is also good as I am no modder and no watch smith. I also recognize that getting above 50% of the cost of a gen doesn't make sense to me. Now you've got me worried about this date wheel. I will post pics of the cyclops. I've compared it to many many pics and always believed it was. As I said, that's how it was sold to me by a respected member on another forum.