correctime

I'd overlooked the gen dial has the raised dial numbers...my mistake.

And if you fully read what I said you'll see that it'smy opinion as well...a gen dial wouldn't be worth it.

Though I was referring to the 2201.50...the 42mm version Black/White.

I was referring to the gen 42mm PO dial at ofrei....and the rep dial in the 5th gen 42mm PO. Either would solve the painted 6, 9 and 12 markers on this version the OP has brought up. If they'd even fit, that is.

Interesting....to solve the dial font issue I wonder if the dial from the current 5th gen 42mm PO will fit....or a gen from ofrei, though IMOa gen dial wouldn't be worth it for this particular LM rep.

Mate, I've lost count of the number of times I've stuffed things up when it comes to modding. It is part & parcel of this game and should you wish to continue, your modding skills will improve.

Don't lose the faith! When the PO is finally finished, it'll be worth it

+1 to that. When I first made the decision that I wanted a Franken 42mm PO, I was planning on sending it off and having it built for me. But a real nice guy and a RWG member suggested I use the "labor cost" funds to buy the necessary tools and try the build myself. I took his advise (thanks db2) and have no regrets in doing so.

I'm a long way from being what I'd call a "modder" but I'm getting alot of needed "trial and error" education....and I'm not longer "gun-shy" when it comes to anything but disassembling the mvt. itself. It'll be much more rewarding wearing one that I did the work on...DW, dial, hands, crystal, bezel assembly, SEL's, clasp and case back will be gen. when it's all said and done.(tube and crown too...I'm sending it to The Zig-man for the tube bushing installation...my epoxy job worked on one but the Franken will get it done the correct way...thanks to Zigmeister.)

I commend the ones with the desire/knowledge/funds to go about turning out such Beautiful and rewarding pieces. Way beyond me but awesome.

They do look great. Personally, I'd like to see them drop the date on the non-chronograph from 3 to 6 position too. That is oh so much more "user friendly".

I'd say risk's close to zero for USA ---> Canada and Canada ---> USA

If I were located in USA/Uk I'd ask The Zigmeister support regularly, He worked on my 3717 few years ago and the job was amazing to say the least.

Pleasant and fast communication.

If you want a methodical, well organized, meticulous and very skilled watchsmith, he's the one.

Only downside, he's very busy ... need to book a slot in advance..

He's also selective with customers, that's not a problem if you're not a jerk time-waster.

I appreciate the insight.

I've ran into this more than once, and recently on the 42mm PO when working with the gen crown. (but I tripped the keyless works and had to pull the hands/dial and DW to correct that.) Your stem is most likely a tiny bit too long. Perhaps try screwing the stem into the crown a thread more at a time before clipping it shorter, though it winding while locking the crown shouldn't really harm or effect anything if the other functions (setting time/date) are working.

Now that's a thought. And a kind gesture, The Zigmeister. How risky is the US/Canada and Canada/US customs journey?? That is of course if the offer is an open invitation.

Man way to rain on my parade...how bout I just have fun modding my watch with the best parts. Seems like everyone else likes to do it on their "reps"

Having fun to suit your needs is what it's all about. I put gen parts on mine because that's what I enjoy doing....regardless whether or not anyone else notices and regardless of who does and doesn't consider it a waste of money. Though you're over-paying for the gen crystal...even at 330.00...IMO.

I'd say gen crystal, insert, crown and tube on the TW. But that's just me....( and that's what I'm doing to mine.)

+1 for sneed. If I were to go in the direction of the "sean case" I'd have to go with a Chronometer Grade ETA 2892A2 for the mvt.

Welcome aboard and congrats on the latest 2201.50. I too feel in love with the 42mm PO when I first saw one. So I picked up 2 of them. With no regrets. If you like the wrist presence of the PO and are planning to keep it you may want to consider replacing the crown/tube and clasp with gen parts from ofrei. (and SEL's to correct the gap between the last bracelet link and the SEL. (Solid End Link). Have Fun and Enjoy.

Simply Beautiful.

is there any versions of the 5th gen PO which don't have the crown stripping issue?

It seems the crown/tube stripping and the clasp failing are "luck of the draw."

I have two 42mm PO's..,.the first one had the crown strip and clasp fail within hours of arriving. (gen clasp, crown/tube and SEL's solved that and the gap between the SEL and the bracelet.)

The other (from Josh) has a better looking insert and dial emblem and has had no failures what-so-ever as of yet.

I'll continue to wear that one....while gathering parts to go Franken with the other.

I'm a huge an of the Explorer II's. That looks great. Congrats on the piece and on 50.

You may consider contacting "DarthAlex" over on RWI for an excellent job and quick turn-around (if he's not already swamped".)

And have him relume the hands to match the gen dial lume.

Crown/tube is a go....gonna be a bit longer on a gen 93250 clasp.

The clasps he sent me were the 78790A and 78390...both for 20mm oysters but both for Exp.II and GMT II. (daytona)

if non-chrono preference, i'd go with a Colt or Steelfish...

if chrono - I agree with all above, you need to try them on, but most fit the diameter of your 6.5" wrist - but its more about the thickness you are comfortable with or not...many Breits are thick!....

Who offers a rep of the Colt ?? I can't say that I've seen any currecntly available.

I have an old school 1665 MBW case that I know will accept a gen movement. It really depends on what era your MBW case is from. Mine is from the the era of Maria making them, and he's long since passed on. I believe the story goes that one of his family members took over and the cases aren't quite nearly as good and then they shared that design with someone else and that's how you get the MBK, which is basically the modern MBWs mass-replicated... there are other members much better versed in all of this than myself.

For my build, I thought a little about getting a 1570 movement, but my thoughts on that are this: go big, or go home -- meaning -- buy the Phong case set to go with the 1570 movement and all of that, or, do what I did (for your first big and slightly costly project) and drop a 2846 slow-beating movement in your MBW case (so now you can keep your dial and hands) and spend the money you've saved on movement, dial and hands on having it lumed the way you'd like, having the case softened, lugs drilled, bracelet polished out and oiled, etc. If I'm going to spend the money on a 1570 movement, I want a case that doesn't have a well-known fake serial etched in to it. I want it to be genkin. (Genkin = So Frankin that no one will know but me and a few select nerds)

Then, if you do all of that, and you fall madly in love with having that watch on your wrist, consider saving up for the Phong case set and movement like I'm currently doing

Just my .02

"Genkin"...now that's a twist.

The watch is gen, at least the dial, bezel, hands, caseback, bracelet, crystal, DW - it would a very expensive franken and nobody would bother. I would NOT open the watch just to check the movement. It would void whatever warranty you might have and it would also compromise water resistance.

The case number should match the warranty card (mine does). Since the card is not dated you would have 3 years of warranty but I think you will have issues with the service center. I'd contact the seller and work this out.

+1 I'd say it's a gen. (but if it were mine I'd open it up. The 2500 co-axial is beautiful to look at. Prettier than a 2824-2 anyway.) CONGRATS !!

I just read you had it confirmed without opening it up....AWESOME...and again...CONGRATS

Well, the clasps and the crown/tube threads are a common issue with the PO's. If you really like the PO and plan to keep the watch for any length of time, I would suggest picking up a gen clasp and gen crown/tube.

Ofrei parts numbers are OME117ST1580952 for the clasp (136.00).....OME069ST42184 for the crown (38.00).....OME090ST1232 for the tube (6.60) and silicone grease to seal it back up....OL340A (6.69)

I went with the gen. clasp myself (my clasp spring broke hours after receiving mine) and to me it's well worth the cost and effort.

If by chance you simply want to fix yours I happen to have spare parts from the rep clasps. PM me and let me know what you need. I'd be happy to help.

By the looks of it you have the little 2 piece pin to put yours back together, just use some glue when putting the end into the sleeve.

NOTE: the gen. tube is threaded to the case like the rep tube is but with smaller threads. Marine grade epoxy is needed to secure the gen tube to the case and a few eta stems for correct length may be necessary as well...(thnks David for that info )

Angus is not only a great dealer but a great guy. You will do better to contact him directly rather than crap his site in open Forum.

I'm curious...what makes you consider this to be a fake??

JamD: Very nice collection, brother. I'll send you my address so you can ship a v2 to me and thin the herd a bit .

Very nice collection.

And though I don't mean to take away from it but I'm kind of curious about one thing. I didn't know that WM9 ever had a engraved rehaut model. Anyone else have any info on this?

Yes...BK offered the BK WM9 v2 with both the non-engraved and engraved rehaut.