jbg44

Good advice.  I'll try to hop on a Heuer-focused forum.

Hi All,

I'm hoping that someone will be kind enough to share some insight with me.

I've recently stumbled into the process of trying to build a franken Heuer Camaro, 3 register chronograph.

I already have gen: dial, case, pushers, crown, and xtal.

I've run into a bit of a wall on the movement, though.  (Some of you are probably smiling and nodding.)

The original 3 register Camaro was offered with an option of the Valjoux 72 or Valjoux 7736.  From my internet searches, these seem to be extremely pricey ($1000+).  Are there any comparable ETA's that will also do the job as an engine for the Camaro?  I'm indifferent as to whether it is manual wind or automatic.  And, I need it to be rock solid as far as the mechanical functioning.

This is the closest ETA that I've found, but I am not qualified to determine if I can actually make it work:  ETA 2892-A2.

Thanks for any and all help!

Gotcha.  Posted in Trading Zone now.

[Move to Trading Zone}

Thanks for the feedback. I have owned some nice gens (DS, 36mm DJ), but I can't explain it -- frankens have more appeal to me. In this case, it's not a financial decision.

Regarding the lack of available parts: This is kinda why I want to do it, for the challenge. BTW, today I got a lead on a gen bracelet out of Germany.

Anyway, as they say, there is no accounting for taste. . . Just wondering if anyone had any of the mentioned parts they wanted to sell.

Yeah, I've upped my budget considerably after I priced it out.

OK.  I now have my Thai Datejust II on order.  In pursuit of my franken dream, I wanted to put out some feelers and see if anyone has a line on any of these gen parts:

- gen black, stick dial

- gen oyster bracelet (21mm at the lugs)

- gen fluted bezel

Thanks all!

Thanks!  I will PM him.

Hi All,

About nine months ago, ya'll here at RWG were kind enough to guide me through the process of building a PAM 104 franken.  I love it and wear it everyday.  Now I'm hankering for a Datejust II franken, either to build or buy/trade.  At the end of the process I'm hoping to have a SS Datejust II with fluted dial and black stick face.  I'm not particular whether the bracelet is jubilee or oyster.  My total budget is somewhere in the $1200 range.

If you're gracious enough to point me in the right direction, here are some initial questions:

- Should I start with a Thai DJII?  Is it compatible with gen parts?

- I'm thinking that I would try to go with gen dial, gen bracelet, and ETA movement?  Are these the right things to get the most bang for my buck?

- Water proofing is very important to me.  Do you think I will be able to get a 3-5 ATM seal on a franken?

Thanks for any help!

If you don't mind me asking what city are you in jbg?

In the Bend area.

Thanks for all the info, guys.  I'm going to drop the issue and just have my local watchsmith deal with it for me.  Thanks again!

Are you sure it's a scratch? It may be a fibre or hair of some sort stuck between the case and dial

I'm not 100% positive what it is -- I hope it isn't a scratch, but that's my best guess at this point.

I suppose am just wondering what the most probable path forward is.  I can see a few different scenarios:

1) Watchmaker offers to repair at no cost

2) Watchmaker offers some cash back

3) Watchmaker either disputes my claim or never responds

4) I just decide to live with it and move on with my life

What typically goes down?  If members typically choose option #4, then I am willing to go that route.  Like I said, I'm new and not looking to make any enemies.

At this point, I rather not give out the name of the watchmaker -- I'm afraid it might make him think I'm hostile and put him on the defensive.  I will say that this watchmaker has been the object of some discussion as of late.

I recently received my PAM 104 franken back from a watchsmith.  It looks/runs great EXCEPT there is a new, down-to-the-metal 0.4mm scratch on the gen dial.  I am still a nooby to RWG so I want to proceed according to protocol.  At this point, I have sent a single, polite PM to the watchsmith and am awaiting a reply.  My question for you guys is:  how does this normally go and what can I expect?  Thanks for any insight!

Sorry Mike, but count me in for the pile-on!  Over the last month, on two occasions I was told that my watch was shipping-off to come back to me, and still I have no watch.  I am getting close to chalking it up as a total loss.

I received a short PM from Mike a couple days ago. I think it is best if none of us hold our breath.

Thanks for the heads up.

Wow.  That's some craftsmanship!  Do you happen to know if there are any first-rate lume guys on this forum?

Hi Guys,

I realize there is no right answer to this question, yet I am curious what other watch lover's opinions would be:

I am considering re-luming my gen vintage Omega Speedmaster Mark 4.5. I am, however, worried that it will take away from the vintage vibe. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for the info guys.  I hope all is well with MD2020 and I will cool my heels for a bit.

Much obliged.  Thanks.

Hi All,

I am wondering if anyone has heard anything from Mike (MD2020) lately?  I know he was sick, and then had a loss in the family, so I want to tread lightly and give him some space.  At the same time, I am curious about what happened to my $1K of parts/labor I sent his way three weeks ago.  I certainly trust him based on what ya'll have said, yet haven't gotten a reply from him for a while (over a week).  Does anyone know the scoop?  I can see he has been active on the forum in that time frame.  As a nooby, any insight is much appreciated! 

Thanks for the MD2020 recommendation.  So, after a short web search, it looks like I can score a new ETA 7750 with 25 jewels for $450, and a 17 jewel for $370.  Any advice on which one I should go with?

Hi Guys,

I am fairly new to the forum, but ya'll have inspired me to build a franken PAM 104.  I've started with an H-factory 1:1 104 rep with the A7750 movement.  So far, I've purchased:

- gen alligator strap

- gen deployment buckle

- gen dial

So, I have two questions I was hoping someone might be so kind to help me with:

1) Who should I use state-side to help me with service and assembly?

2) Should I put in a Swiss ETA 7750 movement?  And if so, do I go with the 17 or 25 jewels?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Got one! - Thanks Wan!