dbutlerman Posted September 28, 2009 Report Posted September 28, 2009 Well if anybody has been following my posts about my 42mm P.O. you are already aware that I am in the process of building a Franken in the likes of Ubiquitous'. As it was my first adventure of this type, I was a little nervous...there are a lot of small parts...the large pictures that people take make this very deceiving...everything is soooo small...but...I am done (well at least for now)....and here are the results and a step through process of what I've done to date... 1. The original clasp was bugging me so I bought a genuine clasp and clasp attaching links.. 2. Next, I decided that it was time to get rid of the ugly pearl and bezel, I had a couple of "interim" bezels and pearls from ebay, but they didn't satisfy me, so, I went with the genuine article... 3. I was going to stop at the bezel, but after closer inspection of Ubi's I realized that the Dial, Date wheel, and Hands had to go as well...so...more genuine parts on the way...and here is how the process went...I made only one mistake...drinking a cup of coffee prior to starting...nothing quite like jittery hands to slow putting small parts together Let's get started... Case opened Decased Hand's Off Dial Off (I was expecting two screws holding the dial pins, but instead found swinging levers that slid into the pins to tighten everything up) Date Wheel Off New Date Wheel installed Here come's the new Dial Dial Installed New Hands On (The Second hand is totally different in color...the Genuine is Orange, the rep is red...) Everything cased up and...a Wristie for good measure!
redwatch Posted September 28, 2009 Report Posted September 28, 2009 Excellent pictorial!!! The photos are great and the watch looks fantastic! Congrats! You have yourself a keeper there!
dbutlerman Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Posted September 28, 2009 Thanks Red! Definitely a keeper - I have too much money into it to let it go
dbutlerman Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Posted September 29, 2009 That's the goal! Thanks!
danza1812 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 Looks so good with the gen bezel! Here's the 'big brother' my franken 45mm (dial, hands, crystal and bezel insert)
dbutlerman Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Posted September 29, 2009 Thanks - your bezel ain't bad either I can't figure our why the factories can't make a better bezel/pearl. I don't even mind the bad coloring, just center the stupid thing!
dbutlerman Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Posted October 7, 2009 Well I decided to go one more step...Gen Crown and Tube. I found the Crown and Tube from CousinsUK and they arrived yesterday! Got the watch disassembled...got out the old, press-in tube using Pugwash's rat-tail file method (http://www.rwgforum.com/topic/101638-ultimate-planet-ocean-upgrades/), which is great by-the-way, and then followed arniezac's post on how measure the stem length (http://www.rwgforum.com/topic/104054-upo-how-to-install-a-tube-and-crown/), but...they were both using 45mm versions of the UPO which use a different Rep crown then the one on my 42mm 4th Gen Version. My 42mm version has a longer stem-to-crown attaching point than the Genuine, which made the original stem too short when attached to the Genuine crown, so...I had to order a couple of new stems from Ofrei. They should be here tomorrow and I will update, with pictures of the process, then... So, as a note, if you are planning on adding a Gen Crown and Tube to your 42mm Planet Ocean, order a new stem with the Crown and Tube... Pics coming tomorrow!
dbutlerman Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Posted October 7, 2009 Me too! I have other reps that I wear, but I miss this one when it's not on my wrist! AM I A NUT OR WHAT?!??
lanikai Posted October 8, 2009 Report Posted October 8, 2009 congrats db.. quite an accomplishment,.. looks like the PO is your everyday wear.. AC L
By-Tor Posted October 8, 2009 Report Posted October 8, 2009 Black 42mm PO simply rules! Such a great watch... enjoy!
dbutlerman Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Posted October 8, 2009 Thanks all! Definitely my daily wear!
modelizer Posted October 8, 2009 Report Posted October 8, 2009 Now that is one sweet looking PO franken D... Congrats and wear it well!
dbutlerman Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Posted October 8, 2009 The new stem(s) arrived today. I ordered three in case I screwed up...which I did on one (cut it .1 mm too short) but the second one was perfect (well, within .01mm - and that was close enough!)...now for the pics... Old Stem measurement New stem measurement New Stem Tube Installed C'mon All Together Now I also installed another new handset as I had scratched the last minute hand (I mean tinnnnnnny little scratch, but under certain lights you could see it). If somebody wants them let me know $5 plus shipping and they're yours...in nearly new condition.. Thanks for looking and the support! This project be done!
importr Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Great work! All you need now is a good AR and it's a perfect rep! what do you use to remove/install the crown tube? I have a couple of gen tubes and crowns coming in for 2 UPOs and am wondering about DIY or give to my w/smith my gen 42mm
jkirke Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Hells yeah bro. Beautiful work. I couldn't believe the difference just that date wheel did to "liven" it up alone. That combined with the dial, hands, bezel and pearl make it a total keeper. I hope you NEVER sell this one. Excellent work!
dbutlerman Posted October 16, 2009 Author Report Posted October 16, 2009 Great work! All you need now is a good AR and it's a perfect rep! what do you use to remove/install the crown tube? I have a couple of gen tubes and crowns coming in for 2 UPOs and am wondering about DIY or give to my w/smith my gen 42mm Sorry for the slow response. The Rep Tub comes out pretty easy. It's a press in, so I followed Pugwash's advice, and used a small round file, stuck it in the tube, pressed it in and turn until it "bit in" and the turned it while pulling out...and out it came. Pretty easy. Then all you need to do us glue in the gen tub (as it is a screw in unit)..and you're good to go!
dbutlerman Posted October 16, 2009 Author Report Posted October 16, 2009 Hells yeah bro. Beautiful work. I couldn't believe the difference just that date wheel did to "liven" it up alone. That combined with the dial, hands, bezel and pearl make it a total keeper. I hope you NEVER sell this one. Excellent work! Thanks! I really like it too. The only thing I want to do now is change the bracelet for a Gen. I just can't find anybody selling one!
zorg2000k Posted October 19, 2009 Report Posted October 19, 2009 Thanks! I really like it too. The only thing I want to do now is change the bracelet for a Gen. I just can't find anybody selling one! I'm in the same boat myself, looking for a gen ss bracelet My fraken 42mm is as follows : Dial Hands Bezel Crystal HE Valve Crown and tube Just need a ss bracelet. Already have the gen rubber but would like the ss to complete this baby
dbutlerman Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Posted October 19, 2009 I think I may have found a Gen Bracelet...it should be here tomorrow
zorg2000k Posted October 19, 2009 Report Posted October 19, 2009 Lucky you. :thumbsupsmileyanim: Have they got more than one ??
dbutlerman Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Posted October 19, 2009 Ha..Sorry, no...I found a guy who had sold his 42mm PO on the rubber strap and then found the stainless strap...which I bought
dbutlerman Posted October 21, 2009 Author Report Posted October 21, 2009 Gen Bracelet arrived today, It's a bit of a tough fit getting the spring bars into the proper position, but, with a little finesse, they are in! I am running out of non rep parts on this guy The only rep parts left are the He Valve, Case, and Movement...hmmmmm I'll post some pics of the finished product tonight!
spooky driver Posted October 22, 2009 Report Posted October 22, 2009 i'm very surprised the difference in the bezel thanks for posting
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