Franken 1680 W/Gen 1570 movt

[jasonstacey]

"Almost everyone on the forum that has been here for a while has similar stories. Quite a few of us have had franken MBW's 1665's 1680's with almost everything genuine but the movement and MBW case. I have had several over the years and every one of them topped out at close to 1000.00 USD before it was over with. I believe that the most I got for one was around 700.00 USD and that was with a genuine bracelet and end links thrown in. That was back in about 2005, but the same thing holds true now."

I have assembled a few frankensteins and try to keep the $$ below what the watch will sell for whole or in parts...not easy of course. I paid $750 for the 26 jewel, hack 1520 (19800 bph) in the last 1016 frankenstein I stuck together and counting a mainspring and stem, the movement cost me about $775 after I cleaned it. That's not too bad for the movement as I can probably get at least this much back out of it.

If I had the movement cleaned by someone else it would cost about $100 around here.

I had to skimp on the dial and case in order to keep the $$ down though. I used an Asian 'refinished' 1016 dial (actually a new 100% replica dial) and aft/mkt hands along with a genuine 16234 case that is in good but not great condition. I went a $hundred or so over what I wanted to 'invest' but since I have worn it for more than a year, I got that back in 'wearing time'.

I thought about putting a Bulova 11BLACD in the watch and went so far as to drill the Bulova mainplate for rolex 1530 dial feet but have not put the movement together yet. All you have to do then is turn a fraction off the hour wheel so 1530 rolex spec hands will fit. This would bring the total cost down about $700 because of the difference in movement cost.

It would also make the watch an older style with 18000 bph and no hack.

j/s:

I think you did Ok on the 1680 except for the movement and this was not supposed to happen and should be chalked up to experience and bad luck. I know the bad taste from all the $$ spent makes you want to get rid of the watch that caused the loss but if it was me, I would keep the watch and wear it for a couple years and enjoy it.

If you feel the same way about it then...sell it, but I bet the feeling of paying too much slowly evaporates over time.

Good advice. Thanks for everyones input. I might change my mind once its back but who knows.....Have an issue on hand and I might have to liqudate some items thats why I posted this.

[sly]

My Ultimate goal wa to build a nice franken 1680 w / Gen. Movement. That's why I did this.

Once I achieve my goal, I will only part with my franken to purchase a Gen. 1680. That's just me.

[HauteHippie]

Still.......I agree with dluddy - $1,000 :shock:

That's about right if Rolex is doing the servicing, and replacing all those parts at cost. So not outrageous at all. Service alone with no parts is $600ish.

[Rolexaddict]

That's about right if Rolex is doing the servicing, and replacing all those parts at cost. So not outrageous at all. Service alone with no parts is $600ish.

Here in Paris, Rolex France charge 400 to 600 euros for a vintage to service the movement, replace the dial for a service dial, change hands, a case polishing, change the plexi, asume waterproof and much more,

but dont expect fool them with your 4000 + usd frankens, they will call police

[Watchmeister]

In my neck of the woods the service center will not touch the older movements. But the authorized guys do it on the side for $400 - $500. And just to reiterate what Folks have said the minute you have $2000 or more into a Franken you most likely own that baby for life. You should keep it and enjoy it.

It is difficult to move a gen dial and movement white sub for $2000 or more as the gens are $4k ish. The red subs are even tougher because there is no really good red sub re-dial. No one seems to know how to properly lay down the multiple layers of white and then red inki to get the proper red effect. And the gen dial for that franken starts at $3.5 - 4k as people are always buying the dial to convert their $4k sub into a $8k red.

So the headline is wear it and enjoy it.

[flex]

Agree with what Watchmeister said.