42mm PO Mod Project - Story so far

[danza1812]

Well after completing a couple of 45mm UPO mod projects with gen dial, hands, crystal, datewheel and bezel inserts, i still didnt enjoy wearing them all that much because of the size.

I sold them off and concentrated on gen omegas for a while before being drawn back by pictures of Ubis and DB2's 4th gen mod projects.

I was able to recently aquire an unused 4th gen from a fellow member and then set to work on my mod project.

This is how it looked on arrival;

So first off was getting the old bezel off, very difficult task without proper equipment as i learned the hard way having scratched the polished lugs!!

The I removed the movement, removed hands and old dial:

I bought a new datewheel to install but the one on the swiss eta was really quite good so rather than struggle to replace i have left it on for now.

Then came the new dial and hands - tricky to say the least!

Before casing it back up, slapping the new bezel on (very tight though, i daren't turn it again incase it gets stuck again!)

So this is how it compares - before and after!

I decided against going for the gen crystal for now as the 4th gen had reasonable AR and on the new PO's the AR isnt as blue as the older models so this really wasnt so much of an issue for me (plus cost!)

Next for me will be crown/tube perhaps and definately a gen strap, bracelet or clasp at the very least. For now, good enough to wear

[Migge]

Nice work, its a stunner for sure!

[andreww]

Good job! The 4th gen is probably one of the best modding platforms out there!

[plaifender]

that 42mm looks more like a 45mm on your wrist! nice work!

[danza1812]

That's why I had to get rid of the 45's!!!

[ubiquitous]

Looking good, Matt! Seeing your pics makes me miss mine at times

[dbutlerman]

It has a good home Ubi! It may be getting an upgrade soon

[Eton]

Looks great Matt!!!

[ubiquitous]

It has a good home Ubi! It may be getting an upgrade soon

[danza1812]

It has a good home Ubi! It may be getting an upgrade soon

How could yours possibly get more upgraded??? A certificate of authenticity from Omega perhaps!!!

I'm hoping to get hold of a gen bracelet at some point. Wearing it on NATO at the moment. Crown/tube and crystal are also on my list. Hoping chief does another ar run soon.

[plaifender]

Matt is mainly responsible for building up my courage to work on my UPO. Great member!

[dbutlerman]

How could yours possibly get more upgraded??? A certificate of authenticity from Omega perhaps!!!

I'm hoping to get hold of a gen bracelet at some point. Wearing it on NATO at the moment. Crown/tube and crystal are also on my list. Hoping chief does another ar run soon.

I have a couple of scratches in the AR on my Chief crystal, so I was thinking about getting a Genuine crystal for it. I am just not sure if it will fit. Have you found anything that makes you think that it will fit, and what about the crystal gasket? Does the replica one work, or do I need to buy the real thing?

[danza1812]

A member called Zorg2000 put a gen crystal in his I think?

[danza1812]

Anyone any strap suggestions until I get hold of a gen bracelet?

[danza1812]

Well I settled with a gen rubber for now. The quality and feel is far superior to the rep rubber I bought.

Still want a gen bracelet, crystal. But gen crown and tube are next and I expect Delivery any day.

[danza1812]

[wiesn089]

Nice Matt, looks great! I can definitely understand why you got rid of your 45mm UPOs, the 42mm fits your wrist perfectly (mine's quite similar)! Love the rubber strap! Did you get your stuck bezel fixed somehow?

[danza1812]

I washed it with warm water! Works perfect now. Just like gen.

[sizzlesam]

I highly recommend the crystal mod.

As a gen owner of both the 45 and 42 I can say that the AR is way stronger on the 42. The 45 has a more domed crystal and the AR is not a necessity, but for the 42 it is a must to really capture how the dial changes color.

[sizzlesam]

BTW, great job on the mods. Seems like this was a large undertaking, and you did it in stride. Kudos!

[danza1812]

Thanks. I have decided that when I reopen and remove the movement to do the crown and tube, I may also install a gen crystal. I'll wait for next payday. That's the one benefit of a mod project is there's no rush, but it's quite addictive when you get into it.