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1655 Franken Build Questions


Martyd3

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i am gathering parts for my franken 1655. This is what I have so far.

NDT case and dial (I assume the dial is from NDT)

Gen 1570(5) movement

Hands of unknown origin

Gen tropic 116 crystal

Jubi bracelet (nice, but has to go)

What I need to know.

Other than a gen service dial, is there a better dial? I would prefer white lume. Is this Ingod44 dial any good? What about Yuki's dial?

http://cgi.ebay.com/...#ht_1203wt_1114

http://www.yukiwatch...817/8082301.htm

If I keep the dial, the hands need to be relumed and I think the GMT hand has to go. The color is too day glow orange. I am looking for gen hands, but have not found any yet. I have read that that the WSO GMT hand is a better orange color. Thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_3851wt_1306

The date disc is either from champagne or stained. I would like to replace it with the correct silver disc. Is there any difference in the 1570 and 1575, date and GMT movements or will any disc work?

Is the correct crown 5.3 or 6 mm?

What else can I do to it?

Thanks.

Marty

Edited by Martyd3
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Personally, I always assumed an InGod dial would be the best replacement. I believe he even has the "frog foot" coronet.

The hands should be available on ebay. Here's where I bought mine:http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-STYLE-HAND-SET-FIT-ROLEX-EXPLORER-II-1655-/170683205768?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bd830888#ht_1053wt_952

They are pretty close to gen-spec, right colors and all that. You can make pretty low offers, too.

I believe gen-crown is 6mm.

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Marty,

I remember that someone used Gen Omega hands for this build. As a matter of fact, I was going to build one of these once upon a time and purchased a set from Otto Frei.

I just can not remember the parts number. Just checked my PM box to no avail.

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I've always wondered about v_luu44 out in Phoenix/Scottsdale/Mesa, Arizona. Is he tied in with Phong of Jewelry and Watch? He seems to sell a lot of old v72 cases and we all know those movements went into Daytonas. I don't know if Phong does the 1655, haven't checked.

If you wanted a gen dial, Shear-Time, Andrew Shear, up in NYC is the guy to watch. Here's a gen bezel:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Rare-Rolex-Explorer-II-ref-1655-Orange-Hand-Bezel-/200651675200?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2eb7c59640

Marty, I think your watch looks pretty good already. Maybe you could age the orange GMT hand and tone down the color.

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Marty, I was the one that used Omega Flightmaster hands on my 1655 but they were fitted to an ETA mvmt. I'd say the one's you have with a vintage lume would work, unless you want to pony up for a gen used set.

I have an excellent condition gen 15xx fat font silver DW but no flat top 3's, PM me if you're interested in it.

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