omgiv Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 Hi Guys, I just got this one finished today. I received the last piece of the puzzle (genuine 3135 movement) last week. It looked like it had been serviced recently, but I decided to go ahead and service it myself just to be sure. I am pretty happy with the way this project turned out. The one flaw, if there has to be one, is that there is a slight gap in the SEL's. Some may say that the gap3 is a deal breaker, but it doesn't bother me that much. I was going to use the etaswiss case since the bracelet fit better on that case, but decided not to since the uneven bevels on the lugs bothered me more than the gap. Here is the breakdown of this project: Case and Caseback: TC with rehaut engraving removed by me Movement: Genuine 3135 Dial: Genuine Luminova Hands: Genuine Luminova Crystal: Genuine service crystal Retaining Ring and Bezel: Genuine Insert: Genuine Luminova Crown: Genuine monobloc 704 Tube: Casker 7030 tube Bracelet: Genuine 93250 Spring Bars: Genuine I always have a hard time deciding if the cyclops and insert are perfectly centered. I swear that it even sometimes changes if I blink. When installing the crystal, I centered the cyclops and ignored the LEC. Someone asked how the LEC was lining up, and I can say that the center point of the coronet is in line with the left line of the M is Swiss Made. Thanks to all of those that offered help and advice during this project. I appreciate it. Anyway, on to the pics:
Ronin Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 Great job. Removing the rehaut engraving really did the trick. You sure went all out on this.
Eiderdaus Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 Pretty nice but how about the price breakdown..... Guess for that money you are close to a preowned gen. You spent around 3000?
omgiv Posted March 16, 2012 Author Report Posted March 16, 2012 The total price break down is of no matter to me. I knew that it would be an expensive project when I started. I had been collecting most of these parts for over a year and had them on my WM9/BK V2. I recently decided to take it to the next level and bought the case, dial, hands, and movement. Since I already had most of the parts, I thought it was cheaper to buy the extra parts needed rather than buy a genuine sub. Most, if not all, of the parts were bought brand new as well. The dial, crystal, insert, and bracelet were still in the Rolex packaging. You may be correct that I possibly could have bought a genuine used Submariner for the price I paid in parts (or close to it), but I guarantee that it would not be in the condition of what I have. Anyway, here is the price break down for this build: Case: $200 Movement: $1300 Dial: $450 Hands: $200 Crystal: $180 Retaining Ring and Bezel: $450 Insert: $100 Crown: $40 Tube: $20 Bracelet: $800 Spring Bars: $20 Total: $3760
duke1973 Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 IMO, you got the parts at pretty good prices and the "thrill of the build" would be worth more than an old used gen in my book! Congrats!
freddy333 Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 I can certainly appreciate the enjoyment of doing it yourself, but with build costs being so close to the price of a gen, I would have gone with the gen or built a rarer model. That said, I think you did a fantastic job on this. The final result speaks for itself. I think it is also worth noting that while most members of gen forums look down on us, the amount of skill & craftsmenship here (not just the projects, but, also, the photography) is lacking over there. 2
danza1812 Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 Very nice. I'm doing a similar project on a smaller budget with slightly less gen parts. Just got this piece today Just out of interest, is the sanding of the rehaut on a TC case an easy job?
highoeyazmuhudee Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 and there it is. simply amazing! you went the full nine yards! except for the V serial not having a rehaut engraving i doubt anyone could ever figure out the mid case and caseback were bogus. id call this gen, not factory gen but still. big question ; is it water tight?
omgiv Posted March 16, 2012 Author Report Posted March 16, 2012 Thanks for the comments guys. The sanding of the rehaut was not that difficult at all. Just go slow and try not to round off the top edge. I tested it to 10 atm and it passed, so I am not too worried about it. I still won't shower with it, but I won't freak out if it gets a little wet
TeeJay Posted March 16, 2012 Report Posted March 16, 2012 Fantastic piece, a job well done With regards the build/purchase price point, sure, a purchase would be 100% gen, but it would never have that "I built that..." satisfaction
Curt941 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Fantastic piece, a job well done With regards the build/purchase price point, sure, a purchase would be 100% gen, but it would never have that "I built that..." satisfaction You could always take it apart and then put it back together to get that feeling, haha. But $1300 for the movement is a great price. 1
danielv2000 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Congrats! Great build. Once again, the skills demonstrated here are just unbelievable. Pricey but satisfying, I'm sure!
Valty Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Very nice build I. ! Probably the best (and the most expensive ) franken 16610 here !!! R.
6now Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 This isn't a franken, this is a gen! Congrats on your build.
tabularasa415 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 I can certainly appreciate the enjoyment of doing it yourself, but with build costs being so close to the price of a gen, I would have gone with the gen or built a rarer model. That said, I think you did a fantastic job on this. The final result speaks for itself. I think it is also worth noting that while most members of gen forums look down on us, the amount of skill & craftsmenship here (not just the projects, but, also, the photography) is lacking over there. I could not agree more...
alligoat Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Beautiful build and I agree with Curt, $1300 for the 3135 is a great deal. All in all, it's a beautiful job, now what about a pic with the bracelet on?
Cats Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Beautiful built. It a little too high in investment imo bu then again very nice and wear it well Carpe Diem Cats
redwatch Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Stunning job. The attention to detail is quite evident and the photos really help display that. While it did cost a lot of money, it is money spent over a long period of time and the satisfaction of building it yourself is absolutely priceless. I promise you, this watch will have way more meaning and be far more special to you because of that. Anyone can drop a load of cash and buy a gen. Building one yourself takes it to a whole new level of appreciation! Bravo good sir. Bravo
irolexu Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Does a V series not exist with rehaut engraving? I swore I saw one recently
fidhle007 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Fantastic job! This is the direction I wanted to go with my über-franken but dismayed with not being able to find a 3135 for less then $2200 I went with the SA3135 instead. Your build is superb and those parts prices are amazing, nice work all around!
bigjule111 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 The total price break down is of no matter to me. I knew that it would be an expensive project when I started. I had been collecting most of these parts for over a year and had them on my WM9/BK V2. I recently decided to take it to the next level and bought the case, dial, hands, and movement. Since I already had most of the parts, I thought it was cheaper to buy the extra parts needed rather than buy a genuine sub. Most, if not all, of the parts were bought brand new as well. The dial, crystal, insert, and bracelet were still in the Rolex packaging. You may be correct that I possibly could have bought a genuine used Submariner for the price I paid in parts (or close to it), but I guarantee that it would not be in the condition of what I have. Anyway, here is the price break down for this build: Case: $200 Movement: $1300 Dial: $450 Hands: $200 Crystal: $180 Retaining Ring and Bezel: $450 Insert: $100 Crown: $40 Tube: $20 Bracelet: $800 Spring Bars: $20 Total: $3760. People say u could of purchased a gen for that price but the beauty is ure not kicking out 4 grand in one shot! Is a lot easier on the wallet when is in small increments.
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