danza1812 Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Heres my Franken po. So far it has gen dial, hands, eta dw, he valve, crown and tube. The gen crystal arrived last week, I took this quick snap to show how it will look over the dial (when I manage to source a rep gasket!) It appears to be the new style crystal with a more subtle blue hue to it. I have to say I like it. Bezel will be ordered later this month and maybe some gen endlinks or a rubber strap. What do you think so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 That looks great, look forward to when it's finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougar1 Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 That's great work danza, the crystal makes a lovely difference compared to rep, it will look perfect when you get the bezel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Just need that damn rep gasket! Andrew may be able to sell me one, failing that I will get a donor watch and sell the rest as parts! Can't wait to finish this one, ive had one before and had big regrets after selling it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Fleischer Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 How can it be bad, mostly gen parts. The dial and crystal make that watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 So after a long wait, I ordered a new gen bezel yesterday, later today it will arrive and I can wear my po once more. Can't wait...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Here's the case with the movement and crown installed, new gasket and crystal now fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Et voila, just to recap. Gen dial, hands, eta dw, crystal, crown and tube, bezel and he valve! On NATO for now until I sort springbars out for my bracelet or opt for a gen rubber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougar1 Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Lovely work danza, looks great, definitely a keeper you have there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnydale Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 Nice work you have done mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milhouse Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 That looks great. I've got a 42mm PO coming from Trevor. A franken, like that, is my goal, though I'm thinking of swapping in a cal 2500 as well (with a bit of case modding to accommodate the shorter stem height). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 That looks great. I've got a 42mm PO coming from Trevor. A franken, like that, is my goal, though I'm thinking of swapping in a cal 2500 as well (with a bit of case modding to accommodate the shorter stem height). Unless you can source the parts cheaper than ofrei and cousins I'm afraid a build like that would rack up to be more than a decent used gen. Mines total cost was pushing it tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
om3ga_guy Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 Unless you can source the parts cheaper than ofrei and cousins I'm afraid a build like that would rack up to be more than a decent used gen. Mines total cost was pushing it tbh. Your absolutely right, so did mine... Note: I have a UPO HE valve and gen bracelet though... Great job Danza! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 Great watches! Arent't you guys afraid that the investment and value of these great franken pieces will be a lot less when the first new PO's are coming from the factory later this year, with maybe the same quality as current Panerais from Noob factory? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Nope. Prefer the classic and won't be selling it. But I'll probably get one too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Great watches! Arent't you guys afraid that the investment and value of these great franken pieces will be a lot less when the first new PO's are coming from the factory later this year, with maybe the same quality as current Panerais from Noob factory? I've learnt that despite the money one puts into a Franken, they are never an investment and almost always never sell for anywhere near the actual cost of the build. Bottom line is; Reps will always be reps. My advice is if youre building a Franken, build it with a view to keeping it and enjoy the process. I love the feeling of having an aesthetically identical replica watch for less than half the price of a newish gen. That way I can have more of the watches I love to wear and can be very proud of what's on my wrist knowing its been my hobby for the last 6 months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milhouse Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Unless you can source the parts cheaper than ofrei and cousins I'm afraid a build like that would rack up to be more than a decent used gen. Mines total cost was pushing it tbh. There were two NOS 2500s on the 'Bay for under $300 recently, but I waited too long and they're both gone. I've got 2836s, 2824s and a nice 2892 sitting here I can use as well. ofrei is where I've sourced Omega parts, in the past, save a lucky eBay score or two. I haven't seen a gen 42mm PO, in excellent or better condition, for less than 2.2k. If I could build a near-gen (save the case) for ~1.3k, it might be worthwhile. IMO, of course. Plus, I really like modding, which is the primary driver for doing such things. Either way, a bezel, dial and hands swap is almost certain. If I find myself absolutely in love with the watch, I might sell off several pieces to fund a gently used gen, but that's not nearly as much fun. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milhouse Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Great watches! Arent't you guys afraid that the investment and value of these great franken pieces will be a lot less when the first new PO's are coming from the factory later this year, with maybe the same quality as current Panerais from Noob factory? We'll have to see what materializes, if anything. New models aren't always a 100% step forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted August 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 There were two NOS 2500s on the 'Bay for under $300 recently, but I waited too long and they're both gone. I've got 2836s, 2824s and a nice 2892 sitting here I can use as well. ofrei is where I've sourced Omega parts, in the past, save a lucky eBay score or two. I haven't seen a gen 42mm PO, in excellent or better condition, for less than 2.2k. If I could build a near-gen (save the case) for ~1.3k, it might be worthwhile. IMO, of course. Plus, I really like modding, which is the primary driver for doing such things. Either way, a bezel, dial and hands swap is almost certain. If I find myself absolutely in love with the watch, I might sell off several pieces to fund a gently used gen, but that's not nearly as much fun. ;-) Think you will find yourself in love I'm sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milhouse Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utheman Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sweet looking Franken. Nice job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougar1 Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) Honest opinion is don't go for the 2500 movement for a franken, sure they seem relatively cheap in some corners but if you want the feeling of a 2500 just go for a 2892 in it and you would be much better off in the long run. For starters, who is gonna service a 2500, not many people will be able to and you cut off one of the main advantages of a franken PO over time....cheap service/maintenance costs. Good franken PO's are an amazing watch, and this is coming from someone who has gen, franken, half franken and another rep The only one issue that could've made franken PO's perfect is the tube job that needs to be done, if they could've made it truly 1:1 and allowed a gen tube to screw directly in instead of all the mucking about with epoxy or other methods, then it would've been outstanding. Also no worries on the new PO reps, hopefully they are good, but they won't be frankenable (where are the parts gonna come from?) and regardless of how good they are on top, turning the watch over ends the illusion! The old PO can be made externally perfect! Edited August 19, 2012 by cougar1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
om3ga_guy Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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