danza1812 Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 (edited) Guys, it's been a while since I posted so hi again. I've managed to control my watch addiction the last few months but the bug has got me again and I've decided to venture on a project I've been wanting to do for years, the seamaster chrono. I had one of these many years ago and installed a gen bezel, still don't know why I flipped it but hey ho. So I start again, managed to get a gen dial for a great price off eBay (£35). So now I'm looking for the donor watch. I plan on sticking to gen dial, hands and bezel this time and building this version; So, my quick questions; 1. Best place to get the smp chrono donor? 2. Is the a7750 easy to remove and install hands? 3. Will all the gen hands fit the a7750 movement? 4. Is this a worthwhile build? Best regards and thanks in anticipation of your advice Edited March 20, 2013 by Danza1812 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 So part one arrived today, it's an older dial I think and the lume is non existent, which means ill probably stick to the rep hands as the need to match lume won't be an issue. Just need the donor watch and a bezel now, that should do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamcky2k Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 the new style chrono reps wont take the older dials...im sure theres old threads around detailing how the holes for the chrono hands are in the wrong place for the newer a7750 movement...i think you would need to source an older low-beat a7750 movement for this dial, and hopefully it would fit in the newer style rep case... its a nice piece, but are you sure its not just so much trouble and effort, you may aswell just pick up a used gen? i've seen the older chrono models come in at between £900 to £1500, depending on condition...thats a pretty obtainable price. good luck with whatever you go with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 Interesting, Is it because this is an older gen dial, or has the movement changed with the introduction of the red seamaster dials? I thought it would be a straight swap! Nothing's simple in this hobby! Anyone who's fit a gen dial into a new style case please do chime in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamcky2k Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 older gen dial will fit the older chrono rep no probs, the newer "red seamaster" chrono rep has a newer fast beat a7750 and the chrono hand holes are in a slightly different position...its definately not a straight swap with the dial you have... im not sure, but i think ofrei carry stock of the correct a7750 movement that this dial will fit...or was it cousinsuk?! about a year ago i was looking at a similar build, but gave up after researching and adding the price of parts... £200 for the watch, £165 dial, £185 movement, £200 bezel, £55 hands, £145 crystal... that (although all new parts admittedly) came to over £900...i ended up just getting the chrono rep and swapping out the crystal for one with double AR coating, it looked great, scratched my itch at the time to own a chrono, and i flipped it for also the price i paid. i would imagine a franken would not hold its value... if you need any parts numbers, case numbers etc just shoot my a pm good luck and happy hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 (edited) Thanks for the info, I think ill do the same, get the new chrono and stick a gen bezel on it. Should scratch my chrono itch too! Cheers. Edited March 25, 2013 by Danza1812 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamcky2k Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 you wont be dissapointed, its a great rep and highly regarded round the forums, i was gonna go for a gen bezel on mine, but in all honesty the colour and look was fine in the flesh, thats why i went with an AR crystal instead which really made the dial pop! i'll try and dig out some pics if they still on my hardrive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted March 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 I know what you mean about the cost of a build, it's so addictive especially as the gen parts are a straight swap most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Well it took a while but I'm one step closer, now with gen dial and hands and sunnydale double AR crystal. Holding out for a gen bezel; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnydale Posted July 10, 2013 Report Share Posted July 10, 2013 Looks great bro! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2013 Thanks mate, I know your po crystal is a little thicker than the smp crystal but the clarity and effect of the double AR on the detailed chrono dial is well worth it. I've ordered the chrome bezel from cousins which will arrive and be fitted and project completed tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 Complete. Nice feeling, probably going up for sale within the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilseam Posted July 11, 2013 Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 Wow, thats a great build mate. Looks gen to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcagara08 Posted July 11, 2013 Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 wow another masterpiece!! Lovely combo! I remember this colorway was running in the late 90's and early 2k years. wear in good health! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 Dial really looks good in the sun under the double AR crystal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted July 11, 2013 Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 Very nice. The initial run of the SMP Chrono rep came with perfect ETA dw. Mine has only genuine insert installed. Even the dial wave pattern is superb. I wear my SMP Chrono every week and it has been a reliable since 2006. Not as HC as yours but a fantastic rep... one of the best ever. http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/113817-tribute-to-my-favorite-replica-watch-seamaster-chronograph/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/160948-franken-omega-seamaster-chrono-chrome-bezel/?p=1250667#entry1250667 Now for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted July 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 Next to my gen smp quartz, reason why I went for chrome bezel to mix it up a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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