Gen 1675 to Franken 1655 Build: Am I nuts?

[aes669]

Greetings,

 

I've always been a huge fan of the 1655, but not the price (especially in today's market). My plan over the next couple of months is to build my own franken, using a gen Rolex 1575 GMT at the core with as many other gen parts as I can source (zero interest in cutting corners with a non-Rolex movement).

 

In researching the parts I need, I realize that:

1. 1570/1575 movements are somewhat scarce (would a 1565 work?)
2. It would be unrealistic to think that I can find a gen 1655 case at a reasonable price

Here's where I might be nuts (1675 lovers, please do not hate me!):

 

My plan may very well be to purchase a gen 1675 and:

• Slap a high quality rep dial on it (mq, ingod, etc)
• New hands (I actually like the dot second hand vs straight)
• Swap the bezel
• Throw a gen 7836/78360 bracelet on it with proper endings for accuracy (I'm more of a fan of the folded links though)
• Replace the tropic if needed (T-116)

I can probably pick up a 1675 in the $4K range locally, and I'd also be able to resell the 1675 bezel / bracelet to recoup some of the project funds.

 

This would get me close to a gen 1655 by my personal standards.

 

Does this sound too crazy or plausible? (It almost feels like cheating vs building one off of an ingod case)

 

 

 

[aeromatic]

Although you may get a lot negative response on your plans at the end of the day it is your watch you are building and your plans or design ! you have to consider that after the build your watch will only have franken value and may be a lot less value than your 4k,on the other hand the gen parts you have available, like dial  and so on will be very useful to gen owners and franken builders 

 

You could however keep and store the parts so you can have the option of changing the watch back to gen spec or a future owner myself i would go for this option and you can always sell the parts later should you need the cash ! good luck !

Edited February 24, 2014 by aeromatic

[aes669]

You could however keep and store the parts so you can have the option of changing the watch back to gen spec or a future owner

 

That's a great idea actually - I hadn't considered that!

[messenius]

Here is something worth looking

 

http://www.watchwallpapers.com/hte.htm

[By-Tor]

Yes.

 

I think you're nuts. Destroying a gen 1675 to build a franken would be just insane.

 

But we only live once. You gotta do what you gotta do.

[chiman12]

IMO a 1675 case used to build a 1655 would look too thin.  I personally would use an aftermarket 1655 case and go from there...

[ogladio]

IMO a 1675 case used to build a 1655 would look too thin. I personally would use an aftermarket 1655 case and go from there...

+1, 1655 cases should be thicker. Noticeable especially compared to older 1675s.

Get a Phong or mod an ingod case like denimhead did and stick a gen gmt movement in there.

[aes669]

Here is something worth looking

 

http://www.watchwallpapers.com/hte.htm

 

STUNNING!!!

 

But we only live once. You gotta do what you gotta do.

 

Indeed

 

IMO a 1675 case used to build a 1655 would look too thin.  I personally would use an aftermarket 1655 case and go from there...

 

Chiman - I'm beginning to think so too. I finally came across a couple of pictures of a bare 1675 stacked on top of a bare 1655, and the 1655 was noticeably larger.

 

+1, 1655 cases should be thicker. Noticeable especially compared to older 1675s.

Get a Phong or mod an ingod case like denimhead did and stick a gen gmt movement in there.

 

This option is on the table for me. I saw the job denimhead did (super nice piece!). I think I "could" wind up spending more with this option versus the 1675 conversion.

 

The pics Messenius's linked of the GMT conversion do have me drooling a bit though!