The Official Franken/modded Thread

[marsupilami]

my first frankenwatch (swiss7750 , genuine dial.), and certainly unique.. soon with black dial

and further modded (hands, crown,bracelet,datewheel)...

[V]

my first frankenwatch (swiss7750 , genuine dial.), and certainly unique.. soon with black dial

and further modded (hands, crown,bracelet,datewheel)...

I like this dial.. its different...

[docblackrock]

Firstly let me say that by far the best ever franken I ever saw was THIS one... the owner performed his own machining and dug up the whole graveyard for it....I wonder if some of the real old-timers here remember it?

As for myself, well I've got the odd decent franken...a Palp 16610, few Pams, also couple of very exciting vintage projects soon to be complete, but my favourite (right now) is my MBW 1665, gen parts maxed out, just waiting on the Watchmeister datewheel

BTW, nice ZEP movt shots Randy. Personally, although I'm not a Daytona fan, I think the El Primero chrono is quite possibly THE movement of the C20th. End of. In fact, far too nice to be hidden away behind a closed back - I prefer to see it in all its naked glory

[the collector]

[Bazz]

I have a 1665 and 1680 both of which have gen inserts, crystals, crown, tubes, some cg work and lug holes drilled. The 1665 currently has a flat t39 on it at the moment.

This bond has gen dial, hands, crown, tube and a eta 2892 movement.

This has got some gen hands.

This started as a first gen 111, since then case received a pvd coating by palp, davidsen dial and longer pinion and hour wheel. (111H SL dial will be going very soon for a change!)

I have also killed the 6 subdial on my speedy and spent ages changing most parts on a mbw lv that I bought a few years ago but most of the new lv's would probably be just as accurate now.

Apart from those I have also SL my 183 and fiddy and changed to the longer pinions and hour wheels.

@doc is that saabins?

[Watchmeister]

Great stuff. Keep it coming. I am enjoying this thread. I am without camera so I am useless. But one of Santa's helpers has told me there is a D80 in my future and I can't wait.

[By-Tor]

Hey...why isn't Saabin registered here? He had excellent MBW SeaDweller frankens with genuine movement.

I have completely forgotten about the guy. Great member!!!

[ahchard]

Thanks for all that info ubi... it's all still a dream for me so far... my excuse for not going ahead is cos of the lack of a date window... haha...

Richard,

Seems that just about all genuine SS Daytonas are highly sought after. Of course, the vintage Cosmos, especially the Newman's and early 6239/41's with pump pushers (in original, or as close to original condition as possible), and of course, the 6263/5's. Very collectable.

With regards to modern, the 16520 is more collectable than 116520's, as the 16520's are no longer in production. However, some are more collectable than others. For example- Early R serial pieces with original dials, bezels, etc are highly sought after; incidentally, A serial daytonas at the end of prouction are even more collectable as there were only very few produced in this era, as the model line was transitioning to the 116520. Of course, S/W/T black dialed Patrizzi's are fetching HUGE premiums on the market ($25k - $30k). Not many out there as most dials have been changed for non-chocolate subdial rings.

Of course, the collectability doesn't end at just SS. Vintage 18k 6263/5's, 14k 6239/41 PN's and 16528's are also coming up in demand.

Unfortunately, the 1165xx's just aren't quite as collectable, as they are current production with an open end on build.

With regards to building... I do indeed have $3k+ into each watch. Yes, folks, that's each (total is $6k and change between the two). Sounds like a lot... And it is. But considering that these frankens have genuine El Primeros inside, along with a number of genuine parts, I personally feel that having a 1:1 with gen for a fraction of the price is worth it (standard 16520's are now selling at $9k - $11k, depending).

[archibald]

dammit i want to post here - but mine are still in progress in other hands

sooon,

Join the club--I have 4 frankenmullers (all with OEM dials, OEM straps, and modded rep crowns) waiting for hands...Can anyone say why hands, especially blued hands, are so hard to get. You'd think there'd be hands for every model of every watch floating around by the bucketfull with all of the "retired watchsmith" auctions on ebay...

[Jetsons]

BT, not sure why Saabin is not here but he built some darn nice frankens. No small thanks to one of his tutorials demostrating the differences between and MBW and CN vintage rollies (part by part), I got my start collecting these watches. He was very helpful as well.

Fantastic watches, gents. Keep 'em coming!

This is not near as complete as some of the others from the mod gods but it's okay. 1665 with OEM T-39 superdome, insert and crown/tube.

[azgjav]

mrnixon - the 009 dial was filled w clay, the dirty dialed 001 painted w tan paint and the 201a was filled w glass paint..

V - i thot frankens mean different dials, cases and movements put together?

[docblackrock]

Firstly let me say that by far the best ever franken I ever saw was THIS one... the owner performed his own machining and dug up the whole graveyard for it....I wonder if some of the real old-timers here remember it?

BT/Jetsons, that SRSD was indeed Saabin's - sadly he dropped off the map long before the 'evolution' and has been MIA for some time now. Pity.

@Bazz - like the '1680 on case opener' shot - looks like it's kneeling a la Mme Guillotine

[V]

V - i thot frankens mean different dials, cases and movements put together?

Nope.. franken means replicas with genuine parts

Nevertheless you have some very beautiful Pams there

[archibald]

Firstly let me say that by far the best ever franken I ever saw was THIS one... the owner performed his own machining and dug up the whole graveyard for it....I wonder if some of the real old-timers here remember it?

Yeah, he was from somewhere in Northern Europe somehwere, I recall...no CNC, all old fashioned machining. Absolutely amazing.

[ubiquitous]

Saabin? He's in Oregon, I thought?

He did put together some very nice frankens, but there's one big flaw with the SRSD. I've pointed it out to a few, but I wonder how many others see it too?

[docblackrock]

Saabin? He's in Oregon, I thought?

He did put together some very nice frankens, but there's one big flaw with the SRSD. I've pointed it out to a few, but I wonder how many others see it too?

Yep, definitely not Europe - Oregon rings a bell.

Hmm, as for flaws, I'm assuming he used a thin 5513/1680 case? That would be the big flaw as these patent pending prototype SRSD's used the existing Sub case before the 1665 case came into being. But I'm guessing the flaw you're referring to Randy is not this obvious? Clue?

Maybe the dial T<25 placement??? But then it is clearly a MY (re)dial and isn't what I'd call a BIG flaw.

[azgjav]

V - well...the 1665 does have a gen crystal installed..need to update the photo when i get it back from the watchsmith.. ..cheers!

[ubiquitous]

Yep, definitely not Europe - Oregon rings a bell.

Hmm, as for flaws, I'm assuming he used a thin 5513/1680 case? That would be the big flaw as these patent pending prototype SRSD's used the existing Sub case before the 1665 case came into being. But I'm guessing the flaw you're referring to Randy is not this obvious? Clue?

Maybe the dial T<25 placement??? But then it is clearly a MY (re)dial and isn't what I'd call a BIG flaw.

The flaw on the rep dials is so obvious that most eyes go right over it. It's sometimes hidden, sometimes not, depending on the time of day...

[docblackrock]

The flaw on the rep dials is so obvious that most eyes go right over it. It's sometimes hidden, sometimes not, depending on the time of day...

No 'Date' after 'Oyster Perpetual' perhaps?

Nah, that's not it is it?...Go on then spill! My brain hurts now, Monday thing

[ubiquitous]

You're close.

Have a look at some pics of gens, and tell me what you see when looking at the dial...

[HauteHippie]

Great stuff. Keep it coming. I am enjoying this thread. I am without camera so I am useless. But one of Santa's helpers has told me there is a D80 in my future and I can't wait.

Ah! Luckily there is still time to have that helper change it out to a Canon 5D ! !

[docblackrock]

You're close.

Have a look at some pics of gens, and tell me what you see when looking at the dial...

Aha! I remember exactly now - the prototypes used obvious redials in that the DATE was painted on afterwards in goofy extra-large text. Michael's dial was actually better than the gen

[HauteHippie]

You're close.

Have a look at some pics of gens, and tell me what you see when looking at the dial...

Well, one thing that I see being off is:

SUBMARINER 500 M - 1650 FT is correct san serif font but SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER and OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED are an incorrect serifed font.

[docblackrock]

Do I win a prize Ubi? Do I?

A custom Watchmeister datewheeeeeeeeeeeeeel perhaps?

[Guest avitt]

My eye is drawn to the position of the "L" under the coronet... not quite right.