danza1812 Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 I'm in the process of building another Franken UPO with the intention of keeping this one for good. So I want it to be pretty perfect. I managed to buy a part built one with gen date wheel, dial and hands already fitted. I thought id have a bash at the other mods myself. So I got the gen black bezel, and fitted the entire bezel assembly rather than just the insert. I also installed a Crpo crystal and gen crown and tube. Had some issues with the crown and tube, first the stem length was too short on the gen crown, when I sorted that with a longer stem, the pressure from the crown when screwed on was able to lift the tube back out of the case, the JB weld hadnt set strong enough. So I've reset the tube again. Fingers and toes are crossed hoping all I have to do tomorrow is re insert the crown stem and voila! Anyway here's a quick couple of shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdkno Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Looking good. Is that the 42 or 45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted November 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 It's the 45. The good old UPO. More or less interchangeable with all gen parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaaakeey Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 So you used a noob crpo crystal? Looks very blue ar so makes me think its bp crpo crystal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted November 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Not sure which crystal, it was from Josh and im actually glad it's got the blue tint as it resembles the older 2500 planet oceans a little more accurately. That's the model im trying to recreate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaaakeey Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 Yes I agree the blue is more gen on the 2500 but I believe if you order a replacement gen 2500 crystal now they come neutral ar now which I found strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted November 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 That's true. I got one for my 42mm planet Ocean from cousins. They started using the new crystal around the time the 2500d planet Oceans came around (2010 ish) so it's really only pre 2010 models that had the blue hue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 (edited) Bloody JB weld hasn't held again, as soon as the crown is screwed on it slowly prises the tube from the case!! One more try and then maybe I should try a glue epoxy like araldite? Edited November 9, 2014 by danza1812 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Think about the geometry for a moment. What exactly is pulling the tube out? I can think of two things: 1) the stem is too long so screwing in the crown is pushing in the stem, and it bottoms out in the movement, applying an outward force on the stem/crown/tube. Or... 2) the crown is too "wide" or the tube is too "short" so screwing the crown completely down has the crown hitting the case. IMO the crown should compress its o-ring and bottom out there, just shy of touching the case. In that configuration there is nothing applying an outward force on the tube. Hope those ideas help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Thanks, when I screwed the crown down it didn't go all the way down to sit flush on the case. There is a tiny .5mm lip on the tube where it meets the case and this remains exposed when I screw the crown down. It is very tight to push the crown in, so maybe the stem is a fraction too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 This thing is cursed! In trying to release the stem from the crown it snapped inside the crown and I now have a useless crown! I will order a 20mm ETA stem and new gen crown from cousins and hope it's a straight fit without need to trim. Anyone got any info on this from previous mods? Any help much appreciated at this frustrating time!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdkno Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 A suggestion that may solve your problem. Take the tube out and clean up the hole in the case real good. Once cleaned thread the hole in the case with a tap. The threads in the case and the threads on the tube will not match however it will create more surface area and more of a mechanical bond if you will for the JB Weld. Right now the JB is locking around the threads on the tube bit the case is just a smooth surface. If you thread it with a coarse thread pattern the JB will lock into the threads on the case as well creating a much stronger bond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danza1812 Posted November 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I get what you mean. So far the tube has stayed put. But I'm using the watch without a stem at the money as a temporary measure til I get a new stem to fit properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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