HTH Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Hello All, I'm obviously attempting to build a franken submariner (not the datejust), I am just having trouble sourcing a case, which I'd like to get to start this. Any time I have a project I buy one piece that forces me to finish I've been led to believe by many forum posts that I have found that TC makes the best non-authentic case around. However his blog hasnt been updated in a while and he states on his website he requires Western Union from first time buyers, which to me is a massive red flag having used paypal for years now and getting burned the only time I ever used WU. Just seems to me paypal is the sensible option what with their protection for everyone involved.. Ideally I'd like a watch made from the following: Replica Case and bracelet Swiss ETA Movement Everything else gen, or at least as close as possible. I can spend around 1000$ on this endeavor though theres obviously some flexibility. I think that by using a rep case band and movement I should have eliminated most of the 1000$+ parts. I realize that will require lots of wheeling and dealing but from my research it seems possible. I could be wayyy off base though! I noticed this forum is still pretty active so if someone could please help me locate the starting point (good case) for this project I'd be extremely grateful. Also, I'm shooting for a stainless case + band with black bezel/dial. Edited March 3, 2015 by HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblueprince Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Yes, use a TC case, you are safe to use WU with him, he is a trusted seller/dealer. TC doesn't use ETA though, he has his owner movement supplier. A TC Sub is $585 I think New ETA movement will be $225 ish Gen dial $400 Gen crystal $250 Gen insert $150 Gen crown $100 So total about $1700, you will probably be able to sell the TC dial, insert, movement, crystal for about $300 but need someone to put it all together which i guess would be about $150. So total about $1500 using decent correct model gen parts. It will be cheaper if you use worn or scratched parts that won't look as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigelow Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Yeah, when I started my 16800/16610 build I told myself $1k, too. Ended up around $1900. And I did assembly myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 For $1,000 budget you should just buy the TC, swap the crown, crystal and bezel insert and be done with it. Don't worry about the movement (TC uses an improved upon ETA clone), and the new KH dial he is using is very, very close to gen. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camaro Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I would suggest you start with a TC like others have said. I just received my 16610LV from TC and it feels more gen than my franken 16800. Stock TC LV on right (he also makes a 16610ln which it sounds like you're after) 16800 with gen dial, bezel insert, crown 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
508-Fanatic Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I've been thinking about picking up a TC sub and throwing my gen 703 crown on it, gen insert and hands. Will a TC case take a Yuki 3135? does he use dial dots or do his faces have feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbane883 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Yes. A Yuki 3135 will fit. His dials have ETA feet placement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jigelow Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Yuki fits just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baleinedessable Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 For this kind of budget.. TC : 585 USD Gen Insert : 100 USD (I have one on the sale section) Gen crown : 50 USD Gen Crystal : 200 USD That's a minimum. Then... It's up to you : Gen bezel assembly : 500 USD Gen Dial : 300/400 USD.. (does not worh it, needs to cut the feet for your ETA) Yuki 3135 : 300 Yuki FRANKENED : 700 Gen 93250 buckle : 200 Gen 93250 Band : 800 It's limitless... But a "Genuine" pleasure to build ! FInding the matching "Year parts", M serie etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rillz Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Gen 93250 clasp for 200$ is very low i think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baleinedessable Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Sometimes .. I bought by 93250 full band for 500$.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcher Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 I just paid £95 for my gen 2005 clasp albeit without diver extension. Also bought a gen bracelet for £300 with a bit of stretch but overall good. You have to keep looking and be very quick to act but deals are out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblueprince Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Gen 93250 full bracelet with clasp went for $490 on VRM a day or two ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rillz Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Gen 93250 full bracelet with clasp went for $490 on VRM a day or two ago. Wow thats crazy cheap! They are like 1000€ from AD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted March 6, 2015 Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 I find part of the challenge and fun is sourcing the gen parts at below "market value", and if ambitious, trying to maintain period correctness Very nerd, I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phwtan Posted March 6, 2015 Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 I'm in the market for a gen 16610 crown for $50, if anyone has one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTH Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hey, sorry everyone life got super hectic for a bit there, haven't had a chance to check anything on the internet for a while. I haven't given up the goal, I've emailed TC and am looking around for Gen parts to pick up to fit to his sub I figure since I'm extremely uncomfortable using WU I might just need to buy the gen parts first to get my rep to where he wants it. Not the ideal situation but I really love that watch of his and at least buyimg the gen parts will force me to actually add them to the watch Never know it might be good enough the way it is for my tastes! And yes I know he is a respected/trusted seller, it is not at all meant to be an insult, just a personal thing that I'm gonna try and work around. I thank you all for your input I like to build things up from nothing, done it to lots of cars but enevr watches, but I'm ready to start ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rillz Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 You wont be able to make a superfranken sub for 1000$ but you can definetly make a all gen but movement datejust-build for 1000$! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) You wont be able to make a superfranken sub for 1000$ but you can definetly make a all gen but movement datejust-build for 1000$! With the way current Rolex parts prices are now, it's much more difficult these days to come in under $1,000 for a DateJust that was all gen except the movement. Would be doubly difficult with an ETA movement and if you were doing one with a WG bezel (16014, for example). Edited March 26, 2015 by tomhorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTH Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Well, I really do have my heart set on a Sub, something about it, I think its the part with the crown tbh, none of the other rolexs look as nice to me if they lack that raise part to the case.. if I need to spend more over a span of time then such is life. Can't have nice things without money right? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rillz Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 With the way current Rolex parts prices are now, it's much more difficult these days to come in under $1,000 for a DateJust that was all gen except the movement. Would be doubly difficult with an ETA movement and if you were doing one with a WG bezel (16014, for example). I think 1k is pretty much the going rate for such projects. After all, you can get the gen for 2k. 1603, 16030 for an example, maybe 1601. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 I think 1k is pretty much the going rate for such projects. After all, you can get the gen for 2k. 1603, 16030 for an example, maybe 1601. Assuming you shop extremely well it's possible. Quick look on eBay and the cheapest prices for the parts that I can find are: Gen Rolex 16013 Case Set - current bid $453.00 Gen Rolex 600 YG crown - $49.75 BIN Gen Rolex TT Bracelet - $600 BIN Gen Rolex Gold Dial - $69.75 BIN Raffle's Time Movement ring - $11.95 BIN ETA 2836 in a donor watch - $66.00 BIN + service; or NOS - $192.00 BIN Clark's Hands - $14.30 BIN And the best datewheel overlay for a DJ: MMM Datewheel overlay - $41.00 So that's $1,305.75 plus service on the donor watch movement. or $1,431.75 with the NOS ETA. Plus assembly if you don't DIY. Can you save money by being patient and shopping better? Certainly. I would call this the high water mark for the parts. You can also save money on the bracelet by not going TT (although the cheapest case set I saw was TT. People are out of control in pricing their gen parts on the bay these days). I got very lucky with some of my purchases so my total came in just under $1,000 (including labor), but you couldn't duplicate the watch now for what I have into it. I doubt I will ever sell it, but to part with it for less than $1,000 would be unthinkable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTH Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I'm not sure if anyone is even talking to me directly anymore haha, but if you are, I will definitely DIY the modifications. The extra cost of the tools is well worth it in my mind to learn extra skills. Plus I have a fully stocked shop (near enough) to start with. I doubt I'll spring for the 300$ vintage case back openers or anything but Im sure more reasonably priced tools exist. And finally, saying "This is a _______ I built" even if I have to shop around, find parts, etc, is always cooler than "bought", in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTH Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Finally, thanks to a change in my job, purchased the TC Sub, I am now looking for a Gen Insert, crown and Non-cyclops crystal to start with, eventually I'll install a franken yuki in it as well. If anyone has any of those three parts for sale please respond or PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6now Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Do you need a TC movement ring to mount the Yuki 3135 to a TC case? Or install it direct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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