The Technician Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 (edited) So after inspecting the gen 42 PO at the dealer vs. my 4th gen rep, I have determined that he case and bracelet are 1:1 visually. The crystal is very slightly smaller than the gen on the rep, but only side by side with a set of calipers. (the dealer is a friend, .....and was quite impressed) The bezel insert is perfectly printed and my particular insert is drilled at the the same location as gen. I'm awaiting a gen Omega pearl with baited breath to complete my project. I am a little luckier than most on these forums since I have a full setup of tools and 10+ years of watch-tinkering exp. to help me along with these mods, but this really is an easy rep to mod regardless. So far I have about $380 in gen parts + 150 for the base watch (Wo-mart) and once I get the pearl in the bezel, it should look 99.9% gen, (still missing the serial, which can be fixed with a nice mill job mark in the correct location at the proper lug. ("Gray market.....") I'll post a pictorial tutorial with do's and dont's and bit sizes and tool substitutions when I'm done with this. No need to send these to a "modder" at all if you have basic tools, patience, and a careful, light touch. One thing I noticed was the the "end link gap" isn't really an issue vs. the gen when I spent time pouring over the differences at the dealer. When I'm done, unless you open the back, NOBODY, unless they are really well versed in these watches will be able to tell the difference. (I admit that the gen back is sharper, but a little wear and that will be a moot point.) Of course, in the end, the only person I really want to fool is myself, and as a watchmaker the lack of a co-ax escapement will always bother me, but I am so happy with the way this has turned out that I don't know if I'll ever buy a gen of this watch. $530.00 and a little time makes a near perfect visual clone of the PO. In my opinion that can't be beat. BTW: With stock crown this rep tests to 5 atm in the water tester. (after gasket lube.) Also, if you want to replace/add missing crown seals the #9 from Ofrei from their mini swiss gasket assortment fits perfectly......It tests the same with gen tube/crown, but I can't go any further with my equipment. oops: Meant gen crystal was smaller than rep rather than vice versa. Edited January 22, 2007 by The Technician Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Amazing work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaccum Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Great....can't wait to see the final results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitmic Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Great....can't wait to see the final results! Second that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsons Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Excellent! Looking forward to some huge photos. I just received the 4th gen orange 42mm PO and it is one stunning watch. The bad news is that the little woman was so taken by the orange that she has permanetly borrowed it. I installed a nice leather sport strap on the PO and I must say, it looks darn good on her. I'll be sizing the SS bracelet this week and fixing the weak link between the bracelet and clasp. Luckily, the clasp doesn't seem to have any issues. The bracelet is soaking in WD-40 as we speak which hopefully, will make the pin removal process a little easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 I am very interested in your work, as the 42mm PO is one of my favorites (I've had two of them so far, but neither have been worthy of keeping). I look forward to seeing (and potentially emulating) your work. Thanks for any information that you can volunteer regarding tools, techniques, parts sources, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajminla Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I just got the ultimate PO and love it. I would like to replace the peral on the bezel. Do you have any suggestions on where to get the insert or a good bezel. Same for the crown. Any suggestions on where to get the gen would be appreicated. I am very interested in your work, as the 42mm PO is one of my favorites (I've had two of them so far, but neither have been worthy of keeping). I look forward to seeing (and potentially emulating) your work. Thanks for any information that you can volunteer regarding tools, techniques, parts sources, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Looking forward to seeing this one as well (do you see a theme here?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Technician Posted January 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 I just got the ultimate PO and love it. I would like to replace the peral on the bezel. Do you have any suggestions on where to get the insert or a good bezel. Same for the crown. Any suggestions on where to get the gen would be appreicated. Somebody else on this board did all the gen part tracking down for me, I have to give Cwai credit for all the searching. The thread with links to the parts is here: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=8428 The only thing missing was the pearl, though he does link to the gen bezel which apparently will not fit according to Nouns Defions who did the expexensive experiment for all of us and bought the gen bezel and tried to make it fit. It is slightly smaller in diameter and since the "arrow" goes to the edge of the crystal, wasn't moddable without looking wrong. The gen clasp is also nicer, but I got mine to lock properly with a little work so I don't think I'll be spending the extra 96 bucks. Tools are basic, I used a case opener, rodico, #2 tweezers, hand setting tool, hand puller, the red Bergeon screwdriver, pliers, a drill press and a small vise with a wood jig made up to protect the case. To insure a waterproof seal on the crown tube, I drilled the case a very slightly smaller diameter than the tube and used loctite before I pressed it in. And when the pearl gets here I'll be using some epoxy or JB weld. I'm still doing a little sharpening of the polished angles on the case with a piece of flat brass stock and 2000 grit sandpaper, that I'll bring back to high polish with red and white jewelers rouge. (Not necessary, but I figured what the hell.) As soon as this is finished up I'll get to posting pics, I'll try to show how to do it without watchmakers tools, though to make it easy and do a decent job you should at least have a basic set of real watchmakers screwdrivers (AF Switz. makes a good cheap starer set.) rodico, a piece of pegwood and a blower. You should also probably buy the "Oring and gasket speed lubricator" from Ofrei, I use it all the time, puts the perfect amount of grease on the seals. Oh, and at least one good set of tweezers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 What they said.... Looking forward to seeing the results and learning from your experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Technician Posted January 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 What they said.... Looking forward to seeing the results and learning from your experience Have to warn you that my skills do not extend into the area of photography, but I'll do my best. I really am having fun modding these. Kind of like modeling when I was a kid. It's fun to see how close you can get them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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