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Rolex 1655: a fantastic example of watch modification art.


Stephane

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Rolex 1655: a fantastic example of watch modification art.

 

Rolex1655RA_800_59.jpg

 

Preambule

 

My personal 1655 is now gone to a new home, a very good home :clap3:

The reason is that I have been offered to be the new owner of an exceptional one.

 

RepAustria's 1655.

 

You might remember this picture

 

Oli1655_800_01.jpg

 

Well let me tell you this watch has never stopped to be upgraded thru the years!

 

History

 

When I first came here, I asked members to point me in the right direction to get a "best sub"…

Of course I have been flamed but not only, I also made some great contacts with senior members.

One of them was RepAustria.

He is no longer here, but you may trust me, the guy knew how to build a watch.

 

I have been looking at this watch's pictures for a couple of years :drool:

Now, it's mine :throb:

 

The watch

 

There are various routes to build a good Franken.

The NDT route is one of them.

Unfortunately, NDT parts are very expensive.

That is the reason I never wanted to follow that route.

 

I always said I would never put more than 1K in a watch :nono:

Never say never :tease:

 

So let's start the list:

 

NDT case

 

Rolex1655RA_800_30.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_41.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_61.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_33.jpg

 

Genuine crown and tube

 

Rolex1655RA_800_34.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_54.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_55.jpg

 

Aged CWP hands with a NDT Singer dial (aged too)

 

Rolex1655RA_800_63.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_45.jpg

 

Gen Tropic 116

 

Rolex1655RA_800_35.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_42.jpg

 

Gen Mark III bezel

 

Rolex1655RA_800_51.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_40.jpg

 

Silver datewheel with brushed finish and flat top three

 

Rolex1655RA_800_64.jpg

 

Sorry I forgot to shoot the other dates :tomaatit:

 

Gen 7836 folded link bracelet with Gen 380 endpieces and Gen springbars

 

Rolex1655RA_800_46.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_48.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_50.jpg

 

Rolex1655RA_800_52.jpg

 

The engine

 

ETA 2789-1 with 24 hours hand, no quickset date and winding like a 1570.

 

Sorry, no photo, I will not open this watch :nonono:

 

My appreciation

 

Some of you might be bothered by the general "used" state of the watch.

As you know now, I love that. :cool2:

The extra aged bezel or the stretch in the 7836 bracelet adds so much to the genuine feeling of this vintage watch!

 

This is probably the most convincing watch I saw in the flesh till today.

I recently had the occasion to show my previous 1655 to a collector of genuine Rolex owning a gen 1655 himself.

He couldn't believe it was a franken.

I bet when I will show him this one, with a gen bezel and 7836, he will say "Hey you got an original one this time!".

 

The only way this one could be spotted as a Franken, is the movement and serial in my opinion.

 

Thank you very much for looking and reading.

 

Cheers

 

Stephane

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Hey congrats Stephane... I know how much you wanted this McQueen.

RepAustria was one of the best builders in the community history, and a good friend. I wish he's stop by every now and then.

Congrats again man... now we'll probably see this beautiful watch in the wrist shots for the next XX years. :tu:

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Hey congrats Stephane... I know how much you wanted this McQueen.

RepAustria was one of the best builders in the community history, and a good friend. I wish he's stop by every now and then.

Congrats again man... now we'll probably see this beautiful watch in the wrist shots for the next XX years. :tu:

Oh, yes BT, this will not quit my home for a looooooong time :)

PS: edited the Original Post because there were 2 errors :(

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Ahh yes the elusive almost cult piece around this parts, the RA 1655 B) what can a guy say about this piece... :1a:

The last 1655 u had was a super watch that anyone will be happy with, but this, this is just way out there IMHO its not just another Franken but a piece of Art!

Wear it in good health my friend, looking forward to see it in person :)

Laz

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Congrats Big Time Stephane ... #1~ 1655

mine is on the way back from Canada again.. it was redone with a better case and hands,.. I had to burn another genuine crystal.. but such is the obsession of our Hobby

Enjoy your treasure !!

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Absolutely beautiful watch Stephane, you've certainly got a keeper there! I can't wait to see it in person B)

Only so much days to wait and we'll meet again :1a:

Can't wait to introduce you and L to my kids.

Yes congrats Stephane, this is the best 1655 franken out there!

Well, not sure if it's the best but for sure it is a great one.

Externaly almost everything is genuine so...it looks really super gen for sure.

Congrats Big Time Stephane ... #1~ 1655

mine is on the way back from Canada again.. it was redone with a better case and hands,.. I had to burn another genuine crystal.. but such is the obsession of our Hobby

Enjoy your treasure !!

I'm sure yours will be a keeper too.

Canada produces some great stuff :clap2:

...and it seems I'll be the first to see it in the flesh :p ! Lucky me (but Steph is luckier than me, for sure!)

Ah ah, you !!!

Yup we will meet in a week.

Don't even imagine this one is for sale Paolo :hammer:

Congrats Stephane, I know that watch very well and this one and it's the state of the art in Oli's works

Enjoy it!

Great to hear you know it.

I feel blessed it landed here :hug:

That's a real Beauty

I will admire it in rela life during the GTG

Carpe Diem

Cats

Absolutely my friend, that is why GTGs are so cool.

We spend time toghether, learn to know each other, and on top, we see great watches in the flesh and share secrets :secret:

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Fantastic piece. Your collection is now up there with the greats. RA is a master and very much missed.

I agree very much with you.

RA is missed a lot.

But, again, time is the key.

Who knows, maybe we can get him back someday....even Pug posted recently :lol:

Come on, you oldies....come back here!

We miss you.

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What a great watch.... congratulations. Too bad Repaustria faded from the boards. His modded Rollies where in a league of their own. Remember his Comex? At least his beautiful watches remain around....

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