Stephane Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Rolex 1655: a fantastic example of watch modification art. Preambule My personal 1655 is now gone to a new home, a very good home 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 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 Now, it's mine 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 Never say never So let's start the list: NDT case Genuine crown and tube Aged CWP hands with a NDT Singer dial (aged too) Gen Tropic 116 Gen Mark III bezel Silver datewheel with brushed finish and flat top three Sorry I forgot to shoot the other dates Gen 7836 folded link bracelet with Gen 380 endpieces and Gen springbars 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 My appreciation Some of you might be bothered by the general "used" state of the watch. As you know now, I love that. 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 WOW!!! . . . . . . . . Did I say WOW???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 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. Oh, yes BT, this will not quit my home for a looooooong time PS: edited the Original Post because there were 2 errors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polexpete Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Hey Stephane, wow! didn't think we'd see this one again with RA not around anymore, now we know why you flogged your other one. Congratulations! you must be the happiest man on RWG at this moment... Cheers P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Steph- Congrats on a beautiful watch. I miss RepAustria as well. The one fond rememberance of his work in my collection is the gen wood insert he made for my 2006 Cousteau. He was always a very generous person when he was around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 That is an absolutely amazing watch Infact, I could even be tempted away from my planned GMTCSub to build something along the lines of a 1655 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Ahh yes the elusive almost cult piece around this parts, the RA 1655 what can a guy say about this piece... 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosnik Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 FANTASTICO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Congratulations Stephane. This was the one that got a lot of us drooling over the 1655. RA is sorely missed as his work set the stage for Vintage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailboss Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Amazing, just amazing. You're a lucky man mate! That's as close to a gen as any man could want. If that wasn't good enough you would be in the wrong hobby! Col. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceclimber Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 unbelievable 1655!!! You are a lucky man. Wear it well!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Thanks a lot for your nice comments guys. Yes, I'm a lucky man indeed. If one would have said I would be offered to buy it one day, I would have replied, "No way. This would never happen!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJo35 Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Absolutely beautiful watch Stephane, you've certainly got a keeper there! I can't wait to see it in person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Yes congrats Stephane, this is the best 1655 franken out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 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 !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elepaolo Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 ...and it seems I'll be the first to see it in the flesh ! Lucky me (but Steph is luckier than me, for sure!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpingBunny Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 To me.....Very Beautiful!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torresp Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 That's a real Beauty I will admire it in rela life during the GTG Carpe Diem Cats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Fantastic piece. Your collection is now up there with the greats. RA is a master and very much missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 Absolutely beautiful watch Stephane, you've certainly got a keeper there! I can't wait to see it in person Only so much days to wait and we'll meet again 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 ...and it seems I'll be the first to see it in the flesh ! 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 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 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 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 Come on, you oldies....come back here! We miss you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star69 Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 congrats ! love the vintage Rolex parts - work of art ! cheers, Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbchubb Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 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.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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