casanile Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Perhaps you remember the thread SMP « too good to be true ». We discovered a seller which was selling an “old factory” (or kind of) Black SMP 2254.50. Only a few of us received the right stuff and unfortunately some did not… I was one of the golden who had the right watch. The watch is my daily beater. It’s really a pretty well built piece. I swim with it for almost 2 years, no sign of rust. Except normal signs of wearing, the watch still looks brand new today. BTW, my gen 2220.80 which is 6 months younger shows more signs of wear, especially on the clasp. I wear it very less often than the rep, I can’t understand that… So, the watch: Silver 2824-2 mov. with a very well done decorated rotor. Asian I think. Hev accurate Rep Pearl is the best I saw, but still far from a gen. Wrong crowns guard Dial is almost perfect. Correct sized hands Bad loupe effect, No AR as the gen. Pic courtesy of Ryaku Insert misaligned about 1mm. Lume on the hands and the pearl is perfect, but too weak on the markers. 60 clicks only Heavy weight built bracelet with a nice clasp pic courtesy of Ryaku As for my SMP chrono, In order to make it definitely a keeper, I searched for a long time gen parts to mod it right. Done: Gen bezel Rep insert from Andrew’s SMP chrono 2594.50, same as gen… Really, I’m not kidding… Gen glass with AR coating Gen dial. As Bricciola did a very good work on my SMP chrono, I gave him this baby too. Super rep will born… I hope... I’m on a 1108 mov, but I don’t know if it will fit. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAMman Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I don't think that the genuine movement will fit as it's based on the ETA 2892, which is thinner. The crown & stem sit lower in the rep than the gen - that's why the CG's are different, as the gen crown sits up against the base of the bezel without any space for the case to extend through between the crown and bezel. The rep case resembles the genuine GMT in this respect, due to the 2824 / 2836 movement being closer in thickness to the gen 2893 based GMT movement. You could probably mod the rep into an accurate GMT more easily. These are excellent watches - I have had 3 and sold the last (best) one fairly recently. Sadly missed I must say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayward Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 You could probably mod the rep into an accurate GMT more easily. The GMT doesn't have an HE valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted June 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I don't think that the genuine movement will fit as it's based on the ETA 2892, which is thinner. The crown & stem sit lower in the rep than the gen - that's why the CG's are different, as the gen crown sits up against the base of the bezel without any space for the case to extend through between the crown and bezel. The rep case resembles the genuine GMT in this respect, due to the 2824 / 2836 movement being closer in thickness to the gen 2893 based GMT movement. You could probably mod the rep into an accurate GMT more easily. These are excellent watches - I have had 3 and sold the last (best) one fairly recently. Sadly missed I must say. Thanks, I'll wait for a 1120. So modding crown guards like on subs isn't an option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayward Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Mine has the correct HEV and crown guards but no serial number on the lug...pearl needs a re-lume after I modded it. I also fitted genuine sapphire single AR crystal and new swiss 2824. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted June 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Beautiful one... I've read your thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Domenico returned me the watch with most of the gen parts not installed. He changed only the dial. But, considering the insert is not aligned anymore, I think that he tried to put the gen bezel and then gave up. I know, bad pic... Just an Iphone to use for now, sorry... Lume shot with my gen 2220.80 As you can see, there is a color difference between the gen dial and the rep hands on this pic. But curiously, I can't see a difference with my eyes and on this pic... ???? As he is on vacation, I cannot ask to him whether the gen parts didn't made it or if he did not have time to do it. Now, I want to finish the work myself. It remains me to install the gen bezel and the gen glass. Does anyone knows if the gen glass and gen bezel fits on this "closed factory"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 I scratched the glass while I was taking off the insert. Domenico answered me, He swapped the bezel. He put back by mistake the old insert, nobody is perfect. He told me that he had to modify deeply the case in order to install the gen bezel. I checked that. It clicks so good now, a member wrote that Domenico is an engineer, I think he's right. I began, now I 'll finish and clean my mess. I'll use all the tools I bought to change insert and glass. And then... maybe... I'll join the private self-modders club... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayward Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Domenico returned me the watch with most of the gen parts not installed. He changed only the dial. But, considering the insert is not aligned anymore, I think that he tried to put the gen bezel and then gave up. I know, bad pic... Just an Iphone to use for now, sorry... Lume shot with my gen 2220.80 As you can see, there is a color difference between the gen dial and the rep hands on this pic. But curiously, I can't see a difference with my eyes and on this pic... ???? As he is on vacation, I cannot ask to him whether the gen parts didn't made it or if he did not have time to do it. Now, I want to finish the work myself. It remains me to install the gen bezel and the gen glass. Does anyone knows if the gen glass and gen bezel fits on this "closed factory"? Gen crystal fits the closed factory case perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Gen crystal fits the closed factory case perfectly. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Remember to take it slow while performing the mods. Don't rush or hurry the process And if you're working with case knifes, etc. to try and remove bezels, be sure to mask the adjacent edges with thick masking tape to protect the surfaces! It may take a few minutes to mask everything off, but if it saves you some knicks and scratches it will be time well spent. Good luck and have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Thanks Ubi. Well, Domenico did the biggest part of the job. Now, I only have to change the glass. The gen bezel is already fitted and after a sand down, the new insert seems to be easy to install... ... Theorically... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 I was ready to play the watchmaker Everything was set. Tools ready, tutorial on screen, yoga done... Et voila! I'm definitely damned on watchmaking... Really, I MEAN IT. Easy to say for me but I swear that usually I'm not bad with my hands After one hour of attempts, my case opener died and the caseback didn't move a micron. I'm p.... off, but I'll try a last time with a jaxa type opener. Another laugh coming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayward Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 I was ready to play the watchmaker Everything was set. Tools ready, tutorial on screen, yoga done... Et voila! I'm definitely damned on watchmaking... Really, I MEAN IT. Easy to say for me but I swear that usually I'm not bad with my hands After one hour of attempts, my case opener died and the caseback didn't move a micron. I'm p.... off, but I'll try a last time with a jaxa type opener. Another laugh coming... Sorry to see you're having problems ...for what it's worth, that's the wrong type of caseback opener for the Seamaster back anyway which is probably why you couldn't get the back off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayward Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 Did you try the duct tape method? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff g Posted July 18, 2009 Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 I love seeing pics of this watch. I have recently modded my closed factory case, and although not 'perfect' to gen, it has become my new favorite 'beater'. I purchased the gen rubber strap and deployment, and I find that it only makes a beautiful watch - more beautiful. The 2254. is fast becoming a 'Grail' watch for many since Omega no longer offers this model. A true classic. I much prefer the 2254.50 to the Planet Ocean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted July 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2009 Sorry to see you're having problems ...for what it's worth, that's the wrong type of caseback opener for the Seamaster back anyway which is probably why you couldn't get the back off. Yeah, thanks... This tool was working perfectly, I opened and closed all my omegas several time with it. I think Domenico used a big bergeon one to secure the case so my my little tool wasn't tough enough after that. Did you try the duct tape method? What about? To strengthen the damaged tool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosk Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 What about? To strengthen the damaged tool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 Oh yes, sorry... Not sure too this method could work , the case don't move, seems welded... I ordered this jaxa type tool, is it the one you think about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 That Jaxa wrench will work fine for Omega casebacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted August 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 The jaxa didn't work too. The caseback was extremely screwed like welded. I decided to stop scratching my watch and shipped it back to Domenico last week. Shame, I was so happy to perform modds by myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayward Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 The jaxa didn't work too. The caseback was extremely screwed like welded. I decided to stop scratching my watch and shipped it back to Domenico last week. Shame, I was so happy to perform modds by myself. What a shame! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casanile Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 First pic of the watch finished from Domenico! Just can't wait... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricciola Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Hello Antomaty, se vuoi ti mando prima l'omega ciao First pic of the watch finished from Domenico! Just can't wait... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.