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After the latest thread i saw i wondered why there is not an Official Franken Planet Ocean Thread, so i thought to gather all the data available on the forum and make one to force more and more to make one... You are going down people!!!
Ok so you want to make a franken eh? And you have chosen the parts you want to install already and want to order them? Parts orders usually are made via:
• Ofrei
• CousinsUK (You have to register here to have access)
Here you can find the numbers of the parts
R2D4's 45.5MM Planet Ocean Part Number Reference Guide
R2D4's 42MM Planet Ocean Part Number Reference Guide
Many thanks to R2D4 who has provided us with those lists and saved us from searching each one of them. These numbers are for ofrei, and the ones for cousins are now added as well, note that some parts are not available from them. Easy?
Well you are still thinking of making one but you are not sure yet if you want to spent all that money to a franken project or how easy is that thing to make. Let's take a look at the list of the proud owners, what parts did they installed, what mods did they do, what difficulties they faced and of course their photos during the process and the final the result.
In alphabetically order:
ado213's Franken UPO
Angkikee's Franken UPO
Boneyjr's Franken UPO
chaw6125's Franken PO
Co-Axial's Franken PO
SpootyPuff's Franken UPO
Inushuk's Franken UPO
Kmac's Franken UPO
Ko67's
Luckie's Franken PO
Mercedes123's Franken PO
Om3ga_guy's Franken PO
Om3ga_guy's Franken PO V5
Mekki's Franken PO
Mercedes123's Franken PO
Mercedes123's ranken Omega PO Casino Royale "007"
Mr. Pap's Franken UPO
Olworthers's Franken UPO
Puddleduck's Franken PO 5th Generation
Q5?'s Franken PO 4th Gen
Q5?'s Franken PO 5th Gen
Q5?'s Franken UPO
Santre22 's Franken CrPO <--- A really special project!
Sunnydale's Franken UPO
TheCold's mini Franken UPO
Tome's Franken PO
Zokim's Franken PO
I hope i didn't forget anyone, please if i did drop me a pm to fix that, i will try to keep the list updated as possible as that can be.
Meanwhile any info, photo or whatever you got about Franken UPOs and POs projects please post it! I hope you find the info useful and many will follow.
Let the party begin people!!!
So i have been here for some time and have seen some debates about the issue, most of the time you read the same comments from same people, but there were some really cool debates... Let me give you a taste...
Is "Frankening" worth it...???
Would I buy a franken for $1000....
Why build a franken?
How do all you "UPO franken nuts" reconcile
And remember, if you still ask about making one, then its not for you
So you want to know the basics before you get the parts. Let's see some details about all of them.
• Dial and Hands
Ok if you want to give a priority to the parts, dial and hands should go first, they are a straight swap and the totally deserve the money. The latest (5th) generation dial and hands are close to gen ones if you want to just relume them as to save some money.
• Crown and Tube
If i had some money to spent just to make my rep look better i would do that for sure. I have seen many threads with PO and UPO owners complaining about the tube stripping out with the use. Pay attention though, when installing the crown you may need to drill a little bit the case as the gen crown to sit flush, i had to do it, in some other projects i have seen the crown just fitted perfect without any modification.
• Crystal
If you have installed gen Dial and Hands you have to buy a gen Crystal, the difference is huge, the clarity is amazing, you won't stop looking at your watch. Again if you want to save some money you can just do an AR job to the existent one, it will look again a lot better! If you buy a gen gasket also, you will need to make it a little thinner to fit.
• Bezel
Ok about that there has been a lot of talk. The choices are two:
1. You can buy the gen bezel, it's a little expensive but you will have the perfect pearl. The 42mm it is supposed to be straight swap and the 45.5mm with a little mod. Some say it won't fit but i have seen Inushuk's working just perfect after Uwe's modification, so if you ask me it can be done also.
2. You don't want to risk a perfect rotating bezel so you just want to change the insert only. Most popular choice is ebay seller, wholesaleoutlet990. They are better than the rep ones but some members have complained, so generally let's say it's a hit and miss. For a better result you can buy a gen used seamaster bezel from ebay and swap the pearls and have a great result for 1/3 of the price of the gen bezel.
• HE Valve
Some say its an unnecessary modification, cause the money are a lot and the difference is small. I can't say i disagree but in case you do get one you will need to use epoxy there from the inside to waterproof it. Not a bad modification for sure.
• Datewheel
This small add on makes a huge difference, there is a photo in one of those threads showing the fonts of the rep and gen datewheel... Small price for a great result, in case you use the clone movement.
• Caseback
Who will see the case back? None... How much it costs? A lot!!!If you want to make the difference buy one. The anti counterfeit globe logo is missing from all the UPOs, although even some early gen editions didn't have the globe too... If you have to cut something from the budget, this have to be out of your list...
• Strap and Bracelet
Lets start with the Bracelet, well its damn expensive!!! If you want to buy one, get it as not to live with the fear that your expensive franken will meet the floor sometime. Better choice is the rubber strap, you can find a decent used one on ebay anytime or in the sales area. Be careful cause there a lot of reps out there and make sure that, that little things holding the keeper in position are in good shape so as not to be stuck with a bad one...
Most of the info, actually all of them, can be found on the above topics, but i made a summary for the lazy ones that don't want to read all that stuff... Well you should!!! There are great info there, these only give you an idea...
So you feel comfortable working on your reps, or you want to start trying or dont have the money to send it to one of our professionals modders. Here are some tutorials i found (i hope i will find some more) regarding some modifications made by some great members. Grab your tools and start the work...
How to Install a GEN BEZEL on You UPO in 15 Minutes or Less
Planet Ocean Bezel Construction
UPO (45.5) Gen insert to Rep Bezel Mod
UPO gen bezel fitting - how to
Video Tutorial - Datewheel removal ETA 2824
45.5mm Planet Ocean Gen Crown & Tube Installation
45.5mm Planet Ocean Gen Crystal Installation
Waterproof or not?: Guide to helping your reps survive water
Crystal sealing and waterproofing
How to: Paint mod for the UPO seconds hand. Colour matched.
Well you want to know what are the major flaws as to see what bothers you and change it with a perfect genuine part or modify it to be as close to the gen as it can be..?
Here are some reviews of the latest editions, of genuine ones and some comparisons to see what is good and what its not...
Review - My New Genuine Planet Ocean
New 42mm 5th Gen Omega Planet Ocean Review
Video Review: Narikaa Planet Ocean 42mm
Omega Planet Ocean full review plus compro
Enjoy!!!
Chapter 1: Sourcing the Parts According to their Serial Number
Ok so you want to make a franken eh? And you have chosen the parts you want to install already and want to order them? Parts orders usually are made via:
• Ofrei
• CousinsUK (You have to register here to have access)
Here you can find the numbers of the parts
R2D4's 45.5MM Planet Ocean Part Number Reference Guide
R2D4's 42MM Planet Ocean Part Number Reference Guide
Many thanks to R2D4 who has provided us with those lists and saved us from searching each one of them. These numbers are for ofrei, and the ones for cousins are now added as well, note that some parts are not available from them. Easy?
Chapter 2: The Proud Owners
Well you are still thinking of making one but you are not sure yet if you want to spent all that money to a franken project or how easy is that thing to make. Let's take a look at the list of the proud owners, what parts did they installed, what mods did they do, what difficulties they faced and of course their photos during the process and the final the result.
In alphabetically order:
ado213's Franken UPO
Angkikee's Franken UPO
Boneyjr's Franken UPO
chaw6125's Franken PO
Co-Axial's Franken PO
SpootyPuff's Franken UPO
Inushuk's Franken UPO
Kmac's Franken UPO
Ko67's
Luckie's Franken PO
Mercedes123's Franken PO
Om3ga_guy's Franken PO
Om3ga_guy's Franken PO V5
Mekki's Franken PO
Mercedes123's Franken PO
Mercedes123's ranken Omega PO Casino Royale "007"
Mr. Pap's Franken UPO
Olworthers's Franken UPO
Puddleduck's Franken PO 5th Generation
Q5?'s Franken PO 4th Gen
Q5?'s Franken PO 5th Gen
Q5?'s Franken UPO
Santre22 's Franken CrPO <--- A really special project!
Sunnydale's Franken UPO
TheCold's mini Franken UPO
Tome's Franken PO
Zokim's Franken PO
I hope i didn't forget anyone, please if i did drop me a pm to fix that, i will try to keep the list updated as possible as that can be.
Meanwhile any info, photo or whatever you got about Franken UPOs and POs projects please post it! I hope you find the info useful and many will follow.
Let the party begin people!!!
Chapter 3: The Big Question: To Built or not to Built..?
So i have been here for some time and have seen some debates about the issue, most of the time you read the same comments from same people, but there were some really cool debates... Let me give you a taste...
Is "Frankening" worth it...???
Would I buy a franken for $1000....
Why build a franken?
How do all you "UPO franken nuts" reconcile
And remember, if you still ask about making one, then its not for you
Chapter 4: Some Quick Tips About the Parts and Modifications
So you want to know the basics before you get the parts. Let's see some details about all of them.
• Dial and Hands
Ok if you want to give a priority to the parts, dial and hands should go first, they are a straight swap and the totally deserve the money. The latest (5th) generation dial and hands are close to gen ones if you want to just relume them as to save some money.
• Crown and Tube
If i had some money to spent just to make my rep look better i would do that for sure. I have seen many threads with PO and UPO owners complaining about the tube stripping out with the use. Pay attention though, when installing the crown you may need to drill a little bit the case as the gen crown to sit flush, i had to do it, in some other projects i have seen the crown just fitted perfect without any modification.
• Crystal
If you have installed gen Dial and Hands you have to buy a gen Crystal, the difference is huge, the clarity is amazing, you won't stop looking at your watch. Again if you want to save some money you can just do an AR job to the existent one, it will look again a lot better! If you buy a gen gasket also, you will need to make it a little thinner to fit.
• Bezel
Ok about that there has been a lot of talk. The choices are two:
1. You can buy the gen bezel, it's a little expensive but you will have the perfect pearl. The 42mm it is supposed to be straight swap and the 45.5mm with a little mod. Some say it won't fit but i have seen Inushuk's working just perfect after Uwe's modification, so if you ask me it can be done also.
2. You don't want to risk a perfect rotating bezel so you just want to change the insert only. Most popular choice is ebay seller, wholesaleoutlet990. They are better than the rep ones but some members have complained, so generally let's say it's a hit and miss. For a better result you can buy a gen used seamaster bezel from ebay and swap the pearls and have a great result for 1/3 of the price of the gen bezel.
• HE Valve
Some say its an unnecessary modification, cause the money are a lot and the difference is small. I can't say i disagree but in case you do get one you will need to use epoxy there from the inside to waterproof it. Not a bad modification for sure.
• Datewheel
This small add on makes a huge difference, there is a photo in one of those threads showing the fonts of the rep and gen datewheel... Small price for a great result, in case you use the clone movement.
• Caseback
Who will see the case back? None... How much it costs? A lot!!!If you want to make the difference buy one. The anti counterfeit globe logo is missing from all the UPOs, although even some early gen editions didn't have the globe too... If you have to cut something from the budget, this have to be out of your list...
• Strap and Bracelet
Lets start with the Bracelet, well its damn expensive!!! If you want to buy one, get it as not to live with the fear that your expensive franken will meet the floor sometime. Better choice is the rubber strap, you can find a decent used one on ebay anytime or in the sales area. Be careful cause there a lot of reps out there and make sure that, that little things holding the keeper in position are in good shape so as not to be stuck with a bad one...
Most of the info, actually all of them, can be found on the above topics, but i made a summary for the lazy ones that don't want to read all that stuff... Well you should!!! There are great info there, these only give you an idea...
Chapter 5: Some DIY and Tutorials Available by our Members
So you feel comfortable working on your reps, or you want to start trying or dont have the money to send it to one of our professionals modders. Here are some tutorials i found (i hope i will find some more) regarding some modifications made by some great members. Grab your tools and start the work...
How to Install a GEN BEZEL on You UPO in 15 Minutes or Less
Planet Ocean Bezel Construction
UPO (45.5) Gen insert to Rep Bezel Mod
UPO gen bezel fitting - how to
Video Tutorial - Datewheel removal ETA 2824
45.5mm Planet Ocean Gen Crown & Tube Installation
45.5mm Planet Ocean Gen Crystal Installation
Waterproof or not?: Guide to helping your reps survive water
Crystal sealing and waterproofing
How to: Paint mod for the UPO seconds hand. Colour matched.
Chapter 6: Some Reviews and Comparisons Worth Viewing
Well you want to know what are the major flaws as to see what bothers you and change it with a perfect genuine part or modify it to be as close to the gen as it can be..?
Here are some reviews of the latest editions, of genuine ones and some comparisons to see what is good and what its not...
Review - My New Genuine Planet Ocean
New 42mm 5th Gen Omega Planet Ocean Review
Video Review: Narikaa Planet Ocean 42mm
Omega Planet Ocean full review plus compro
Enjoy!!!
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