- 30/5/17
- 333
- 59
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Hi all,
I am quite new to this forum but I wanted to thank you all that have helped me on my journey to build out the best franken day date money can buy.
I started with the idea of buying a gen day date 40 yellow gold so I went down to my local AD and tried it on. Keep in mind, this was the first Rolex that I have ever tried on. My wife asked me what I thought and I said it felt a bit lighter and 'cheaper' than I would have imagined for the price point. Again not knowing much so I decided to do some research online and found this forum!
After looking at some of the frankens I was obsessed with the idea of creating the best day-date franken.
So I created an account on here to do just that!
I started a few threads asking about the best franken YG DD40s. A few of you recommend me to look at 36mm as they were a much 'easier' rep. So I took that lead (thank you to all that recommended this to me).
I then started talking in great detail with @Ride2live who has helped me guide my way through this sea of rep'ness
After much research, I decided that if I wanted to have the best-looking day-date franken that I would need to acquire a TW Best/ WM9/ MBW. Well, I PMed many members that I thought would have one for sale and they all either did not want to sell theirs or already had sold it.
After more research, I realized that there was really only a few in the wild and they just kept getting bought then sold when people either upgraded to gen or wanted a different look.
Well after months @Ride2live notified me that there was one for sale so I jumped on the opportunity and purchased it!
While the watch was being shipped I went down to my AD daily to look and feel a DD36 in YG that they had for sale for $15k. I examined every part of the watch and I can say that the TW Best is dead on to the gen with a few minor issues:
1. Missing case engravings on back e.g 18k and other stamps
2. The case lugs say ORIG ROLEX DESING they swapped the N and G
3. There are no 55 engravings on the end links on the bracelet
4. They did not seem to triple wrap the rose gold clasp so I not sure how it will hold up long term
5. The dial that is stock is not date appropriate ( I could be wrong but I believe it should be T SWISS MADE T not just SWISS MADE)
When the watch arrived it came in amazing condition and I was very excited to have such a rare rep in my hands!
The watch came like this:
It was stunning I could instantly see the gold color difference from my DJ YG rep. The gold color was right on to the gen look and feel from all my time that week checking out the gen!
I am not a diamond person so I decided to work with a very trusted builder @la Fantasma to make a few changes for me:
Gen Dial 100% original Rolex not refinished (acquired)
Gen 18k Rolex Bezel (Still searching found one but did not work due to inside being sanded down the gasket would not fit correctly)
Gen 18k Rolex crown (acquired)
Gen Tudor hands (Still searching)
Gen Day and Date Wheels (using MMM ones for now and searching for ones compatible with ETA) thanks @stonep
Gen sapphire xtal (acquired)
If anyone has any of the above please do let me know!
I will keep everyone posted below on what is being done and use this as a way for us all to learn more about building out a DayDate franked on a TW Best base. Any and all info and guidance would be appreciated!
I am quite new to this forum but I wanted to thank you all that have helped me on my journey to build out the best franken day date money can buy.
I started with the idea of buying a gen day date 40 yellow gold so I went down to my local AD and tried it on. Keep in mind, this was the first Rolex that I have ever tried on. My wife asked me what I thought and I said it felt a bit lighter and 'cheaper' than I would have imagined for the price point. Again not knowing much so I decided to do some research online and found this forum!
After looking at some of the frankens I was obsessed with the idea of creating the best day-date franken.
So I created an account on here to do just that!
I started a few threads asking about the best franken YG DD40s. A few of you recommend me to look at 36mm as they were a much 'easier' rep. So I took that lead (thank you to all that recommended this to me).
I then started talking in great detail with @Ride2live who has helped me guide my way through this sea of rep'ness
After much research, I decided that if I wanted to have the best-looking day-date franken that I would need to acquire a TW Best/ WM9/ MBW. Well, I PMed many members that I thought would have one for sale and they all either did not want to sell theirs or already had sold it.
After more research, I realized that there was really only a few in the wild and they just kept getting bought then sold when people either upgraded to gen or wanted a different look.
Well after months @Ride2live notified me that there was one for sale so I jumped on the opportunity and purchased it!
While the watch was being shipped I went down to my AD daily to look and feel a DD36 in YG that they had for sale for $15k. I examined every part of the watch and I can say that the TW Best is dead on to the gen with a few minor issues:
1. Missing case engravings on back e.g 18k and other stamps
2. The case lugs say ORIG ROLEX DESING they swapped the N and G
3. There are no 55 engravings on the end links on the bracelet
4. They did not seem to triple wrap the rose gold clasp so I not sure how it will hold up long term
5. The dial that is stock is not date appropriate ( I could be wrong but I believe it should be T SWISS MADE T not just SWISS MADE)
When the watch arrived it came in amazing condition and I was very excited to have such a rare rep in my hands!
The watch came like this:
It was stunning I could instantly see the gold color difference from my DJ YG rep. The gold color was right on to the gen look and feel from all my time that week checking out the gen!
I am not a diamond person so I decided to work with a very trusted builder @la Fantasma to make a few changes for me:
Gen Dial 100% original Rolex not refinished (acquired)
Gen 18k Rolex Bezel (Still searching found one but did not work due to inside being sanded down the gasket would not fit correctly)
Gen 18k Rolex crown (acquired)
Gen Tudor hands (Still searching)
Gen Day and Date Wheels (using MMM ones for now and searching for ones compatible with ETA) thanks @stonep
Gen sapphire xtal (acquired)
If anyone has any of the above please do let me know!
I will keep everyone posted below on what is being done and use this as a way for us all to learn more about building out a DayDate franked on a TW Best base. Any and all info and guidance would be appreciated!
