; Inside a Franken UPO build

[SpootyPuff]

Abit late but better than never

I took all these pics today instead of during the build - I was too focused on the watch that even if I decided to take pics during, there would be only a handful lol

So, here are some background facts on the piece:

Omega UPO from Mary @ Watch International
Movement - Swiss 2824-2

Installed by yours truly:
GEN Dial
GEN Hands (hour, min, sec)
GEN Datewheel
GEN Crown
GEN Stem
GEN Tube
GEN Crystal
+some other mods, I'll show with pics along the way

Outside Shots
Just a few showing the dial's texture under direct sunlight/different angles

Lume Shot
Obligatory

Case back
Standard UPO caseback. The serial# is on the bottom-most lug in this pic. Also, comes with anti-magnetic shield. The underside of the case back has 'Omega' stuff on it.

Movement: Swiss 2824-2
Abit hard to tell, but the ETA stamp and '2824-2' is at the edge of the movement around the balance wheel.

Helium Release Valve
Mine came with an O-ring beneath the cap so I greased that.

Not taking any chances, I also used marine epoxy to seal the inside. In fact, I put so much, I had to shave down a bit of the movement holder just so it could fit properly

Tube
When I installed the tube, I didn't feel it had a proper tight fit so I used the same marine epoxy where it attaches to the case..... you never know

Crown/Stem
I've greased up the O-ring underneath the crown. Note how tight of a fit when it's fully screwed down to the case.

The 'Package'
Sourced from Ofrei's. They sent me the tube late as it was in back-order. I had another member from RWG send me his extra gen tube while I waited...so now, I have an extra sitting about.

The 'boo-boo'
I don't have a clue how I got this scratch.... It might have been when I was cleaning the dial with rodico, it picked up something? Anyway, it's light and barely noticeable...I mean barely. It only shows up in certain angles and it took me a bit of time trying to catch the scratch on camera but here it is, tell me if you spot it:

EDIT: I meant tell me "when" you spot it. You guys are geeks, prone to find every detail. :lol:

 

[hooligan76]

Fantastic post & great job with the Franken build, looks awesome!

 

[2004]

I also have a franken UPO and i know how you feel.Wear with grate joy.

 

[Q5?]

Nice work! Did you get a Gen pearl?

 

[SpootyPuff]

Thanks guys!

@Q - naw...never got around to scouring the 'bay. I just stuck with mine. It's pretty decent. The banged up bezel actually adds to the 'character' of the watch, noones ever questioned it I did get a replacement bezel but I never installed it. It's just sitting along with the rep & extra parts. *might look to selling this as well - I can't get BK's YM outta my head!!!!

 

[R2D4]

On the dial between 5 and 6. Barely noticeable. Kudos on the work. I like the epoxy idea too, otherwise it would be too loose. Rep points awarded for the post. Thank you.

 

[Q5?]

The banged up bezel actually adds to the 'character' of the watch

+1 here.

*might look to selling this as well - I can't get BK's YM outta my head!!!!

NO!!!:arghh:

 

[donjuan348]

How much are these upgrades?

 

[WatchDoc]

How much are these upgrades?

I was curious about that too, so assuming it's a caliber 2500, I started looking around ofrei.com since I think he said thats where he got stuff
Hands: $38
second hand $17
http://www.ofrei.com/omega-watch-hands-caliber-2500.html
Dial $242
http://www.ofrei.com/page1123.html

Finding the crystal is harder, the site doesn't list stuff by watch name or year. You need to know the exact part number for that, as well as the case, and I'm sure the tubes too.

 

[SpootyPuff]

@R2D4 - thanks Glad you liked it!! Your reference page helped tremendously!

@Q5 - I might not have to...T4D's milgauss YM looks amazing! I'm def. selling my BR02 so I can fund that but we'll see!

@donjuan/watchdoc - I used R2's reference guide here:
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/r2d4s-45-5-planet-ocean-23705

The crystal was around $120ish
Crown was probably between $30-$40
Tube was $6ish
Datewheel around $10

Couldn't remember the prices but that's ball park!

 

[Speedman]

@R2D4 - thanks Glad you liked it!! Your reference page helped tremendously!

@Q5 - I might not have to...T4D's milgauss YM looks amazing! I'm def. selling my BR02 so I can fund that but we'll see!

@donjuan/watchdoc - I used R2's reference guide here:
http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/r2d4s-45-5-planet-ocean-23705

The crystal was around $120ish
Crown was probably between $30-$40
Tube was $6ish
Datewheel around $10

Couldn't remember the prices but that's ball park!

Do you see yourself as a novice when it comes to franken watches? Ive never done anything like this, but I really would like to give it a try, but dont know how much work it is......

 

[SpootyPuff]

I would still say I'm a novice... just more 'comfortable' in a roundabout way.

That was actually the first time I've ever pulled a crown, believe it or not!

It also has alot to do with your mindset. If you're already thinking "oh s#!t, I'm gonna screw this up!" before you even begin then I would say the task is way ahead of you. You need alot of patience and steady hands! No coffee or beer lol although I was actually coming home from happy hour when I did that... that's probably why I don't remember the light nick on the dial

There are tutorials on this forum about it that I followed and also alot of extremely helpful members to help you if you get stuck. I've had a few stumbles along the way, but as long as you don't freak out you'll be ok. I took out those hands about +10 times trying to get the date to switch over as close to midnight as I can...then about another +2 or so because the datewheel wasn't fully in its place and kept popping out when I scroll through it.

I would also add to go your own pace. Don't plan on finishing it the same day...just tackle things one by one. The most joy I get out of this hobby is the overall journey, whether I'm modding or researching a rep before pulling the trigger with a specific dealer. The more blood & sweat you put into it, the happier you'll be with a greater sense of accomplishment when it's finished.

Attack this project head-on with success in thought and an open mind to learn and fix things as you go along and you'll get this done in a breeze

If you go through with it and need help, I'd be more than happy to oblige!

 

[Edgematic]

looks nice ian!Which tutorial-threads did you use? I'm planning to frankenize my UPO as well, by myself

 

[SpootyPuff]

thx edgematic!

I used a combination of these tutorials and some common sense for the rest:

- http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=24567
- http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=39872
- http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/waterproof-noti-guide-helping-your-41903?t=41903

cheers

 

[trksh-bzr]

nice job, Ian.
really great watch. such a pleasure with the omegas that you can get the gen parts so easily

 

[SpootyPuff]

you're right turk, it is an absolute pleasure working on Omegas!

too bad the gen parts for Rolex are not as accessible!
well...good and bad I supposed.... I would be hella broke if Rolex made it so!

 

[Q5?]

you're right turk, it is an absolute pleasure working on Omegas!

too bad the gen parts for Rolex are not as accessible!
well...good and bad I supposed.... I would be hella broke if Rolex made it so!

Not sure if I gave you props on doing this yourself! Very impressive.

 

[QinetiQ]

Wow, those pics make me regret selling my gen pumpkin

 

[SpootyPuff]

thanks Q5!! I'll be doing it again once I'm ready and able to find a 4th gen!

@QinetiQ - I hear ya! looking back at this thread makes me regret selling mine too.... this watch of course, not gen lol

 

[jiddy]

Nicely done
I´m impressed with the members doing the work themself, but will probably end up there some day I hope.

Might go to my brother and borrow his UPO and "feel" it a little, might be able to convince him to sell it cheap hehe!

Wear it well mate.

/J