Is "Frankening" worth it...???>>>

[INeedaWatch2]

Here's an example. VDB makes his own case sets and puts vintage Rolex and IWC movements in some of them. By your rationale does he now have a Rolex or IWC?

Nope.

I believe that you think that I am saying that you do have a Rolex or an IWC....Nope 007 we are on the same page, and that was my point. If you go back and look at what I wrote about modding is that if you put in a GEN part on your fake watch its still fake. To me people are modding to get the "closeness" of 1:1, well why would it need to be close unless they are trying to pass it off or fool someone. Other wise a rep is a rep and no one really cares anyway. I have read on here that some people that do the Super Avenger Frankens from Smidsy have everything GEN but the case....meaning bracelet, movement, crown/tube, pushers, bezel/click ring, dial, case back and hands have all been changed and he claimed that you could send it to the AD for service blah blah blah.....but truth is even with all of those parts sourced and changed its still a rep....and you're right when you say its up to the individual on where to draw the line.....but I believe that you are trying your best to fool someone when you fraken a watch all the way down to just the case....I could be wrong, but I am sure that watch was dang near the cost of the GEN just to have a rep

 

[avenger007]

I believe that you think that I am saying that you do have a Rolex or an IWC....Nope 007 we are on the same page, and that was my point. If you go back and look at what I wrote about modding is that if you put in a GEN part on your fake watch its still fake. To me people are modding to get the "closeness" of 1:1, well why would it need to be close unless they are trying to pass it off or fool someone. Other wise a rep is a rep and no one really cares anyway.

I don't necessarily agree on that last part. At least not for everyone. I put a gen crown on a 1665 Sea-Dweller because I thought the rep one looked too fat and that little detail totally threw off the aesthetic for me. R2D4 graciously swapped in a gen crown and tube on my SMP chrono, not because I thought I was going to "fool" anyone easier. The rep crown and tube were stripped.

There's obviously a reason we buy a watch with "Rolex" or "Panerai" on the dial. For some it is to "fool" others or give off a certain status, and I think deep down there's probably at least a little of that in all of us, if not we'd just buy Invictas. But what I've found, is just like the 1665 crown, I bought it for me. No one in my professional or personal circles has any clue of what a gen 1665 is or looks like. And 0.0000% of them are going to notice the fat rep crown, much less be bothered by it like I was. I find when I like a certain watch, say a PAM000, it should look a certain way. My H-Factory rep gets me 98% to what that 000 "should" look like, and I can live with that. My Bond SMP rep didn't get me there, so I bought the gen. Frankening is somewhere in between. It's still a rep, no doubt, but it can get you closer to that "picture".

It's a fun topic. I don't know there is a hard and fast line of what is "worth it". To each his own.

 

[giobo]

Believe me mate i can fool many guys without going franken...

I am doing it for my personal taste,for having the fun,of course because i wouldn't take the gen of this watch and in the end it will be something unique..

Sometimes i pass my reps as gens sometimes not...It all has to do with other guys attitude...
Of course we all now that noone cares!!!

 

[Q5?]

If you go back and look at what I wrote about modding is that if you put in a GEN part on your fake watch its still fake. To me people are modding to get the "closeness" of 1:1, well why would it need to be close unless they are trying to pass it off or fool someone.

.....but I believe that you are trying your best to fool someone when you fraken a watch all the way down to just the case.

:nah: I chose to Franken for better function not to fool anyone.

Many members choose to lume their dials so they can read the time at night. Not to fool anyone.

Many members choose to have their crystals AR'd. Because it looks better. Not to fool anyone.

I choose the rep because the Gen was too expensive.

 

[boostin20]

Guys, I respect your decision to not choose to buy/build Franken "FAKE" watches.
Can we move on now?

 

[phillycheez]

My old franken 1680 was actually equal if not BETTER than most Gen Tudors in build quality and on par as far as movement goes.

Gen parts just all around bring a rep to a whole nother level. Beyond it being more accurate its just more pleasing to YOUR eye. Most $250 reps can pass as gen to the 99% so I find it an idiotic argument that people would franken their watch so they can fool people.

 

[sub4me]

I always wonder why guys will spend funds on buying gen box sets and papers for thier rep watch, crazy if you ask me.

 

[Relaxman]

I always wonder why guys will spend funds on buying gen box sets and papers for thier rep watch, crazy if you ask me.

Now that I've never done..

 

[Fidhle007]

I always wonder why guys will spend funds on buying gen box sets and papers for thier rep watch, crazy if you ask me.

To fool their parents.

 

[giobo]

I always wonder why guys will spend funds on buying gen box sets and papers for thier rep watch, crazy if you ask me.

Sub if i found a gen box in a reasonable price i would take it,because maybe i liked the design....
That was my initila thought...

But you are right..Have found many cheap ones and i couldn't spend my money for the box..I just couldn't...

 

[frankt8242]

Especially if they are interested in 3135 movement reps..>>

I always wonder why guys will spend funds on buying gen box sets and papers for thier rep watch, crazy if you ask me.

IMNSFHO, they're preparing for an "Ebay" offering!!!!

 

[arcadia]

Is frankening worth it?

It depends on who are you asking. When I just had my very first rep, I was satisfied. But as I move on and learn more things about reps, my satisfactory level increased making frankening the necessary route in this "hobby" (I always remind myself that).

 

[Q5?]

I'm sure if Gen Rolex, Breitling and Panerai parts were just as easy to get as our Omega parts, there wouldn't be as many "Why Franken" threads. But a lot more Frankenstein monsters! :lol:

 

[zaz]

This might be true. However you're looking at it the wrong way.

First..
Secondly..

Thirdly you can get a 99% close to gen watch for what, 5-10-15% of the cost of a real one.
.

5-10% the price of the cost of Gen. ?
When was the last time you checked the sale thread bonesey?

There is currently a Franken 16610 sub offered at 35% the price of gen. That hasn't even passed a dish washing test, let alone a professional pressure test. I invite you to check it
Out.

I've seen dozens of Franken Pams offered in the $2,400-4,000 range! What saddens me more however are gullible newbies who throw their money at somebody else's whim..

Also, the term "RARE gen. Parts" is far fetched. Rolex for ex. (the most sought after in rep forums) is a mass production giant company. There are like 100 million rollies out there..
Forget that old crap about some in house factory in the highlands of Switzerland forging unique timepieces. This giant corporation produces an excess of 1,200,000 pieces per year. What's rare about that?

It's an outrageous phenomena often leading to fraudulent practices, as most of these "gen" components are but aftermarket parts promoted as authentic.






Sent from my iPhone

 

[trailboss99]

I'm sure if Gen Rolex, Breitling and Panerai parts were just as easy to get as our Omega parts, there wouldn't be as many "Why Franken" threads. But a lot more Frankenstein monsters! :lol:

Don't count on those Omega parts being easy to get for too much longer mate. The tap is about to be shut off and locked.

 

[tjdilla]

Don't count on those Omega parts being easy to get for too much longer mate. The tap is about to be shut off and locked.

care to elaborate TB?

 

[Mr. Pap]

Don't count on those Omega parts being easy to get for too much longer mate. The tap is about to be shut off and locked.

Do you think they are onto us???:lol:

 

[trailboss99]

Simple, Omega are in the process of making spares a lot harder to get hold of.
Very shortly you will need to be an AD or an authorised service agent to obtain spares, the same set up B&R have now for example. A serial number will be required to be quoted.

 

[zaz]

Why franken? Well apart from the fun of it my franken SA's cost me about £1600 for the pair with gen dials, movements and straps. My colleague at work paid £4600 for his gen SA.

We compared his gen side by side with my franken and we could not tell them apart so they are equal as jewellery. Both his gen and my franken have the exact same movement and so they are equal as timepieces. The only major difference, I got 2 for around a third of the price of his one.

If that's not worth it I don't know what is!!

£1,600 for a Franken SA? That's like $2,530 so congrats!

Dude.. there are currently 13 GENUINE SA on eBay alone, offered at below $4,100

Wear it well, But don't even think about that Fred Astaire "walking and singing in the rain" trick.










Sent from my iPhone

 

[tjdilla]

Simple, Omega are in the process of making spares a lot harder to get hold of.
Very shortly you will need to be an AD or an authorised service agent to obtain spares, the same set up B&R have now for example. A serial number will be required to be quoted.

dammmmnnnnn...

better get ordering a whole load of franken parts then hahaha