A guide to 16613 builds /FRANKENING

[Smoke]

Quetip good work bro nice to see a member accually doing wirk?

 

[bgreg]

Truth. My "cheap" TT build was originally supposed to cost $1500 max. It easily hit 3k when I started realizing id need real gold and a special movement for everything I wanted. Not fun because I'd already bought all the cheap parts.

mghm3
What parts did you use for the $3k build? I'm sure you probably went closer to 4K then 3k. lol

 

[QueTip]

Quetip good work bro nice to see a member accually doing wirk?

Cheers bro Means a lot coming from you mate

 

[mghm3]

mghm3
What parts did you use for the $3k build? I'm sure you probably went closer to 4K then 3k. lol

The 3-4k one was the vintage one I posted.
specs are
"- Startime case set
- Startime solid gold bezel
- ST bezel washer
- Genuine 16613 bracelet with WSO endlinks
- Genuine Rolex insert
- Genuine Rolex rusty dial
- Genuine Rolex hands (custom aged)
- Genuine Rolex date disc (still need to swap for open 6 font)
- Genuine Rolex crown
- TC crystal (will upgrade in the future)
- Service yuki 3135 movement
-Waterproofed to 7ATM"

I never actually totalled the cost for it, but it was between 3 and 4k once I put the gen bracelet on. Now I keep it on everest rubber with a glidelock clasp which lowers the value significantly and makes it a lot more wearable, especially at the beach.

 

[JoeyT]

I can attest that great TT sub builds cost a lot. Mine all told is 5k+

 

[QueTip]

I can attest that great TT sub builds cost a lot. Mine all told is 5k+

Worth the money though :thumbsup:

 

[JoeyT]

Worth the money though :thumbsup:

Its worth every penny my friend. Pure sex that watch is

 

[bgreg]

QueTip
I just did a rough estimate on Ebay, ST, and WSO, using your parts list and came up with about $3500 in parts. So I can easily see another $1000 or so on top of that. I have to do some serious thinking about this one. lol
Great thread bro, great watch.

 

[OmegaRules]

Good info and thanks for sharing the project.


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[QueTip]

QueTip
I just did a rough estimate on Ebay, ST, and WSO, using your parts list and came up with about $3500 in parts. So I can easily see another $1000 or so on top of that. I have to do some serious thinking about this one. lol
Great thread bro, great watch.

Thats a real rough estimate though bro. You'd have to get steal prices on some parts to keep it <3.5k with the specs I listed..

 

[ceoCorona]

Great thread. Keep up the good work.

 

[sujaul]

Thank you for the insight! Tough franken to nail indeed esp for a noob like me

 

[Om3ga_guy]

Bump


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[JoeyT]

Hey guys, if looking on eBay for parts, seller: rlxwatchparts has helped me in the past. He might have some 16613 gen parts for everyone looking.

 

[WatchMe01]

So, i already have a wm9 with gen insert. Thinking about frankening more..

I wonder if ST or WSO gokd bezels are an easy swap? Do i need to change the retaining ring too?
If so, maybe upgrading to gen cystal is another good idea too (togerher)

What is your advice?
ST or wso bezel? And what is the code of the spot on gen crystal?

 

[DayWalker]

This is a good related read: http://www.bernardwatch.com/blog/things-you-should-know-when-buying-a-submariner/

 

[DayWalker]

If I swap the dial and the insert on a black 16613 to blue will it be accurate? In other words, are black and blue 16613 watches exactly the same except for the dial and insert?

 

[JoeyT]

If I swap the dial and the insert on a black 16613 to blue will it be accurate? In other words, are black and blue 16613 watches exactly the same except for the dial and insert?

Yes they are, you could buy a Franken black (like mine ) and just sell the dial and insert and make enough to buy the blue

 

[QueTip]

So, i already have a wm9 with gen insert. Thinking about frankening more..

I wonder if ST or WSO gokd bezels are an easy swap? Do i need to change the retaining ring too?
If so, maybe upgrading to gen cystal is another good idea too (togerher)

What is your advice?
ST or wso bezel? And what is the code of the spot on gen crystal?

I personally would set ST over WSO any time (I listed from #1 downwards all the time in my tut ). But it's tough to get an ST bezel if you don't have an account there. WSO is fine too man!
You gotta get an additional retainer from either ST or WSO, as they are straight fit with it. When staying on TC bezel assembly it needs some sanding to be done to make it fit.

For the crystal it depends on what kind of dial and specs you have or if you give a damn about periodic correctness.
There's a few different crystals.
You'll be needing 25-295C! :thumbsup:

This is a good related read: http://www.bernardwatch.com/blog/things-you-should-know-when-buying-a-submariner/

That's the same stuff I listed in my thread, just with 16610's :lol:

 

[Retina]

A toast to the many members who made those Frankens possible, definitely a piece worth frankening up for.