Franken 8500 swap

[lourentgarnier]

Hi crew!
I've always been in love with the ploprov and since i have my v2 even more. I've been analizing the watch and wow, this watch really is a 1:1 replica imho once a nice lume job is done.
So i was wondering: what about swapping the swiss eta i've got in with a 8500 caliber? Do you think it's possible in case i can source one?
Opinons?

 

[santre22]

Yeah the cheapest way to source one is to buy a pre owned gen aqua terra. There are no exchange movements on this calibre swatch group always repair and only change movement parts. To buy and assemble the movement by parts from swatch group aim at 4500-5000 usd only the main plate is 1250 CHF (1350 usd)... But i think it will fit in the case if you have the original movement holder.

 

[Wiz]

Isn't the 8500 based on the ETA 2892? Not sure it would fit in a case made for a 2824 or 2836.

 

[lourentgarnier]

Santre, that's exactly my idea: get an AT or the cheapest omega i can find with an 8500, swap and sell the gen parts left.

Wiz: important point of course....that is what i'm trying to sort out....

 

[Wiz]

Don't know about the Ploprof, but I know the 2500 doesn't fit the rep PO cases.

 

[frankt8242]

Why would you want to do that...?? >>>

If you have a gen ETA movement in a closed case back watch...???
Wouldn't it be nicer to buy @ a dozen nice reps instead with the $$'s..???

 

[R2D4]

I can help you make you make an instant decision on this. The 8500 is a 19 linge. So you would need really modify the case and the movement holder. I doubt the rep hands would fit exactly either.

Besides, the AT is a beautiful watch. You would end up just loving the AT too much to dismantle it.

 

[Wiz]

19 lignes is kind of huge, isn't it more something like 12 1/2 or 13?

 

[R2D4]

19 lignes is kind of huge, isn't it more something like 12 1/2 or 13?

My mistake on the Ligne size but yes, it's bigger than the 2892. I think it's 13 for the 8500?

 

[phillycheez]

While I'm a sucker for gen movements in frankens I couldn't do this.... The 8500 movement is a beauty and if put in a rep it should be in a build with an exhibition caseback.

Instead of a lume job just buy the gen dial. 2 are on eBay..

 

[airking]

good luck sourcing an 8500 caliber movement. its an in-house omega movement and all the watches with those movements seem to start at $4k. I've seen cheaper 2500 caliber movements on ebay and watches using those movement go for a bit cheaper (Ive seen an aqua terra for $1500-$2000). the 2500 calibers are based on the 2892's so like stated previously it wont fit these omega cases without some mods.

 

[lourentgarnier]

Mine was an idea, just wondering if it was possible and looks like as a difficult and expensive task.
In order to find the 8500 movement i would consider buying an aquaterra and cannibalize it; but anyway.....as said above, looks a difficult and expensive just to have fun to franken a nice watch.