Franken Chopard GT XL Chrono

[ericb196]

After the automatic franken version, I decided to do also a Chrono version.

I started the project with a modded CHopard GT XL Chrono. This watch had a Crystal with a aftermarket AR and a Gen strap.

I managed to found a Valgranges A07.211 and dial + Hands





I send all the parts to Domi so that he could have service the movement and put all the elements on the watch.

The watch came back today and is really nice...

I decided to add some additional franken parts like a Gen Rotor and Gen case back screws.


Little comparison between the 2 rotor :

Gen on the right



Comparison on the case back screws :

Gen screws are longer and nicer :



Then little comparison between a franken and a rep, I let you bet which is what :



Old dial vs Gen Dial



Gen dial (on the left) et rep dial (on the right) :





And finally the watch on the wrist :

 

[toaster]

looks good, how much u sink into this project?

 

[shelby1501]

Jaw dropping... :drool:

 

[ericb196]

looks good, how much u sink into this project?

Not so much at the end

 

[ericb196]

I forgot the movement picture :

 

[nuovo]

Superb outcome! Congratulations!

 

[nuovo]

Actually that aftermarket AR might be even better than the gen.

 

[SSTEEL]

Nice franken. Can I ask where you sourced your genuine parts?

 

[scott335d]

Awesome brother. Great work.

I have the exact same Franken too. Gen dial, hands, tachy ring, crown, strap and even gen movement....

 

[psychom3]

Amazing work!

 

[Dparker1901]

My favorite Chopard. Looks good bro

 

[jpohl402]

I remember seeing this before, thought I had commented?!
Anyway, great build Eric, love it!

 

[kbates213]

That's a beauty. Chopard does not get enough love.

 

[d4m.test]

Love your CHOPARD. It is a stunningly beautiful watch you got there, cant go wrong with a genuine valgranges 07.211, and the dial is great too.

I have a replica of this myself but certanly less beautiful than yours but I have a one of a kind movement that is part Genuine 7750 and part Asian 07.2111, so very unusual. Sorry for poor image quality.

Presently it is on an hornback strap

And this is on rubber

 

[ericb196]

Nice pictures !! The A07.211 is in fact a 7750 but with a bigger main plate. That's why you think it's both The only way to be sure wish movement you have is to check if there is a movement ring or not.... No movement ring means your gtxl is the A07.211 version

 

[d4m.test]

Nice pictures !! The A07.211 is in fact a 7750 but with a bigger main plate. That's why you think it's both The only way to be sure wish movement you have is to check if there is a movement ring or not.... No movement ring means your gtxl is the A07.211 version

Maybe I was not being clear enough. It is actually a custom made Franken movement by Domi, unfortunately is still looks mostly like the asian one since main plate is still from the asian 07.211 (that is as you correctly say its just an larger mainplate asian 7750), but if you look closely you'll spot some genuine SWISS parts on it.

Picture of the asian 07.211 as it was before Domi got his hands on it: Blued screws were also removed.

 

[ericb196]

Got it what was the price of this "mix" ? A gen movement is not necessarily too expensive from my point of view

 

[d4m.test]

Got it what was the price of this "mix" ? A gen movement is not necessarily too expensive from my point of view

You got a great point there

It was way too expensive for what I got in return (300USD including the service I think back in 2010 or so) in terms of improved looks. You see, It turned out the genuine 7750 he was to put into it did not fit into this particular watch as an Valgranges size movement was needed to be inserted ( no ring etc). So he ended up taking some parts of the genuine 7750 (like the plate stamped SWISS) onto the Asian 07.211 size movement...but certainly some parts were not interchangeable that can be clearly seen....I would much rather have a genuine 07.211 like yours but was unable to get it back then

 

[ericb196]

Anyway it's a great piece Perhaps a Gen rotor could make it a little better ? (even if the rep rotor is not so different from the gen, just nicer with a better finish. Gen rotor catch light nicer)

 

[d4m.test]

Sure is a great looking watch, but a gen rotor on this would not help much for my movement. In your Valgranges it is worth it, but not on mine. I'll just keep it on my wrist and simply not show the display back to any "strangers" who could easily spot the hallmarks of an asian movement :whistling: