Is a Super Franken AP ROO possible?

[Porscheguy21]

Hey folks! I'm new to the whole AP rep game and this is my first time posting here so some questions may sound stupid or already answered. While browsing, I found a gen AP 3126 movement for sale here. If the listing goes away or doesn't work, I will have screenshots posted below. I'm just wondering if you can use the JF AP ROO as a base for a super franken. Is the JF case good enough or there are flaws in it which makes it impossible to drop a gen movement in?
I understand that NOOB and ARF makes great sub for a franken project but can you straight up drop a gen movement into an AP ROO case from JF?
Thanks!
:drinks_cheers:
https://imgur.com/a/KR4SiDD

 

[BIONONE]

Welcome!

it is not that easy. Better you do a bit more reading in the AP section specifically in the franken part of this forum

But the short version of it is:

- you will have to produce a custom movement holder as the holder for the 7750 won't fit the 3126.

- next you will have to relocate the crown position off center as the 3126 is a 3120 with a Dubois Depraz chrono module on top of it - so pushers and crown are not lined up like on the 7750

- then you will need a gen dial as the rep dial has wrong specs (for example and first of all the DW)

- then you will need gen hands or a custom set (preferably old ref hands made by mikey from RWG)

- if you want to go the full franken road you will also have to thin down the case and case back and put the beauty on a gen hornback alligator strap

- oh and not to forget you will need a rotor - therefor you will have to mod a rep rotor to make it fit the right bearing (I'm not a watch smith so please excuse my lack of foreign language hehe)

in the end you will also need someone to do the work for you after you collected all the parts needed and you are good to go - there is a thread regarding the same plan as yours with a 44mm Panda made out of a JF rep.

Some guys do pretty amazing stuff even though it costs a lot of money time and effort.

 

[yellowfinger]

Wow this is very informative. Thanks. When you say the rep dial has all the wrong specs first of all the DW. What does DW mean? Sorry not familiar with all the terms What else is wrong with the dial.

 

[Porscheguy21]

Welcome!

it is not that easy. Better you do a bit more reading in the AP section specifically in the franken part of this forum

But the short version of it is:

- you will have to produce a custom movement holder as the holder for the 7750 won't fit the 3126.

- next you will have to relocate the crown position off center as the 3126 is a 3120 with a Dubois Depraz chrono module on top of it - so pushers and crown are not lined up like on the 7750

- then you will need a gen dial as the rep dial has wrong specs (for example and first of all the DW)

- then you will need gen hands or a custom set (preferably old ref hands made by mikey from RWG)

- if you want to go the full franken road you will also have to thin down the case and case back and put the beauty on a gen hornback alligator strap

- oh and not to forget you will need a rotor - therefor you will have to mod a rep rotor to make it fit the right bearing (I'm not a watch smith so please excuse my lack of foreign language hehe)

in the end you will also need someone to do the work for you after you collected all the parts needed and you are good to go - there is a thread regarding the same plan as yours with a 44mm Panda made out of a JF rep.

Some guys do pretty amazing stuff even though it costs a lot of money time and effort.

Thank you, it's very informative! My wallet is screaming at me while I was reading this. I don't have too much knowledge when it comes to AP but you shed some light on it for me. I will take your advice and read the AP forums more. The whole machining the case and having to find a movement holder for the 3126 in itself is a nightmare. I honestly really do wonder if anyone on RWI have a Super Franken AP ROO.

Wow this is very informative. Thanks. When you say the rep dial has all the wrong specs first of all the DW. What does DW mean? Sorry not familiar with all the terms What else is wrong with the dial.

Hey! Thank you for participating in this discussion! DW means Date Wheel or Date Window (we're talking about date window for this thread btw). There is a lot of jargon going around and there is no such thing as a stupid question! If you compare a genuine ROO to a JF ROO, you would notice that the date window on the 3 o clock position is not that deep and the spacing of it isn't correct. The rep hand stack bottom in the middle is a little fatter compared to the gen hand stack bottom. You can always buy a gen dial but the hands, movement, case, etc comes by very hard

 

[legend]

The short answer is yes, it is possible.
My friend BIONONE has said it all so I will not add more details there lest it confuses you.
I will just tell you that a "super franken" AP ROO (gen everything except case) will likely cost you about $10-12k depending on the model, but in theory it is doable.
The datewheel is the disc displaying the dates 1-31 and the date window is the aperture through which you view the datewheel, through a cyclop.

The gen dial will take care of the date window issue, and the gen movement should likely include a date wheel. Hope that clears things up a little more.
The gen hands and gen rotor will be the hardest to source if you are planning such a build.

 

[brane]

hey BIONONE you didnt mention the credit card

edit: oops, left the most important advice for the end

 

[rolexwatchfan]

This could scratch that itch a little: https://www.repgeek.com/rep-watch-trade/292540-wts-rare-ap-red-batons-franken.html

 

[Garuda]

Porscheguy21 finding the genuine rotor bearing to fit that movement is not easy. unless you have plans for open case back watches it is cheaper to use a $800 lwo283 movement. sourcing the genuine hands is difficult part

 

[QueTip]

Porscheguy21 finding the genuine rotor bearing to fit that movement is not easy. unless you have plans for open case back watches it is cheaper to use a $800 lwo283 movement. sourcing the genuine hands is difficult part

This. Rotor / and or bearing is close to impossible to source and if will cost a fortune. A rep rotor can’t be fitted without having a genuine bearing. I’ve been on this matter for a long time. You will NEED a genuine bearing or else it ain’t worth shit.

@OP, there are several super Franken Offshores our in the wild, don’t think it hasn’t been done. It’s been done long long ago.

 

[legend]

This. Rotor / and or bearing is close to impossible to source and if will cost a fortune. A rep rotor can’t be fitted without having a genuine bearing. I’ve been on this matter for a long time. You will NEED a genuine bearing or else it ain’t worth shit.

@OP, there are several super Franken Offshores our in the wild, don’t think it hasn’t been done. It’s been done long long ago.

you forgot to mention that there are regular frankens, and there are Quetip Frankens.
lol

 

[Porscheguy21]

Legacy QueTip I see both of your guy's name a lot on the forums but when I browse the supporting vendors area I don't see your name there. What kind of services do you two provide when it comes to AP or even Rolex? I've been waiting patiently and reading the forums everyday for my first rep purchase from a TD here and wanting to make my watch better with help of the members here.

 

[Porscheguy21]

Porscheguy21 finding the genuine rotor bearing to fit that movement is not easy. unless you have plans for open case back watches it is cheaper to use a $800 lwo283 movement. sourcing the genuine hands is difficult part

Thank you for your input! I looked into the LWO 283 Movement and was wondering if a gen dial of a ROO would fit that movement. Speaking about the rotor, I wonder why the seller didn't include a rotor with the movement or this is just an isolated occurrence.

 

[tosoboso]

Thank you for your input! I looked into the LWO 283 Movement and was wondering if a gen dial of a ROO would fit that movement. Speaking about the rotor, I wonder why the seller didn't include a rotor with the movement or this is just an isolated occurrence.

OP, glad you're reviving, somewhat, the AP frankens discussions.

On the other hand, please do some reading. With all due respect, there's so much priceless information about AP frankens on this forum that any Swiss manufacturer would blush if they bothered to read all of that. If you want to enjoy this hobby do your readings, otherwise you're better off buying something off any of the well known members, AP frankens come and go on the sales section all the time. The gen 3126 is a nice movement no (much) doubt, but there are so many more important things in building a franken than a gen calibre.

 

[legend]

Legacy QueTip I see both of your guy's name a lot on the forums but when I browse the supporting vendors area I don't see your name there. What kind of services do you two provide when it comes to AP or even Rolex? I've been waiting patiently and reading the forums everyday for my first rep purchase from a TD here and wanting to make my watch better with help of the members here.

We are both not supporting vendors.
I mod APs for members who ask and quetip lives the good life and is very knowledgeable but he does not concern himself with stuff as mundane as modding lol.


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