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

[Q5?]

Since we are on the subject, I'd like to quote.........

Once upon a time (i.e. a few years ago), a franken meant any watch that was put together out of genuine parts--ALL genuine parts. This standard has been relaxed considerably, to the point where a Noobmariner with a Rolex crown is sometimes called a franken. Some say that you need at least a gen dial or movement before you can say you have a 'true franken'. But until the Franken Regulatory Commission of Geneva rules one way or another, it's a tedious argument over semantics. All I care about is honesty over the parts you've got.

And maybe some guys could take it easy with calling their watches "super franken", "hyper franken", and "double secret franken"!

http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/franken-rep-64948?p=718510&highlight=franken

 

[TheCold]

To franken or not to franken....

Easy choice for me, a watch to me is not an investment, you can invest in buying property, stocks etc. Watches are to be worn!

When frankening a watch you'll know every little detail about the watch which makes you a bit of an expert in specific watches.

A decent franken mod can cost 500$ whilst a new GEN goes for about 10 times as much, I don't really see the advantage in spending 10 times as much on almost the same thing which only YOU will know is "rep" or "gen. Watches are not an investment IMHO.

 

[giobo]

Since we are on the subject, I'd like to quote.........



http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/franken-rep-64948?p=718510&highlight=franken

Q the link you provided is great!!Franken is a good dealer but some kind expensive...

To franken or not to franken....

Easy choice for me, a watch to me is not an investment, you can invest in buying property, stocks etc. Watches are to be worn!

When frankening a watch you'll know every little detail about the watch which makes you a bit of an expert in specific watches.

A decent franken mod can cost 500$ whilst a new GEN goes for about 10 times as much, I don't really see the advantage in spending 10 times as much on almost the same thing which only YOU will know is "rep" or "gen. Watches are not an investment IMHO.

Which is the watch that costed 500$ for a franken i would like to know..Do you mean 500$ for the gen parts??
I am in the middle of a franken project and even small parts like crown make the watch unique and great !!If the cost can be kept in logic i like franken projects...

 

[Pix]

Frankening is a game, and the purpose of a game is not only the result, but the fun you had in it.

 

[giobo]

Frankening is a game, and the purpose of a game is not only the result, but the fun you had in it.

Tottaly correct!!!
Yesterday i went to my watchmaker, he installed me a gen crown-tube set..

Believe me, i was having a great time there...I stayed during the job, watching how it is done and the tools etc..
It is a great hobby..But i am so keen on spending money that i should be more careful...

 

[arcadia]

As Steven Tyler sang, "Frank's a journey.. not a destination"! :band:

 

[TheCold]

Q the link you provided is great!!Franken is a good dealer but some kind expensive...




Which is the watch that costed 500$ for a franken i would like to know..Do you mean 500$ for the gen parts??
I am in the middle of a franken project and even small parts like crown make the watch unique and great !!If the cost can be kept in logic i like franken projects...

I did a "mini" franken since my seconds hand broke when I tried to bend it straight, I bought a new UPO dial from puretime, new hands and bought a new crown and tube since the threads were long gone. Because I was going to send everything to finedd to mod I figured why not do double sided AR. 500$(about) is with everything, UPO+gen hands+gen tube and crown+ double sided AR + waterproofing + shipping

So you don't have to pay 1000$ to get a somewhat GEN-like watch, I would pay 1000$ If I had the cash currently, but I did this "budget" mod and I can always improve it in time. Check out my thread http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/planet-ocean-semi-franken-modded-91086 and look at the watch you can get for 500$, I will post more pics as soon as I receive it!

 

[revhrd]

I won't take a franken near the water so that necessity is out the window, for that I have a hamilton below zero diver. Heck it has an hev valve. Best part about the franken:

No need for OVERPRICED, uh oh yes I said it, servicing from the manufacturer. Until I learn I'll send it to a trustworthy watchman to get serviced.

So... a 90%-95% gen like watch for less... Makes sense if you ask me. But heck I'm a noob what do I know.

BTW OP, iirc does pieces you are talking about go for more than 10k so really $3500 is a sort of bargain.

 

[TheCold]

I won't take a franken near the water so that necessity is out the window, for that I have a hamilton below zero diver. Heck it has an hev valve. Best part about the franken:

No need for OVERPRICED, uh oh yes I said it, servicing from the manufacturer. Until I learn I'll send it to a trustworthy watchman to get serviced.

So... a 90%-95% gen like watch for less... Makes sense if you ask me. But heck I'm a noob what do I know.

BTW OP, iirc does pieces you are talking about go for more than 10k so really $3500 is a sort of bargain.

Using a franken or rep for that matter in the water adds a more genuine feel to it as well, IMO if its a dive watch you should wear it in the water with ease(considering its waterproofed)

 

[revhrd]

Yeah but I would not really on it in a diving situation, if it's 3ATM or less sure why not

 

[giobo]

I did a "mini" franken since my seconds hand broke when I tried to bend it straight, I bought a new UPO dial from puretime, new hands and bought a new crown and tube since the threads were long gone. Because I was going to send everything to finedd to mod I figured why not do double sided AR. 500$(about) is with everything, UPO+gen hands+gen tube and crown+ double sided AR + waterproofing + shipping

So you don't have to pay 1000$ to get a somewhat GEN-like watch, I would pay 1000$ If I had the cash currently, but I did this "budget" mod and I can always improve it in time. Check out my thread http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/planet-ocean-semi-franken-modded-91086 and look at the watch you can get for 500$, I will post more pics as soon as I receive it!

This is of course a mini project..The new parts you mentioned should be aound 100$ and 200$ for the watch plus finedd's work...
The po is a good modding base..
I was into somekind of project and the initial costs only for dial and bezel were around 300$ so i chosed the sub...

 

[INeedaWatch2]

Here is a thought. Say you buy a rep for $250.00 and then source a GEN Dial and Hands for $1200.00. After you send it out for modding, installation and Lume for another $150.00, people would then say you had a $1600.00 rep. Since it is now Franken does it make the watch more valueable since you've installed GEN parts, or does it degrade the value of the GEN parts because you installed them into a watch that is essentially worthless? I know they may have sentimental value, but a fake is a fake.....to me if you bought a Lamborghini kit car that is made out of a 1986 Pontiac Fiero and put a GEN Lamborghini emblem on the front, you do not have a real Lamborghini.

 

[avenger007]

For some reason, there is this common misconception that folks who have "frankens" think their watch is now gen. I've seen no evidence of this attitude at all, but it is regularly derided on the forums by some. A rep is a rep. The purpose of using gen parts (to me) is to overcome a flaw or tell in the rep that cannot be overcome by modding or "better" replica parts. Does it increase the value of the watch? Yes, to certain folks in a specific market. Does the cost justify the end result? Possibly, but that is a completely subjective argument.

It's all about what each individual is willing to do/spend to get the replica to look like that picture of the gen we all keep staring at. Some want the closest 1:1. Some want the fun of modding and sourcing parts. But I haven't seen anyone who thinks what they have is the real deal no matter how much money they put into it. It's all about where your "close enough" line is.

 

[KBH]

Here is a thought. .....to me if you bought a Lamborghini kit car that is made out of a 1986 Pontiac Fiero and put a GEN Lamborghini emblem on the front, you do not have a real Lamborghini.

Interesting thought but of course an emblem doesn't make a car any more than putting a Rolex crown on a $10 quartz watch makes it a Rolex.

I have a good friend who inherited an old Rolls Royce and took out the engine and tranny and replaced it with an Oldsmobile V8. It was much more reliable and cheaper to keep running. Is that still a Rolls Royce?

There's a company that's been very successful selling kits to replace the engines and transmissions in old Jaguars with Chevy small block V8's. Are they still Jaguars.

That's quite similar to someone putting an ETA movement in an otherwise 100% gen watch. Is at a modified gen or a very good replica? Or, does it really matter?

If I put a replica bracelet on a gen does it become a replica. I don't think so, or to follow that line of thinking, everyone who has put a aftermarket strap on their watches would have to be called replicas also. If we put a Clark crystal on the same watch is it less of a gen?

So, now that we know that gens can have aftermarket parts and still be considered gens, where is the line really drawn?

Does it really matter?

 

[INeedaWatch2]

KBH that is a great point and quite frankly if you do take the engine out of a Jag and replace it with a Chevy, you have a Chevy....

Another line drawn point to add to this....is we know that ETA is swatch group and they own TAG, Omega, Movado, Swatch.....and several other hundred well know swiss watch makers.....so if you bought a replica TAG with a clone movement (whatever you name it) and you replace that movement with a certified GEN ETA, wouldn't you then have a GEN TAG....since you did install the correct engine per se? I own several modded and franken watches and my personal reasoning for getting them modded or franken....is that I know the GEN parts especially movements are going to last longer than clone and can be serviced correctly same as GEN (since they are) and I will not have to worry with them breaking down. Like I have said before.....I have a Rolex with a GEN ETA movement NOT so I can fool the AD or any one else for that matter. I went with ETA so when it comes to the point that I do need to buy parts for repair, they would be available and I wouldn't have to rely on the chinese in hopes that they are still cloning that part......also any watch smith can work on ETA, some are reluctant to work on the clones.

 

[avenger007]

KBH that is a great point and quite frankly if you do take the engine out of a Jag and replace it with a Chevy, you have a Chevy....

I would say you have a Jag with a Chevy engine.

Not as valuable or "correct" as a Jag with a Jag engine.

 

[Mikellem]

Modding is an art!
If you are interested and can afford it...
WTF, why not....

I personally only do simple mods
if any...but I totally understand my
fellow members that go to 95% on
a replica. It's the hunt, finding the
best parts...and finding the right modder
to get your watch together..

Modding is not for everyone! Except then
again lots of members mod their watches,,
and I totally respect them!

MM

 

[INeedaWatch2]

I would say you have a Jag with a Chevy engine.

Not as valuable or "correct" as a Jag with a Jag engine.

It's the new and improved Chaguar, or how about the new luxurious Jaevrolet. You know me, I could not stand the way my Jaguar V12 ran, idle or going down the highway, but I love the body style cause it screams luxury. So I did what any smart person would do, I ditched the crappy V12 and replaced it with work horse 21j Ford Pinto engine and I couldn't be any pleased. Now I have the luxurious head turning body style and the ability to keep up with traffic while going down the road instead out blasting past everyone. Who needs to go 0 to 60 in 2 seconds any way. With this new enigne you even get the awesome sounds of grinding and stripping when you reach down press in the clutch and try to find 3rd gear......it was the best move ever.......

 

[avenger007]

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.

 

[giobo]

Guys you all have their great points !!!!

In the end everyone desides through his own thoughts and budget...