It's a Franken Affair - Post Your Frankens!

[CTbeforeLP]

May I ask why you went with the VS hands on a VR movement? I have a similar buy old, and only used the VS hands because I have a VS3235 in it, the VR would not take them, or I should say my CFv2 VR hands would not fit my VS movement and it’s a shame because the CFv2 hand lume is far better (and accurate to the gen dial) than the VS hands I ended up using. I’ll go gen eventually. But the VS hands are lackluster imo. Curious why you used them (unless it was a CFv1, then I understand why)

Pictured here is gen dial and VS hands in the watch, and CF dial with CF hands in the bin…

Hey brother, I had CF v1 hands unfortunately! That's why. I couldn't get a hold of the v2 hands and VSF hands were regularly available to purchase. And maybe it's just my eyes, but VSF hands appear less flat than the CF hands.

But I agree about the lume!

 

[Seadwellermike]

Makes total sense and still looks awesome

 

[APjumbo]

Finally got the Railmaster back together. Gen dial, so light franken.

 

[fatarms]

 

[Seadwellermike]

Finally got the Railmaster back together. Gen dial, so light franken.

Thank you!!! It drives me insane when a person does ONE mod and calls their watch a super franken boss man dopeness wtf ever.

Thank you for keeping it real. That watch is sharp as hell too.

 

[ross29]

Some great frankens so far!

I can't decide which one to wear today...

 

[aboveandbeyond]

.
All gen except Viet Nam midcase. Gen 3185 movement started out as a gen 3135 and converted to 3185 using all gen parts.


.
Viet Nam midcase. Gen bezel, crown & tube, dial, hands. Movement started out as a VS3135 and converted to GMT using VR3185 GMT parts. Also has gen balance & bridge and auto-wind system, and gen Oyster bracelet (not in this pic).


.
CF124060 w/gen crystal and gen 3230 movement.

VS126610 w/gen dial, bezel, crown & tube, balance & bridge, auto-wind system, pallet fork & escape wheel, and barrel & mainspring.

Who do I get to build me one of these and what’s the costs all up?

 

[dax007]

Who do I get to build me one of these and what’s the costs all up?

I have a YOdog GMT and its gorgeous.. but its made with rep parts.. I am sure he could do a fraken version.. Cost would probably go from 1500(his standard GMT) to 3500! that with a WSO bracelet.. I still have a hard time justifying a 80WSO bracelet with REP CLASP vs 1500 SS GEN bracelet.. 99% same IMHOP.

 

[APjumbo]

 

[APjumbo]

Most of the parts from @Baron Rees
ST case and retaining ring
WSO 18k bezel
I forget which xtal (ginault?)
Everything else Gen

Might just be my favourite watch at the moment.


As it turns out the date is sitting a bit low. I need to figure that out when it it’s apart to have the lugs drilled (last thing to do)

 

[Seadwellermike]

Most of the parts from @Baron Rees
ST case and retaining ring
WSO 18k bezel
I forget which xtal (ginault?)
Everything else Gen

Might just be my favourite watch at the moment.


As it turns out the date is sitting a bit low. I need to figure that out when it it’s apart to have the lugs drilled (last thing to do)

How is the start time Case? I’ve been looking at a lot of their parts and could literally build a sub from scratch part for part and my orders ship to my door in a day.

 

[APjumbo]

How is the start time Case? I’ve been looking at a lot of their parts and could literally build a sub from scratch part for part and my orders ship to my door in a day.

Most here would say the ST lugs are fat and crownguards are short.
Most here would say to get a RAF 16610 watch and then sell off what you don't need.
Mine has had metal added to the crownguards and then shaped by an experienced person.
I am still learning myself about these cases, I think some of the older JF ones also has an incorrect rehaut which wouldn't accept a gen bezel assembly. Not many great options these days. The best is finding a TC case but they are hard to find.

As for startime, I am happy with the stuff I got from there, especially the bezel retaining rings, those have worked better for me than the ebay WSO ones. I even prefer to use the ST retaining rings on my WSO bezels. I have some 3135 hands from there that are going on my next build unless I can find some tritium ones.

 

[Seadwellermike]

Good to know. I’ve mostly only bought tools from them, and movement parts. Good to know.

 

[MichaelNunz]

Franken 16800 Sub w/ ghost bezel insert and creamy tritium matte dial. All GEN except for the Viet case, the Italian Markie Mark bracelet and VS3135 movement.

 

[Snil]

Franken 16800 Sub w/ ghost bezel insert and creamy tritium matte dial. All GEN except for the Viet case, the Italian Markie Mark bracelet and VS3135 movement.

I absolutely love this, thanks for sharing!

 

[deffleopard03]

Franken 16800 Sub w/ ghost bezel insert and creamy tritium matte dial. All GEN except for the Viet case, the Italian Markie Mark bracelet and VS3135 movement.

How's the feel with the markie mark Italian bracelet ? Is this also compatible with a 126610LN sub ?

 

[eiwood]

How's the feel with the markie mark Italian bracelet ? Is this also compatible with a 126610LN sub ?

Different bracelets. I don't know of any Italian bracelets for 6 digit models.

 

[MichaelNunz]

How's the feel with the markie mark Italian bracelet ? Is this also compatible with a 126610LN sub ?

The 1266 is a 41mm my 16800 is a 40mm. I don’t believe this bracelet fits the newer model subs. I’m sure you can pick up a newer style Markie bracelet to fit your 126610 tho. I love the feel of the hollow end links and hollow links. Some people prefer the heavy newer bracelets. It’s all preference. markies italian bracelets are great tho i highly recommend!

 

[MichaelNunz]

Different bracelets. I don't know of any Italian bracelets for 6 digit models.

Yea I’ve never looked into newer bracelets from him. The clean factory oyster bracelet I have on my 126610ln is great!

 

[speedywombat]

Would a simple crystal swap qualify as franken?