exceptional work...for all the effort and time I certainly hope the cost savings are worth it compared to the gen!!
What a beauty!
What a beauty!
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IWC 3777 Franken
- Thread starter higginsd
- Start date
Thank you guys! And sure: the cost savings are complete worth the effort. It costs 20-30% of a gen.
I decided to buy a gen crystal and gen datewheels next and I'm looking for a gen gator strap with gen buckle. If a case some day crosses my way... I don't know but maybe...
@gocanes: not only sharp edges on markers. The biggest tell is the height of the main markers (12, 3, 6, 9). The gen dial is nearly flat. The second tell you can see if you are used to a rep dial and hands: the color of the "white" on rep dial and rep hands is wrong. It isn't white enough. Lume is ok in rep version, it only doesn't last so long.
@cromag: I can't see it exactly on your pic, but I think you have gen hands and possibly a gen dial and gen crown. Or is this a complete gen?
I decided to buy a gen crystal and gen datewheels next and I'm looking for a gen gator strap with gen buckle. If a case some day crosses my way... I don't know but maybe...
@gocanes: not only sharp edges on markers. The biggest tell is the height of the main markers (12, 3, 6, 9). The gen dial is nearly flat. The second tell you can see if you are used to a rep dial and hands: the color of the "white" on rep dial and rep hands is wrong. It isn't white enough. Lume is ok in rep version, it only doesn't last so long.
@cromag: I can't see it exactly on your pic, but I think you have gen hands and possibly a gen dial and gen crown. Or is this a complete gen?
This one looks really stunning. I have to admit that i have ordered the same strap to complete my project.
Finally ordered Gen crown,dial,hands, DW and crystal. 4 weeks to go and i'll have it on my wrist.
Thanks for your input and your kind information about how to get it started.
Finally ordered Gen crown,dial,hands, DW and crystal. 4 weeks to go and i'll have it on my wrist.
Thanks for your input and your kind information about how to get it started.
Great job.
I've got a rep 3777 and the paint is starting to flake at the 6, where did you get your gen dial? Is the gen dial the same size as the rep? Thanks
I've got a rep 3777 and the paint is starting to flake at the 6, where did you get your gen dial? Is the gen dial the same size as the rep? Thanks
Sorry, I will keep my source secret because I'm not ready with all my franken projects.
Is the gen dial the same size? Some are as other users told me, mine was not. I had to dremel it down to the correct diameter, it was 0.4mm too big in diameter. Yes, dremel it down! I was really pi... because my watchsmith told me the dial is too big and he cannot put it into my watch. I tested it, I got a second 3777 rep to test it - my dial was too big. And so I said, "ok, no risk, no fun, no gen dial" and started my dremel. It was pretty easy, no problems and a short job. I used sandpaper in 3 grains starting with the harsh one going down to the finest. Don't use sandpaper which is too harsh. If the grain is too big it can cause scratches on the dial face!
After that my dial fit exactly to my case.
Is the gen dial the same size? Some are as other users told me, mine was not. I had to dremel it down to the correct diameter, it was 0.4mm too big in diameter. Yes, dremel it down! I was really pi... because my watchsmith told me the dial is too big and he cannot put it into my watch. I tested it, I got a second 3777 rep to test it - my dial was too big. And so I said, "ok, no risk, no fun, no gen dial" and started my dremel. It was pretty easy, no problems and a short job. I used sandpaper in 3 grains starting with the harsh one going down to the finest. Don't use sandpaper which is too harsh. If the grain is too big it can cause scratches on the dial face!
After that my dial fit exactly to my case.
- 18/5/11
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I can also have a really good price on the gen but thought about the frankening too... Hard to decide
Yes, 37.55mm diameter. Thickness I don't know. I will update thickness - and gen diameter - after I know this. But this may last some weeks, sorry.
BTW: why are you asking?
BTW: why are you asking?
I'm interested because I think the AR can be done better. I don't like the fact that looking from an angle the dial is crystal clear but looking on top of it, it seems less transparant. There are initiatives where you can send the glass to get it recoated. But another way is to just order a new sapphire glass with double AR from a local source. Therefore I first need to supply the source with the measurements of the glass. I presume, to do that properly, you have to take out the glass. As I don't have a tool to put the glass back in, I did not try to push it out. As you have the same 3777 and have done many improvements already, i figured you'd probably also might have done glass measurements.
Please keep me informed if you find a source for a crystal. It is possible to buy a rep glass from Puretime for 50$ if you buy a new watch there.
Do you mean Sunnydale's AR coating service or do you hve another coater? I'm really interested in joining because I'm facing the same problems with the rep crystal. Hopefully I'll get a gen crystal but my sources are a bit spoiled at the moment. But I'm not quiet sure a gen glass would fit to th rep case. I had problems in fitting my gen dial to the case, the diameter was wrong! So I think there is a good chance the diameter of the crystal is also wrong - they measure in hundreds of millimeters!
I think the chance to change the crystal is buying a rep glass and re-coating it.
EDIT: a gen 3777 crystal has 37.5mm in diameter and 1.8mm in thickness.
Do you mean Sunnydale's AR coating service or do you hve another coater? I'm really interested in joining because I'm facing the same problems with the rep crystal. Hopefully I'll get a gen crystal but my sources are a bit spoiled at the moment. But I'm not quiet sure a gen glass would fit to th rep case. I had problems in fitting my gen dial to the case, the diameter was wrong! So I think there is a good chance the diameter of the crystal is also wrong - they measure in hundreds of millimeters!
I think the chance to change the crystal is buying a rep glass and re-coating it.
EDIT: a gen 3777 crystal has 37.5mm in diameter and 1.8mm in thickness.
jasonbaylee
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This is a crazy piece!!!
Great work & hunt there, higginsd!
Thx for sharing the source of the strap!
Sent from Tapatalk
Great work & hunt there, higginsd!
Thx for sharing the source of the strap!
Sent from Tapatalk
Sweet! That's really when this hobby is at its best. You know more about your 3777 than 99% of gen owners. Congrats!
That pic was taken when I was at the AD. It is a gen.
Someone doing repair work on automatics mentioned getting a whole new crystal in stead of recoating. I've ordered a digital caliper for the measurements. Still have to look at a tool to push the crystal out and back in again.
Save the money for the calipher. It is 37.50mm diameter and 1.8mm thickness. But the crystal is not flat, it is "bombiert" (i don't know the english word).
But at the moment I'm very interested in buying a real gen crystal. Bought a gen gator strap last week, so I don't care for this money now less than ever!
But at the moment I'm very interested in buying a real gen crystal. Bought a gen gator strap last week, so I don't care for this money now less than ever!
I am sending one to vac this week for AR among other things...
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Sent from my VS980 4G using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2
Ok, that will do. (domed)
It would be interesting to know if the gen crystal transparancy is better than the rep's. I remember reading a topic where a 3777 and a 3717 were compared and the 3717's dial really popped because of the crystal, where the 3777 did not.