Looking to start a UPO Franken project

[auslander]

Hello All,

I'm new; first post. Sorry if its a bit long.

I purchased a 2208.50.00 Planet Ocean a couple years back and was my first luxe timepiece. I'm a diver and lusted after this for a long time. About 8 months ago it was stolen; bad luck, what are you going to do.

Didnt really want to buy another $3,5k watch so I did a lot of research and picked up what is now a UPO with an ETA 2824-2 movement. Its taken a bit of a beating over the past ~6 months wearing everyday and I've decided to Frankenstein it. I've already made a long list of replacement parts from Ofrei and have purchased the caseback and rep crystal & bezel. I stopped my spending spree when I realized that I might not be able to waltz into a local(ish) mom and pop watch repair.

I've searched through the RWI fine archives and found a great thread on building a relationship with a watch-smith but my questions to the knowledgeable are this:

I'm a pretty tactile person, how much modding can/should I reasonably replace before I take it to watch repair shop?

Bezel, caseback are easy enough but what about the crystal, dial, crown/tube and hands?

Is it better to get tools from say, Watchbiz or am i setting myself up to mess something up?

These are the parts that I either have purchased or will be purchasing.

Omega Sapphire Crystal 062SB3063
Omega Crystal Gasket, Planet Ocean OME-298ZW2980
Omega Bezel Click spring For Model 2900.50.91 OME-129ST0515
Omega Bezel Spring for Model 2900.50.91 OME-085ST0090
Omega Cal 2500 Silver Luminous Dauphine W/ Arrowhead Minute Hand 14.5 mm HAN-4165
Omega Cal 2500 Second Hand Silver Arrow White Luminous 15.0 mm HAN-4352
Omega Stainless Steel Crown 42184 ST 8100/3905W
Omega Crown Case Tube 090 ST 1232 OME-090ST1232
Omega Bezel 082SU1929 OME-082SU1929
Omega Dial For Model 2200.51.00 Caliber 2500 OME-2500-DIAL#4
Omega Planet Ocean Helium Release Valve Stainless Steel OME-086ST0115


In short, given similar circumstances what would you all recommend?

1. DIY
2. Outsource

... one more thing, I wanted to put unique hands that were different from the original. The Dauphine hands listed above should fit with the UPO, no?

Cheers!!

 

[Q5?]

I would stick with these.

Omega Sapphire Crystal
Omega Crystal Gasket, Planet Ocean
Omega Cal 2500 Silver Luminous Dauphine W/ Arrowhead Minute Hand 14.5 mm
Omega Cal 2500 Second Hand Silver Arrow White Luminous 15.0 mm
Omega Stainless Steel Crown
Omega Crown Case Tube
Omega Dial For Model 2200.51.00 Caliber 2500 OME-2500-DIAL#4

The bezel/assembly is a PIA to change. I opted for the pearl swap. I procured a pearl from an older used Gen SMP insert. It cost me $45 and matched the dial perfectly. (The Gen Bezel costs $200+ 0.o)

I skipped the Gen HEV. It looks so close, why bother.

I would be concerned that the custom hands might clash with the dial's lume. But is up to personal preference anyway.

I would really try and find a local watch-smith to work with if you can.

Good luck!

 

[auslander]

Thanks Q5 thats good info. I went ahead and ordered the 222.18.46.20.01.001 Dial to address the lume issue. I already bought the QoS gen bezel and Im pretty sure the custom hands are a white lume. Worst case scenario, Im out of $60

I havent had very good luck with local watchsmiths so far but I'm sure there has to be someone who can help.

Cheers

 

[Q5?]

I have used the "sentimental" trick twice. I have two local watch-smiths now.

 

[auslander]

Nice! I'm hoping to hook one as soon as my new dial gets here!