http://www.jewelryandwatch.com/contents/en-us/d171.html - I see he has it on "sale" for 950 USD.... but he does state it uses an original movement. Has anyone dealt with Phong in the past? opinions on this piece? He is well known for having the best Rolex reps.....:heffalump::heffalump::heffalump::heffalump:
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Phong's (jewelryandwatch) FF anyone?
- Thread starter Ham Der
- Start date
- 30/3/08
- 43,487
- 16,917
- 113
Phong is an artisan but you pay for it! The FF is often available at that price along with the snoflake Tudors.
I dealt with phone twice for his Blancpain FF and Tudor 7159. Top guy to deal with, he sent me a replacement watch when i stated he sent the wrong watch before I mailed the one I received back to him.
But his FF has some major flaws, I ordered the 'no radiation' version, although it has gen movement, gen spec and naturally aged case set, the bezel, hand and dial are all inaccurate. It is the investment you have to make. I had to sourced gen spec doomed bezel with correct number 3, correct aged and shaped hands and gen dial to finish off the project.
It is not a simple fix, and if you compare it with gen, you can tell it is a rep right away. Go ahead if you can live with it or expect spending big bucks modding it. (Total project costs me $2600)
But his FF has some major flaws, I ordered the 'no radiation' version, although it has gen movement, gen spec and naturally aged case set, the bezel, hand and dial are all inaccurate. It is the investment you have to make. I had to sourced gen spec doomed bezel with correct number 3, correct aged and shaped hands and gen dial to finish off the project.
It is not a simple fix, and if you compare it with gen, you can tell it is a rep right away. Go ahead if you can live with it or expect spending big bucks modding it. (Total project costs me $2600)
- 30/3/08
- 43,487
- 16,917
- 113
Hmm, I'm surprised Phng would sell something that far off spec. He has a reputation to maintain.
Mind you his real business is in far more rarefied air than these jiggers.
Mind you his real business is in far more rarefied air than these jiggers.
wow thanks for the feedback! - I didn't realize it was so off spec - 2600 is a heafty price to throw into any project let alone a franken - it must be a beautiful watch now that its done! I might have to think twice about buying the FF from Phong.
I found some old photos for you to compare, first is the phong FF with modded bezel, if you compare it with photo from phong site, his FF has a flat plastic bezel, but the aftermarket has a doomed shape.
Second photo is when I installed a gen spec hands and dial, you can notice the polish finish and raised sliver characters from the satin finish and print over characters. Not to mention the T<25mc is missing from rep dial and hands set are wrong mile away. You can get the replacement parts from big daz at RWGFORUM, I think he sells them for $80 each, but I m not sure if he has any more in stock.
what a beautiful watch, and I love the german nato as well! - I think its best I wait, at some point in the future I will get lucky with the project 
Let me know if you ever go mad and decide to part ways with her
Let me know if you ever go mad and decide to part ways with her Phong definitely does beautiful work, but he is still making a rep--so almost all his pieces have flaws i them. My advice to OP is that JAW/Phong is not for beginners. If you really know your stuff and research the crap out of your grail watch, phong is an amazing source. He'll work with you to make you happy (for a premium of course). If you are going to buy a watch off the shelf from JAW and expect them to get all the details right, don't be surprised when you find flaws and errors. You would hope that watches selling at those prices would be perfect, but these are still just very nice reps with high end components.
For example, I inquired about a Zenith powered Daytona 16520 from him. He does a fabulous job of engraving the bridges etc, but when I asked him if he stepped it down to 28,800 from the 36,600, he didn't seem to know what I meant--since the zenith is 36,600 movement. Don't get me wrong, he 16520 rep is still by far the best modern daytona rep money can buy, but at $5500 (current asking price for a complete build) I really want a carbon copy of the real deal in every way (you can start finding gens for a few $1000 more). Even on some of his Tudor subs, he make a gorgeous rep of the 9411/0. I was interested in a 9411/0 is was very accurate in most respects, but he engraved it with a serial number beginning 623XXX, which dates the watch to early 1968--which is when the 7016/7021 were introduced--a full 6-8 years before the 9411 was launched. Sure, this is a minor detail, and he can always change the numbers (that's what he does!)--but if you are looking for perfect, its you're responsibility to help get the watch as close to perfect as you expect--don't rely on Phong entirely.
Before you spend this kind of money though, there are other options. If you are dying for a vintage BPFF, DSN (Davidson) sold some really excellent reps at very reasonable prices. Iam not sure if he still has them, but it's worth a check. He also had a bunch of different versions. Anyway, hope that helps... good luck.
For example, I inquired about a Zenith powered Daytona 16520 from him. He does a fabulous job of engraving the bridges etc, but when I asked him if he stepped it down to 28,800 from the 36,600, he didn't seem to know what I meant--since the zenith is 36,600 movement. Don't get me wrong, he 16520 rep is still by far the best modern daytona rep money can buy, but at $5500 (current asking price for a complete build) I really want a carbon copy of the real deal in every way (you can start finding gens for a few $1000 more). Even on some of his Tudor subs, he make a gorgeous rep of the 9411/0. I was interested in a 9411/0 is was very accurate in most respects, but he engraved it with a serial number beginning 623XXX, which dates the watch to early 1968--which is when the 7016/7021 were introduced--a full 6-8 years before the 9411 was launched. Sure, this is a minor detail, and he can always change the numbers (that's what he does!)--but if you are looking for perfect, its you're responsibility to help get the watch as close to perfect as you expect--don't rely on Phong entirely.
Before you spend this kind of money though, there are other options. If you are dying for a vintage BPFF, DSN (Davidson) sold some really excellent reps at very reasonable prices. Iam not sure if he still has them, but it's worth a check. He also had a bunch of different versions. Anyway, hope that helps... good luck.
Imho Phongs project is too expensive. Just finished this night mine Seiko 5 based FFF, water- and shockproof with Brady sailcloath strap and painted the lumed second hand with acrylic as I couldn´t find a red tipped one. Wasn´t looking for a gen-like rep, it looks amazing in the flesh
I can tell you are excited about your new watch, but did you have to litter every thread in here with the same post? I know it's an homage but it's not even on topic.
Yes got somewhat carried away, but have to say browsed through the threads and not a single picture anywhere neither of the gen, nor the rep nor homages which was quite poor so started to fill them up a bit with colour. As soon as the new rep is out they will be filled anyway
Compared to Phongs espensive offer for some this could be an alternative, just get other hands and the dial with the non-radiation sign
This would be another way to go:
Compared to Phongs espensive offer for some this could be an alternative, just get other hands and the dial with the non-radiation sign
This would be another way to go:
This is another good homage: the Prometheus Sailfish, it´s a quality build with an interesting SII movement goes for about 420 eur: http://www.prometheuswatch.com/dive...ish/#!/~/product/category=7120166&id=30587613
If I were you I'd wait for the New FF to be released, that looks really good:
http://pureti.me/product/pre-view-f...ion-ss-black-dial-on-sail-canvas-strap-a2836/
http://pureti.me/product/pre-view-f...ion-ss-black-dial-on-sail-canvas-strap-a2836/
re your build
I see why you are excited,this is a very good looking watch.I would be interested in building one of these,any pointers would be very helpful.
I see why you are excited,this is a very good looking watch.I would be interested in building one of these,any pointers would be very helpful.