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Questions on Franken watches
- Thread starter TickTockTommy
- Start date
my Franken cost a bit over $1000 back in 2011. I had it built because there were and still are no good super reps of the model and the fact that it is an iconic piece. Today,given the cost of gen parts, it would be too expensive to justify building. I would shop for one someone is selling instead it definitely depreciates. But it is still an alternative to trying to get the real thing
I plan on dropping $200 for a much better bracelet for it. When you shop for parts for a Franken,you must be careful of the quality you get. I got burned on the present bracelet I have on mine.
it’s still fun to see all the parts come together and form the watch. Something special about how you personally customize it.
I plan on dropping $200 for a much better bracelet for it. When you shop for parts for a Franken,you must be careful of the quality you get. I got burned on the present bracelet I have on mine.
it’s still fun to see all the parts come together and form the watch. Something special about how you personally customize it.
I really like seeing gen alongside rep, don't know why. I find it fascinating - Thanks very much!For your edification. A couple of genuine/replica combinations I personally own (or used to own both and sold the replica on)
Panerai 237, gen on left....
Tudor black bay GMT, gen on right
Tudor Pelagos, gen on left
You buy superreps and nobody would be able to tell on the wrist. Even in hand unlikely unless they know what flaws to look for or have a genuine in hand to compare.
Gmt89
Getting To Know The Place
- 19/6/23
- 60
- 17
- 8
Vsf hulk arrived.
not seeing any evidence of people losing money on frankens. seem to sell pretty quick and if it sticks you can always sell parts seperately.
Vsf hulk arrived.
Are you happy?
Perfectly true. You do not lose money if you buy smart, not on Rolex parts. If anything if you keep the franken for 5 to 10 years it will probably appreciate in value. That's what makes the game fun.
Gmt89
Getting To Know The Place
- 19/6/23
- 60
- 17
- 8
I feel neutral but I am extremely excited when opening the parcel when it arrived.
Tbh, I don't feel any difference wearing this vsf hulk vs gen 16613 LN (half gold black sub) and gen 116710 BLNR (batman) gmt.
A Sub will always wear better than a GMT due to its glidelock adjustment feature.
So I guess this vsf hulk is really a ootb standard without any mods involved, from my honest opinion.
This man gets it, and honestly, this is what often determines who stays on the forum and banters with us, versus who buys once and disappears permanently, or who makes themselves scarce until they have the rep bug again.
The rep game is a snake which feeds on itself if you allow it to. When I landed here I’d been messing with watches for a very long time but I wasn’t studying the angle of the rehaut - I’m not now either as I don’t tell the bloody time by reference to the rehaut, but it’s another thing to which attention is paid.
Incremental though the improvements may be to the objective observer, we are not objective observers. We are borderline perfectionists focused on the fine details of watches which enthral and vex us, and the pursuit of the components requisite to achieving that is part and parcel of this hobby - it can be as though engaging in an international scavenger hunt in your spare time, escaping the drudgery of day to day life.
We don’t really have control over much - but we can control what watch we wear, how we build it, or the vision we get others to execute for us on building a custom piece.
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Hear hear.
This 100% is a hobby and one that keeps so many of us engaged and, if you'll excuse the pun, ticking over.
Don't get me wrong I've had satisfaction of buying gens, but that was largely due to career achievements / bonuses which underpinned the end transaction with my AD of choice.
Researching, chasing parts down and above all learning from the ever so many knowledgeable and talented members of RWI in my opinion is far more satisfying than a single transaction.
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- 27/5/22
- 3,189
- 4,217
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I keep a Franken journal here if you are interested: https://forum.replica-watch.info/th...16500-114060-pp-5711-1016-and-so-on.10962760/
My Daytona Franken is mainly on the movement since I am a movement snob, but I also make changes with the outer components. @Rx4Time is right, money can add up pretty quickly. For my project, it can end up north of 8k if I change everything on my wishlist. The good thing is you can control the burn rate and don't have to spend at once unless you are in a rush to see the result.
I would just add to BE CAREFUL with frankens. The budget you initially set out for usually ends up going over fairly quickly.
Ive built pretty high end frankens of Submariners, Daytonas, GMTs and it can get out of hand
the 2024 stock watch builds dont require as much upgrading as the watches from 2015 lets say.
Asthetically speaking-- Upgrading a dial, bezel, crystal were all essential to any franken. Many movements were also pretty shitty and required servicing at the very least. This isnt necessarily the case anymore. The stock dials are pretty damn good considering a gen may run you up to 2k.
I learned a valuable lesson building my franken 116500 daytona. I swapped in a bunch of genuine movement parts costing close to 2000 to "make it more reliable" only to find out it was better off stock and serviced as the build gave me problems. The mix of gen/rep movement parts isnt always a perfect adaption.
Todays rolex reps are different and major upgrade from the older movements. The New movements in the GMTs /Daytonas/Subs such as the DD movements are AMAZING. In fact i wouldnt do anything more than maybe service them at some point but dont swap in genuine parts its a waste of money.
Dont ever do replica Gold and expect it to be anything close to genuine Gold.
Ive built pretty high end frankens of Submariners, Daytonas, GMTs and it can get out of hand
the 2024 stock watch builds dont require as much upgrading as the watches from 2015 lets say.
Asthetically speaking-- Upgrading a dial, bezel, crystal were all essential to any franken. Many movements were also pretty shitty and required servicing at the very least. This isnt necessarily the case anymore. The stock dials are pretty damn good considering a gen may run you up to 2k.
I learned a valuable lesson building my franken 116500 daytona. I swapped in a bunch of genuine movement parts costing close to 2000 to "make it more reliable" only to find out it was better off stock and serviced as the build gave me problems. The mix of gen/rep movement parts isnt always a perfect adaption.
Todays rolex reps are different and major upgrade from the older movements. The New movements in the GMTs /Daytonas/Subs such as the DD movements are AMAZING. In fact i wouldnt do anything more than maybe service them at some point but dont swap in genuine parts its a waste of money.
Dont ever do replica Gold and expect it to be anything close to genuine Gold.
Gmt89
Getting To Know The Place
- 19/6/23
- 60
- 17
- 8
Gmt89
Getting To Know The Place
- 19/6/23
- 60
- 17
- 8
But for me personally, I would get a good Tudor.
The funds spent on gen frankening, a Tudor will be a much better choice
The funds spent on gen frankening, a Tudor will be a much better choice
Gmt89
Getting To Know The Place
- 19/6/23
- 60
- 17
- 8
In the past when people franken, gen Rolex parts were much more affordable then. Replicas standards were also not as great back then, right now, any decent factory will produce a ootb model that is good enough without frankening.
No stranger will take a loupe and request to see your watch. Neither will anyone stare at close distance.
Yes, u will definitely get some looks because it's a Rolex.
U will get even more looks if it's a daytona or a rare model like hulk / batman / pepsi etc.
But still no one will stare at your watch. It's just a few seconds glance. Current standard replicas is good enough for that.