Hello Community,
some may already have read that I want to build a RGRC Franken.
I would like to document the building with text and pictures and also to report about problems / difficulties that will arise.
I would also like to write something about the costs, as lately some users have written to me and have made offers for my Franken.
It is sometimes offensive what some people do for offers, as they do not seem to have much knowledge about what a good Franken construction costs in total. not to mention how much time you invest in such a project. That's why I'll list all costs accurately and present them honestly.
phase 1 has begun to find and buy parts for the Franken.
Parts already bought:
- Gen new AP RGRC Dial and Tachy including Back Plate
1.900 € -> Contact from Chrono24
- Gen new Full Set of Hands (not arrived yet)
1.000 € -> Contact from Chrono24
- JF Base Watch RGRC
480 € -> Intime (was hard to get, the older 42mm ROO’s are out of Production from the Factory, I contacted 6 TD’s only Ryan got the Watch after 3 months)
- Gen AP ROO Cyclope
140 € -> Contact from Domi
- 1 x AR Glass 2,5mm thick
100 € -> Contact from Domi
- Legend Datewheel
I think it’s around 85 USD
Still missing:
- LWO Movement
A big challenge with an RG Franken build is the RG Coating (Chinese Gold Plating). The color is ok but when Domi thinned the Case at the middle Case and Case Back you will see the normal Stainless Steel material.
Three Options:
1- PVD Coating
2- Gold Plating with 18 Carat Roségold
3- Gen 18 Carat Roségold Case and Case Back
1- PVD Coating looks nice in Roségold but I called some professional PVD Factory’s in Germany and Switzerland.
All companies have advised against don’t using it with parts that are worn. like crown and case back.
the rose gold PVD layer is not as abrasion resistant as black PVD.
2- Gold Plating looks also nice, you have options to mix the Color you like to have.
It’s important to Plating first a normal Gold Plating in Yellow Gold mixed with cobalt. Cobalt is very hard an give you a very Hard Coating.
After the normal Gold Plating next Step is Plating in Roségold also mixed with Cobalt.
Some jewelers offer this work for around 400-600 €.
I read about gilding for weeks and saw a lot of videos and decided to buy a complete system myself.
- cost of the facility plus gold electrolytes
1.200 €
Will arrive next week on Tuesday
then I will practice in practice and gild some things in the house. Lol
And also practice with old Watch Cases, to get the exact shade and color.
3- Gen RG Case and Caseback , too expensive for me
It’s also important to Plating all RG Roségold Parts to have the same Color:
- Middle Case
- Back Case
- Hour and Minute Hands
- Plots
- Deployment Clasp
- Crown
First Pictures will coming soon from Domis Case Work and first Plating try’s.
Base Watch JF:
Gen Dial and Tachy:
Legend Datewheel:
Gold Plating System:
Some examples for Roségold shades:
Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk
some may already have read that I want to build a RGRC Franken.
I would like to document the building with text and pictures and also to report about problems / difficulties that will arise.
I would also like to write something about the costs, as lately some users have written to me and have made offers for my Franken.
It is sometimes offensive what some people do for offers, as they do not seem to have much knowledge about what a good Franken construction costs in total. not to mention how much time you invest in such a project. That's why I'll list all costs accurately and present them honestly.
phase 1 has begun to find and buy parts for the Franken.
Parts already bought:
- Gen new AP RGRC Dial and Tachy including Back Plate
1.900 € -> Contact from Chrono24
- Gen new Full Set of Hands (not arrived yet)
1.000 € -> Contact from Chrono24
- JF Base Watch RGRC
480 € -> Intime (was hard to get, the older 42mm ROO’s are out of Production from the Factory, I contacted 6 TD’s only Ryan got the Watch after 3 months)
- Gen AP ROO Cyclope
140 € -> Contact from Domi
- 1 x AR Glass 2,5mm thick
100 € -> Contact from Domi
- Legend Datewheel
I think it’s around 85 USD
Still missing:
- LWO Movement
A big challenge with an RG Franken build is the RG Coating (Chinese Gold Plating). The color is ok but when Domi thinned the Case at the middle Case and Case Back you will see the normal Stainless Steel material.
Three Options:
1- PVD Coating
2- Gold Plating with 18 Carat Roségold
3- Gen 18 Carat Roségold Case and Case Back
1- PVD Coating looks nice in Roségold but I called some professional PVD Factory’s in Germany and Switzerland.
All companies have advised against don’t using it with parts that are worn. like crown and case back.
the rose gold PVD layer is not as abrasion resistant as black PVD.
2- Gold Plating looks also nice, you have options to mix the Color you like to have.
It’s important to Plating first a normal Gold Plating in Yellow Gold mixed with cobalt. Cobalt is very hard an give you a very Hard Coating.
After the normal Gold Plating next Step is Plating in Roségold also mixed with Cobalt.
Some jewelers offer this work for around 400-600 €.
I read about gilding for weeks and saw a lot of videos and decided to buy a complete system myself.
- cost of the facility plus gold electrolytes
1.200 €
Will arrive next week on Tuesday
then I will practice in practice and gild some things in the house. Lol
And also practice with old Watch Cases, to get the exact shade and color.
3- Gen RG Case and Caseback , too expensive for me
It’s also important to Plating all RG Roségold Parts to have the same Color:
- Middle Case
- Back Case
- Hour and Minute Hands
- Plots
- Deployment Clasp
- Crown
First Pictures will coming soon from Domis Case Work and first Plating try’s.
Base Watch JF:
Gen Dial and Tachy:
Legend Datewheel:
Gold Plating System:
Some examples for Roségold shades:
Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk
Last edited:
