What AP Franken(s) do you have in the works?!

[legend]

It won't much, the date would be misaligned

Misaligned is a gross understatement Mr J.
The date will vanish completely.

 

[W47chl0v3r]

@Reaps An offshore franken is 4K minimum and months if not a year sourcing parts and more time to assemble it. It’s no easy task unless you buy franken kits and all the parts for asking price lol. Things like Mikey hands lower the cost but eventually if you want the lowest end franken imagine a long term project if you nab parts over time. For instance I’ve been holding on to vampire franken parts for months and only saw a donor watch pop up once in 6 months lol. Newer offshore models made by APS don’t allow for frankening like old JF versions. So far it’s been, $850 dial tachy, $650 lwo, $450 donor, $250 datewheel and hands. Modding I imagine close to $750. So overall 3k. I could sell you these parts and you’d be in for close to your budget minus the modding.

 

[Reaps]

@Reaps An offshore franken is 4K minimum and months if not a year sourcing parts and more time to assemble it. It’s no easy task unless you buy franken kits and all the parts for asking price lol. Things like Mikey hands lower the cost but eventually if you want the lowest end franken imagine a long term project if you nab parts over time. For instance I’ve been holding on to vampire franken parts for months and only saw a donor watch pop up once in 6 months lol. Newer offshore models made by APS don’t allow for frankening like old JF versions. So far it’s been, $850 dial tachy, $650 lwo, $450 donor, $250 datewheel and hands. Modding I imagine close to $750. So overall 3k. I could sell you these parts and you’d be in for close to your budget minus the modding.

That's mighty tempting but I'm looking at a Safari. Nice to know however, that the APS base isn't good for modding and so I'll have to hunt for a JF. Additionally thank you for the advice and time frame and budget, it's good to get a sense of how this might turn out.

 

[W47chl0v3r]

That's mighty tempting but I'm looking at a Safari. Nice to know however, that the APS base isn't good for modding and so I'll have to hunt for a JF. Additionally thank you for the advice and time frame and budget, it's good to get a sense of how this might turn out.

Safaris dial and tachy are 2k because of their popularity so keep that in mind.

 

[Reaps]

Safaris dial and tachy are 2k because of their popularity so keep that in mind.

You hear that? It's the sound of money flying out of my wallet

 

[legend]

You hear that? It's the sound of money flying out of my wallet

If you want to wear something respectable on the wrist, be prepared to spend a respectable amount of money. After all these years I’ve realized that there are no two ways around it.

 

[Reaps]

If you want to wear something respectable on the wrist, be prepared to spend a respectable amount of money. After all these years I’ve realized that there are no two ways around it.

This advice can be applied to not just watches but most items in life. Thank you legend 🫡

 

[VII]

And why would you want to do that at all?

I did my research and learned a lesson; “focus on the details!” I initially thought that the dial is 1:1 - but there are so many differences and the date cut out is placed somewhere else. On ebay you can find a few 15400 dials for an “ok” price, that was my initial motivation to look for it. Anyway, I will look in to 15500 dials (if I ever find one) and hands for my first AP project. Happy weekend all!

 

[CoffeeMug12]

Hi everyone! I've recently picked up a R8F AP Tourbillion and was wondering if any of you had suggestions on what to mod on it? Possibly polishing and replating? Would any gen AP hands fit on it? Who to talk to to get a "better" dial? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[germanynrw]

I did my research and learned a lesson; “focus on the details!” I initially thought that the dial is 1:1 - but there are so many differences and the date cut out is placed somewhere else. On ebay you can find a few 15400 dials for an “ok” price, that was my initial motivation to look for it. Anyway, I will look in to 15500 dials (if I ever find one) and hands for my first AP project. Happy weekend all!

If you found one under 4-5k, tell us bro. So expensive, and rare.

 

[legend]

I did my research and learned a lesson; “focus on the details!” I initially thought that the dial is 1:1 - but there are so many differences and the date cut out is placed somewhere else. On ebay you can find a few 15400 dials for an “ok” price, that was my initial motivation to look for it. Anyway, I will look in to 15500 dials (if I ever find one) and hands for my first AP project. Happy weekend all!

Yes there are gen 15400 dials available (and also 15500 ones for that matter) but 15400 dials, as the eponymous name suggests, are meant for the 15400 and the 15500 dials fit the 15500. Both the Rolex 116610 submariner and the yachtmaster are 40mm but it won’t mean the dials are interchangeable unless you want to create a fantasy piece.
15500 dials are a lot more rare but they are available if you know whom to ask. Just please use the 15400 dials to build a 15400 and not a 15500, the cases may both be 41mm but they are different geometrically, and the movements are different as well.
So if you’re after a 15500 build, there is only one dial type to consider and it isn’t the 15400 one.

 

[Mark1937]

Could you kindly tell me if the 15450 APSF accepts dial gen without mods?

Thanks

 

[Martycus]

Could you kindly tell me if the 15450 APSF accepts dial gen without mods?

Thanks

I came across this post recently when I looked into a project; the answer will depend on the movement you're using.

It depends on the movement. If it’s a 3120 clone movement you can possibly fit the gen dial without cutting the feet. Gen bezel will likely fit direct or just need slight mods to fit it.

 

[j21]

Could you kindly tell me if the 15450 APSF accepts dial gen without mods?

Thanks

Yes, just use the new one with the clone movement

 

[W47chl0v3r]

Same person that creates the Gen spec 5402 case is making me this:

 

[Keylog74]

 

[Baron Rees]

 

[ZenWatch]

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[ZenWatch]

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[ZenWatch]

Nice! Solid gold bro? Which model watch for this Franken again