Can an AP 15400 be frankenized? I just purchased my first rep 15400 miyota and once I learn the in's and out's of how to make a franken watch I'd like to build this one out. Prob with Gen Dial, gen movement if even possible, etc...
-
Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!
Can 15400 be franken'ed? Or just certain AP's?
- Thread starter amv8
- Start date
ROOs can be frankened because there's an alternative movement that can accommodate a gen dial, dials which themselves exist for sale because people replace them with blinged out ones and such.
With a 15400, there are less gens in the market, hence less people modifying them, its also a watch that people wouldn't want to modify anyways, as such, there are less gen parts out there
As for a gen AP cal 3120 movement. No chance at all.
Your only real modding option for this are:
- AR crystal
- Relume
- Buy aftermarket endlinks to fit a gen leather strap
With a 15400, there are less gens in the market, hence less people modifying them, its also a watch that people wouldn't want to modify anyways, as such, there are less gen parts out there
As for a gen AP cal 3120 movement. No chance at all.
Your only real modding option for this are:
- AR crystal
- Relume
- Buy aftermarket endlinks to fit a gen leather strap
I have not seen any 15400 Franken projects. As ZD points out, there is a supply bottleneck on OEM parts for this model that is even worse than the ROO OEM market.
I made a 15202 franken with a 5402 dial (it's really a 5402 franken with an open caseback). There are no 15400 parts on the market yet, and probably won't be for decades, so good luck if you want to franken it.
Yes, this is the resourceful and talented bloke who Frankened the 15202, ciceroyeah (great handle).
If we had the 15400 parts, esp. the dial, movement and hands, we could probably Franken the 15400. But we do not.
If we had the 15400 parts, esp. the dial, movement and hands, we could probably Franken the 15400. But we do not.
I have a 15400, still modding at Goin, AR, WP, lume (although not much lume anyway).. mayb will post some pic when i receive it... probably july?
the above already bring the whole expenses close or over $1k.. i wonder if it really worth go franken with maybe a gen dial.. which i never seen 1 pop up for sell on the bay..
i think, better spent the money elsewhere.. soo much new reps coming out from china!!
15400 Franken would be too hard since it has an open caseback.
The gen has a magnificently finished JLC movement and without that, a rep would always be a rep
The gen has a magnificently finished JLC movement and without that, a rep would always be a rep
The 15400 and 15300 use the calibre 3120, which is an in-house AP movement introduced 10ish years ago, not a JLC ebauche like the 15202. Most of the watches that use a 3120 probably haven't even seen their first service, so it's unlikely any of the movements are available anywhere but in complete watches, and the Audemars factory itself.
The dials and hands exist from 2012 on, and again are almost certainly only in watches that are still in their initial warranty, let alone have been serviced or replaced with furniture dials.
Your best bet for frankens are ROOs (which often spawn OEM parts when 'blinged' out) or other older models, which have had parts replaced by AP and the original parts become available for reasonable prices in the grey market.
2121 movements are relatively common, as AP used them for a LOT of watches in the 60s and 70s, and the same exact movement was used by Patek and VC for many thin watches. A reasonable price for one is around 2500usd, or if you can get a vintage watch for a good price, you can take out the movement and sell the gold case for a discount.
The dials and hands exist from 2012 on, and again are almost certainly only in watches that are still in their initial warranty, let alone have been serviced or replaced with furniture dials.
Your best bet for frankens are ROOs (which often spawn OEM parts when 'blinged' out) or other older models, which have had parts replaced by AP and the original parts become available for reasonable prices in the grey market.
2121 movements are relatively common, as AP used them for a LOT of watches in the 60s and 70s, and the same exact movement was used by Patek and VC for many thin watches. A reasonable price for one is around 2500usd, or if you can get a vintage watch for a good price, you can take out the movement and sell the gold case for a discount.
i know few people have 3120 movement.
at least 2 of them, the first one im not fast enough to press the buy it now button,
the other one because the redicilous price. yet its sold. and its a friend of mine who bought it.
they all used movement. dunno what happen to the watch.
so theyre exsit, the owner just like to be low profile.
at least 2 of them, the first one im not fast enough to press the buy it now button,
the other one because the redicilous price. yet its sold. and its a friend of mine who bought it.
they all used movement. dunno what happen to the watch.
so theyre exsit, the owner just like to be low profile.
There you are. Never say never. It is just a matter of how thoroughly you want to immerse yourself in parts acquisition and how much you are prepared to pay. Buying power is necessary.