Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 As some of you may know, I’ve had a thing for the two-tone Rolex Submariner 116613LB for a while. It all started a few years ago when I bought a Regmariner version to see how I liked it, which had the solid blue dial, and I instantly fell in love with it. I therefore upgraded to a BP version with the sunburst dial. This was also a great watch, but on getting more into this particular model and doing more research, I decided to upgrade to the JF with the SH3135 movement. When it arrived the JF version blew me away, but shortly after getting it the VRF Max was launched. This had the fully wrapped bracelet, so there were no bare metal sides of the midlinks or the side of the SEL. This was a fair bit more expensive than the JF, but I sold the JF and upgraded again to the VRF Max. Despite having all these different versions I craved perfection, so the only thing to do was either to go for a gen 116613LB or build a Franken. With 2nd hand values of the gen coming in at between £10,500 and £11,500, I decided to go down the Franken route. Over an eight month period I started buying and collecting gen parts to do a “Super Franken” build. I may have got a little carried away, but was determined to try and build the best I could, so managed to get the following:- Genuine Rolex Dial (new in blister) Genuine Rolex Gold Hands (new) Genuine Rolex DateWheel (new in blister) Genuine Rolex Solid Gold Bezel (new) Genuine Rolex Insert (new) Genuine Rolex Retainer (new) Genuine Rolex Hyrtel (new) Genuine Rolex Click Springs (new) Genuine Rolex Crystal (new in blister) Genuine Rolex Solid Gold Crown (NOS) Genuine Rolex Tube & Gasket (new) Genuine Rolex Autowind Genuine Rolex Springbars (new) Once I had all the parts, I needed another donor watch with an SH3135 movement, as the 2836 in the VRF Max isn’t suitable for the majority of the gen parts. I therefore tried to get another JF version, but these were no longer available with ARF taking over from JF, so I got the latest ARF version which from reading reviews had some flaws. As the majority of it was getting changed for gen parts, I wasn’t too fussed about the flaws, but in all honesty when the ARF arrived I was really impressed with it. The dial had a lovely colour and print, and the bezel insert had the best shade of blue I have seen on any version. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the side of the midlinks and SEL were also fully gold plated/wrapped unlike any other ARF version of this watch that any other member here or next door had bought, and the shade of gold is scarily close to the gen. After five different versions of the 116613LB I now have as close to my grail piece as possible while still saving roughly between £6,000 and £6,500 and it looks and feels like the gen. The only things not gen are the case, bracelet and part of the movement. I also purchased a gen box set and manuals to give it even more of a gen feel. Anyway, I suspect you are all waiting for the pictures, so enough talking. A couple of pics in its bare ARF state And the finished article Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simey83 2,007 Posted July 29, 2019 WOW! Unreal mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deju 1,872 Posted July 29, 2019 It just pops so much Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theviking 197 Posted July 29, 2019 Very nice work buddy, thanks for writing it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted July 29, 2019 This is starting to make me crave a TT..... A Rolie build? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howitzer 1,974 Posted July 29, 2019 Looks incredible mate! You got there in the end... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MAJ75 922 Posted July 29, 2019 Outstanding project. It takes real dedication (& dare I say deep pockets) to aquire the parts necessary for a build like this. The finished piece is spectacular, many congratulations & enjoy it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_B 2,401 Posted July 29, 2019 Looks great Andy When are you getting the gen bracelet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 1 hour ago, TheFreckledTampon said: This is starting to make me crave a TT..... A Rolie build? You know you want one Yeah mate, all credit to @ROLIE for the fantastic work in building it for me. This is the third build he's done for me. The boy is a genius Thanks to all for the positive comments Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 18 minutes ago, Mr_B said: Looks great Andy When are you getting the gen bracelet? Ehhhh, I think I'll pass on the gen bracelet. Sure its about £2,500 for the bracelet which would take it to nearly three quarters of the price of a full gen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BADBILLY 115 Posted July 29, 2019 Great write up on the build. The TT 116613LB is my favorite watch, I have only 2 so far. Could you possibly share with me where you sourced the gen parts from, as I am looking to change my dial out on one of mine. , It's a steel blue and the lettering just doesn't pop enough for me. Really great idea on the build, I do my own plating now, and my work has gotten much better. So it looks like you have about 4000GBP in it so far if you don't mind me asking? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 10 minutes ago, BADBILLY said: Great write up on the build. The TT 116613LB is my favorite watch, I have only 2 so far. Could you possibly share with me where you sourced the gen parts from, as I am looking to change my dial out on one of mine. , It's a steel blue and the lettering just doesn't pop enough for me. Really great idea on the build, I do my own plating now, and my work has gotten much better. So it looks like you have about 4000GBP in it so far if you don't mind me asking? Thanks mate. The 116613LB is IMO one of the nicest Rolex models available. The total cost, including all the parts, ARF Sub and build costs was £4,658. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,285 Posted July 29, 2019 2 minutes ago, Chiquita Fanjita said: The total cost, including all the parts, ARF Sub and build costs was £4,658. Rolie charged £30 to put it together!!?! Bloody liberty!!!! Inflation is rife up North I see!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 1 minute ago, TheFreckledTampon said: Rolie charged £30 to put it together!!?! Bloody liberty!!!! Inflation is rife up North I see!!! I wish it was only £30 to build it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
964boy 54 Posted July 29, 2019 Fantastic info Andy, and stunning finished product. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 9 minutes ago, 964boy said: Fantastic info Andy, and stunning finished product. Thanks Hugh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted July 29, 2019 Don't listen to these guys Andy, the watch is awful..... I can relieve you from its presence.... Just sent it to me and I will use it accordingly... No need to add any cash to persuade me, I'll do it for free! I only expect you to cover the shipping costs..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 24 minutes ago, Nikosaldente said: Don't listen to these guys Andy, the watch is awful..... I can relieve you from its presence.... Just sent it to me and I will use it accordingly... No need to add any cash to persuade me, I'll do it for free! I only expect you to cover the shipping costs..... You sure? That's awful nice of you to help out like that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted July 29, 2019 1 hour ago, Chiquita Fanjita said: You sure? That's awful nice of you to help out like that I confess; I'm an altruistic bastard.... All jokes aside, awesome result mate! Well done for collecting all the Gen parts and as always Hat's off to the "Caffeine Kid" Enjoy wearing it in the best of health Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 33 minutes ago, Nikosaldente said: I confess; I'm an altruistic bastard.... All jokes aside, awesome result mate! Well done for collecting all the Gen parts and as always Hat's off to the "Caffeine Kid" Enjoy wearing it in the best of health Andy Thanks mate. It's been a labour of love, but the end result has been worth it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splke 4,383 Posted July 29, 2019 lovely that pal you gonna be modeling it next time you are down Yorkshire ? Inspiring me to get my old 5 digit tt back up and running Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiquita Fanjita 1,781 Posted July 29, 2019 1 hour ago, splke said: lovely that pal you gonna be modeling it next time you are down Yorkshire ? Inspiring me to get my old 5 digit tt back up and running Thanks mate. I might well do next time the mafia come down and invade your neck of the woods Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
