ubiquitous 0 Posted July 26, 2009 Recently, I picked up a 4th generation 42mm Planet Ocean to see what could be done with it. Usually, I partake in Rolex franken projects, but the 42mm PO had always been a watch I admired from afar. I figured it was time to finally fix that Here's how the watch was received. Pretty typical 42mm 4th gen- Correct sized case, correct He valve position, etc. etc. Pretty bare bones, not much to it. Seems that mine had some slight differences from other 4th gens I had seen- Dial was different, datewheel was different, bracelet was a little better in terms of no major gaps at the end links or clasp. The first step for me was to address the bad bezel, bad insert and horrible pearl. This was the first item to correct as if it did not fit, there would be no point in moving forward. The bezel was the one uncertain in the project- Many had said it would not fit, and many have tried. However in my case, I was able to make it work... Compare the old rep bezel with the gen: Case sans bezel: And with some work, it fits perfectly... The hard part is over... Everything should be downhill from here. Next step was to start working with the internals of the watch. So, time to uncase the movement: Hands and dial removed; crappy datewheel revealed: New 2892-2 datewheel: Compare old and new: 2892-2 datewheel fitted: Next point to address- The dial. There are several items that need to be corrected here- 1) The Omega logo 2) Correcting he datewindow bevel 3) Getting the correct shape of the hour markers 4) Getting the right lume 5) Getting the right numeral markers at 12:00, 6:00 and 9:00 6) Correcting the text font 7) Getting the right color and texture of the dial surface. First the old rep dial: And now to correct all those issues in one swing: And fitted: Since I've gone the distance with a genuine bezel assembly and genuine dial, I may as well match with some gen hands as well... And fitted: Let's case it back up... Next point of business- Let's tackle that rep bracelet. I was fortunate enough to pick up a nice gen bracelet from a friend; the genuine article is of course nicely finished, significantly more substantial in weight and has a very precision feel in the links, clasp, etc. The difference is in the details... End links (the wrapped bracelet is the rep bracelet: Clasp: And fitted... Finished... Next steps will be to swap out the crown and tube for genuine and then AR the crystal... Thanks for looking! Ubi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted July 26, 2009 Ubi, Thanks for bringing that great post over here. Lot's of great info in that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 26, 2009 Ubi: FANTASTIC to have you here - and WOW what a first post! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sconehead 5 Posted July 26, 2009 Welcome ubi, what has it cost to do the mods to date? I'm looking at a 1680 'Yuki' case and dial, the case supposedly takes a gen movement, do you have any experience with these? Pretty pricey though, the case alone is $450... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted July 26, 2009 Ubi, great post, thanks!!! Where did you get genuine parts and how much for every part? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ubiquitous 0 Posted July 26, 2009 Thanks for the warm welcome Been a long time since I've visited the forum... Since 2006, or so I believe? Nice to see that the 'Season's Greetings' banner at the top has been taken down At any rate... For this one, I think I have around $1050-ish into it. Seems a bit absurd when a pre-owned gen can be had for $1700 - $2200, but I wanted to see how far I could take this one. It's turned out well, and I think it will have a home in the collection for the long term, though with such projects, they tend to find their way into new homes after a while. As for the Yuki 1680 case- I have not had any first hand experience with that specific case, but I do believe it will accept a 1570 and/or a 2836/2846; you'll definitely have some options in that regard. To contrast with MBW cases, certain 1570's are a drop in solution, depending on which donor watch you obtain for the movement. Otherwise some slight modification will be required for fit. Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of on those. The same could also be possible with the Yuki cases... Can't say for sure until I have one in my hands to see Something else to take into consideration are the dials- Some cases for 1680's are actually based on the 5513 design (the MBW is this way). The issue here is that the gen 1680 dial is larger than the 5513's, so if the Yuki case is similar, a gen dial may not be a direct fit without trimming. I should pick one up just to check it out; would be interesting to have a look at it to see how it stacks up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KinCaidk 0 Posted July 26, 2009 Ubi, great post, thanks!!!Where did you get genuine parts and how much for every part? Ofrei has them. Bezel: $220 Hands: $55 Dial:$222 As my bezel and pearl is quite good, I think I am going for the dial and hands only. Ubi>> This is great! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ubiquitous 0 Posted July 27, 2009 Price breakdown... Watch --- $230 Bezel --- $190 Datewheel --- $30 Dial --- $222 Hands --- $60 Bracelet --- $300 --- Total --- $1,032 I should add- Some parts were sourced from ofrei, while others were not. So, not terribly expensive, but not a bargain project either. I try to keep my builds at around 50% of gen when possible; not always doable, but it gives me a realistic ceiling to try to stay within... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted July 27, 2009 outstanding ubi - thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ubiquitous 0 Posted July 27, 2009 I usually don't do lume shots, but... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ImWatchingYOU 0 Posted August 18, 2010 Excellent work, it's a 50/50 Gen now! :gday_mate_haveabeer: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tressles61 0 Posted August 18, 2010 Very Nice Work Indeed! Hmmm... where to find a 4th gen 42. I love that bezel ring! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
debian 0 Posted August 18, 2010 Amazing! Can someone with the right amount of power edit the first post to correct some of the images that is not being displayed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted August 18, 2010 Amazing!Can someone with the right amount of power edit the first post to correct some of the images that is not being displayed? Seems like Ubi has deleted some of the pictures from his Photobucket account. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
debian 0 Posted August 18, 2010 Amazing!Can someone with the right amount of power edit the first post to correct some of the images that is not being displayed? Seems like Ubi has deleted some of the pictures from his Photobucket account. No he has not, If copy and paste the url:s to another tab you can see his images that is not showing in the post... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted August 18, 2010 Amazing!Can someone with the right amount of power edit the first post to correct some of the images that is not being displayed? Seems like Ubi has deleted some of the pictures from his Photobucket account. No he has not, If copy and paste the url:s to another tab you can see his images that is not showing in the post... Let me check again. See what I can do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted August 18, 2010 Ubi, part deux: End links (the wrapped bracelet is the rep bracelet: Clasp: And fitted... Finished... Next steps will be to swap out the crown and tube for genuine and then AR the crystal... Thanks for looking! Ubi -------------------- OK I guess it's going to take the big boss to straighten it out. Apparently only so many pictures per post are allowed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ImWatchingYOU 0 Posted August 18, 2010 And after that change the movement with the case? :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiz 0 Posted August 19, 2010 Very nice!!! Do you know how thick is the rep crystal? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedzmaster 0 Posted October 9, 2010 You coulda just purchased the gen for the amount you invested in the rep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
q5? 0 Posted October 29, 2010 You coulda just purchased the gen for the amount you invested in the rep. That sure would be boring though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
makeboss 0 Posted November 27, 2010 I usually don't do lume shots, but... B) WOAH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aren 27 Posted November 27, 2010 WOW...and great photographs...really wonderful. B) Looks familiar. I know! It's the granite...it is my kitchen counter! Seriously...that is a really nice progression of pictures. It is really great that you took the time to share it with us. It looks like the second round of photos were the link shots. Lovely work and stunning lume. Thanks so much. All the Best, Arenaria Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFleischer 4,355 Posted November 27, 2010 Great work!I like the orange numbered dial myself. Actually, a $1000 is a good deal for that watch. I'm not sure if the bracelet was a gift, if you had to buy a gen, that would probably put it range of a used model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kipper 0 Posted June 18, 2011 Awesome read ubi - the best franken I have seen :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
