Franken project: Most money you've spent to build one?

[Tienbang]

I've been thinking about building a franken 1675 but the cost of the parts is ridiculously high. So then I was thinking...What is the most you've spent to build a franken piece?

For me it has been around $1400 for my 16800

JF Case rehaut removed
ETA 2836
Gen Matte Dial
Gen Crown
Gen Crystal
Gen Bezel
Gen Insert

 

[PlanetZoom]

How about a pic?

 

[WatchGuy]

i have put a hard limit of 3k on a franken for myself now.

ive gotten very close to that limit with 116610 frankens and 116710 frankens before, hit it with an IWC Panda genstein, passed it with an all gen but phong case 16610 and may push the limit again with a 16520 franken w/ the new noob 4130 movement.

 

[JackJ1980]

I refuse to answer this question
But here’s my babies I built. I had a JF super Franken also but can’t find the pic easily as the JJS and TC V7x also are all over my pics and it would take a while to find and be sure.

My first Franken:

My second:


My best:


My newest:

My least flashy:

 

[Rich D]

I've been thinking about building a franken 1675 but the cost of the parts is ridiculously high. So then I was thinking...What is the most you've spent to build a franken piece?

For me it has been around $1400 for my 16800

JF Case rehaut removed
ETA 2836
Gen Matte Dial
Gen Crown
Gen Crystal
Gen Bezel
Gen Insert

What is a JF Case?

 

[MasterWatch]

I refuse to answer this question
But here’s my babies I built. I had a JF super Franken also but can’t find the pic easily as the JJS and TC V7x also are all over my pics and it would take a while to find and be sure.

My first Franken:View attachment 11732

My second:
View attachment 11733

My best:
View attachment 11734

My newest:View attachment 11735

My least flashy:
View attachment 11736

Very nice Frankens!

 

[GMTG0D]

I refuse to spend more than 40-50% on a franken cost compared to gen. With that said the most ive spent on just one has been 4k.

 

[WatchGuy]

What is a JF Case?

the JF 16610.

 

[androme]

View attachment 11735

What was build and cost of your newest? Am intrigued at my potential next project once I get over the heartache of my superfranken v6s build!

 

[JackJ1980]

I refuse to answer this question

What was build and cost of your newest? Am intrigued at my potential next project once I get over the heartache of my superfranken v6s build!

most recent is being built right now actually. A 16803 I’m making to give to my dad. Roughly $500,350,100,250,180,150, 500, 300,176,45,850 for all the parts off the top of my head. ~$3500 I think all gen but midcase and serviced Yuki.

 

[JackJ1980]

What was build and cost of your newest? Am intrigued at my potential next project once I get over the heartache of my superfranken v6s build!

My TT YM was my most expensive by far, gmt being second. Both have brand new gen movements as well.

 

[JackJ1980]

I refuse to answer this question

most recent is being built right now actually. A 16803 I’m making to give to my dad. Roughly $500,350,100,250,180,150, 500, 300,176,45,850 for all the parts off the top of my head. ~$3500 I think all gen but midcase and serviced Yuki.

And bezel is a ST solid gold but being worked on the guys who did JJS bezel and sent some side by sides of the st next my gen gold bezel for guide. It’ll come back damn close to gen but for half price (the gen Rolex gold bezels are getting insane for 16613/16803)

 

[airking]

I have to say, practically speaking, it doesn't make too much sense but it's so much fun. My Frankens have probably reached to about $800-$1k. I've been 'good' about keeping it at this budget for now.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[JackJ1980]

I have to say, practically speaking, it doesn't make too much sense but it's so much fun. My Frankens have probably reached to about $800-$1k. I've been 'good' about keeping it at this budget for now.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Try and stay there a tc is a great example. Pick up a used one and ad a gen insert and done. Same for a JJS or a some others just require a gen xtal for the 6 digits or a gen insert (that gets a little pricier though). I go all out because I enjoy it as a hobby. Never expect to get back what you put in and never build it if you’re not sure you want to keep it. You may change your mind later but shouldn’t be while still building

 

[airking]

Try and stay there a tc is a great example. Pick up a used one and ad a gen insert and done. Same for a JJS or a some others just require a gen xtal for the 6 digits or a gen insert (that gets a little pricier though). I go all out because I enjoy it as a hobby. Never expect to get back what you put in and never build it if you’re not sure you want to keep it. You may change your mind later but shouldn’t be while still building

I used to always try to go for the movement as the first item to franken but its really hard to source and very expensive. Over the years though, especially for Rolex reps, my first mod would probably be the crystal. Out of all the parts, I think that elevates the rep into the next level. I have a BK WM9/TC LV that is all rep/aftermarket and if I find a deal on a crystal, thats the first thing I'm gonna change. Bracelets/straps would be another thing to change but more for the feel than the appearance.

 

[efthi]

For me it would be my Hulk based on Noob V7 with gen crystal, DW, sponge insert, gen 3135.. but I would say that the “frankening” part costed me even more since it led me to buy a couple gen Rolex and Omega pieces


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[Endrigo]

My last franken