Next Franken Mod : Seiko Apocalypse Sumo

Seeing all the excitement from the launch of the SLA033J1 during Baselworld 2019 and the discontinuation of the SBDC031J1, I have the next Franken Mod ready. 

First off, the 6105 homage case was ready, with an NH35 movement encased. Further, I have prepared a set of SBDC031 dial and handset. The parts would be going to my watchsmith for the modification works soon enough, and it should be interesting to note the final work hereafter.

Let's see how the final product compares to the SLA033.

And this were the LX models released during Baselworld 2019.

Baselworld 2019 : Sumo Returns

Well, Seiko has also launched its Sumo G3, which I had previously written about. At this point, the differences seemed to be the bezel insert, dial, and hands. Movement and case were said to be the same as Sumo G1 and G2. So, if you were holding onto these G1 and G2 pieces in your collection, hold on further as they would only become scarcer over time.

And at the time of launch, Blumo seemed to have been discontinued; although Seiko being Seiko, would almost always have all the Candy Crush colours coming back at one point or another. At this point, Sumo G3 comes in classic black and Yakushima green.

So there you have it, readers- Sumo has returned in newer forms now!

Other Seiko pieces as released live from those lucky chaps visiting Baselworld 2019 included the following :

Baselworld 2019 : Batman Returns

Well, it's the time of the year again for us horology fans! Baselworld 2019!

Well, this year, Rolex had a few offerings for us- and one of them was in the new Batman. I wrote about the likelihood of a new 126710BLNR equipped with Calibre 3285 similar to that of last year's Pepsi, and it was all spot-on!

A couple of calls to my AD associates later, I was informed that the current 116710BLNR stock had been discontinued for a while now, so the prices would likely surge on even more hereafter. I know that many of you had requested for the 116710BLNR from me, and I had only been able to get 1-2 pieces per month (unlike 10 pieces per month like that of last year); so chances were that the last 2 pieces that I would pick up during my overseas trip later this week would be the last new ones that I could pick up under the forties price tag.

I myself would be keeping my own 116710BLNR into the safe for a while now. And for many of you whom had previously received your 116710BLNR from me in the past, hold on to yours tight as you could be in for a good appreciation.

By the way, the largely-unloved 116710LN and 116713 had also been discontinued; so there could be some appreciation in prices too although I don't expect a big surge on these pieces.

And my AD would inform me after they get their hands on the 126710BLNR. I've asked them to try pairing the Oyster bracelet on the new Batman; and if it fits, then we would essentially be getting the Batman with an improved movement. How about that?

I am also attracted to the meteorite dial Pepsi, though the asking price would take some convincing to before I pull the trigger. I'll look at the real life example before making my mind on this one. Going forward, it'd seemed only a matter of the time before the Coke gets the makeover re-issue.

The rest of the Rolex offerings during the Baselworld 2019 weren't really that exciting for me. Sea-Dweller had always been the toolish piece compared to the Submariner, so having it in bi-metal kind of defeats the purpose of branding it as a toolish watch. 

If one wanted a more premium diver piece, the Submariner in bi-metal would have served the purpose.

I don't quite care for the Yatch-Master in 42mm stainless steel either. This had always been the classic  piece, so the 40mm size would have suited it better in my humble opinion.

So there you have it, dear readers. From the above new offerings, the one that I would likely add on to my collection would the the Batman and Meteorite GMT.

WTS : Seiko Mod Parts (NEW dials, hands, bezel inserts, etc)

Clearance for some of my mod parts. All are new and unused, unless stated otherwise.

1) Dagaz SOXA 4.00 o'clock dial (RRP : USD39) clearing at RM130.

2) Dagaz full hand set (RRP : USD30) clearing at RM100 per set.

3) Sharkey MM300 dial clearing at RM100.

4) Sumo / Blumo original bezel insert clearing at RM130 each.

5) Sumo Batman ceramic bezel insert clearing at RM130.

6) SKX007 ceramic bezel insert (Submariner / Batman / Coke) clearing at RM130 each.

Any purchases above RM500 would get free gift (new Z20 / Z22 rubber straps, while stock last).

SOLD : Seiko Sumo Blumo

Seiko Sumo Blumo

- Like new.

- Full boxed set.

- Discontinued G2 model.
- Warranty card dated 3/2/2019.

- Free mod parts (new) : Dagaz dial (USD39), Dagaz full hand set (USD30), Ceramic Batman bezel insert (USD30).

- Clearing cheap @ SOLD.

SOLD : Omega Trilogy Limited Edition 557

- NOS, brand new, and current dated March 2019;

- 5-year manufacturer warranty applies;

- Only 1 full set available on Chrono24 and selling @ USD23k / RM93k.

- Letting go at <SOLD> for a fast deal.

- Free additional straps.

Description :

A 60th Anniversary tribute to one of three classic timepieces released in 1957, this Speedmaster limited to 557 pieces, is based on the original “Broad Arrow”, which was not only the first Speedmaster, it was also the first chronograph wristwatch in the world with its tachymeter scale on the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial. 

The 2017 model perfectly matches each feature of the original and stays true to the Speedmaster's iconic spirit. 

In common with all three watches in the box set, it is cased in brushed and polished stainless steel and features the word TRILOGY and the limited edition number on the black 'tropical' dial. 

It is presented on a stainless steel bracelet, with a retro-style OMEGA logo on the clasp and is powered by OMEGA calibre 1861.

Time Gear Vol. 26

Well, what a pleasant surprise! It seemed that the MM003 prototype model that I had ordered some time back @ http://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2018/12/mission-2-mars-mm003.html was featured in the latest Time Gear, a Japanese publication about watches.

Can't wait to get my hands on the actual piece in due course...

Beware the Franken Mod Bug

Hi, my name is Andy and I'm a Seiko Franken Mod addict...

A handsome mod from a fellow Seiko enthusiast.

Some mods turned out better than thought, some well, ummm...

Am still overseas at the interim period, but my fingers have been busy at work. Needless to say, I'll have some explaining to do when the bill comes along in due course. 

In my watch winder.

The thing was, it's never a bad idea to invest in good models from Rolex and Omega as prices tend to appreciate over time. For me, Rolex pieces worth buying were Submariner, GMT-Master ii, Sea- and Sky-Dweller; while Omega's tend to be Speedmaster limited editions. The more limited the edition, the better it was then.

In another collector's watch winder.

And on the other side of the equation was what I deemed as the horology playthings- and by this I meant the pieces specifically from Seiko, Seiko, and all things Seiko-related. Sure, you're not going to mod the MM300 and MM1000 that cost north of RM10k; but there were plenty of other cheaper alternatives in the Seiko stable worth playing with.

Projects that I have had included the Seiko Turtle Re-issues that were modded with Dr Seikostein and Dagaz parts. Then, there was the Sumo that was transformed into MM300 with original SBDX017 parts along with DLW lumed bezel. And a couple of SKX007 that were transformed into a Sumo, and Planet Ocean respectively. All these projects could be found in this blog.

To be featured soon would be an Ice Mon5ter equipped with the very limited Great Wave dial. My watchsmith informed me that the modded piece was ready for collection, and the pictures looked great!

And all the clicking these few days meant that these other projects will be featured in the near future :

- SKX007 x Dagaz Shark;

- 6105 x Dagaz Soxa Silver;

- Orange Mon5ter x Dagaz UDT-Submarine.

Fun times indeed!