u/EnvironmentalSong393

* Full story here:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/1997-super-franken-daytona-16520-el-primero-major-
pictorial. 11050277|

For those wondering, I chose 1997 serials for the case since the dial is marked "SWISS MADE" and not "T SWISS MADE T", since '97 was a transitional year for the 16520, as Rolex was switching from tritium lume over to Luminova (pre Super-Luminova).
And since there's a slight difference in the intensity of the lume between the dial and the hands (Phong hands btw, since to use gen hands I would have had to have swapped out another $2K in movement parts--no thanks), that works perfect for '97 since Rolex used different manufacturers for their dials and hands then, so there was a slight variance in lume mixtures. And the hands on the gens tended to fade a little faster than the hour marker's as well because of that.

Thanks to u/Tribal_the_first_1 for the case.

So here's my 1997-themed shoot I had fun doing with this new build! I mocked up a worn gen caseback sticker in Photoshop and had some printed off to use in the shoot along with some 1997 props from eBay and a gen 1997 53-0001 Rolex box set, complete with period-correct hang tags and booklets. Enjoy!

Specifications:
Tribal's German made 16520 midcase & Phong Viet
16500 engraved caseback
Genuine Zenith El Primero 400 movement
Phong hands
Gen dial
Gen crystal & gasket
Gen bezel
Gen crown & stem
Gen pushers
Gen 503B end links
Gen 20mm x 2mm springbars (makes a better end-link fit than the standard 1.8mm)
Gen 78390 service bracelet & clasp

* Full story here:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/1997-super-franken-daytona-16520-el-primero-major-
pictorial. 11050277|

For those wondering, I chose 1997 serials for the case since the dial is marked "SWISS MADE" and not "T SWISS MADE T", since '97 was a transitional year for the 16520, as Rolex was switching from tritium lume over to Luminova (pre Super-Luminova).
And since there's a slight difference in the intensity of the lume between the dial and the hands (Phong hands btw, since to use gen hands I would have had to have swapped out another $2K in movement parts--no thanks), that works perfect for '97 since Rolex used different manufacturers for their dials and hands then, so there was a slight variance in lume mixtures. And the hands on the gens tended to fade a little faster than the hour marker's as well because of that.

Thanks to u/Tribal_the_first_1 for the case.

So here's my 1997-themed shoot I had fun doing with this new build! I mocked up a worn gen caseback sticker in Photoshop and had some printed off to use in the shoot along with some 1997 props from eBay and a gen 1997 53-0001 Rolex box set, complete with period-correct hang tags and booklets. Enjoy!

Specifications:
Tribal's German made 16520 midcase & Phong Viet
16500 engraved caseback
Genuine Zenith El Primero 400 movement
Phong hands
Gen dial
Gen crystal & gasket
Gen bezel
Gen crown & stem
Gen pushers
Gen 503B end links
Gen 20mm x 2mm springbars (makes a better end-link fit than the standard 1.8mm)
Gen 78390 service bracelet & clasp

* Full story here:

https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/1997-super-franken-daytona-16520-el-primero-major-pictorial.11050277/

For those wondering, I chose 1997 serials for the case since the dial is marked "SWISS MADE" and not "T SWISS MADE T", since '97 was a transitional year for the 16520, as Rolex was switching from tritium lume over to Luminova (pre Super-Luminova). And since there's a slight difference in the intensity of the lume between the dial and the hands (Phong hands btw, since to use gen hands I would have had to have swapped out another $2K in movement parts--no thanks), that works perfect for '97 since Rolex used different manufacturers for their dials and hands then, so there was a slight variance in lume mixtures. And the hands on the gens tended to fade a little faster than the hour marker's as well because of that. 

Thanks to u/Tribal_the_first_1 for the case.
 
So here's my 1997-themed  shoot I had fun doing with this new build!  I mocked up a worn gen caseback sticker in Photoshop and had some printed off to use in the shoot along  with some 1997 props from eBay and a gen 1997 53-0001 Rolex box set, complete with period-correct hang tags and booklets. Enjoy!

Specifications:

Tribal's German made 16520 midcase & Phong Viet 16500 engraved caseback
Genuine Zenith El Primero 400 movement
Phong hands
Gen dial
Gen crystal & gasket
Gen bezel
Gen crown & stem
Gen pushers
Gen 503B end links
Gen 20mm x 2mm springbars (makes a better end-link fit than the standard 1.8mm)
Gen 78390 service bracelet & clasp

Thought I’d share my current collection of franken builds over the last year.

1 — 1998 Daytona 16520

U serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, & hands.
Gen parts: bezel, crystal & gasket, dial, crown, pushers, springbars, 503B end links, U stamped ‘98 clasp 78390 bracelet, Zenith El Primero 400 movement

2 — 1978 Tiffany’s Big Red Daytona 6263

5 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 571 end links, 78350 bracelet with VC stamped ‘78 clasp, Valjoux72 movement.

3 — 1971 Tiffany’s Daytona 6263 non-Big Red sigma

2 million serial Viet case & caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, sigma Tiffany’s dial & hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 271 end links, 7835 folded link bracelet with 4/70 stamped clasp, Seagull ST19-03 movement.

4 — 1983 Sea Dweller 1665

7 million serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, and dial, Swiss hands, & Raffle’s silver datewheel.
Gen parts: bezel insert, pip, crown, service crystal, springbars, 585 end links, H stamped ‘83 clasp and 93150 bracelet. ETA 2824-2 movement.

5 — 1998 36mm DateJust 16000

Gen parts: U serial 16234 case & caseback, crown, crystal & gasket, bezel, dial & hands, springbars, 558 end links, 78360 bracelet with U6 stamped ‘98 clasp, VS3135 movement (everything Gen except the movement).

6 — 1969 Daytona 6239

1 million serial DW case, caseback, dial & hands with a Viet bezel.
Gen parts: Tropic 21 crystal, springbars, 71 end links, 3/69 stamped clasp on a 7205 rivet bracelet. ETA 7753 movement.

7 — 1974 Daytona Big Red 6265

3 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, 271 end links, unstamped clasp on a 7835 folded link bracelet. Valjoux72 movement.

8 — 2008 Sea Dweller 16600

M serial BP reshaped case, caseback, crystal, reshaped case and reshaped & chamfered 93160A bracelet with ‘08 PJ4 clasp.
Gen parts: insert, pip, crown and tube. VR3135 movement.

9 — 1982 DateJust 16000

7 million serial reshaped aftermarket case & caseback, open 6/9 datewheel, and Clark’s crystal.
Gen parts: “Buckley” dial & hands, crown, bezel, 558B end links, G stamped ‘82 clasp on a 78360 bracelet. VS3135 movement.

10 — 2015 Daytona 116520

Random serial VSF case & caseback, with random stamped clasp on a refinished & chamfered 78590 bracelet.
Gen parts: dial, hands, crystal & gasket, bezel, pushers, crown & tube. DD4130 movement.

11 — 2025 Daytona 126509

Random serial VSF weighted case, caseback, dial & hands, crown & pushers, refinished & chamfered bracelet. White gold plating by GoldJaws. DD4131 movement.
Gen B25-7000-J1 crystal & gasket.

Last pic to see the warm tone difference between Rolex’s proprietary white gold and stainless steel.

Special thanks to all the help from other builders in the US & Vietnam.

Thought I’d share my current collection of franken builds over the last year.

1 — 1998 Daytona 16520

U serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, & hands.
Gen parts: bezel, crystal & gasket, dial, crown, pushers, springbars, 503B end links, U stamped ‘98 clasp 78390 bracelet, Zenith El Primero 400 movement

2 — 1978 Tiffany’s Big Red Daytona 6263

5 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 571 end links, 78350 bracelet with VC stamped ‘78 clasp, Valjoux72 movement.

3 — 1971 Tiffany’s Daytona 6263 non-Big Red sigma

2 million serial Viet case & caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, sigma Tiffany’s dial & hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 271 end links, 7835 folded link bracelet with 4/70 stamped clasp, Seagull ST19-03 movement.

4 — 1983 Sea Dweller 1665

7 million serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, and dial, Swiss hands, & Raffle’s silver datewheel.
Gen parts: bezel insert, pip, crown, service crystal, springbars, 585 end links, H stamped ‘83 clasp and 93150 bracelet. ETA 2824-2 movement.

5 — 1998 36mm DateJust 16000

Gen parts: U serial 16234 case & caseback, crown, crystal & gasket, bezel, dial & hands, springbars, 558 end links, 78360 bracelet with U6 stamped ‘98 clasp, VS3135 movement (everything Gen except the movement).

6 — 1969 Daytona 6239

1 million serial DW case, caseback, dial & hands with a Viet bezel.
Gen parts: Tropic 21 crystal, springbars, 71 end links, 3/69 stamped clasp on a 7205 rivet bracelet. ETA 7753 movement.

7 — 1974 Daytona Big Red 6265

3 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, 271 end links, unstamped clasp on a 7835 folded link bracelet. Valjoux72 movement.

8 — 2008 Sea Dweller 16600

M serial BP reshaped case, caseback, crystal, reshaped case and reshaped & chamfered 93160A bracelet with ‘08 PJ4 clasp.
Gen parts: insert, pip, crown and tube. VR3135 movement.

9 — 1982 DateJust 16000

7 million serial reshaped aftermarket case & caseback, open 6/9 datewheel, and Clark’s crystal.
Gen parts: “Buckley” dial & hands, crown, bezel, 558B end links, G stamped ‘82 clasp on a 78360 bracelet. VS3135 movement.

10 — 2015 Daytona 116520

Random serial VSF case & caseback, with random stamped clasp on a refinished & chamfered 78590 bracelet.
Gen parts: dial, hands, crystal & gasket, bezel, pushers, crown & tube. DD4130 movement.

11 — 2025 Daytona 126509

Random serial VSF weighted case, caseback, dial & hands, crown & pushers, refinished & chamfered bracelet. White gold plating by GoldJaws. DD4131 movement.
Gen B25-7000-J1 crystal & gasket.

Last pic to see the warm tone difference between Rolex’s proprietary white gold and stainless steel.

Special thanks to all the help from other builders in the US & Vietnam.

Thought I’d share my current collection of franken builds over the last year.

1 — 1998 Daytona 16520

U serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, & hands.
Gen parts: bezel, crystal & gasket, dial, crown, pushers, springbars, 503B end links, U stamped ‘98 clasp 78390 bracelet, Zenith El Primero 400 movement

2 — 1978 Tiffany’s Big Red Daytona 6263

5 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 571 end links, 78350 bracelet with VC stamped ‘78 clasp, Valjoux72 movement.

3 — 1971 Tiffany’s Daytona 6263 non-Big Red sigma

2 million serial Viet case & caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, sigma Tiffany’s dial & hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 271 end links, 7835 folded link bracelet with 4/70 stamped clasp, Seagull ST19-03 movement.

4 — 1983 Sea Dweller 1665

7 million serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, and dial, Swiss hands, & Raffle’s silver datewheel.
Gen parts: bezel insert, pip, crown, service crystal, springbars, 585 end links, H stamped ‘83 clasp and 93150 bracelet. ETA 2824-2 movement.

5 — 1998 36mm DateJust 16000

Gen parts: U serial 16234 case & caseback, crown, crystal & gasket, bezel, dial & hands, springbars, 558 end links, 78360 bracelet with U6 stamped ‘98 clasp, VS3135 movement (everything Gen except the movement).

6 — 1969 Daytona 6239

1 million serial DW case, caseback, dial & hands with a Viet bezel.
Gen parts: Tropic 21 crystal, springbars, 71 end links, 3/69 stamped clasp on a 7205 rivet bracelet. ETA 7753 movement.

7 — 1974 Daytona Big Red 6265

3 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, 271 end links, unstamped clasp on a 7835 folded link bracelet. Valjoux72 movement.

8 — 2008 Sea Dweller 16600

M serial BP reshaped case, caseback, crystal, reshaped case and reshaped & chamfered 93160A bracelet with ‘08 PJ4 clasp.
Gen parts: insert, pip, crown and tube. VR3135 movement.

9 — 1982 DateJust 16000

7 million serial reshaped aftermarket case & caseback, open 6/9 datewheel, and Clark’s crystal.
Gen parts: “Buckley” dial & hands, crown, bezel, 558B end links, G stamped ‘82 clasp on a 78360 bracelet. VS3135 movement.

10 — 2015 Daytona 116520

Random serial VSF case & caseback, with random stamped clasp on a refinished & chamfered 78590 bracelet.
Gen parts: dial, hands, crystal & gasket, bezel, pushers, crown & tube. DD4130 movement.

11 — 2025 Daytona 126509

Random serial VSF weighted case, caseback, dial & hands, crown & pushers, refinished & chamfered bracelet. White gold plating by GoldJaws. DD4131 movement.
Gen B25-7000-J1 crystal & gasket.

Last pic to see the warm tone difference between Rolex’s proprietary white gold and stainless steel.

Special thanks to all the help from other builders in the US & Vietnam.

Thought I’d share my current collection of franken builds over the last year.

1 — 1998 Daytona 16520

U serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, & hands.
Gen parts: bezel, crystal & gasket, dial, crown, pushers, springbars, 503B end links, U stamped ‘98 clasp 78390 bracelet, Zenith El Primero 400 movement

2 — 1978 Tiffany’s Big Red Daytona 6263

5 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 571 end links, 78350 bracelet with VC stamped ‘78 clasp, Valjoux72 movement.

3 — 1971 Tiffany’s Daytona 6263 non-Big Red sigma

2 million serial Viet case & caseback, aftermarket gen-spec MK2 pushers, sigma Tiffany’s dial & hands, and bezel.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, springbars, 271 end links, 7835 folded link bracelet with 4/70 stamped clasp, Seagull ST19-03 movement.

4 — 1983 Sea Dweller 1665

7 million serial reshaped Viet case, caseback, and dial, Swiss hands, & Raffle’s silver datewheel.
Gen parts: bezel insert, pip, crown, service crystal, springbars, 585 end links, H stamped ‘83 clasp and 93150 bracelet. ETA 2824-2 movement.

5 — 1998 36mm DateJust 16000

Gen parts: U serial 16234 case & caseback, crown, crystal & gasket, bezel, dial & hands, springbars, 558 end links, 78360 bracelet with U6 stamped ‘98 clasp, VS3135 movement (everything Gen except the movement).

6 — 1969 Daytona 6239

1 million serial DW case, caseback, dial & hands with a Viet bezel.
Gen parts: Tropic 21 crystal, springbars, 71 end links, 3/69 stamped clasp on a 7205 rivet bracelet. ETA 7753 movement.

7 — 1974 Daytona Big Red 6265

3 million serial Viet case, caseback, aftermarket MK2 pushers, dial with gen coronet & Viet hands.
Gen parts: crown, service crystal, 271 end links, unstamped clasp on a 7835 folded link bracelet. Valjoux72 movement.

8 — 2008 Sea Dweller 16600

M serial BP reshaped case, caseback, crystal, reshaped case and reshaped & chamfered 93160A bracelet with ‘08 PJ4 clasp.
Gen parts: insert, pip, crown and tube. VR3135 movement.

9 — 1982 DateJust 16000

7 million serial reshaped aftermarket case & caseback, open 6/9 datewheel, and Clark’s crystal.
Gen parts: “Buckley” dial & hands, crown, bezel, 558B end links, G stamped ‘82 clasp on a 78360 bracelet. VS3135 movement.

10 — 2015 Daytona 116520

Random serial VSF case & caseback, with random stamped clasp on a refinished & chamfered 78590 bracelet.
Gen parts: dial, hands, crystal & gasket, bezel, pushers, crown & tube. DD4130 movement.

11 — 2025 Daytona 126509

Random serial VSF weighted case, caseback, dial & hands, crown & pushers, refinished & chamfered bracelet. White gold plating by GoldJaws. DD4131 movement.
Gen B25-7000-J1 crystal & gasket.

Last pic to see the warm tone difference between Rolex’s proprietary white gold and stainless steel.

Special thanks to all the other builders involved in the US and Vietnam along the way.

Credit: @fleyge on TikTok

Anyone have a case to sell? Only the case is needed--already have bezel, glass, dial, movement, etc.

Any help appreciated!

Zimbabwe, Southeast Africa

Video by @chelaxadventures