What The Heck Is A "Franken" Watch?

Karma said:

HI All,
I have read the word here and on other forums. I have never seen a definition. I suspect I have a Franken Speedy Pro. But I don't really know what is meant by "Franken". It doesn't sound like a compliment.

Thanks, Sparky

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Why do you suspect you have one if you don't know what it means?

It means the watch is not all original - real original parts mixed with replica or after-market parts in/on it.

Post a pic of your watch and we'll at least tell you what it looks like from the outside or even better if you can post a pic of the movement.

S.L said:

Not necessary replica/after market IMO, it can also mean ALL original parts but in a configuration never released by the OEM.

/Stefan

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Yes, that too :-!

Thanks for the detailed explanation! Some would say it's "modded", some would say "Franken" i guess. Well done for not caring - i wouldn't either. I'm all for modding watches to make them look like YOU want them to not how Omega or any other manufactuer or bores on a watch forum tell you they should look. The dial does sound like a modern genuine Omega replacement for the older dials; a great find which you did well to pickup. Enjoy! :-!

I don't think franken always means something being passed off as something it's not. Many people build, sell, buy and trade them with full honesty about what they are. But as another recent thread and as S.L pointed out above in this thead after my explanation the meaning is not 100% defined and means different things to different people.

I think we can seperate this into two main categories.

People who think that "franken" is a negative term used by scammers who then will use many various other terms to describe any non standard watches that have been "played with" that they own, like or would like to have. Anything they don't find to their taste or somehow isn't upto their particular standards will be called franken.

People who don't label things so much, aren't judgemental or watch snobby and keep an open mind and find it easier to just use the term "franken" for any played with, modded, changed, altered watch.