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http://www.vintagehour.com/2011/07/rolex-tropic-crystals-a-comparison-of-superdomes-domes-service-domes/

Well, The 202A really needs no introduction, the Gen is pretty much on everyones grail list...but it's one of those pieces that turned my passion into a full fledged seductive obsession! After seeing so many amazing builds, I was hooked and like every PAM addicted member, started doing research on the Gen! Then, like most of us, it turns into a hunt for the most accurate parts to create your own Pre-V masterpiece. I'm a tad obsessive compulsive, but I had to stay within my means and these builds aren't cheap....all that matters is that it puts a smile on my face On a special note, my Father doesn't wear watches...but when he saw this piece, he was like a kid on Christmas morning! After seeing his reaction, I thought what better gift for a Father who has everything...so, I offered to build him one, that was a moment to remember, I'll never forget his smile...he should have one on his wrist for Christmas morning! The build took well over a year, collecting and meticulously fitting parts prior to being coated. Everything was then sent to The Zigmeister last August and the ultimate wait began! But, after about 9 months in the Zig Spa (Movement took forever to arrive), it was complete and well, here's the result. I've had it for a while now, but wanted to give it a much deserved shoot! Specs: - DSN 202A Caseset (Gen Spec PVD Coating) - ETA 6497-1 (Brand new in sealed package) - FGD v2.0 Dial (Matte coated and tritium color lume) - FGD v2.0 Hands with correct ends (Non matching lume) - LH CG - Palp Crown - Jakob Caseback - Dirk Vero Cuoio Nero Strap with PVD 24mm ‘Dirk’ COINAGE buckle A massive thank you to The Zigmeister (Rob & Jennifer) for their craftsmanship, professionalism and friendship; to FGD (Simon) for taking the time to create such amazing dials/hands that are integral to the build of the watch and to Jakob who was in the midst of becoming a Father, hope all is well. Of course, where would I be without the forum, the build wouldn't be possible and I've made some great friends along the way, so thanks for the help and guidance!!! Cheers! Hope you enjoy the shots...

This is my PAM 000 This model was introduced on the G series. It was created as an homage to the 201a by OP. (Arguably a marketing ploy! But hey..Who cares!) It is nicknamed 'The Poor Man's Logo' as the only Logo Risti's consider as The Logo is the 201a... Thats their opinion! I absolutely love this watch as to me it epitomises everything about OP. The sausage dial, The strong lume, The Logo, The base dial, The fat CG. This model was released in a year that OP was changing its standard design on Luminors... up until then they had released models with a thin CG and sausage dials.... for the G series OP reintroduced the Fat CG (Similar to the PreV CGs), they introduced the sandwich dial and made small changes to the case, the crystal including the AR and the millesimation plus some other variations ie movements etc You can generally tell a G series as below the 6 is written 'L Swiss L' rather than 'L Swiss Made L' Another thing to consider with this series is, as with PreAs, As etc there were variations to each model, Transitional models you might say like the A series to B series models... so you can see some models that have parts from the previous series with parts from the current (at that time) series. Again this is what makes Panerai's all the more fun The G series 000's are different to all 000s that followed, most notably the size and shape of the lume.... the G series indices were thicker and a slightly different shape... after that series the dials have remained constant. In addition the CGs are also different, to be honest I am not quite sure how, I do see small differences in the pin and around the crown area though not enough to be sure, but those that know have commented on it and in addition one thing I do know for certain is the 000G and 005 CGs have different part numbers to the CGs on other models. That fact I got from OP itself. I can post comparison pics if they are wanted by anyone?

New 111j case Sapphire NO AR LH CG Jakob case back FGD dial vaclumed and FGD hands T48 crown Swiss ETA 6497 serviced Watch is available and ready to be shipped once payment is received. $1000 + shipping.

Great Sub, R, but I'm going to jump on the IWC bandwagon today:

+1

Pilot

.... I thought some of you guys might find it interesting I sort of cobbled it together from a couple of reputable Ristis The Black Seal 5218-218A This is no doubt the controversial Pre-Vendome watch This piece was first projected very early 1996, drawn and specified in mid 1996, final specifications in December 1996, re-specified & re-final drawings in January or February 1997 by Panerai in Firenze. Delay and re-specifications happened because all Pre-Vendome pieces did not meet success expectations (not happening fast enough), already in financial difficulties, Panerai in Firenze wanted to minimize their cost of production and therefore wanted to ‘self’-produce or produce locally their latest watches. Even if the Black Seal watch project was planned for production in 1996, commercially expected by the Panerai in Firenze agents for September 1996, to produce locally took some times to put in place and it was slow, thus explaining why the watch only saw the light of sun in late 1997. All Pre-Vendome watches were produced in Switzerland by the Frères Guenat (Company Name: Montres Valgine), all but 5218-209 5218-210 5218-218 which are the very last watches specified by Panerai in Firenze, those last, had been produced in Italy, Coro Spa (Italy) for the cases, and by Fabiano Alessi ‘Croem’ for all fittings and adjustments, movements et dials were sourced by ‘Valgine’’s subcontracted companies. After the acquisition of Panerai by Vendome, Coro (Italy) was initially chosen to produce the post Vendome watch cases, but past the first 500 Pre-A series cases, Vendome decided to end their contract and the company ceased its activities. The 5 pieces 5218-218A Black Seal were in fact completed and released only in late 1997 Post Pre-Vendome era. A secret, a surprise to all but one, in Mai 1997 Panerai in Firenze had sold all their rights to watches and instruments to Vendome, this resulting that officially Panerai in Firenze which continued its other activities as Panerai Sistemi spa, could not officially accept delivery of those watches. However and somehow someone at Panerai Sistemi took delivery of those pieces. I believe that most of the 5 pieces were kept till the end of Panerai Sistemi spa in 2000 (1999/2000 ) then all the 5 pieces were sold. Somehow 1 piece (probably even 2 pieces,) is with current Panerai (The CEO was photographed sporting one on wrist, photo somewhere on web), a private party purchased 2 pieces, one temporally stayed with the original recipient and I believe one was with the ex-Panerai distributor 1993-1997 (Gioie). In 2002 (2001?) a Few Panerai enthusiasts were aware that some direct and indirect parties of the ex-Panerai in Firenze together with in the complicity professional parties as well a freshly established horological company were ‘producing’ some Pre-Vendome pieces. Even if partly assembled using some new old stock parts, none of those that were seen or discussed (often online) had the full original configurations, despite the resemblance and whatever certifications, they are simply put, nothing short of FAKES! Although legally in Italy, it seems that if a watch is 66% made of original parts it is considered as authentic, sold by ‘genuine’ people! I believe there are out there in total approx 25 ‘Pre-Vendome Black Seal’ pieces, may be even more, safe for 5 pieces, most are with no case-back markings, no watch numbers, incomplete or reworked packaging, even wrong cases or finishes etc… I am aware of 6 re-replicas of the 5 genuine pieces, their case-back engraving clearly shows the differences, and many of the others are often with blanked or semi-blanked case back. Regardless what anybody else says about the 5218-218A P 001; P 002; P 003, P 004; P 005, they are 5 original and true Panerai Pre-Vendome watches. Their legal existence can be discussed or challenged but, their authenticity (100%) is entire. They came out complete; with a Pre-Vendome box (like all previous models), with a named libretto (like all previous models), with a box sticker (like all previous models), with a screwdriver (like all previous models). BUT Unlike most of those assembled later… Very recently on the web it is said about the 5218-218A something like ‘new researches (what researches QWERTY or AZERTY?) indicate that those watches were assembled by Panerai in Firenze ex-employees’, to me this statement is incomplete and therefore a false declaration. If it is about the re-replicated 5218-218 then in part it is also a wrong conclusion/deduction.

I threw my 2A on a custom order Gunny Caitlin II and I cannot get it off my wrist! Never thought I'd be so drawn to a base. Also a couple pics I took on a 1st gen Dirk. Love this one!!

i actually use this first kit here http://www.giottos.com/CL.htm i found that microfiber cloth in this kit (and ive owned many from various places) to not leave a single scratch or smudge, even the solution in this kit is far superior to anything else ive ever used. these kits are inexpensive and ive cleaned many dirty grimmy gloss dials with them, when complete they were perfect, no prints or scratches in any light. also keep in mind when handling the cloth that your finger grease is getting absorbed by the cloth by you handling it, so keep one end primarily as the business end. i also roll my cloths to a point for finer accuracy and more applied pressure. you have to wipe the grease clean across from where it is off the end of the dial to completely lift it away

Arrived yesterday from Andrew my new acquisition: the PAM. 360 Paneristi edition. I am really very happy: this replica is almost identical to the genuine. The pvd/dlc is really amazing, the best I've ever seen on a replica. Dial perfect, dazzling lume. Even the strap is really nice and close to the gen., both in the building in shades of skin color. Enjoi some pics:p : Comparison between DSN 202a new pvd case, pam. 360 H factory and genuine pam.009 lett.A: Pam.360 and gen. Pam. 009 lett. A side to side

Added another one to my collection!! On this strap