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I was quite close to cutting this piece loose from my collection. However, at Mrs. Ubi’s recommendation I withdrew. http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/157422-feeler-kicking-the-idea-around/ And now, just a few months later, I’m glad I took her suggestion to heart. This watch has undergone a facelift a few times, some updates here and there but it is the most recent update that has me the most excited. May I present my 1940's PPCo 530… Now with 100% more gen dial. Picked this dial up on luck; seller had it listed with some poor quality images, though there were some small details that stood out that made me feel comfortable enough to take a pretty substantial (albeit educated) chance. Shortly after sealing the deal, I had the dial in my hands and sure enough, it was as expected- 100% genuine. Nice, hard enamel fonts, and in excellent, near NOS condition. Having returned recently from travel, I didn’t have my watches in hand as they were all in the bank’s security deposit box. So, after hurriedly picking them up, I swapped in the dial. In the duration of this project’s life, the watch as a whole never looked quite right to me… Always something missing... Until now. It’s amazing how much difference the right dial can make as it now looks and feels proper. I still have a long ways to go before calling this one done… But it’s on it’s way, and in a wearable state no less. I’ll be enjoying this one (as well as a few other PPCo builds in my collection) for a few more days and then back into the bank vault they go… Sorry for the lack of images… Long days at the office combined with shorter days as the Fall season approaches means less time to set up shots/composition, etc.I’ll try and get some images this weekend when I have some free time… Thanks for looking! //ubi

I accidentally ended up on a watchnet trading post. This guy is making some sweet IWC Santoni & Pilot style straps for +/- $135 All of his posts can be found here: http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=showposts&id=79626&rid=0

And here we go again... PAM love

Thank you kindly, gentlemen; I appreciate the comments. Mrs. Ubi has been a big supporter in my hobby/addiction/obsession; oft times, when I am considering the idea of selling something, she’s the one to talk me out of it! And when parts that she knows I’ve been searching for turn up, she’s always the first to encourage me in procuring them post haste. This watch is probably now at a 75% completion point for me. I only have one thing to really complete, and that’s to get the movement converted. I am, however at a crossroads as I need to prioritize my time between work, home, family and other projects. Not to digress, but I’ve been working the project below in parallel, along with a few others here and there. I need to focus on one project to completion, and pick the other up once I’ve wrapped it up. As it is… I just have way too many things going on at once and I need to manage what little time I seem to have during the day a little better. With regards to the 530… Hands are correct; Patek used several different types of hands during this era- pencil, leaf, spade, alpha… Performing a search on Antiquorum’s database turns up several variations. The hour and minute hands on mine are genuine and match the indicies (it’s difficult to tell, but the hour markers are all white metal). The small subdial hands and center seconds hand are all fabricated. Dial is a champagne tone, but casts a nice, warm silver tone in the right light. The ‘print’ (it’s not really print, per se, but rather hard enamel) is maybe the most alluring attribute; it’s difficult to explain, but the fonts, chapter, tachy scale all have an almost glowing effect in contrast to the dial. This is probably the reason why I end up stealing as many glances at my wrist, but somehow end up missing the actual time J

I came across a few interesting ones on a search

I used a modified TC ring but the movement is one I lucked out on on the bay, it's a much higher grade than TC's options... :-) I've used his with great results as well but I couldn't let this one pass me by!

After-all, I'd be doing you a favour by relieving you of the burden that is the Panerai, the least you could do is pay the postage Ah, I hadn't realised there was an alternative meaning for Lannister. I was thinking of Ser Jamie Lannister (of Game of Thrones fame) whilst typing that previous message though I would have to agree that your meaning is most accurate

And that is exactly why you aint a PAM guy.... :) ; That is why I love this place...some many great members and friends willing to help a guy out.... with no thought for themselves.... !!!! But I know one difference with you lot above.... Hike and C would pay the shipping..... You Benji my little sweaty sock...would expect me to pay the shipping too !!! I had to look up what a lannister was..... I found 2 answers.... some lot from Game of thrones and the slang meaning below "Pompous, online, gamer lacking in both talent and modesty. Usually found whining most of the time rather than working on improving skills. Hated by all." If it is one of these and not some pict slang meaning...A wonderful englishman... then I prefer the latter and state myself as guilty as charged !!

Very Nice indeed R, always listen to the Boss in your life. I tend to find they're never wrong, even when they are

Recent one

The only reason I'm including the first shot is because it's pretty: Second shot shows fitment of gen pro 2 bracelet. I had to keep the rep part that connects directly to the watch case because the gen parts that it came with were for a different ling and they were a bit curved. The rep part that serves as the intermediate between the case and the bracelet fits perfect and is completely unnoticeable. Here are some shots of how the bracelet fits. I need to adjust the bracelet a little still but immediately the bracelet seems to weigh about 20% more than the rep. In the third image, the gen is on the left and the rep is on the right in both the top and bottom pictures. I apologize for the wear and tear on the rep. As you can tell, all engravings appear more crisp and the breitling stamp doesn't seem as "pushed in" on the genuine. On the rep clasp the part where it says Breitling 1884 is literally pushed in a little bit but on the rep the stamping is much more clear. It's also important to note that even the gen clasp feels as though it should not be twisted in such a way that it would be stress on it at awkward angles when it is open. Also, the push pin (where one would adjust the tightness of the clasp) sits perfectly flush in the holes where as the rep does not. All cuts, corners and angles of the gen seem to be machined with greater attention to detail. The closing thingy on the clasp itself (on the gen) is flat where as on the rep it seems to take the overall curved shape of the rest of the clasp. Lastly, gen is on top and on the left. Again, the attention to detail on the gen is noticeable.

No, not yet, just collecting prices for a project I have in mind

Blue Monday...

Looks somewhat Vegan, or possibly even Caesarian to me! Here's my contribution. Guess where without looking up the road sign!

New Horween Derby Brown Padded Strap. It came out so nice I'm keeping it for myself.

Just for you! (I haven't a clue how to embed it properly.)

Shame on you may you make small youtube video to ammend your wrongs?

Some of my favorites...

Better.............

I think out of my pics, this one has to be one of my favorites:

I have one I'd sell for the right price...

Same principal. Slightly bend the skinny side. When she closes it, use a rolling motion instead of pushing straight down.

Monday... Snagged this lovely PAM 003 C serial in a trade recently

At least you will have a damn nice fake watch running for years.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

I do not doubt that :-) I'll make the comparison just for "fun" :-)

Great pics, I love a good movement macro shot myself. Here's a few

You shouldn't start Few of my favorites (too many to choose just one!):

If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is!

In that case, it sounds like a good idea. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. If successful, it might be worthwhile considering something similar to search gens & gen parts on the major gen sites (TZ, VRF, Rolexforums, etc).

I have the prototype noob 2013 sub and it already runs rings round the quality of the bp!!! It needs modding to be close but that's nothing new. The gen crystal fits perfectly and there is no need to use the bp gasket as the noob is perfectly repped dimensionally. The case is better and more crisply finished and the bracelet is excellent like the noob exp quality. Cg's are better and the crown is nice whereas bp is poor on these parts! Here is a quick pic to give an idea. Hopefully the finished product will impress us more than the bp and prototype model. I have a gen crystal fitted and a wm9 v3 dial with bp markers and hands.

What about this lot, got the lot for under U$200! All in pristine condition, serviced. Yes there are some bargains on the 'bay! You do need to know your seller though. Offshore