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5517 today

The few for sale may well be the last of the breed and the price is right so they will go pretty fast. I just wanted to say that they are a good buy 'as is' and the 1680/5513 case is a very close match (on the inside) to a genuine rolex 1680 except they are made for a 26.0mm dial. This info comes from the three examples I have (two 1680 and one 5513)...the 1680s are about three years old from MBK Center, actual age unknown on the 5513 but it is identical to the 1680 cases. If you leave the watch with an Eta and maybe go with a slower beat Eta 2846 etc, it is all smooth sailing. Otoh if you want to modify one for a genuine movement and genuine spec dial it would be good to know someone who can do the necessary case modifications. I am not going to buy one as I already have too many projects but I just wanted to say this is probably the last chance to snag one. Maybe someone could do a comparison of the MBK 5512/13 and latest model from Josh. This latest cartel watch may have the best affordable case for projects after the MBW/MBK watches are no longer available.

I'm sure many of these (assuming they will be delivered) will pop back up in sales section over the coming months. Shouldn't there be tagged photos? Just sayin.

Konadoc PMed me saying that he has an additional 5513 incoming to CONUS that he will be posting M2M. I'm sure there will be others if you want to play your luck. Or you could tell your wife that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and maybe sell a watch or two.

Nice shots guys. Getting closer on the Maxi project. Just waiting on a decent pearl....then off to the watch smith for some matching hands. Changed up to the old rivet

You will be a happy camper when it arrives, that's for sure!!!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I bought a MBW DRSD almost 18 years ago and it was a great piece. Over the years I replaced the usual parts (crystal, insert, crown etc) and gen parts worked just fine. It was a very, very believable and solid piece. We have a member here, Rolexfinder, who put up a sale thread in the last couple days, and he can get a GW or DR 1665 from the last remaining MBW stock. If you're really interested in doing it right, buy one of those. Here are some comparisons between old MBW and gen:

Not again Fluffy... Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

Interesting subject for sure... I've had several gen Panerai over the last 15 years (always bought pre-owned) and many many reps... The quality of the reps is just amazing these days. I just got a 243J that is every bit as good as the genuine (except for deep diving) for my purposes... Other than the morality of the subject and self-guilt in buying a rip-off, I see no reason to buy the gen and pay for the marketing and greed of the (and other) brand.

Interesting topic for sure. I have owned and do still own Gen Pams and I have several reps. I'm much more impressed by my reps in terms of value for dollar. But, to each his own. And I love the history of the brand almost as much as the timeless simplicity of the style. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is indeed an interesting subject.. I have been a member here at RWG for a bit over 9 years now an it is a far better club of really great individuals than when I first arrived. There were some here back then who were rather unpleasant and riled a number of us. They are long gone and it is great how cool RWG is now. I pretty much discovered Panerai here and have owned so many of them. Working in Caesars Palace, I was astonished by how well some Pam reps were made compared to the original item in the AD stores. There is a Panerai boutique now in Caesars which is fun to visit. The brand is as strong as ever and very popular amoung the folks who easily drop thousands for Pams . I see no letup on the popularity of the brand. Like any product their are peaks and valleys of popularity, but this watch line will be around for many years to come.