550bryan

I just picked up a J12 for my wife and I have to remove some links from the band. It has very unusual pins and I'm not sure how to remove them. Can someone given some insight? Thanks

I'm after a titanium PAM and have been thinking about DSN's 040 or possibly a 177h (I haven't checked on price or availability yet) but I wondering whether anyone out there has some insights on either of these watches. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If DSN is paying any attention to what his customers are saying you'd think he might try to get back to where he was. I'm one of those noob's who was ready to pull the trigger on his 111h, but not now....

I'm with you Jiro, I love the 253, where did you get it?

Good advice from stormtooper4. I do have a couple of rep PAM's, a really bad one I picked up on a wim while in Viet Nam (at the time knowing very little about reps and PAM's) and a decnt 111h I purchased from Deltick, although the crown on that watch sits too far from the case which I'm looking into having fixed. I must admit I'm totally hooked on watches and I have friends with genuine PAM's who might spot the difference. Over my life I purchsed many genuine watches with the two most expensive being a Brietling world navitimer and a Rolex platinum and ss yatchmaster, but I also have an Omega constellation chrono (very nice and rare gold and ss edition) a couple of Longines, a Corum admirals cup (love the dial), a Choppard mille miglia, a Ball nighttrain, and several others. I have spent way too much money on watches and always seem to want more. I've been interested in PAM's for ahwile but have been unwilling to step up to the $4,000-$5,000 and up that a new or even slightly used one costs. That's why I've started to look at reps, but I really want a "high quality" one if I can find it. I'm willing to move off a 177h to another model if it means getting one that is very close to the original version. I do want a simple dial ( like the sandwich dial best) so would lean toward the lower numbered models. I don't want a date wheel ( many look poorly done) no power reserve dial, probably no chrono, althought I like that style of watch. To me the best PAM's are the simple ones, so my search continues. Thanks to everyone for their advice, every little bit is helping me gain knowledge and perspective. 550bryan

Andreas and I are exactly in the same position, looking for the best 177h we can find, but unwilling to drop about $500 for a watch without having some first hand knowledge that it's a reaonable buy on a watch close to the gen article. Regardless, this thread has helped me gain knowlege on the complex world of rep watches, thanks for your help. 550bryan P.S. It's making me wonder whether I should rethink my choice to another model. It's really important to find a watch that's close to the gen Panerai, after all you don't want to pay $500 for a watch that's obviously a rep when you wear it.......

I've looked at the 177's from Josh as well and they look good. I was a little concerned that his swiss movement watch didn't say it was super lumed, so I assume it isn't. Also the crown seems to sit a little far from the case (see the link below to the gen 177). The Asian movement watch is a good deal, but I'm looking for the best rep I can find. That said I do want "value" for my money and a watch that is as close as I can find to the gen 177h. I'm still hoping I can find someone who has actually purchased this 177h from Davidsen. Aslo I guess I should e-mail him to see if he actually has the watch, as it seems he doesn't update his offerings too often. In any case this thread is helping me understand the issues better. Thanks to all of you for your help. 550bryan http://www.panerai.com/s_page.xpd?id_lingu...id_categoria=34

Guys, Thanks for the advice, you're helping me slowly become more educated, which is a challenge given the comlexity of the rep market. I really like the watch, but don't want to make a dumb decision, which I've been known to do in the past. 550bryan

I'm new to this and need help on deciding on a watch. It's from Davidsen and I realize he gets mixed reviews and only accepts WU payment. I haven't been able to find a comparable watch anywhere else though. It's a swiss movement watch with upgrades as reflected in this link; http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=19499 I'm hoping someone has actually purchased the watch from him and can give me feedback, but if any of the experts on the forum (which certainly excludes me) wants to give me any insights on the quality/ accuracy compared to the gen/opinion on price etc. I would really appreciate it. Thanks 550bryan

Gianton, Thanks for the reply. I've visited Davidsen's site and he seems to have some impressive watches. Unfortunately he also seems to have an impressive number of dissatified customers as well. Does anyone know of other dealers who might have a high quality rep of the 111h? It's interesting that there are many customers who are willing to step up for an accurate replica, and would like not to have it sent off to someone to have mods made to their new watch, I guess I fall into that category. I have several genuine watches, but I'm just not willing to fork over $5,000 for a gen Panerai, but I'd certainly be willing to pay a tenth of that for a fairly acurate replica if I knew where to find one.

Mike, Your description makes sense, and is sorta what I figured given its location on the movement. The post from P4GTR is interesting. From your post it seems, at least on some movments, it is functional. Thanks, 550bryan

I.m a nubie, so sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is the difference or function of the dagger swan neck that seems to be present in the better movement? Thanks

Yoroslav, I think you've defined my prefect PAM as well. But as you say, where can you find it? I'm relatively new to the forum and have much to learn, it's tough to know where to find the right watch. I don't even know where to find Davidsen, although everyone seems to know who he is. Obviously I'm missing something. Can any one out there help me, and perhaps Yoroslav, find our ideal watch? Thanks 550bryan

I heard Davidsen mentioned before as a good source, but I don't know where to find him, (I'm fairly new at this and learning) any help? Thanks