rmcsherry

I never wear my Porto (which is a shame, because it's one of the few that function perfectly!) because I just can't stand exotic leathers. A calf strap doesn't seem right on a Porto, correct me if I'm wrong. I've seen one or two on a braclet, no idea if they are gen or not. Has anyone got any good suggestions - I'm looking for something smart but definetly no croc / alligator / shark straps!

The dunlop tyre tread on the Chopard pens 'introduced' me to the Mille Miglia and Gran Turismo XL when I first saw the range a couple of years ago. Since then, I've never been able to find a rep or gen available to buy... has anybody got one / seen one? There's a broad range - often featured in classic car magazines, but they seem to be difficult to find on the web or the high street! Talking of classic car magazines, the other 'accessory' often mentioned is B.R.M watches. They are very unique (a bit on the pricey side) - do you reckon there is any chance of a rep? The reason I ask is that there is already a rep out there that is branded 'Graham' - even though the design is from BRM, and the case is engraved V8 Campione, which is the correct for the BRM model. There is even the option to have the trademark chequered leather strap. It all seems a little odd to me, who knows what these rep factories are thinking! Rep (wrong brand!): Gen:

Thanks for sharing! I've just finished my 203... it's an Auto with C3 superlume, AR sapphire, MPXI strap - looks like I'm going to have to do it all again, I just pulled the plug on this one, I couldn't resist (also I've been waiting on Joshua to deliver the correct CG as promised for just over 9 months now). I'll post a pic when it's arrived and fully modded - I've also got a fully modded Graham on genuine strap to add to the picture show!

You've got a cal.190 movement, which is 22 lignes (49mm) as opposed to the cal.240 which is 16 lignes (36mm). The 49mm movement won't fit in a 47mm case, so maybe it's best left as a clock. If you fancy a project, you could always make up a custom dial to have a look-a-like 40's Panerai military clock?! Maybe not.

Enzo did an amazing job, you're lucky. I'd love to get the facilities to create a properly engraved dial (vintage construction) with seconds at 9... one day it will be mine!! Tourby, I'm glad you're getting there with the projects - the dial sounds great, I'd love to see photos when you have any. Don't forget the Russian movement 6152's - the cases are great after a little modification, and the engraving on the back is sometimes tidier than Davidsen's.

The hands went for twice what the movement did though... figure that one out!! Has anyone other than Enzo / WM completed an Angelus project yet?

It makes me think twice about keeping that Angelus in my sock drawer for spares! The market seems to have gone mad, I sold an older back winder in perfect condition a few weeks ago for well under half of what this one went for. It's bizaar though that every Angelus on the bay is going for a small fortune, there seems to be 2 or 3 per month with the correct movement (most going to forum members), yet no Angelus projects turn up on the boards for us to see - are people buying them and not realising how difficult the project is to complete, or are people just hoarding the movements? Something strange is going on!

Metal tubing / rod from ebay?! No idea, but it sounds like an interesting project - if it's a common movement (I assume Cortebert / Angelus) then I'm sure a few people will be interested, which may bring your cost down. I know I'd be in for one or two if they fit either of these movements!

The Asian Auto cases are pretty horrible anyway - especially if you're going to the lengths of putting a 240 in there! An E0117 case with display back, AR sapphire etc. would be the only way to go. I was just illustrating the point that the auto dial is much closer to an Angelus than a unitas is, and therefore in my opinion it looks much nicer. The movement ring is plastic, and the movement is tiny - an Angelus would need the 36.5mm inner diameter, it looks like this would have to be custom made from steel stock. Go on Tourby, you know you want to make a perfect 203!

I'm also thinking of the AR upgrade. The brown dial was only available on the 6497 movement, the auto rep of the 203 is much better because of the sub-dial spacing (almost exactly the same as an Angelus 240 - ie. a perfect project!), so the numbers look closer. Also, the dial was too brown, it should be a desaturated tobacco shade - if I can get hold of a supply of auto dials for a Panerai, I'm thinking of getting them reprinted to the correct colour and design... it'd look so much better!

I know very little about this model, but the arrow on the GMT hand (blue dial only) appears to be rather large. It looks promising though - the case back is a nice touch, although if the gen hasn't been released yet, nitpicking is purely academic (the Panerai publicity shots usually have subtle differences to the production model).

I'll supply the movement, dial and Fiddy case if he put's in the hard work!

I'm currently wearing a $108 Panerai 203 from Joshua. It's not got AR or the Tobacco dial, but the movement is reliable and the sub-dial spacing is virtually identical to the genuine one. I like it so much, I put it on a strap that cost twice the price of the watch!

The second Jay project sounds interesting, it certainly gets my vote! The reason I posted it is that there are very few watches like this around - it's got a hint of Speedmaster in there, but is much more unique and will certainly grab peoples attention. If Jay's Third project will run to $108,000, are we allowed a 203 as well?!

I know it's an acquired taste, but how difficult would it be to rep the Mare? The blueprints are already on the net (for the reissue, IIRC they were all Slytech's) - which is always a nice start. What movement could be used? A Venus / Lemania seems the most probable option - but on the plus side, the original Angelus 215 movement can be had for little money (if you buy a rebranded one from a generic forties watch) - so there is the potential for a pretty amazing vintage project, if only the factories would make the case! EDIT: Apparently the Reissue uses an ETA 2801-2 which can be had for peanuts. Bonus!

I happen to know of one or two such catalogues for sale in the members section...

I stupidly tried to bleach one of Davidsen's dials thinking it was a painted sheet of engraved steel. Turns out it's a sheet of steel with engraved paint on top, so when the paint flakes, there's no hope! Oh well, it's all about learning. Merry Christmas and have a great new year!

It looks great, very subtle aging! The plexi on the back will really help, as will spring bars. Are you going to modify them to get rid of the screw slot? I was wondering whether some solder and a file would help to make them a little more accurate?! As for the photos, it'll be a little while - I'm in the middle of moving house! I've used some of your tips on the hands, but I was a little rough and bent the minute hand. Let's just call it vintage I've then got a 3 hour fight on my hands to get the keyless works sorted (I hate Molnija's!) before I can wear it. I don't think it'll be up to this standard unless I invest in a new dial, mine is showing signs of 'experimentation'!

Thanks for clearing that up. I'd forgotten about the non-functioning stick-on swan necks - it seems odd to go to the hassle when the movement itself looks a million miles away from the real deal.

I just noticed this post at another site - has anyone ever seen a movement like this?! It seems strange that a cheap Molnija-derived movement has a swan neck-style regulator (admittedly, it looks rubbish - but strange nonetheless). Could this indicate that the regulator could potentially be available seperately (for aftermarket installation) or is this not viable?

I've checked this site numerous times since Mark's first post, and only just found this thread. There are some images of original dials removed from the cases, as well as several close ups of the original caseback openers from the forties! However, the Luminor Panerai dial with seconds @9 (my current project) doesn't appear to have plastic filled indices, and the top 'layer' appears to be a very thin steel plate (unlike the plastic ones we're used to seeing) - the lume has turned grey / white, so perhaps it is still Radium? As far as I know, it is the plastic that yellows, not the luminous material. Also, check out the thickness on the Rolex dials, they certainly show up our reps!! It's a great site, thanks again for posting it, Mark.

Newly superlumed and sporting a MPXI courtesy of Elliot @ TCStraps (superb strap BTW)... All I need now is for Joshua to find the long awaited correct CG (damn those factories)

Marco, it looks great! Have you plastic filled the numerals in the first dial? Some shots look like you have, others don't! Thanks for sharing the coffe w/sugar tip - I'm still unsure about rust on hands - have you tried this? I've had to relume the same set of hands 4 times because of failed attempts!!

Work in progress...

...and a happy time was had by all